Under the Seychelles starry sky, the world’s most beautiful beaches

 

This archipelagic nation, scattered 1,600 kilometers off the coast of Kenya in East Africa at 4 degrees south latitude, has been synonymous with premium island holidays since tourism development began in the 1970s. Its 115 granite and coral reef islands host high-end resorts of exceptional quality, nestled in the most beautiful corners of the islands, transforming them into dreamy paradises within paradise. Recently, British Prince William and Kate Middleton chose North Island in Seychelles for their honeymoon, adding even more prestige to this southern paradise.

 

After a day and a night of flying, the plane finally lands on Praslin, a small island covering just 38 square kilometers. Stepping off the plane, the tropical humidity greets you mixed with floral scents—the unmistakably healing aroma of the island. Exiting the airport, the car winds through the tropical jungle until glimpses of stunning beaches appear between the trees, drawing gasps of awe. But it isn’t until arriving at Lemuria Resort that you realize those earlier exclamations were only appetizers.

Lemuria is located at the northwest corner of Praslin and boasts three private beaches and an 18-hole golf course. It is the island’s first five-star resort, planned and developed by the Constance hotel group, known for expertly managing island getaways. The name “Lemuria” comes from the legendary sunken continent in the Indian Ocean, of which Seychelles is believed to be a part—just as Atlantis is to the Atlantic. Ancient legends forever satisfy our longing for an ideal paradise.

 

Constance’s interpretation of Lemuria is a return to pristine nature. Golf carts wind up and down along paths naturally shielded by granite hills, offering alternately expansive and secluded views. Arriving at the main building nestled halfway up the hill, looking out from the terrace, your first sight of Lemuria reveals only the green of the golf course and jungle, the blue of the sea and sky, the white of the beaches, and the gray-brown of thatched-roof villas—no extravagant man-made structures in sight. Even the pool, seamlessly connected to the main building, follows the contours of the granite hillside, descending layer by layer as if a natural pond formed by the cliffs.

“Guests who fly all the way to Lemuria come not only for our premium services and facilities, but most importantly, to freely enjoy the unique natural beauty of Seychelles, especially that of Praslin,” says Jacques Charles, the resort manager from Cannes, France. “Take Anse Georgette, for example—we deliberately don’t place a single lounge chair or umbrella there, preserving its pure natural beauty. That’s what we define as luxury.”

 

Anse Georgette is one of three beaches at Lemuria Resort, far from the guest villa area. It takes at least half an hour to walk there from the main building, passing through dense coastal palm trees before the view suddenly opens up. Huge, rugged granite rocks encircle a natural bay, with a long stretch of white, powdery-soft sand and crystal-clear, immaculate blue waters. Most remarkably, there are no artificial facilities whatsoever on the beach. Its purity has earned it multiple spots on Condé Nast Traveler’s list of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

 

The other two beaches, Grande Anse Kerlan and Petite Anse Kerlan, also have their unique charms. The former features a row of villas lining the beach, while the latter serves as the resort’s main water activity hub. Standing at the shore of Grande Anse Kerlan, all you see is white waves rolling onto the sand, with no buildings in sight—the villas are hidden behind tall coconut groves. Just a few steps away, guests can emerge from the trees and dive straight into the sea.