We all love a beach holiday! Spending idyllic sunny days relaxing by the beach, sipping cocktails as you are lulled by the sound of the ocean. But that’s not all there is to an island getaway. For active couples, there is much adventure to be found in the turquoise waters and their surrounds.
With our favourite Indian Ocean destinations all open to South Africans, here are a few reasons why they are perfect for those looking to bring home new memories.
Make the ocean your playground
Water-sports and the Indian Ocean are a match made in heaven due to the amazing tropical climate and warm waters. Whether you head off to Seychelles, Mauritius or the Maldives you will be spoilt for choice! If you want to windsurf after breakfast, jet-ski before lunch or paddleboard to end the day – then this is the place to go. For the adrenaline junkies, water-skiing and wakeboarding over the turquoise stretches of the Indian Ocean will be sure to give you your fix. If you are keen to learn from scratch or improve your skills, many resorts offer lessons at all levels, so you can be out in the water confidently in no time.
Looking for something a bit more relaxed, hop on a catamaran, head out to the ocean, partner with the wind and try your hand at sailing between stretches of beach and coral reef.
Scuba diving enthusiasts and snorkelers: a holiday in the Maldives will expose you to some of the best diving spots in the world. With 26 atolls, coral reefs and islands in the archipelago, you will be spending most of your holiday time sight-seeing underwater surrounded by a myriad of tropical fish, exotic manta rays, historical shipwrecks and impressive rock formations! Whether you are a beginner or an experienced diver, you will find the perfect dive environment for you amongst dazzling lagoons, reefs and drifts.
Become one with Mother Nature
After spending so much time closed up in our homes, being able to enjoy the outdoors taking in the fresh air is an absolute delight. Island destinations have a rich offering when it comes to active holidays for couples who are not into water-sports but enjoy being in the outdoors.
If you choose to holiday in the Seychelles, it is also home to world-class big game fishing, and much loved for salt-water fly-fishing. Hiking is also a top activity on the island with amazing trails for you to tackle. A must-try hike is Copolia Lodge Trail. The path, which is located in the Morne Seychellois National Park, winds through a shady forest up the 497m high Copolia and gifts you with a panoramic view of the Sainte Anne Marine National Park, home to the new all-inclusive Club Med Seychelles. To add an extra special touch, why not include a session of yoga at the top of the mountain during your hike.
For those wanting to learn new skills why not try your hand at padel tennis, the new sport taking over the world? Invented in Spain, padel tennis is a mix of squash and tennis and is available for you to experience at the only padel tennis court on the islands at Club Med Seychelles.
Swing it your way in a tropical paradise
With its white sandy beaches, azure waters and tropical jungles, Mauritius has everything one would need for an amazing beach holiday. But over and above that, a little-known fact is that Mauritius is perfect for a couple’s golf holiday. Home to some of the world’s top championship courses, you will be pleasantly surprised by the variety offered and the landscapes that surround them.
Spoil yourself and your partner with an all-inclusive stay at Club Med La Plantation d’Albion with its revamped bohemian-chic Beach Bar and spend sun-kissed days taking in rounds of golf at the latest golf course addition, Mont Choisy Le Golf, designed by the legendary Zimbabwean golf course designer, Peter Matkovich. Fun for both the experienced and beginners, this championship course, easily accessible from the resort, was designed as an ode to the natural beauty of Mauritius, and gifts golfers with impressive mountainous views interwoven with tropical beauty.
So, if you are looking for your next great couples’ getaway, why not consider an Indian Ocean break and get the best of both relaxation and adventure!
