Maldives or Seychelles – Which Is Best For Honeymoon in 2025
One of life’s most delightful choices is whether to pick the Maldives or Seychelles for honeymoon!
The incredible honeymoon hotels, the tropical scenery, the dazzling white sand, the azure water, the magical underwater world.
While they might look similar at first glance, they really differ from each other. But how do you decide, Maldives or Seychelles? What exactly is the difference between these stunning honeymoon destinations?
We’ve been lucky to visit these two incredible honeymoon destinations, so let us help you decide, Maldives or Seychelles – which is best FOR YOU.
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Where are the Maldives and Seychelles?
The Maldives or Seychelles may seem like they’re next door to each other but that’s not exactly the case as the Indian Ocean is vast!
The Maldives is a collection of 1200 tiny atolls located just south of Sri Lanka and India. An atoll is a group of tiny islands and islets surrounded by a lagoon.
Only about 190 of the islands are inhabited. The capital, Malé, is a bustling island city and the entry point to the islands.
There are no rivers or mountains in the Maldives and the islands are small sand islands with palm trees and vegetation.
Seychelles is a group of 115 islands situated off the coast of Tanzania and Kenya in East Africa and further south than the Maldives.
They are spread across the Indian Ocean, and the vast majority of the islands are remote and uninhabited.
Couples typically access less than 10 of Seychelles’ islands. Most of the population lives on the main island of Mahé. The capital, Victoria, is one of the smallest in the world.
The islands have rainforest interiors with waterfalls and hikes.
When you make your choice between the Maldives or Seychelles, one thing is certain — both destinations are relatively remote but are easy to get to, so don’t let that deter you.
The seclusion is part of what makes these honeymoon destinations so special.
Best time to visit the Maldives and Seychelles
When choosing between the Maldives or Seychelles, climate and weather are important factors. They have their own unique weather patterns and peak travel times.
As it’s closer to the equator, the Maldives does not experience significant temperature changes throughout the year. It’s always warm.
However, it has a rainy and dry season. The best time to visit Maldives for a honeymoon is during the dry season, from December to April.
That being said, many couples travel during the rainy season from May to October as it’s one of the cheapest times to visit.
However, the weather is not guaranteed and you can experience some heavy thunderstorms, although they get plenty of sunny spells, too.
Seychelles is similar in that it doesn’t get cold, but experiences different monsoons or trade winds throughout the year.
The best time to visit Seychelles for a honeymoon is during the dry season between April to October. The opposite time to the Maldives.
The Seychelles can experience heavy rainfall during its rainy season, too.
In summary, weather might be one way to narrow down your choice between the Maldives or Seychelles, as the best time to visit Seychelles is during the summer between April to October, the Maldives in winter and spring between December to April.
Check out the month-by-month weather information for the Maldives or Seychelles.
getting to the Maldives and Seychelles
Getting to either the Maldives or Seychelles is relatively easy. While these locations may seem remote, they are all well-connected by air.
One popular option for reaching these destinations is to fly via the Middle East.
You can catch the frequent connecting flights from cities in the UAE (with Emirates via Dubai or Etihad via Abu Dhabi), Qatar (with Qatar Airways via Doha) or Turkey (via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines) to the Maldives.
If you’re traveling to or from Southeast Asia, there are direct flights to the Maldives from cities like Bangkok, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur.
The Seychelles can also be reached from Doha with Qatar Airways along with flights via Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Airlines.
Seychelles also has connections from Nairobi in Kenya and Johannesburg in South Africa.
There are also flights from European cities like London and Paris.
Getting around the Maldives vs Seychelles
In the Maldives, the concept is “one island: one resort”. 99% of couples visiting the Maldives go straight from the airport to their hotel, spending the entire trip in the same resort, so you don’t need to get around, so to speak.
To get to your resort, you have the option of a speedboat, a fun seaplane ride, or domestic flight followed by a speedboat ride, depending on the location of your resort.
