Exclusive Escapes: Top 10 Private Island Resorts in the Seychelles
Top 10 Luxury Private Island Resorts in the Seychelles
Introduction
The Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, is the epitome of secluded luxury, offering pristine beaches, lush landscapes, and unparalleled serenity.
For the discerning traveller seeking an escape from the mundane, the Seychelles’ private island resorts present an unmatched blend of exclusivity, opulence, and natural beauty. This guide curates the top 10 luxury private island resorts in the Seychelles, each offering a unique gateway to paradise for those who demand nothing less than extraordinary.
TOP 10 LUXURY PRIVATE ISLAND RESORTS
1. North Island
Price: €6,500-8,500/night
North Island is the pinnacle of luxury, offering an all-inclusive experience that caters to your every desire. Part of the Luxury Collection by Marriott, this 500-acre private island paradise features only 11 hand-crafted villas, ensuring privacy is paramount. Each Presidential Villa spans 450 square meters with private plunge pools, while the exclusive Villa North offers 750 square meters of ultimate seclusion. The island’s Noah’s Ark conservation programme has successfully restored native flora and fauna, including the critically endangered Seychelles White-Eye. With a staff-to-guest ratio exceeding 3:1 and personal Guest Experience Makers (GEMs) assigned to each villa, every moment is tailored to perfection. The island has hosted royalty and celebrities including Prince William and Kate Middleton, cementing its status as the ultimate choice for the elite.
Best season: April to May and October to November (shoulder seasons with optimal weather and fewer guests)
Insider tip: Request Villa 11 for the most secluded location with the best sunset views, and ask the conservation team to arrange a private turtle hatching experience during nesting season (October-February).
Book Now: Official Website | Marriott | Booking.com | Agoda
Price: €3,500-6,000/night
Note: Currently closed for renovation until 2026. The Private Pool Twin Villa and Banyan Hill Estate may be available on request.
Home to seven stunning beaches (including Anse Victorin, frequently voted among the world’s best), Fregate Island Private is a sanctuary for rare wildlife and offers an eco-luxury retreat like no other. The 16 spacious Pool Villas perch on granite cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean, each featuring private infinity pools, Jacuzzis, and personal butler service. The island is a living conservation success story, home to over 2,000 free-roaming Aldabra giant tortoises, the rescued Seychelles Magpie Robin, and endangered hawksbill turtles that nest on its beaches in broad daylight. The Rock Spa, set among ancient granite boulders, offers treatments using locally sourced ingredients. Dine anywhere on the island from the treehouse to a secluded beach picnic with cuisine prepared to your exact specifications.
Best season: April to May and October to November
Insider tip: When the resort reopens, request the Banyan Hill Estate for the ultimate privacy it’s a three-villa compound on its own peninsula with dedicated chef, butler, and the island’s best views.
Book Now: Official Website | andBeyond | Expedia
Price: €2,500-4,000/night
Offering a harmonious blend of conservation and luxury, Cousine Island hosts just five French Colonial-style villas four Luxury Villas and one magnificent Presidential Villa on this 25-hectare private nature reserve. This internationally recognized eco-sanctuary gives you the feeling of having your own private island, with a maximum of 10 guests at any time. Each 175-square-meter villa features handcrafted furniture, private infinity pools, and direct beach access. The island runs entirely on solar energy and practices comprehensive sustainability initiatives. Participate in turtle monitoring during nesting season (October-February), witness over 18,000 hatchlings annually, and help with conservation activities alongside resident ecologists. The chef creates bespoke menus daily there are no set menus, only your culinary desires brought to life.
Best season: October to February for turtle nesting; April to May for optimal weather
Insider tip: Book the Presidential Villa for families or groups it features two master bedrooms, a private gym, and the island’s largest pool. Request a private catamaran excursion to neighbouring Praslin’s hidden coves.
