The Indian Ocean

Luxury holidays in the Indian Ocean mean very different things depending on where you go. The Maldives is about overwater villas and reef on your doorstep. Mauritius offers lagoons, golf and a mountainous interior. The Seychelles has granite islands and some of the most private hideaways in the world, while Sri Lanka and Mozambique add culture, wildlife and a sense of discovery.

We have planned Indian Ocean holidays for our clients for over two decades. We know the islands, the resorts and, just as importantly, which villa, which month and which transfer will make the trip work for you.

Each island group has its own character, season and style of resort. Here are the destinations we book most often, and who each one suits.

Indian Ocean resorts range from large, lively properties with several restaurants and a kids’ club to private islands with only a handful of villas. The choice of villa matters as much as the resort: overwater or beach, sunrise or sunset side, pool or no pool, and how far you are from the main restaurant.

Tell us who is travelling and how you like to spend your days, and we will suggest the right island, resort and villa. For honeymoons we look for privacy and a beautiful setting. For families we look for connecting villas, shallow lagoons and good children’s clubs.

Direct flights from London reach Mauritius in around twelve hours and the Maldives in around ten, depending on the season. Most other routes connect through Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi, which also makes an easy stopover. We book the flights that suit your dates, with lounge access and fast-track where available.

In the Maldives, most resorts are reached by seaplane or speedboat from Malé. Seaplanes fly only in daylight, so we plan your flights to avoid an overnight stop. For the Seychelles private islands and Mozambique, we arrange light aircraft or helicopter transfers.

The Indian Ocean is a year-round destination, but each island has its own best months. The Maldives is driest from December to April. Mauritius is at its best from May to December, when it is cooler and drier. The Seychelles is warm all year, with the calmest seas in April and May and again in October and November.

Sri Lanka’s south and west coasts are best from December to April, and Mozambique from May to November. Christmas, New Year and February half-term are the busiest weeks everywhere, so book these well ahead.