While there are some opportunities to visit neighbouring islands from certain resorts, island hopping is actually not that common in the Maldives although with local islands in the Maldives opening it up, it is possible.
However, if you’re looking for a unique way to explore the islands, G Adventures has this wonderful traditional dhoni cruise and ScubaSpa Maldives has some beautiful sailing tours.
In Seychelles, couples typically land on the main island of Mahé and then travel to neighbouring islands by plane, ferry, or helicopter.
Most couples will base themselves on Mahé and Praslin and explore the surrounding islands from there.
The best way to get around the islands is by car. In Seychelles, they drive on the left side of the road. However, if you’re not comfortable driving, you can hire a driver and there are also plenty of excursions available to take you to the best spots.
If hiring a car, book early. Seychelles is a small nation, there are limited cars available for hire.
If you have time, you might add a third island like La Digue to your itinerary, where the primary mode of transportation is bicycle.
Whether you choose the Maldives or Seychelles, they are very easy to get around.
Where to stay in the Maldives or Seychelles
When you’re planning a honeymoon and choosing between the best honeymoon resorts in the Maldives or Seychelles, you’re in for a treat with some of the world’s best hotels spread across these Indian Ocean paradises.
In the Maldives, resorts reign supreme. You’ll find a variety of options ranging from all-inclusive properties to smaller, more intimate but lavish Maldives island settings. Perfect for couples on honeymoon!
One highlight of staying in the Maldives is the opportunity to stay in a villa, either a beach villa or an overwater villa.
These luxurious accommodations often come equipped with their own private plunge pool and direct access to the warm, turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. There are just a few that are adults-only. Although Maldives is expensive, you can find affordable options, too.
You might even book a resort where you can opt for a floating breakfast and a water slide from your villa that leads to the cerulean, crystal clear waters.
In the Maldives, there are some resorts that have blocks of rooms. However, for a true Maldivian experience, book a villa! Whether that is on the beach or over the water will depend on your budget.
If you’re looking for an authentic experience, you can go off the beaten track a little. The government recently allowed local guesthouses to open on locally inhabited islands with a chance to immerse yourself in authentic Maldivian culture.
However, the Maldives is an Islamic nation and on local islands the culture is more reserved and conservative than the privately owned islands.
In Seychelles, you’ll find a diverse range of accommodation options. From eco-resorts to private islands to stunning hilltop resorts with private pools.
The Seychelles is home to some of the world’s most exclusive resorts, too.
For us the Maldives pips the Seychelles when it comes to accommodation as the overwater villa is such a special experience and they are ubiquitous in the Maldives.
Whatever your ultimate choice is between the Maldives or Seychelles, you’ll find stunning hotels in the most magical beach destinations, and they’re usually all on or overlooking the beachfront.
Where to eat in the Maldives and Seychelles
When it comes to culinary adventures between the Maldives or Seychelles, they differ from each other. So, food and drink might be another factor that helps your decision to choose between the Maldives or Seychelles.
In the Maldives, many resorts offer all-inclusive packages, making it easy to enjoy a variety of meals and drinks without worrying about the bill at the end.
However, some resorts also offer bed-and-breakfast, half board (B&D*) or full board (B, L&D*) options. This is often the case at the higher end 5-star plus resorts in the Maldives. It might also be suitable for couples who don’t drink alcohol.
**B = Breakfast L= Lunch D = Dinner
If you don’t go all-inclusive, you pay for what you eat & drink locally (added to your bill and paid at check-out).
Dining in the Maldives is a treat for the senses, where you’ll find a variety of restaurants in many resorts with world cuisines like Italian and Japanese as well as fresh seafood and exotic fruits.
Sometimes only the buffet restaurant is included in your package, so it’s worth comparing Maldives honeymoon packages.
All-Inclusive packages can be great value and sometimes have a handful of activities included. Others have an optional supplement that allows you to upgrade to dine around in multiple restaurants.