Book Now: Official Website | TripAdvisor | Agoda
4. Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island
Price: €2,800-5,500/night
As the only resort on this captivating coral island in the Amirantes archipelago, Four Seasons Desroches offers 71 luxurious villas and residences spread along 14 kilometres of pristine white-sand beaches the longest stretch of beach in the Seychelles. A 35-minute scenic flight from Mahé delivers you to the resort’s private runway, where castaway seclusion comes naturally. Every accommodation features a private pool, outdoor rain shower, and direct beach access. The island’s Tortoise Sanctuary is home to Aldabra giant tortoises, while the surrounding waters offer 14 classified dive sites and some of the best snorkelling in the Indian Ocean. The Circle of Connection Spa provides holistic wellness experiences, and the resort’s Castaway All-Inclusive package ensures every culinary desire is fulfilled across multiple dining venues including Claudine (Mediterranean) and The Lighthouse (360-degree ocean views).
Best season: March to May and September to November
Insider tip: Book the \”Twice the Paradise\” offer for a complimentary night at Four Seasons Mahé. Request Villa 1 or 2 for the most secluded beach access, and arrange a private island picnic on one of the uninhabited beaches.
Book Now: Official Website | Booking.com | Amex Fine Hotels
5. Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas (formerly Maia Luxury Resort & Spa)
Price: €1,800-3,500/night
While not on a private island, Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas offers an intimacy and exclusivity that rivals private island resorts, occupying its own private 30-acre peninsula on Mahé’s southwest coast above the unspoilt beach of Anse Louis. Designed by legendary hotel architect Bill Bensley, the 30 luxurious villas blend rustic elegance with hammered copper accents, dark polished woods, and bright citrus fabrics. Each villa features a private infinity pool, dedicated Villa Host (butler), and Hermès amenities. The philosophy of \”Wherever, Whenever, Whatever\” means no request is too ambitious from moonlit dinners on the helipad to candlelit yoga at dawn. The Anantara Spa offers treatments using exclusive Terres d’Afriques products, while Tec-Tec restaurant serves the only gourmet cuisine on Mahé, blending Mediterranean, Creole, and Asian influences.
Best season: April to June and September to November
Insider tip: Request the Peninsula Ocean View Pool Villa for ultimate privacy and 180-degree ocean views. Book stays of three nights or more to receive exclusive Premier benefits including complimentary spa treatments and transfers.
Book Now: Official Website | Booking.com | Five Star Alliance
Price: €900-1,800/night
Part of Blue Safari Seychelles, Alphonse Island is ideal for adventure seekers, located 400 kilometres southwest of Mahé in the pristine Outer Islands. Accessible via a one-hour scenic flight, this 1.7-square-kilometre coral island is renowned as one of the world’s premier saltwater fly-fishing destinations, with legendary flats on neighbouring St. François atoll producing world-record catches of bonefish, giant trevally, and permit. The 22 Beach Bungalows and 5 Beach Suites offer comfortable elegance just metres from the powder-white beach, while the Bijoutier Restaurant serves fresh-caught seafood and organic produce from the island’s gardens. Beyond fishing, experience blue safaris to swim with manta rays and sailfish, snorkel pristine reefs, and participate in turtle conservation programmes. The island’s eco-friendly approach and commitment to sustainability make it a unique choice for environmentally conscious travellers.
Best season: October to May for optimal fishing and diving conditions; November to March for turtle nesting
Insider tip: Book the Fly Fishing Package for access to the legendary St. François flats with expert guides. Non-fishers should request the Blue Safari experience to snorkel with sailfish a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
Book Now: Official Website | Blue Safari | andBeyond
Price: €2,200-4,500/night
Located on the private 652-acre Félicité Island, Six Senses Zil Pasyon harmoniously blends luxury with sustainability, occupying less than a third of this dramatic granite island. The resort features 28 one-bedroom and 2 two-bedroom Pool Villas, plus exclusive Residences, each designed by Studio Rhe with floor-to-ceiling windows, personal wine cellars, and infinity pools overlooking the Indian Ocean. The island’s location outside the cyclone belt offers perpetual summer. The Six Senses Spa, nestled among towering granite boulders, features five private pavilions, a yoga and meditation platform, and an elevated saltwater pool. Sustainability initiatives include an on-site organic garden, extensive reef restoration, and endemic species conservation. The resort’s Guest Experience Makers (GEMs) ensure every detail is personalised, while restaurants like Island Café and Ocean Kitchen showcase farm-to-table dining with spectacular ocean views.
