Seychelles or Zanzibar: Which one should you go to?

There’s nothing like being in the tropics. Lounging about in the world’s most pristine beaches, sipping pina coladas under the sun, going snorkeling, swimming amongst colorful tropical fish, admiring the bright corals, losing yourself in the horizon of the pure Indian Ocean, the sand in your hair, a soft breeze on your skin…

In need of a tropical escape? Lucky for you, East Africa has some of the world’s most perfect, sought after tropical destinations. In the Indian ocean, just a couple of hours by plane from the African continent, lay two of the world’s most iconic islands: the Seychelles and Zanzibar. With their clear turquoise waters, white sand beaches, coconut trees and majestic palm trees, traveling to these exotic islands feels like traveling into a postcard.

But which island should you go to? Both destinations offer stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a wealth of activities and attractions to explore. However, each has its own unique character and charm that sets it apart from the other. So, if you’re struggling to choose in between the two, don’t worry- we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Seychelles and Zanzibar, comparing them across a range of factors so that you can make an informed decision. First, a brief overview of both destinations before comparing their pros and their cons. Let’s dive in!

The Seychelles vs Zanzibar

1. Ease of travel

Both the Seychelles and Zanzibar are easily accessible destinations by plane, with regular flights from East African hubs such as Addis Ababa or Nairobi. However, when in the Seychelles, if you plan on visiting a few islands of the archipelago (and you should!), you will need to take an extra ferry in between the islands, that can last a few hours, as the distances in the Seychelles islands are significant. In that aspect, Zanzibar can be easier to access. However, taking the Seychelles ferries is a pleasure, as cruising under the sun and on the deep blue Indian ocean waters, admiring the lush tropical forests and mountains of the fascinating Seychelle islands is deeply exciting.

Zanzibar, being more commercial and historically linked to the mainland, as well as closer to the coast, is in any way slightly easier to access, with more frequent and shorter flights. However, this truly doesn’t change the experience, as both destinations take between 1.5 to 3.5 hours to access from East African countries, which is not a significant difference.

So, objectively, Zanzibar is easier to access. In my experience, however, it should not be a factor to take into consideration as both destinations require, more or less, the same level of effort to access.

(If you live in Tanzania, it goes without saying that Zanzibar is much more accessible, being a domestic destination and easily accessible by ferry from Dar es Salaam.)

2. Natural beauty

Both islands are known for their stunning natural beauty, with pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and luxuriant vegetation. However, while Zanzibar has a rich history and incredibly diverse culture, Seychelles is the winner in terms of natural beauty. Less settled than Zanzibar, Seychelles are little islands of heaven in the Indian Ocean. The lush tropical forest’s invigorating, vibrant, rich green color, paired with the turquoise of the clear waters, the white sand of the beaches, and the brown coconuts on the palm trees, makes you feel like you really are in heaven.

The beaches of Seychelles are more secluded, feel more tropical, have more vibrant colors. When in the Seychelles, you do feel thousands of kilometers away from any land. With such peace and calmness, these islands have a more exclusive and pristine feel to them.

I must insist on the fact that Zanzibar’s beaches are also marvelous: you absolutely do get the tropical island experience in Zanzibar, too. However, the island is more crowded, and beaches aren’t as relaxing or as impressive as the ones in Seychelles. Zanzibar’s fascinating, unique culture and rich history are the essence of this island. The Seychelles essence is its untouched wilderness, immaculate, heavenly beaches and luxuriant jungles.

3. History

If you are looking to be immersed in a country’s history and culture, Zanzibar is the place to go. While both islands have fascinating stories, Zanzibar is often considered more culturally and historically exciting than Seychelles for several reasons.

To begin, Zanzibar has a rich history as a trading center for spices and slaves, with a long and complex history of relations with different cultures and societies. This has resulted in a unique mix of African, Arab, Indian, and European influences in Zanzibar’s food, architecture, music and culture.

Seychelle’s history, on the other hand, is more recent. The islands were a British colony until their independence in 1976. While the Seychelles have their own beautifully unique, fascinating culture and cuisine, it doesn't have the same depth of cultural and historical diversity as Zanzibar.

Secondly, Zanzibar has something that makes it one of the most thrilling and interesting historical destinations not only in the Indian Ocean, but in the world: the UNESCO World Heritage Site and the capital of Zanzibar, Stone Town. Established for at least 1000 years, Stone Town’s old, vibrant, colorful narrow streets, its ancient buildings, iconic carved doors, bustling markets and fascinating architecture makes it one of the most interesting destinations of East Africa.

The smaller towns and villages of the Seychelles offer a more laid-back, relaxed atmosphere, which, while incredibly charming and absolutely worth visiting, is not as historically or culturally stimulating as the one-of-a-kind Stone Town.

4. Budget

Zanzibar has a more local feel to it, and this also reflects in its prices: it’s much easier to have a budget-friendly vacation in Zanzibar than in the Seychelles. In the Seychelles, life revolves more around tourism than in Zanzibar, which makes the prices naturally adapted to tourists. This doesn’t mean that Zanzibar doesn’t have luxury: on the contrary, some of the best luxury resorts and retreats of East Africa are situated in Zanzibar. The difference is that both extremes can be found in Zanzibar, from cheap rooms at less than 30 dollars a night to luxurious presidential suites for the cost of a mensual minimum wage for one night.

The Seychelles have less cheap accommodation options. It isn’t impossible to have a budget-friendly vacation in the Seychelles, but it absolutely isn’t as easy as it is in Zanzibar.

Conclusion

If you need to feel like you’re in Robinson Crusoe, castaway on a faraway, deserted paradise island, filled with lush, tropical jungles and white sand beaches with turquoise waters, the Seychelles might be the best option for you.

If you want to experience gorgeous beaches, snorkeling and peaceful palm trees without missing out on the authentic African experience, the exploration of an ancient culture in an incredibly rich and historical island, Zanzibar is the place to go.

Both islands are unique in their own ways, and both are fabulous destinations. Whatever choice you make, I can guarantee you won’t look back: the choice between Zanzibar or the Seychelles is like the choice between a sumptuous steak or a delightful truffle tagliatelle. Either way, the experience is delicious, aromatic, invigorating and incredibly satisfying.