Imagine stepping onto a pristine, deserted beach where the only footprints are your own.
If you think of the Indian Ocean, you surely imagine images of pristine white sand beaches surrounded by palm trees and turquoise water. These deserted islands, worthy of an adventure by Robinson Crusoe, are numerous in the region. They offer the perfect combination of sun, sea, and isolation, far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. From the atolls of Alphonse Island in the Seychelles to the wildlife of the Comoros, discover the places not to be missed.
1: THULUSDHOO, MALDIVES
The tropical breeze wobbles palm trees and brings some fresh air to private resorts, which occupy most of the Maldives’ more than 200 inhabited islands. But unlike other standalone hotels, this residential island located north of the capital Male retains its local Maldivian life. However, Western-style swimsuits are allowed on Bikini Beach and restaurants and activity organizers can be found along the sandy paths. Indeed, Thulusdhoo knows tourism well. Since the 1970s, it has been adopted by surfers. The capital of Kaafu Atoll exudes a relaxed and welcoming charm to the delight of its tribes of young saltwater travelers. Experienced surfers come there to face the two twin rights of Cokes and Chickens. These two spots are even accessible by dhoni, a traditional boat. Randhaa Surf Shop offers lessons and board rental. Plus: you don’t need a wetsuit in these warm waters.
In recent years, paddleboard enthusiasts have appeared to slide on calmer waves and navigate the tranquil waters of turquoise lagoons. In the Maldives, diving is not to be missed, and dinghy sailing will make you dream. Local operators will offer you both activities at a much lower price than on private islands. As on all residential islands in the Maldives, alcohol is prohibited in Thulusdhoo, but the locals are more than helpful and have set up floating bars just offshore. The speed boat will allow you to access it easily by offering you a much more pleasant experience than with a traditional taxi.
2: ZANZIBAR, TANZANIA
In the historic capital of Zanzibar, the Stone Town district offers a stunning yet charming Afro-Arab mix. The locals meet at Jaws Corner, and you can admire the ancient palaces of the sultans along the labyrinthine streets. You’ll often hear locals chanting Pole, pole, which means gently, because that’s how we live here. Zanzibar is the ideal place to find comfortable resorts without losing the charm of this island. The beaches of Nungwi and Bwejuu are as beautiful as the others in the Indian Ocean, but hotels will cost you a third less than in the Maldives.
3 : PEMBA, TANZANIE
For a classic beach stay, you can opt for Zanzibar. But for an even sweeter adventure, board a plane with around twenty seats and go 80 kilometers further north, to Pemba. Never heard of it? Neither do most international travelers nor hotel chains. That’s why Pemba looks frozen in time, like 40 years ago, and that’s what creates its stamp for intrepid visitors, willing to do anything to keep the island out of sight. In 2013, the Underwater Room at Manta Resort, a one-of-a-kind accommodation hidden underwater, attracted a lot of attention without ever attracting too much attention.
4 : ALPHONSE, SEYCHELLES
Alphonse, the most developed island in the Seychelles, located just over 400 km south of the main island of Mahé, is a kind of Galapagos in the Indian Ocean. The surrounding atolls, as flat as a crepe, are an ark of refuge for the rare fouquet shearwaters (Ardenna pacifica), fous (Sulidae), and stunning marine life. Highlights of the BBC series Blue Planet were filmed here. You can go there to participate in conservation projects such as cleaning the oceans and tracking turtles, but also to disappear for the duration of a trip. Tourism there is so recent that not all dive sites are yet mapped. The problem? Such isolation is not without price.
