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Bragging of pristine beaches with white sands glistening in the abundant Sun, plushest hotels boasting the best of luxury, and fun-filled activities to experience, the tropical island nations of Mauritius and Seychelles have so much in common. The similarities baffle every tourist on what best to choose and we hope that this blog helps you make the right choice on Mauritius VS Seychelles.
Despite being so similar even in terms of climate, both the beach destinations yet are unique in their ways like the cost of the trip, travel easiness, and luxury of the resorts that an onlooker usually overlooks.
From checking the basic aspects like the closeness to India to taking care of little details like best food options, this blog will put light on many special features of both these locations. So, without any further delay, let’s get started
1. Mauritius Vs. Seychelles
Mauritius is located relatively closer to India than Seychelles and hence, Mauritius is easy to reach. Also, the availability of direct flights between the Sri Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Air Terminal in Mauritius and major cities of India makes the air journey faster and more convenient.
Mauritius:
To reach Mauritius by air, one can book direct, non-stop flights from Delhi and Chennai International airports in Air Mauritius and Air India carriers.
The travel time between India and Mauritius takes a maximum of about 7 hours.
The ticket prices start at about INR 35,000 per adult for the one-way journey in economy class when booked in advance. However, these prices rise steeply to as much as INR 50,000 per adult during the peak season and for last-minute bookings.
Seychelles:
Currently, there are no direct flights connecting India and Seychelles airports. However, there are many one-stop and two-stop flights that connect all the major cities of India with SEZ Mahe Airport(SEZ) or the Praslin Airport (PRI).
The easiest way is to take the one-stop Emirates flight from Mumbai Chatrapati International Airport to Dubai International Airport and then layover for about 5 hours. Then, take an Emirates flight again to SEZ Mahe International Airport in Seychelles.
The travel duration is about 12h 55m in all. The ticket prices start at about INR 40,000 per adult for a one-way journey. Tourists can also book cruises to reach Mauritius from Kochi Port, India to enjoy a sea voyage.
2. Mauritius Vs. Seychelles: Best Time to Visit
Both the island nations of Mauritius and Seychelles lie in the Indian Ocean and more or less have the same best months to visit ie., from May to December. So, we end the best time to visit Mauritius VS Seychelles category with a tie.
Mauritius:
The best time to visit Mauritius is from May to December when the climate is warm and the waters are ideal for various water activities like diving and swimming.
Located in the southwest of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius has a warm climate all through the year and is visited in other months too for sightseeing and sunbathing. During Jan, Feb, and March, cyclones are common and so water activities may remain shut.
Seychelles:
The best time to visit Seychelles is between May and August when the climate is usually dry and the temperature average around 26 degrees Celsius.
The months from September to November are the second-best time to visit the island nation as it gets festive with events like Praslin Culinary and Arts Fiesta, GFA Fishing Tournament, and the Seychelles Ocean Festival.
3. Mauritius Vs. Seychelles: Activities To Do
We give both Mauritius and Seychelles equal points in this segment of Mauritius VS Seychelles as both these enchanting tropical island nations have almost the same number of activities with equal thrill and fun quotient.
Mauritius:
Mauritius is lauded for the umpteen number of water sports it offers – scuba diving, parasailing, cave sea kayaking, kite surfing, underwater sea walk, Blue Safari submarine rides, and snorkeling.
Water babies can choose Mauritius hands down if they are keen on water sports during their beach holiday. Other than these nerve-wracking water adventures, tourists can go on beach hop tours, hike the mountains, play golf, and even embark on a gastronomic tour.
Seychelles:
With an amazing coastline in the islands and diverse landscapes that is favorable for adventure freaks, the activities to do in Seychelles are seemingly countless.
Snorkeling, scuba diving, and cruise tours are the main things that tourists indulge in to explore the richness of the islands. The Copolia Trail is every trekker’s crush and activities like rock climbing and ziplining at Mahe are sure to give you chills.
Nature lovers can have a whale of a time bird watching at Valle de Mai and spend a day exploring the rich biodiversity at Morne National Park.