In contrast, Seychelles is not really an all-inclusive type of destination. Most accommodation offers either bed & breakfast, half board or full board.
All-inclusive is not common like it is in the Maldives or the Caribbean. Many resorts offer bed-and-breakfast, half board, or full board packages.
We recommend going with either breakfast or half board. You may be out exploring during the day so you don’t want to be tied to having lunch at the hotel!
With a focus on locally sourced ingredients, Seychelles cuisine is a fusion of African, Indian, and Creole influences, with fresh seafood and tropical fruits taking centre stage.
While dining options may be more limited on some of the smaller islands, Mahé offers a handful of restaurants to explore.
When it comes to dining in the Maldives and Seychelles, we highly recommend trying the local cuisine. From fresh seafood to exotic fruits and spices, the Indian Ocean islands offer a feast for the senses.
Many resorts also offer multiple dining options, from fine dining restaurants to beachside bars, making it easy to find something to suit your taste buds including plenty of western-style foods.
If food or going all inclusive is a factor in your decision between the Maldives or Seychelles, choose the Maldives. If all inclusive is not a deal breaker, Seychelles should stay on your list!
Having been to both the Maldives and Seychelles, plus the feedback from couples over the years, the Maldives has the best food and is probably best for foodie couples.
However, one big caveat is that the quality of the food can be dependent on where you’re staying, too.
Things to do in the Maldives or Seychelles
Although you’re probably looking at images online of deserted paradise beaches, when you’re deciding between the Maldives or Seychelles, you’ll be glad to know there are plenty of things to do in both destinations!
One common question we get is, ‘Is the Maldives a little bit boring? The answer is a definitive no! You’d be surprised at how much there is to do and you can choose a resort that has more activities or choose not to do a whole lot of anything, too.
How would your day go when you’re in a typical Maldives resort?
You might choose to wake up to see the magical Maldivian sunrise, go for a leisurely breakfast, or spend the morning scuba diving or snorkelling amongst the coral reef. You could even plant some coral, a fun activity to help the planet.
Take an afternoon stroll on a sandbank or take part in some water sports. Sunbathe by the pool, go to the spa, play a game of tennis and take a sunset dolphin-spotting cruise.
Have the most beautiful dining experience by the beach, marvel at the celestial magic of the night sky on a stargazing tour.
As you can see, there is plenty to keep you occupied if you’re an adventure-focussed couple.
In Seychelles, a typical itinerary will involve an island hop from Mahé to Praslin and maybe La Digue or Silhouette or a private island. What is there to do in Seychelles?
There are so many great Seychelles honeymoon activities to discover! You can lie by the pool in your lovely hotel.
However, the world’s best beaches like Anse Source D’Argent, Anse Lazio or Anse Intendance are often just a short drive away.
Snorkel, swim, dive, and take a glass-bottom canoe. Spend your day meeting giant tortoises, hiking beautiful rainforest trails, visiting the colourful market on Mahé, or bike riding on La Digue.
We recommend hiring a car. You can wake up early and get to some of the world’s beaches before the crowds. If you get there at 8.30/9.00 am, you may find barely anyone around — just magic!
The main difference is that in the Maldives, the activities are contained in the resort, whereas in the Seychelles you might get outside the hotel for some activities.
Although some resorts and private islands in Seychelles have giant tortoises roaming around, snorkelling just offshore and water sports available, too.
Whoever wins in the battle between the Maldives or Seychelles, there is plenty to keep you entertained in both of these idyllic honeymoon destinations.
Which is the cheapest between the Maldives and Seychelles
Cost is often a factor when choosing between the Maldives or Seychelles and prices can vary greatly depending on factors such as travel dates, accommodation choices, activities, flight deals and how soon you book.
While there are some relatively budget-friendly options available, the Maldives and Seychelles are generally considered expensive honeymoon destinations, with the typical honeymoon package do these destinations getting close to or over five-figures.
