Why Honeymoon in the Outer Islands
Isolation is the reason. On Desroches the resort shares the island with tortoises, birds and a small conservation team. On Alphonse, guest numbers are tiny and much of the day is spent on boats or flats with no one else in sight.
The islands also feel different from the inner Seychelles. Instead of granite boulders and forested hills, there are flat atolls, shallow lagoons and reefs that drop off into deep blue water. Colors are bright and the horizon is wide.
Nature programs add depth. The Island Conservation Society works on Desroches, including a sanctuary for young tortoises before release. Wildlife viewing is part of daily life.
For couples with different tastes, the mix works. One can fish or dive while the other reads in a hammock or books the spa.
When to Go
The Outer Islands follow the same broad pattern as the rest of the Seychelles, but wind matters more here.
- October to April: the main season for many outer island activities. Calmer conditions during the northwest monsoon and the transition months suit fishing, diving and boat trips. April and October to November are often the most settled.
- May to September: the southeast trade winds blow harder across the flat atolls. Seas are rougher and some fishing-focused lodges limit operations or close.
Desroches resort is generally open year-round, while Alphonse is built around the fishing season. Confirm opening dates for your chosen island before booking flights.
Where to Stay
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island is the polished choice. It has beach suites and villas, many with private pools, plus a spa, several restaurants and a dive center. Bikes are provided for getting around the island. Four Seasons took over the resort in 2016 and expanded it along Lodge Beach.
Alphonse Island has one small lodge. It is known first for fly fishing but also welcomes non-anglers who want diving, snorkeling and total quiet. Expect a relaxed, barefoot style.
Both are expensive. Roughly, nightly rates start from over a thousand dollars and rise well beyond that for villas or all-inclusive plans, plus return flights from Mahé. These figures are approximate, so get current quotes and check what is included.
Romantic Things to Do
- Cycle Desroches: ride around the island on sandy paths with no cars, stopping at empty beaches along the way.
- Meet the tortoises: Aldabra giant tortoises wander freely on Desroches and the conservation team can show you the sanctuary for young ones.
- Dive or snorkel: the reef edge drops into deep water, with turtles, rays and big fish. Calm months bring the best visibility.
- Fly fishing: Alphonse and the nearby St. François atoll are famous for bonefish, giant trevally and other species on the flats. Guides teach beginners.
- Sandbar picnic: ask for a boat drop-off on a sandbar at low tide.
- Sunset in the lagoon: a quiet boat ride or paddle as the sky turns orange.
Getting There and Around
There are no nonstop flights from the US to the Seychelles. Most couples connect through Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul or Addis Ababa into Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on Mahé.
From Mahé, Desroches is reached by scheduled flights several times a week, often timed for resort guests. Alphonse uses charter flights run for lodge guests, usually on set days. Flight times range from roughly 40 minutes to over an hour.
Light aircraft have tight luggage limits. Pack soft bags and confirm the allowance before you fly. Schedules are fixed, so plan a night on Mahé or Praslin on either side. On the islands, you get around by bike, on foot or by boat.
Food and Drink
At Desroches, the Four Seasons offers several dining venues, from beachside grills to evening dinners with Creole and international dishes. Fresh fish features on most menus, often with coconut, chili and lime.
At Alphonse, meals are simpler and served in a communal or relaxed setting, shaped around fishing days and boat schedules.
Try Seychellois dishes such as octopus curry, grilled red snapper, breadfruit chips and tropical fruit salads. SeyBrew lager and Takamaka rum from Mahé are on most menus.
Supplies arrive by air and sea, so mention dietary needs early. A private dinner on the beach is the classic honeymoon request.
Honeymoon Tips
- Book early. Rooms are few and flights are limited.
- Plan at least five nights. The transfer is long enough that short stays feel rushed.
- Pack reef shoes, a rash guard, a wide-brimmed hat and high-SPF reef-safe sunscreen. The sun on flat coral islands is intense.
- Mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue and chikungunya occur in the Seychelles. Use repellent. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices.
- Bring any medicine you need. There are no pharmacies on the islands.
- Do not plan on visiting Aldabra Atoll from here. It is a protected UNESCO site with very limited access, usually by expedition ship.
- Expect limited connectivity and plan for it.