4. Mauritius Vs. Seychelles: Places to Visit
From beaches and national parks to museums and chapels, Mauritius has a good variety of places to visit. Hence, Mauritius wins an extra point in this Mauritius VS Seychelles segment.
Mauritius:
Mauritius is a beach destination and the scenic beaches of the nation like Flic en Flac Beach, Trou aux Biches Beaches, and Grand Bae Biches lure travelers of all types from all parts of the world.
Other than that, tourists can visit the colonial buildings in Mathurin, museums at Mahebourg, and churches and chapels at Cap Malheureux to take a break from the monotonous beach hopping. Mauritius also has many bazaar streets and weekend markets to go on a culinary tour.
Seychelles:
Being an archipelago of 115 islands, islands are the primary places to visit in Seychelles. Each of the islands looks mesmerizingly beautiful with pristine blue waters of the Indian Ocean, powdery sanded beaches, shoreline with mountains that are densely forested, lagoons, and reefs.
The most popular islands to visit in Seychelles are Mahe, Praslin, La Digue, Aldabra, and Silhouette Island that offer stunning tropical views.
Other attractions at Seychelles are mostly national parks that include Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, Praslin National Park, Silhouette National Park, and Morne Seychelles National Park.
5. Mauritius Vs. Seychelles: Places to Stay
Mauritius has so many hotels, lodges, and resorts to fit every traveler’s budget and choice. So, when it comes to accommodation in Mauritius VS Seychelles, Mauritius wins it hands down.
Mauritius:
While the whole of Mauritius has plenty of accommodations to choose from, the east and the north coast have the best of them.
East Coast: With pristine beaches and cool winds, the East Coast of Mauritius is lined with hotels and resorts where the elites and celebrities frequently holiday. Some of the best hotels that offer true value for money are Shangri-La’s Le Touessrok Resort & Spa and The Residence Mauritius.
North Coast: With so many breathtakingly beautiful beaches, the North Coast of Mauritius has the highest concentration of hotels; particularly around Grand Baie Beach. LUX Grand Gaube Resort & Villas, Pereybere Hotel & Spa, and Hotel 20 degrees SUD offer comfortable stays after a tiring day at the beaches.
Seychelles:
Accommodation in Seychelles is dominated by opulent resorts and hotels that offer the plushest holiday experience.
Mahe Island: Being the largest and most populated island in Seychelles, Mahe is the most preferred place for tourists to stay. The island has a good number of hotels, resorts, villas, and boutique hotels in a wide range of tariff to choose from.
Praslin Island: This second largest island in Seychelles has great accommodation options ranging from luxury resorts like Hotel Raffles with oceanfront views to budget hotels like Hotel Plein Soleil and Villa Authentique that offer a snug stay.
6. Mauritius Vs. Seychelles: Places to Eat
With a good mix of choices on the platter for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians, Seychelles gets clean bowled to Mauritius in places to eat.
Mauritius:
Mauritius has no distinct cuisine yet its cuisine is praised as “melting pot flavors”. Delicacies like Mauritian Curry, Farata Alouda, Bois Cheri Tea, and Dim sums are a true pleasure to gorge upon.
Heads to restaurants like Annabella’s Restaurant in Bel Ombre, Château Mon Désir in Balaclava, Republik Beach Club & Grill in Trou d’Eau Douce for a lip-smacking food experience.
Mauritius also has so many food streets with roadside shops and food trucks where you can savor scrumptious street food like Dholl Puri, Vanilla Tea, and Anana Confit.
Seychelles:
Fish and coconuts are an integral part of Seychellois or Creole cuisine and Seychelles is a great destination to smack on delicious and bizarre seafood like Octopus curry, Bat Curry, and Shark chutney.
Some of the most flavorful places to relish authentic Creole dishes are Le Grand Mansion in Au Cap, Mimi’s Cafe, Mi Mum’s Take Away, and Chez Jules in La Digue Island.
For fine dining experiences, head to upscale resorts like Four Seasons Resort, Anantara Maia, and Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa.
