By region · Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
Four island groups that get sold as interchangeable and are nothing alike. The one thing they share is that breaking the flight in the Gulf usually costs less than flying direct.
Four island groups that get sold as interchangeable and are nothing alike. The one thing they share is that breaking the flight in the Gulf usually costs less than flying direct.
Choosing between them is really a choice about how much you want to be able to do.
The Maldives is one island, one resort, and nowhere to go — which is the point, and why it suits honeymoons and people who genuinely want to stop. Mauritius is a country with mountains, markets and rum, at noticeably lower prices. The Seychelles has three main islands linked by ferry, so you can island-hop. Zanzibar is the value pick with a thousand-year-old stone town attached. Sri Lanka isn't really an island holiday at all — it's a touring country with a beach at the end.
With what each is actually for.
One island, one resort, nothing to do. Unmatched water, and you can't leave.
A lagoon all the way round, plus mountains and rum. Cheaper than the Maldives.
Three islands and a ferry. Granite boulders, and the most expensive of the four.
Half the Maldives price for comparable water, with Stone Town attached.
Not a beach holiday — ruins, tea hills and leopards, then a coast.
The classic. Three nights of city, seven on a water villa.
More to do at the beach end, and a shorter second flight.
Island-hopping, and Abu Dhabi undercuts Dubai by 20–30%.
The under-sold route, and the best value in the region.
Zanzibar, comfortably — roughly half the Maldives for similar water. Mauritius is the best balance of price and things to do.
On Emirates, Etihad and Qatar routings, often yes. We price the direct flight alongside so you can see the difference in writing.
All of them, but the Maldives if you want to stop entirely and Mauritius or the Seychelles if you'd rather have things to do.
The Seychelles' three islands, yes, by ferry. Combining the Maldives with Mauritius means backtracking — we'd pair either with a Gulf city instead.
Guide prices across the region, from a short-haul week to a full circuit.
One island, one resort. Ask which transfer before you book.
Reef all the way round, so the water is flat everywhere.
Three granite islands by ferry rather than one for a fortnight.
Two monsoons, so half the island is always in season.
Maldivian water at half the price, with a stone town attached.
The Gulf stopover usually costs less than flying direct.
Guide prices, per person, based on two sharing, including return flights, accommodation and transfers. They indicate what a holiday of this type has typically cost and are not an offer or a quotation. Your price depends on dates, party, board basis, departure airport and availability, and is confirmed in writing before any payment is taken.
Ready-built and fully reshapeable around your dates.
11 nights · Nov–Apr · from £2,199pp
14 nights · Apr–May, Sep–Nov · from £1,999pp
11 nights · Apr–May, Oct–Nov · from £2,449pp
14 nights · Dec–Mar · from £1,899pp
12 nights · Jun–Oct, Jan–Feb · from £3,399pp
12 nights · Jul–Oct · from £3,099pp
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