Seychelles

Seychelles is a granite-and-coral archipelago north-east of Madagascar. Mahé holds Victoria, a small capital of market, harbour and green slopes above the sea. From here short ferries and flights reach Praslin, La Digue and smaller islands — each with beaches, paths and its own route between giant boulders and takamaka trees.

On Mahé it is worth climbing Morne Blanc and walking the Morne Seychellois reserve. On Praslin wait Anse Lazio, Vallée de Mai and trails among coco de mer palms. On La Digue bicycles replace taxis and the village stays at human height. The outer islands are farther and dearer, better for diving and reserves than for racing between pins.

Seychelles can break a backpacker budget if you only stay in resorts. Local guesthouses, the Mahé bus, bikes on La Digue and market picnics change the sum. Give turtles and land birds space, do not feed wildlife and do not take shells. Check the wind before island hops: the south-east trades and the north-west monsoon swap which beaches are calm every few months.