Best season: Year-round destination; April offers the warmest temperatures; December to February for occasional brief tropical showers
Insider tip: Book a Three-Bedroom Residence for families or groups it includes a private chef, dedicated service host, and the island’s most commanding panoramic views. Request the \”Swim with Turtles\” experience with the Olive Ridley Project marine biologists.
Book Now: Official Website | Booking.com | Expedia
8. Constance Lemuria (Petite Anse Kerlan, Praslin Island)
Price: €1,500-3,200/night
Though part of Praslin Island rather than a private island, the exclusive resort area of Constance Lemuria at Petite Anse Kerlan offers a secluded haven with luxury suites and villas. The resort stretches along a spectacular headland with direct access to three stunning beaches, including the iconic Anse Georgette consistently ranked among the world’s most beautiful. Constance Lemuria is home to the only 18-hole championship golf course in the Seychelles, hosting the renowned MCB Tour Championship amidst panoramic ocean views. The multi-tiered infinity pool cascades toward the beach, while the Constance Spa offers Shiseido treatments in a serene tropical setting. Four restaurants including The Nest (Creole seafood) and Legend (international buffet with weekly chocolate extravaganza) cater to every palate. The resort’s turtle conservation programme allows guests to witness hawksbill turtles nesting on Grand Anse Kerlan beach from October to February.
Best season: April to May and October to November; October to February for turtle nesting
Insider tip: Book a Presidential Villa at the southern tip of Anse Kerlan for ultimate beachside luxury with a private pool, dedicated Villa Master, and direct beach access. Green fees are complimentary book early morning tee times for the best conditions and empty fairways.
Book Now: Official Website | Booking.com | Leading Hotels of the World
Price: €800-1,500/night
Denis Private Island focuses on barefoot luxury and sustainability, offering an eco-retreat where authentic island living takes precedence over modern distractions. This 375-acre private coral cay, accessible by a 30-minute flight from Mahé, features 25 beachfront cottages and villas spread along pristine white-sand beaches. In keeping with the island’s philosophy, there are no TVs, minimal WiFi (available only in the main lodge), and a deliberate disconnection from the outside world. The farm-to-table dining concept sources organic produce from the island’s own gardens, poultry, and surrounding waters. Participate in turtle conservation (hawksbill turtles nest from October to February), feed the resident Aldabra giant tortoises, and explore over 50 hectares of restored native woodland teeming with endemic bird species. The 100-year-old lighthouse and remnants of the coconut plantation era add historic charm to this Robinson Crusoe paradise.
Best season: April to May and October to November; May to September for bird watching (migrating sooty terns)
Insider tip: Book the Beach Villa for families it offers two bedrooms, a private plunge pool, and the island’s most spacious accommodation. Join the dawn turtle patrol for a chance to witness nesting and hatching before other guests awake.
Book Now: Official Website | Booking.com | SeyVillas
Price: €400-700/night
Bird Island offers a simpler, yet profoundly authentic eco-luxury experience as the northernmost island of the Seychelles archipelago. This coral cay nature reserve, accessible via a 30-minute flight from Mahé, features 7 self-catering private villas with 1-3 bedrooms, nestled among coconut palms of the island’s old plantation. In deliberate contrast to typical luxury resorts, there is no air conditioning, no televisions, no telephones, and no swimming pool allowing the island’s extraordinary natural beauty to take centre stage. Over 5 kilometres of pure white beach ring the island, while the interior is home to the world’s heaviest land tortoise, Esmeralda, weighing over 300 kilograms. From May to October, witness the spectacular nesting of over one million sooty terns at the island’s northern colony. The island’s commitment to conservation and eco-tourism makes it a unique, back-to-basics luxury choice for those who value authenticity over artifice.
Best season: May to October for the sooty tern spectacle; November to February for hawksbill turtle nesting; December to March for turtle hatchlings
Insider tip: Book the entire island for exclusive use perfect for multi-generational family gatherings or intimate group retreats. Bring your own snorkelling equipment for the best hygiene, and request a guided nature walk with Conservation Officer Robbie for insider access to nesting sites.
