> > by Matthew Brace
Seychelles is one of the few tropical destinations where you can still be almost guaranteed to fi nd a deserted beach.Even on the more popular islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue there are quiet coves with clean crescents of oat-white sand peppered with granite boulders – perfect for a refreshing swim after a rainforest hike.
The in-shore waters and lagoons are crystal clear – snorkelling out from the beach you will see a rainbow of painted fish within a few metres of the shore. Further out, the cooler waters around the reef walls are home to barracuda, wrasse, turtles and reef sharks. But there’s another element to Seychelles which sets it apart from so many other tropical islands – for the large part is has largely resisted big-buck commercialisation. This is probably because Seychelles is famously expensive and maybe has not had to rely on gigantic billboards advertising global brands. Whatever the reason, the predominant palette is not KFC red and McDonald’s yellow but emerald hillsides, a cerulean sky and a turquoise ocean flecked with brilliant white sails.
Couple the view with sun-kissed days, fresh ocean breezes and palm trees leaning gracefully over the beach and you have a true honeymoon gem.
NEED TO KNOW
DO spend at least a day on Anse D’Argent, the immaculate beach on La Digue – oat-white sand and grey smooth granite boulders.
DON’T miss a rainforest trek through the central highlands of Mahé or the coastal forests on Silhouette Island.
COUPLES WILL LOVE walking down a deserted beach at sunset and leaving parallel footprints in the sand.
WINE AND DINE at the local restaurants in Beau Vallon on the north-west coast of Mahé Island for great Seychellois creole (the Boat House is a favourite).