Beaches Too Beautiful to Be Real

After a ten-hour flight (2.5 hours to Istanbul and 7.5 hours to Mahé), we were rewarded at the airport with a magnificent view of the Indian Ocean. But that was only the beginning. Our hotel was right on Beau Vallon, one of the best places on the island to watch romantic sunsets in every imaginable colour. Those moments when the sun sank into the ocean and transformed the entire sky were breathtakingly beautiful.

Sunset at Beau Vallon The long beach was just as delightful during the day, with countless tiny crabs scuttling about. There is no need for parasols here, as palm trees and other trees provide plenty of shade right by the sea. Many birds and large bats appreciate this too, and they are particularly easy to spot from the beach at dusk. Perhaps this is because the beach is only busy on Sundays, although it never feels overcrowded. There is no sense of mass tourism. In the evenings, street-food stalls line the promenade. Every night, locals cook everything the Creole heart could desire, especially fresh fish. It is not only delicious but also inexpensive, with prices ranging from €4–€6.

Victoria: The world’s smallest capital Mahé has a good public bus service. A journey costs the equivalent of €0.50. On a rainy day – yes, even paradise has them, and they are the reason the islands are so beautifully green – it is well worth visiting the capital, which is one of the smallest in the world. The little city can quickly be explored on foot. A stroll through the market hall is an absolute must. As well as fruit, vegetables and fresh fish, you will also find some lovely souvenirs there. The Hindu Temple - Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar is one of the city’s landmarks, as is the Clock Tower, which resembles London’s Big Ben.

The tortoises They are one of the highlights of the Seychelles and are revered by the locals: the Aldabra giant tortoises. These tortoises can live for up to 150 years. The Seychellois know why: ‘The tortoise moves slowly and is lazy. That is why it lives for so long.’ A piece of wisdom that we holidaymakers should take home with us. For many locals, a tortoise can be what a dog is to us, as numerous Seychellois keep them as pets. Naturally, they live in outdoor enclosures and are always hungry. The giant tortoises can be seen all over the Seychelles, and these vegetarians are always delighted to receive fresh fruit. Star fruit is their favourite.

Giant tortoise

Carana Beach Hotel One morning, we made our way to Carana Beach in the north of Mahé, around 20 minutes away. The sea is a little rougher there, so swimming is not possible, although you can still take a quick dip to cool off. The best thing about the beach is that it remains something of an insider tip, as tourists rarely venture there despite a small hotel standing directly on the beach. The locals enjoy bathing there too. Daniela and I did not remain alone beneath our palm tree for long. We met three Seychellois who told us more about their lives in paradise and impressed us with their hospitality. We were fortunate enough to have shark, barracuda and rice brought to us on the beach, along with two cold beers. Our attempt to pay for the meal was firmly refused.

To see even more of the Seychelles, we had booked an island-hopping excursion in advance. We first took the ferry to Praslin, then continued from there to La Digue. When we arrived at Anse Source d'Argent, we could hardly believe that the scenery was real. The granite rocks, palm trees and sea, which seemed even more turquoise than usual, looked otherworldly. The only slight annoyance was the steady stream of tourists searching for their next social-media photo spot.

From La Digue, we took the ferry back to Praslin. There, we ventured into the rainforest in search of the Coco de Mer, the world’s largest seed. The Vallée de Mai, with its countless species of palm tree, is truly impressive. To round off the day, we went for a swim at Anse Lazio. The beach is particularly striking for its breadth.

After eight days, we sadly had to leave paradise behind. But our memories of the Seychelles’ dream beaches will certainly keep us warm through the winter.