The Maldives or the Seychelles for a honeymoon?

In short

• The Maldives for overwater villas and relaxing at your resort, and it's easier to reach with direct flights.
• The Seychelles for hopping between islands, nature and beaches framed by giant boulders.
• Both are costly, and the Seychelles suits honeymooners better than long family trips.

Flights and entry

Direct flights reach the Maldives in about 6 hours: from Jeddah on Saudia, and from Riyadh in the winter season on flynas from 19 November 2026. The visa is free on arrival for 30 days, after filling in the IMUGA declaration within 96 hours of your flight. The Seychelles takes a connection through Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi, and entry is visa-free with an electronic travel authorisation before you fly and a confirmed hotel booking.

Flights from Riyadh to the Maldives →

Best season

The Maldives from December to April, the dry season. The Seychelles in April, May, October and November, when the sea is calmer.

Type of stay

In the Maldives you choose between an overwater villa for a honeymoon and a roomier beach villa, many with a private pool, and you reach the resort by speedboat or seaplane. As the restaurants are all inside the resort, choose your meal plan with care. In the Seychelles you usually split your stay between Mahé and Praslin or La Digue, moving by ferry or a short domestic flight.

Maldives resorts and villa types →

Halal food and bidet showers

The Maldives is a Muslim country, most resorts have a bidet sprayer and most meat is halal, though some restaurants serve non-halal dishes to foreign guests, so ask before ordering. In the Seychelles halal food is scarce, some resorts prepare it when told in advance, and not every resort has a bidet shower, so we check before booking.

Hotels in the Seychelles and the best islands to stay →