5 : MOHÉLI, COMORES
Few Indian Ocean destinations are as little affected by tourism as the islands of Grande Comore, Mohéli, and Anjouan, for the simple reason that few tourists go there. This situation is due to the political instability, now resolved, that followed the independence of France in 1975. Only now have visitors discovered their white sand beaches. On Grande Comore alone, the beaches of Mitsamiouli, Galawa, and Chomoni offer you wonderful landscapes of coconut trees and turquoise waters. Grande Comore is the international gateway. Its capital, Moroni, offers a spice market and a ruined Arab medina. The adventure, in the literal sense, begins in Mohéli. It is one of the smallest and wildest islands in the Comoros. Here, the endangered Livingstone flying fox (Pteropus livinstonii) twirls; manta rays (Mobula birostris) and dugongs (Dugong dugon) bask in the waters of the UNESCO-listed Mwali Biosphere Reserve. In Itsamia, on the beach, green turtles (Chelonia mydas) lay their eggs under a deep night sky dotted with stars.
6: HAVELOCK, ANDAMAN ISLANDS, INDIA
After at least two flights, a stopover, and a few hours on a bumpy ferry, many visitors wonder if they made a mistake booking a trip to Havelock. Then, the time comes to disembark. Havelock is the most developed island in this distant Indian archipelago of more than 500 islands, closer to Thailand than to mainland India. You don’t have to look very far to admire its beauty; the wild beaches stretch for miles. That of Radhanagar is a marvel. There you will find luxury hotels in the heart of a green jungle, superb diving spots, and kayaking in the mangrove forests. The island has everything in the Seychelles. Havelock’s asset is its authenticity. In the villages, families travel by rickshaws; the dhabas, these roadside restaurants, prepare fish curry; and the cellar is served on the stalls of street vendors. When leaving, your only concern will be why you haven’t booked a longer stay.
7: LAMU, KENYA
For hippies in the 1960s, this point off the coast of mainland Kenya was all the more attractive because it was difficult to get there. If the access difficulties have faded, Lamu’s bohemian atmosphere persists. Lamu Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the best preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa. It forms a captivating fusion of Islamic-African architecture where coral houses feature carved mahogany doors, goldsmiths work in shoe box workshops, and donkeys roam the dusty alleys. Visit the quiet village of Shela, located nearby, and its more than 10 km of sand as fine as grains of sugar. Alternatively, board a dhow, a traditional boat, for a day trip to the Lamu Archipelago.
8 : MAYOTTE, FRANCE
Mayotte, a French overseas department, is relatively prosperous. There you will find beautiful hotels, surprisingly imported road signs from the Dordogne, or even a Wi-Fi connection, without ever losing its wild beauty. Beaches like Sakouli and Sohoa are quiet. Lemurs frolic on N’Gouja beach and in the vaporous forests that drape Mount Bénara. You might recognize the scents of Chanel N°5. Indeed, one of the main ingredients of the famous perfume, ylang-ylang flower (Cananga odorata), constitutes Mayotte’s main export product. Offshore, the reefs are healthy, and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) calve from August to September in the third largest lagoon in the world.
9: RODRIGUES, MAURICE
Rodrigues Island is close enough to its twin sister, Mauritius, to visit both on a round-trip plane. Rodrigues is a 17-kilometer-long islet where life evolves at the speed of its giant turtles. It welcomes few tourists, and accommodation is mainly in hotels and guest houses. A sense of adventure is essential. In return, you will enjoy a welcoming destination, lost in the middle of warm waters. With its seven streets, the capital Port Mathurin is a town that has everything of a village and runs a lively market on Saturdays. A day trip is a must to Cocos Island, a shipwrecked island in colorful duck-blue waters, and to visit the ancient pirate lair of Silverhole. In the shallow lagoon, you will have plenty of time to kitesurf.
10 : MAFIA, TANZANIE
The name Mafia comes from a mispronunciation of morfiyeh, which means « group » in Arabic. Regardless, this Tanzanian island manages to escape the gaze of tourists. In terms of appearance, Mafia looks a lot like Zanzibar, but simpler and quieter. Hotels are replaced by palm-wood huts, and laziness reigns here. The Mafia Island Marine Park, a marine protected area, offers more than 800 km2 of diving spots just off the coast. There, you will admire healthy coral reefs, drop-offs, and canals where the dugongs (Dugong dugon) live. The island is also home to humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata).
Mark