The luxurious Indian Ocean holidays that cost as little as 62 a day – The Telegraph

With miles of bone-white sand, scalloped bays, coral-hooped lagoons and clotted-cream island specks lapped by liquid Hockney blues, the islands of the Indian Ocean have store cupboard ingredients baked in.

If you think that these island idylls are the preserve of honeymooners and luxe-seeking types, you may need to think again. A holiday to Mauritius, the Seychelles and the Maldives is never going to be a cheap proposition, but it can be affordable and packed with experiences. In fact, if you know where to look, you can find paradise for a song.

In both Mauritius and the Seychelles, many of the islands guest houses, self-catering chalets and three-star properties are a hop, skip and a jump from top-drawer strands of sand. Buses and speedy inter-island ferries will get you around and, if self-catering, there are daily markets and fishermen hauling in the days catch at beaches. In Mauritius follow your nose to the food trucks. A delicious dholl puri or a fragrant Creole rougaille (made with tomatoes, spices and sausage) washed down with a fresh sugar cane juice will cost just a couple of pounds.

Avoiding peak season (December to January and July to August in the Seychelles and mid-November to April in Mauritius) can also bring significant savings. Trailfinders, for example, currently offers a week at the five-star Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort and Spa in November for 1,599pp (020 7084 6500; trailfinders.com), including flights and breakfast.

Unlike Asia and the Caribbean, where different islands adopted different restrictions, the Indian Ocean has been much more accessible to travellers throughout the pandemic. The Caribbean has been tricky due to fluctuations and island curfews, says Anna Hilley, long-haul trading manager at Travel Republic. The Maldives remained open throughout and we saw strong demand for Mauritius in November and December [when it reopened to visitors October 1]. Now were seeing lots of last-minute bookings and weeks in June, July and August are filling up fast.

The Indian Ocean isnt just a destination for fly-and-flop visitors, either. Now that many restrictions on travel have been lifted, those seeking adventure and a sabbatical (or both) are booking trips. Rich in marine life, the region offers extraordinary marine and wildlife conservation opportunities. In the Seychelles, for example, you can volunteer on Cousin a protected island reserve.

From Sri Lankas cultural heritage to an adventure break in Mauritius, diving in the Maldives and island hopping in the Seychelles, the Indian Ocean wont disappoint and its more affordable than you think. Here are 20 holidays to fit the bill.

For a fresh twist on the Indian Ocean, why not consider pairing Dubai with Sri Lanka? Youll go from a gregarious, cosmopolitan city to tuk-tuks, temples and Ayurvedic massage. Stay three nights at the family-friendly Hyatt Regency in Deira, on Dubais waterfront corniche, before taking a short flight and winding up at the stylish, understated Avani Bentota Resort and Spa, which overlooks one of Sri Lankas finest beaches. Yoga, two freshwater pools, watersports and beach volleyball its all here.

An 11-day Dubai and Sri Lanka holiday costs from 1,249pp with Travelbag (020 7001 4112; travelbag.co.uk) spending three nights in Dubai at the Hyatt Regency and seven nights at the Avani Bentota Resort and Spa on a half-board basis; includes flights.

114

With a robust portfolio of hotels, tours and catamaran cruises across the region, family-run Tropical Sky is a reliable go-to for inspiration. Visit out of season to snap up an action-packed all-inclusive holiday at the five-star Maritim Resort and Spa, near Baklava, in Mauritius. Within its sprawling 25 acres there are tennis courts, an equestrian centre, a golf course and a Padi dive centre with the full complement of watersports activities. And if you just want to sit at the rooftop bar and gaze at the alabaster beach, thats OK, too.

Seven nights at Maritim Resort and Spa (01342 395475; tropicalsky.co.uk) costs from 1,549pp for rooms sleeping two adults and one child; includes flights.

221

Continue reading here:

The luxurious Indian Ocean holidays that cost as little as 62 a day - The Telegraph