Considered a true tropical paradise, the Seychelles archipelago is located in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar. Comprising 115 islands, some inhabited and others unspoiled, this island group is prized for its spectacular white sand beaches, coral reefs and lush jungles.

The capital of the Seychelles is Victoria, located on the main island of Mahé. Although small in size, Victoria is the economic and cultural heart of the archipelago, home to iconic landmarks such as Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market and the famous Clock Tower.

Throughout the archipelago, there are other important tourist centers such as Beau Vallon on Mahé, La Passe on La Digue and Grande Anse on Praslin.

Here are some suggestions for accommodation, must-do activities and practical information for your trip to Seychelles.

In the Seychelles, you’ll find a range of accommodation from luxury resorts to intimate guest houses. For members of the Marriott Bonvoy program, here are two suggestions:

Nestled on a remote island in the Indian Ocean, North Island, a Luxury Collection Resort, Seychelles is accessible only by helicopter. The 11 exclusive villas offer top-of-the-range comfort with vaulted wooden ceilings and private beach access.

They include a living room and terrace. A 750 m² villa also features a bathtub and Jacuzzi.

The hotel features an intimate restaurant and a restaurant-bar on the beach, as well as an elegant spa. A wide range of activities, such as cycling, kayaking, diving and paddleboarding, are also available for guests to explore the island’s natural environment.

Laïla, Seychelles, a Tribute Portfolio Resort is a new 84-room boutique hotel located in the center of Anse Royale. It offers an immersive village-style experience in harmony with the local community.

The hotel offers five room categories and a full range of facilities and services.

Is your goal to get free nights in these establishments? The Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program is the best savings program available in Canada.

In fact, there are two Marriott Bonvoy credit cards issued by American Express, which make it easy to accumulate numerous Marriott Bonvoy points.

How do I calculate my Marriott Bonvoy points and earn more? Aline gives you all her tips in her guide.

If you’re looking for an all-inclusive experience, Club Med has a popular establishment here:

Located 2 km from Ste Anne National Marine Park, Club Med Seychelles is a luxury beachfront all-inclusive, positioned on a 220-hectare private island. The chic villas, surrounded by palm trees, offer balconies and/or terraces, some with private infinity pools.

The establishment features three restaurants for varied culinary experiences, a spa, outdoor pool, gym, tennis courts and diving center. Excursions and a children’s activity club are also available.

Independent hotels can be booked using travel credit card points.

Take TD Rewards points: to earn them, you’ll need a TD credit card linked to this loyalty program, such as the TD First Class Travel^® Visa Infinite* Card.

Among its benefits, you’ll get excellent insurance and a discount on annual fees for the first year.

When you book your trip on the Expedia site for TD, you can apply your points directly to your purchase.

Here are a few addresses:

This relaxed-style hotel, surrounded by palm trees, is just a three-minute walk from Côte d’Or beach. Le Duc de Praslin offers an open-air café-restaurant, island-themed bar, spa, tropical garden and outdoor pool.

Water sports activities and a bicycle rental service are also available. The warm, tropical-style rooms feature a lounge area, while the higher categories often have a four-poster bed and/or exposed beams on the ceiling.

Le Repaire Boutique Hotel is a small beachfront hotel located near the center of La Digue’s main village. With 18 rooms, including seven standard, five with sea views and six on the seafront, the establishment offers a warm, intimate setting.

Its Italian restaurant offers authentic cuisine with traditional pizzas, pastas, meat dishes and fish.

Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort & Spa is an upscale beachfront hotel, also located on the island of La Digue. It is close to the La Digue Veuve reserve and the picturesque beach of Anse Source d’Argent.

There are two restaurants and two bars with panoramic terraces, as well as an outdoor infinity pool with bar and fountains. A luxurious spa with hammam, whirlpool and massages is also available.

Superior category rooms, decorated in a tropical style with modern furnishings, offer additional amenities such as a whirlpool bath and Nespresso machine, as well as free laundry service.

Of course, you come to the Seychelles to enjoy breathtaking beaches. Don’t miss iconic beaches such as Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue island, Anse Lazio on Praslin island and Beau Vallon on Mahé island for relaxing days in the sun.

There are also several picturesque hiking trails. Among the most popular are the ascent of Morne Seychellois, the highest peak in the Seychelles, with spectacular views of the surrounding islands, and the walk through the Vallée de Mai on the island of Praslin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Marine life in the Seychelles is fascinating. Renowned dive sites such as Shark Bank, Fisherman’s Cove Reef and Sainte-Anne Marine National Park offer unique opportunities to observe sea turtles, manta rays, sharks and a variety of colorful fish.

Since there are over a hundred islands, boat excursions are a must on your trip to the Seychelles.

Whether it’s a day trip to discover La Digue Island and its superb beaches, or an excursion to Curieuse Island to meet Aldabra’s famous giant tortoises, boat excursions offer a captivating way to explore the diversity of the archipelago.

You will also enjoy discovering the rich biodiversity of the Seychelles by visiting conservation sites such as the Vallée de Mai nature reservewhere you can observe the endemic coco de mer, or the Sainte-Anne marine reservewhere you can meet a multitude of marine species.

To travel from Montreal to the Seychelles, direct flights are not available. So you’ll need to make a stopover in a city offering flights to this archipelago, notably Paris.

In economy class, the flight starts at 70,000 Aeroplan points, via Air Canada and its partners, for a one-way trip between Montreal and Victoria, according to the points predictor.

How do I earn Aeroplan Points? The easiest way is to sign up for a new Aeroplan co-branded credit card.

Take the American Express^®* Aeroplan^® Reserve Card, which offers not only a handsome welcome bonus, but also a host of other benefits, such as access to Maple Leaf lounges in North America for you and a guest, as well as priority boarding.

Here’s our guide with all the strategies you need to fill up on points.

The official language of Seychelles is Creole, but English and French are widely spoken in tourist areas.

The official currency is the Seychelles rupee (SCR). Credit cards are widely accepted, but local currency is also recommended for small transactions.

It is advisable to be up to date with the usual vaccinations. Tap water is safe to drink, but bottled water is also widely available.

The Seychelles enjoy a tropical climate all year round, with warm, humid temperatures. The ideal months to visit the archipelago are April, May, October and November, when temperatures are milder and rainfall less abundant.

Seychelles uses a 220-240 volt, 50 Hz electrical system. Electrical outlets are British three-pin, so if you’re traveling from Canada, you’ll need an adapter to plug in your electrical appliances.

Your trip to the Seychelles is sure to bring you breathtaking scenery, idyllic beaches and fascinating marine life!