Book Now: Official Website | Booking.com | Agoda
Expert Travel Tips
1. Book Early and Through Preferred Partners: These exclusive resorts have limited accommodation and can be booked out months in advance, especially during peak seasons (April-May and October-November). Consider booking through luxury travel advisors affiliated with Virtuoso, American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts, or Leading Hotels of the World for complimentary upgrades, resort credits, and VIP amenities. Many resorts also offer better rates and exclusive perks when booking direct.
2. Understand the All-Inclusive Variations: \”All-inclusive\” varies significantly across Seychelles resorts. North Island and Cousine include virtually everything; Six Senses includes breakfast and selected activities; Four Seasons offers optional all-inclusive packages. Premium wines, spa treatments, and certain excursions are typically additional at most properties. Request a detailed breakdown before booking to avoid surprises.
3. Plan Your Inter-Island Transfers Carefully: Many private islands require helicopter or charter flights, which can be weather-dependent and expensive (€300-1,200 per person). Book transfers directly through your resort for the most reliable service. Consider combining multiple islands in one trip several resorts offer \”Island Hopping\” packages with discounted transfers.
4. Respect the Environment: These islands are not just luxurious retreats but also vital habitats for endangered species. Follow all resort guidelines for turtle nesting areas, reef protection, and wildlife encounters. Many resorts welcome guest participation in conservation activities this adds meaningful depth to your experience.
5. Explore Beyond Your Resort: While it’s tempting to remain within your luxury cocoon, the Seychelles offers incredible experiences worth exploring. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Vallée de Mai on Praslin to see the legendary Coco de Mer palms. Charter a boat to La Digue for car-free island charm and Anse Source d’Argent, one of the most photographed beaches on Earth. Arrange private tours of Victoria’s markets and colonial architecture on Mahé.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are these resorts suitable for families?
A: Yes, many of these resorts cater excellently to families. Four Seasons Desroches features a comprehensive Kids For All Seasons programme and family-friendly residences. Constance Lemuria offers a dedicated Kids Club for ages 4-11. Six Senses has the Trouloulou kids club with guided activities. Denis Private Island welcomes families with its villa accommodations and engaging conservation activities. However, some ultra-exclusive properties like North Island and Cousine Island may be better suited to couples or families with older children due to their intimate nature and premium pricing. Always check age policies and children’s facilities when booking.
Q: What is the best way to get to these private islands?
A: Most private island resorts are accessible by helicopter (15-30 minutes from Mahé) or charter flight from Seychelles International Airport. Six Senses Zil Pasyon and Cousine Island can also be reached by speedboat from Praslin. Four Seasons Desroches operates scheduled 35-minute flights to its private runway. Denis Private Island and Bird Island have daily light aircraft services. Alphonse Island requires a one-hour charter flight due to its remote Outer Islands location. Transfers are typically arranged by the resorts and can be included in packages expect to pay €300-1,500 per person for helicopter transfers. Always confirm transfer arrangements and costs before finalising your booking.
Q: Can dietary requirements and special occasions be accommodated?
A: Absolutely. These luxury resorts pride themselves on personalised service and can accommodate virtually any dietary requirement with advance notice whether vegan, gluten-free, kosher, halal, or complex allergies. Cousine Island and North Island have no set menus, with chefs preparing entirely bespoke meals daily. For special occasions, resorts can arrange private beach dinners, champagne picnics on uninhabited sandbanks, in-villa celebrations, and romantic surprises. Many properties like Anantara Maia specialise in honeymoons and anniversaries, offering complimentary upgrades and special touches for celebrating couples. Contact your resort’s Guest Experience Manager at least two weeks before arrival to discuss any special requirements or celebration plans.
Conclusion
The Seychelles’ private island resorts offer an unparalleled blend of luxury, privacy, and natural beauty, making them perfect sanctuaries for the ultra-high-net-worth individual seeking an escape from the ordinary. From the barefoot opulence of North Island where royalty retreat, to the conservation-focused authenticity of Bird Island where nature takes centre stage, these top 10 recommendations provide something unique for every discerning traveller.
Whether you seek world-class fly-fishing at Alphonse, championship golf at Constance Lemuria, or complete digital detox at Denis Private Island, the Seychelles delivers experiences that transcend typical luxury travel. Book your escape to paradise today and discover why these granite and coral jewels of the Indian Ocean have captivated the world’s most sophisticated travellers for generations.
