Located in the western Indian Ocean, Seychelles is the first contender of the epic showdown. In the north-central Indian Ocean, Maldives is the second contender and far away in the central South Pacific Ocean, Bora Bora stands as the final contender. Despite its small size, Seychelles remains a paradise for island-seeking vacationers due to its beautiful beaches and conducive weather but how well does this Island appeal to travelers when compared to the Maldives, and which one is likely to appeal more to travelers when Bora Bora joins the contest?

Beaches

Beaches are no doubt the most sought-after attractions of any island so it makes sense to begin from here.

Beaches In Seychelles

Beaches in Seychelles are gorgeous to look at and also satisfying to explore as well. They are often characterized by crystal clear turquoise waters, soft white sands, overlooking hills, and enchanting bright blue skies.

The waters consist of unique marine creatures and abundant coral reefs making them great places for diving. The beaches range from peaceful and quiet to vibrant and exciting. Some of the beaches even present amazing waves that make surfing here world-class. Here are some of the best beaches on the island.

  • Anse Georgette, Praslin: Located in Praslin Island and presenting restless turquoise waters, unique rock lining on the beach shores, and surrounding lush forest of palm trees.
  • Anse Major, Mahe: A secluded beach that has no roads leading to it. Anse Major is made for those seeking solitude and amazing scenery.
  • Anse Source d’Argent: A dream beach located on western La Digue. The combination of the stunning boulders, palm trees, soft white sand, the turquoise waters, and the surrounding vegetation just makes this beach look like a beautiful painting.

Related: How To Have An Incredible Seychelles Vacation, Even If You're Not A Beach Person

Beaches In Maldives

The Maldives is famous for having some of the world’s finest beaches, many of which consist of fine white sand, charming turquoise waters, and bright blue skies. The coral reefs that lay in abundance in the depths of the waters also create the stage for exceptional diving.

The beaches in the Maldives make the Island perfect for couples as most of them are located far away on tiny islands in the middle of the ocean offering amazing scenery and serenity. Here are some of the best beaches in the Maldives to get a picture of the adventure that awaits in this 1,200 chain of islands.

  • Fulhadhoo beach: A beautiful and isolated beach located in Baa Atoll and characterized by crystal clear waters, sparkling white sand, surrounding lush jungle, and so much privacy.
  • Dhigurah Beach: A hidden gem and diving paradise located in Dhigurah Island. The beach is surrounded by lots of coral reefs and unique marine creatures.
  • Kurumba Beach: An enchanting white-sand beach located in Kurumba Resort Maldives - the oldest resort in the Maldives.

Beaches In Bora Bora

Beaches in Bora Bora are limited but still beautiful. The Island has just one public beach and the rest of the beaches are located in resorts. The beaches typically present beautiful white sand, crystal clear waters, and fun atmospheres. There are beaches for relaxation and also those for diving and snorkeling. These are some of the best beaches to find on the island.

  • Matira Beach: The only public beach on the southern edge of Bora Bora that features appealing soft white sands, crystal clear turquoise waters, and surrounding beautiful lush forest.
  • Conrad Bora Bora Nui Resort Beach: The private beach at Conrad Bora Bora Nui resort & Spa is a beautiful white sand beach that has a lush forest background and enchanting waters.
  • Private Beach At Pension Alice Et Raphael: A small and beautiful beach located at Pension Alice et Raphael resort.

Related: 20 Gorgeous Photos Of Bora Bora Taken By Real Tourists

Food

Many islands feature flavors from different cultures around the world to offer visitors finger-licking delicacies. When it comes to food, this is how well the different islands do.

Food In Seychelles

Seafood is a huge part of the cuisine of Seychelles so dishes here mostly consist of fish combined with other food such as - sweet potatoes, vegetables, plantain, and rice. Octopus curry - one of the most beloved foods here is made up of octopus, coconut milk, ginger, masala, and saffron.

Food In Maldives

Food in the Maldives revolves around seafood but the island is also big on fresh food and vegetables. Expect lots of fish-based dishes often served with rice. Fish curry is the most popular dish on this island and it is often served with rice or roshi.

Food In Bora Bora

Seafood is a crucial part of the cuisine of Bora Bora and fish is the island's most beloved food. Some of the most popular traditional foods here such as - Poisson Cru and Sushi are made up of fish. The island is also big on fruits and vegetables and one can also expect lots of fruit-based meals on the menu.

Additional Things To Enjoy

Aside from the beaches, guests also need to be able to enjoy other activities otherwise the vacation might quickly become boring. Here are the activities to expect on these islands.

In Seychelles

Seychelles is unique in many ways. It is the world’s only archipelago in the middle of the ocean made up of granite islands. There are mountains for hiking on the Islands of Seychelles.

On the northernmost part of Seychelles is the bird island where the impressive sight of more than 700,000 migratory sooty terns birds can be seen during their nesting season which begins from late March. Other amazing things to see and do on this island include seeing the giant tortoises and exploring the world’s second-largest Atoll in Aldabra.

In the Maldives

Besides the exciting diving and snorkeling opportunities it offers, Maldives also offers amazing surfing and Paddleboarding. Dolphin watching and fishing are popular things to do here as well. For a more relaxed adventure, guests can head over to a spa for some massages or enjoy a meal with views of the sunset. The Maldives also has Huvafen Fushi - the first underwater spa in the world.

The spa is several meters underwater and will have guests presented with views of the beautiful ocean as they enjoy the pampering.

In Bora Bora

Sharks have a large population in Bora Bora which makes snorkeling and feeding the sharks a popular thing to do here. Divers will also be met with other creatures such as stingrays, turtles, and rainbow-colored fish in the waters.

There are trails on Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia for hiking. The peaks on these mountains offer breathtaking views of the island but the helicopter rides no doubt are the best ways to get amazing views of Bora Bora.

Cons

There is always something that may be unpleasant to people which is why it is important to list the cons of a place so travelers shape their full opinion about the destination. Here are the things guests might find unpleasant about these islands.

In Seychelles

  • Expensive
  • Water pollution
  • Crime and Theft

In the Maldives

  • So much garbage
  • Disappearing islands due to rising sea levels and erosion
  • Clampdown on free speech (don’t interfere with political issues)
  • Strict dressing rules and alcohol ban due to the Muslim culture of the Island

In Bora Bora

  • Very expensive
  • Only one public beach
  • Mosquitoes

Next: Bali Vs. Maldives Vs. Mauritius: A Three-Way Vacation Face-Off