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As two of the most picturesque islands in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius vs Seychelles is a dilemma that travelers often have to face. After all, both islands are known for their gorgeous lagoons, stretches of super soft sand, and serene resorts. On the surface, Mauritius and Seychelles might as well be interchangeable.
Peer closer though and you might start to notice quite a few differences between these island nations. A vacation in Mauritius is usually all about adventures, culture, and food. On the other hand, Seychelles never fails to impress with its untouched natural beauty, secluded oceanfront coves, and delightfully relaxed atmosphere.
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Mauritius Summary
Covering a surface area of 2,040 sq km, the volcanic island of Mauritius has a population of nearly 1.3 million inhabitants. The island is comprised of descendants of African slaves and migrants from India, Europe, and China. The waterfront capital of Port Louis is a vibrant hub that still reflects Mauritius’s multicultural influences and colonial past.
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport (SSR airport) in the south is the only airport on the island. It’s the headquarters for Air Mauritius, the local carrier.
Seychelles Summary
Covering a surface area of around 455 sq km, Seychelles is an archipelago that’s made up of 115 islands. It has a population of approximately 132,000 inhabitants. Just like Mauritius, the archipelago consists of descendants of African slaves as well as migrants from Asia and Europe. Seychelles has a unique Creole culture.
Unlike Mauritius, Seychelles has 14 airports spread across the islands. The two main ones are Praslin Island Airport (PRI) on Praslin and Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on Mahe Island. You’ll also find 10 additional private airports on touristy islands like Fregate, Bird, and Denis Island.
Victoria City on Mahe Island is said to be one of the smallest capitals in the world, but it’s teeming with Creole charm. Because of its compact size, you can easily explore the city on foot.
Mauritius vs Seychelles: Which is better?
With all that in mind, let’s check out which destination is better for you.
Beaches in Mauritius vs Seychelles
Okay, this is a tough one since both islands offer crystalline lagoons and incredible shorelines – basically everything you need for an idyllic tropical vacation!
As such, when it comes to comparing Mauritius vs Seychelles beaches, it all comes down to your personal preferences and choice of nautical activities. For instance, some of the best Mauritian beaches are privately managed by resorts, making them a great choice for those who would like to kick back in a more polished (and luxurious!) atmosphere.
Mauritius also has calmer lagoons, making it easier for you to indulge in different types of water sports.
On the flip side, you’ll find that Seychelles offers a more natural beach experience, complete with hidden coves and those famous granite boulders – perfect if you’d like to experience nature at its rawest, most unvarnished form. Seychelles’ beaches have a more dramatic landscape, especially on islands like Praslin and La Digue.
Many beaches are surrounded by thick vegetation. You’ll also find more beaches to explore in Seychelles than in Mauritius. While Mauritian beaches are pretty visually impressive, they do pale in comparison to Seychelles’s breathtaking scenery.
(Source: Island Tour Seychelles)
Mauritius vs Seychelles for Budget Travelers
Mauritius is often touted as a luxury destination, but it’s actually more budget-friendly than Seychelles. That’s mainly because you’ll find a wider range of options to choose from, especially in terms of accommodation. Budget-friendly hotels like Le Grand Bleu offer comfy rooms and proximity to the beach without breaking the bank.
(Source: Le Grand Bleu Hotel)
In terms of activities, you’ll find plenty of free or cheap things to do all over Mauritius. Virtually all hiking trails are free to explore. You don’t even need to fork out a permit fee to camp on one of the island’s public beaches.
As one of the top honeymoon destinations in the world, Seychelles is especially known for its high-end resorts. That being said, it’s also possible to find cheap accommodation like Macmillan’s Holiday Villas on Praslin Island.
If you’ve got your heart set on Seychelles, I recommend that you visit in the low season (November to April) to benefit from the best deals, both in terms of accommodation and activities.
Generally speaking, you may wish to budget $100 to $150 per day in Mauritius and $175 to $600 per day in Seychelles.
Mauritius vs Seychelles for a Short Getaway
If it’s a quick getaway that you’re after, then it’s definitely Seychelles for the win – especially if your plan is to disconnect from the daily grind.
(Source: Island Tour Seychelles)
Personally, I think that you need at least a week to properly experience everything that Mauritius has to offer.
On the other hand, Seychelles’s diminutive size makes it the ideal choice if you don’t have a lot of time to spare. Seychelles may not have the best public transportation system, but the islands are so small that you’ll find just about everything you need within walking or biking distance.
(Credit: Philippe C)
Best of all, Seychelles’s relaxed beach vibes lend themselves super well to travelers who want to plug into nature and enjoy a rejuvenating mini break.
Getting around Mauritius vs Seychelles
When comparing transportation in Mauritius vs Seychelles, don’t forget that Seychelles is an archipelago that’s made up of different islets. For this reason, I’d say that it’s easier to get around Mauritius since it only has one mainland.
You can easily drive from one point to the other in Mauritius, while you often have to island-hop to do some proper exploring in Seychelles.
(Credit: Neera Ramdhonee)
Mauritius has a more developed public transportation network compared to Seychelles. While the public buses aren’t super luxurious, they do cover the entire island. You can also take advantage of the light rail network which connects all major cities.
Ferries in Seychelles are notoriously crowded in peak season, so travelers sometimes need to rent a private boat to get around. The Seychelles Public Transport Corporation mostly covers Praslin and Mahe. Islands like La Digue don’t actually have public transportation, so you’ll need to rent a bike to get around.
(Source: Cat Cocos)
Things to do in Mauritius vs Seychelles
Here’s where you’ll really notice the difference between Mauritius and Seychelles. As the bigger island, Mauritius offers a lot more in terms of activities. While lounging on the beach is pretty much a given (it is a tropical vacation after all!), you’ll also find a myriad of other things to do on land.
(Credit: Neera Ramdhonee)
From trekking across those gorgeous mountain ranges to visiting the cultural spots, or even munching your way through Mauritius’ iconic street food scene, there’s something for just about every type of traveler. There’s also heaps of shopping opportunities, museums galore, casinos, bars, and the like.
On the other hand, the main allure of Seychelles is found in its ease of exploration and chilled pace of life. While the islands offer more than their fair share of interesting land activities, the vast majority of attractions are centered around its national and marine parks. This is because the archipelago is fiercely devoted to protecting its flora and fauna.
You may wish to know that motorized watersports are not allowed in Seychelles. However, if you’re into lush rainforests, crystal clear waters, colorful marine life, and rugged landscapes, you’ll definitely feel right at home in Seychelles! Fans of the great outdoors totally have it made, with sprawling natural sites like Cousin Island and the UNESCO-recognized Aldabra Atoll.
The archipelago of Seychelles also has a spectacular network of hiking trails to explore. I can totally vouch for the Mount Copolia Trail on Mahe Island. As one of the most popular trails in Seychelles, Mount Copolia is perched at 500 meters above sea level – so brace yourself for some insane views!
Mauritius vs Seychelles: Verdict
As you can probably tell by now, both Seychelles and Mauritius have plenty going for them. Not only do both islands offer glorious weather all year long, but their small sizes mean that you can easily explore the top attractions in just a few days.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to the type of vacation you’re looking for: Seychelles’ laid-back vibes will have you chilling on the beach with a bottle of SeyBrew while the local Kanmtole music plays in the background. However, if your plan is to spend the evening on a party boat or trawl through bustling cities speckled with cultural sites, then you’ll certainly feel right at home in Mauritius.
Now, if you still can’t decide which country to visit, why not explore both of them on the same trip? After all, the average flight time from Mauritius to Seychelles is less than three hours – perfect for travelers who’d like to experience the best of both worlds!
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