7. Mauritius Vs. Seychelles: Expenses
In the category of expenses at Mauritius VS Seychelles, Mauritius has an edge over Seychelles as it is more affordable in terms of accommodation, food, and shopping.
Mauritius:
The cost of Mauritius packages usually ranges around INR 60,000 – INR 70,000 when booked in advance. When it comes to food, most of the hotels offer complimentary breakfast.
For lunch and dinner, you can choose food trucks or elite hotels based on your budget. 2-liter water bottles from a local shop cost about MUR 30. Shopping is a costly affair in Mauritius as most of the items are imported here.
Water sports in Mauritius are also fairly priced. So, you can plan a modest Mauritius trip for one week comfortably for about INR 70,000.
Seychelles:
Seychelles tour packages for one week start at about INR 1,00,000 per person. Accommodation is expensive on this island nation.
A budget traveler will need about INR 7000 as per day expense while the cost can shoot up to INR 1,00,000 per day if you choose to stay in 5-star resorts and indulge in luxury activities like catamaran and cruise tours. Also, food expenses per day in Seychelles are about INR 2000.
8. The Verdict
While every traveler’s interests and budget varies, here is a short verdict on Mauritius VS Seychelles which we believe will help you decide.
If you are looking for a budget beach holiday abroad that promises true value for money, Mauritius is the clear winner.
Nevertheless, if you are planning on a lavish beach holiday in upscale resorts in a secluded location where Nature still remains untouched, Seychelles is your best bet.
FAQs:
Which is better for honeymoon Mauritius or Seychelles?
Mauritius and Seychelles can be considered an ideal honeymoon destination for romantic couples. However, both the cities have got their unique charm for the holidaymakers. If you love to spend time in the midst of a bustling city loaded with loads of adventure activities, then you can head to Mauritius. If you love to spend time in a tranquil and secluded setting, then the best untouched and exclusive destination would be Seychelles.
Which place offers the best food Mauritius or Seychelles?
Mauritian cuisine happens to be a direct reflection of its vibrant and diverse culture. The food of Mauritius is highly influenced by residents of the islands – French, Indian, and Chinese. During your stay, you must try out fish rougaille, vindaye, and daube.
The cuisine of Seychelles is more of organic and personalized gourmet cuisine. The cuisine is mainly complete with seafoods like shrimp, octopus, lobster, and some creole flavors. In the course of your stay, you must try out Coco de Mer, a giant coconut.
Which place has the best nightlife, Mauritius or Seychelles?
Mauritius tends to have a more relaxed nightlife scene as compared to Seychelles with its beachside bars and nightclubs. The nightlife scene of Mauritius brims up with beach clubs, happening nightclubs, laid back lounges, and engaging casinos.
You can have exotic drinks, cocktails, and grooving music. The nightlife scene of Seychelles is more exclusive because of its strict dress codes and lavish clubs. You will also find limited discotheques, casinos, and public houses where you can party after the sun goes down.
How to reach Seychelles?
By Flight: You can reach seychelles by taking direct flights to SEZ airport which is located close to the capital city of Victoria. Some of the popular flight operators to Seychelles are Emirates, Jet Airways, SriLankan, and Kenya Airways.
How to reach Mauritius?
The best way to reach Mauritius would be taking a direct flight to the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport which connects a number of important cities across the globe. The airport is located close to Port Louis which is the capital city of Mauritius. Some of the major flight operators to Mauritius are Air Mauritius, Air France, Air India, Air Austral, Emirates, South African Airways, Lufthansa and KLM.
What is the best time to visit Seychelles?
The best time to visit Seychelles would be in the months of April, May, October, and November. This time of the year represents transition times in between hot and humid northwest trade winds and cold southeast trade winds. You will be able to take part in a number of activities as well as visit some popular places of tourist interest.
What is the best time to visit Mauritius?
Mauritius can be best visited in between the month of May to the month of December as the climatic condition remains dry, cool, and sunny which means you will be able to make the most of your stay. You can head out various island hopping tours, sightseeing tours, and take part in some adventure activities as well.
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