A private island in the Seychelles is about as far from a busy resort as you can get. You arrive by small plane, helicopter or boat. The staff know your name before you land. Often the beach outside your villa is yours alone.
But the islands are not all alike. Some are tall granite islands close to Mahé, with forested hills and boulder-framed coves. Others are low coral islands far to the south, ringed by reef and lagoon. Some hold a dozen villas. Others hold fifty or more. Below, we compare six that couples love, so you can see which one fits the trip you have in mind.
Granite or coral: the first choice
The inner islands near Mahé are granite. They rise steeply from the sea, with green hills, giant boulders and beaches tucked between them. North Island, Fregate and Félicité are all granite islands.
The outer islands are coral. They are low and flat, with long beaches, wide lagoons and a real sense of open space. Desroches, Platte and Denis are coral islands.
Neither is better. Granite islands feel dramatic and sheltered. Coral islands feel bright, open and very remote. Most couples know which they prefer the moment they see a photo of each.
How we compared them
For each island we looked at the things that matter most to couples. How many villas share the island. How you get there. What the setting feels like. And what you will do once you arrive.
Rates vary widely by season and villa type, so we have left prices out. Your advisor confirms current rates and what is included when you plan.
North Island: the most secluded
North Island has just 11 villas and takes no more than 22 guests at a time. A short helicopter flight brings you from Mahé. The beachfront villas open onto their own quiet stretches of sand, and the Honeymoon Villa sits apart on its own headland.
The island was a coconut plantation until a rewilding program began in the late 1990s. Today giant Aldabra tortoises roam freely, and hawksbill and green turtles nest on the main beach from about October to February.
Helicopter transfers depend on the weather, and luggage is limited to soft bags. Pack light and allow a little flexibility on arrival day.
Why we'd choose it: the fewest fellow guests and the most privacy of any island here.
Fregate Island Private: nature and seven beaches
Fregate lies about 55 km east of Mahé, a short private flight away. It has 16 villas plus the Banyan Hill Estate, spread around an island with seven beaches. Fregate recently joined the Oetker Collection.
Conservation runs through everything here. You can walk the island with its resident conservationists. The old Plantation House is now a small museum of the island's plants and wildlife.
Why we'd choose it: more beaches than its guests could ever fill, and a deep connection to nature.
Six Senses Zil Pasyon: granite drama and a serious spa
Six Senses Zil Pasyon is on Félicité, a private granite island about 55 km north-east of Mahé. It is a short boat ride from Praslin and La Digue, which makes a day of island-hopping easy. There are 30 villas and three private residences, set among huge granite boulders.
The spa is the heart of the resort. Each treatment room has its own design and setting in the landscape.
Why we'd choose it: striking scenery and a wellness focus, with neighboring islands close at hand.
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island: room to roam
Desroches is a coral island about 230 km south-west of Mahé, around 35 minutes by air. It is about 6 km long, with some 14 km of sandy beach protected by a coral reef. The resort has 71 villas, suites and residences, each with a private pool and direct beach access.
There is plenty to do. The island has 15 dive sites, plus fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding and cycling. A tortoise sanctuary cares for Aldabra giant tortoises.
Why we'd choose it: the most to do on a remote island, with the polish of a Four Seasons.
Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island: the newest arrival
Waldorf Astoria opened on Platte Island at the end of January 2024. The resort covers the whole island, a former coconut plantation in the southern Seychelles. A chartered plane takes about 20 minutes from Mahé and lands on the island's own runway.
There are 50 villas, from one bedroom up to a five-bedroom estate, each with a private pool. Three restaurants, two bars and a café give you real choice at dinner. Days can include snorkeling, catamaran trips and beach walks with the resident marine biologist.
Villas are set back from the sand to protect nesting turtles. From September to mid-December, humpback whales are sometimes seen offshore.
Why we'd choose it: a fresh, modern resort with plenty of dining choice on a truly remote island.
Denis Private Island: barefoot and quiet
Denis is a small coral island about 30 minutes from Mahé by charter flight. It is quieter and simpler than the larger resorts, with a barefoot style that suits couples who want to switch off.
Flights run on a set schedule, so some guests spend a night on Mahé on the way. Many couples enjoy that as a gentle first stop.
Why we'd choose it: easy, unfussy island life without the formality of a big resort.
Which island suits you?
For total privacy: North Island.
For nature and beaches: Fregate Island Private.
For a spa-focused stay: Six Senses Zil Pasyon.
For diving and activities: Four Seasons Desroches Island.
For dining choice and a modern feel: Waldorf Astoria Platte Island.
For a relaxed, simple stay: Denis Private Island.
Many couples pair a private island with a few nights on Mahé or Praslin. It breaks up a long journey and shows you another side of the Seychelles.
When to go
The Seychelles is warm all year, at around 30°C (86°F). The calmest months usually fall between the two trade winds, in April and May and again in October and November.
The north-west trade wind, from about November to March, brings the most rain in January and February. The south-east trade wind, from May to September, can bring rougher seas, and helicopter transfers can be delayed. Turtles begin nesting in October, a lovely time to be on an island that protects them.
Let's plan your island
Choosing between these islands is easier with someone who knows them. Tell us your dates and what matters most to you, and we'll suggest the island and villa that fit. Start building your retreat at luxebeachretreats.com/plan, and download our complimentary destination guide at luxebeachretreats.com/guides.
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