However, many resorts in Maldives offer all-inclusive, so food and drink can be included, whereas in Seychelles, all-inclusive isn’t a thing, so it’s harder to compare like for like.
Seychelles needs a little longer than the Maldives, too, as you usually hop to one or two islands in Seychelles. So, 10 nights is recommended, whereas a week is often ideal for the Maldives. Although you can go to the Maldives for longer if you desire!
One tip we have, if you’re trying to manage your honeymoon budget, is to split your stay.
If an overwater villa in Maldives or an ultra luxury resort in Seychelles is looking out of reach financially, consider staying in a more modest room category or hotel for a few days and then upgrade to a WOW room or hotel for the last few days.
Always save the best for last if you can!
For the most accurate and up-to-date information on how the Maldives or Seychelles compare in price, we recommend consulting with a travel agent who can help you find the best deals and packages that suit your budget or even a quick check on travel websites like Google Flights and Booking.com for a quick comparison.
Remember that prices can fluctuate based on the time of year and other factors, so it’s best to research, plan and book in advance (10-11 months before is a good rule of thumb!).
Where to tag on to the Maldives or Seychelles
As we mentioned earlier, multiple airlines serve the Indian Ocean islands, so it’s fairly even when it comes to getting to the Maldives or Seychelles and creating an epic multi destination honeymoon.
You can do a city stopover in Dubai with its stunning hotels and resorts. Some even have rooftop pools for a honeymoon treat.
Istanbul is an option with the Maldives. Or, Abu Dhabi is also a great city stopover option to combine with either destination.
Some European hubs such as Paris and London have direct flights too.
From Asia, you can fly directly from Bangkok to the Maldives. One of our all-time favourite multi destination honeymoons is a dreamy Thailand honeymoon with Maldives.
You can also fly from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Any of these make for a great add-on to create the perfect multi-destination honeymoon itinerary with the Maldives and also have create connections if you want to go elsewhere in Asia.
How about a fun honeymoon in Bali and some RnR in the Maldives, afterwards?
One of the easiest pairings with Maldives is Sri Lanka or India as there are direct flights between them.
For the Seychelles, consider an epic South Africa road trip honeymoon itinerary or a magical safari honeymoon in Kenya or Tanzania. Explore the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.
Wondering about Tanzania and Kenya? We’ve got the lowdown about those two fantastic safari honeymoon destinations, too.
Currently, there are no direct flights between Africa and the Maldives, so they don’t go as well together.
To combine Maldives with Africa, you will need to fly via the Middle East, sometimes adding a considerable expense.
Of course, you don’t have to combine these destinations!
You can just fly straight to either the Maldives or Seychelles and stay there the whole time, but as you can see, there are some beautiful places to tag on if you have more time!
So which is best – Maldives or Seychelles?
Choosing between the Maldives and Seychelles for your honeymoon hinges on your personal vision of paradise.
Opt for the Maldives if the idea of stepping from your plush overwater villa directly into the azure ocean sounds like your kind of luxury.
Alternatively, if your ideal getaway involves island hopping, tropical landscapes, trekking through verdant rainforests, then Seychelles is a true gem.
Ultimately, weather patterns, your honeymoon budget, and the type of accommodation can all influence your decision.
If you’ve been thinking about the Maldives or Seychelles, we hope this article has helped you figure out the difference between these incredible destinations!
Let us know which one you choose. Will it be the Maldives or Seychelles?
Happy Planning x
Related Maldives honeymoon articles:
Ultimate Maldives Honeymoon Guide
Affordable Maldives Honeymoon Resorts
Most Expensive Maldives Honeymoon Resorts
The Best Time To Visit The Maldives
Essential Maldives Packing List for Honeymoon
Related Seychelles honeymoon articles:
Ultimate Seychelles Honeymoon Guide
Best Honeymoon Resorts in Seychelles
Things To Do in Seychelles for Honeymoon
The Best Time To Visit Seychelles
Essential Seychelles Packing List for Honeymoon
