STUNNING SEYCHELLES: Golf, Wildlife & more than just Beaches

COCO DE MER: GROWN-UP LUXURY THAT STILL WORKS FOR FAMILIES

When you picture the Seychelles, you probably think of honeymooners, private pool villas and candlelit dinners. I went at Christmas with my husband and three grown up children, and discovered a very different side to these islands: one that is relaxed, playful and surprisingly perfect for families who still want a touch of luxury.

We based ourselves on Praslin at Coco de Mer Hotel & Black Parrot Suites. It was the ideal compromise between grown‑up indulgence and easy family time. My husband and I stayed in a spacious Junior Suite in the adult‑only Black Parrot section, which feels wonderfully peaceful and exclusive, while the kids (17, 19 and 22) had their own beachfront room in the main hotel.

The beauty of this set‑up is that it is all one property, so as our three are over 16, they could wander up to “our” side whenever they liked. We would meet at the infinity pool that hangs over the ocean, laze on sunbeds together and then all tuck into the complimentary afternoon tea. It felt like the best of both worlds: we had a calm, adults‑only retreat, but we were never really apart. Then we’d have breakfast and dinner over on “their” side.  Perfect!

Christmas at Coco de Mer was a real highlight. The hotel went all out with a festive feast: caviar, lobster and an impressive spread that made Christmas feel genuinely special without being stuffy.

GOLF AT CONSTANCE LEMURIA: A CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE “DOWN THE ROAD”

One of the big surprises of Praslin is just how good the golf is. A short drive from Coco de Mer is the Constance Lemuria resort, home to a championship golf course that is as beautiful as it is challenging. We hired a car and loved the freedom of being able to nip over there for a round.

The course is seriously impressive: lush fairways framed by granite boulders, sweeping views over the ocean and holes that snake through tropical vegetation. For a family who enjoys golf, it was a real treat to be playing somewhere that would hold its own against top courses worldwide, yet still feels relaxed and welcoming.

After playing, we’d wander down to their beachside restaurant for lunch – Takamaka Beach Bar. Eating with sandy feet, staring out at the perfect Seychellois beach of  Petite Anse Keralan , you realise that this is what family holidays are all about: doing something you all enjoy together, then drifting seamlessly into “beach mode” with a cold drink and good food. It felt indulgent but also very natural, like the Seychelles was made for active families rather than just couples hiding away in suites.

LA DIGUE, CURIEUSE & ST PIERRE ISLET : ADVENTURES BEYOND THE SUNLOUNGER

Of course, we still had plenty of classic Seychelles moments, but even those came with a family twist. One day we chartered a private boat and headed out to Curieuse Island to see the giant Aldabra tortoises. Wandering among these ancient, lumbering creatures is one of those experiences that makes everyone, whatever their age, feel like a child again. We laughed, took far too many photos and just enjoyed being somewhere that felt truly unique.

On the way back, we stopped at the tiny St Pierre Islet and had one of the most memorable moments of the trip: whale sharks gliding effortlessly under our boat. Watching these gentle giants move through the clear water beneath us was absolutely spellbinding. It is the sort of encounter that bonds you as a family, because you all know you will be talking about it for years to come.

We also took the ferry across to La Digue, which has its own laid‑back charm. As everyone does, we hired bikes and cycled through the park to the famous Anse Source d’Argent beach. The ride itself is part of the joy: no cars, just palm trees, vanilla plantations, and the odd stray chicken or tortoise on the roadside. It feels wonderfully safe and simple, ideal for families with older teens who like a bit of independence.

Once at the beach, we tried the glass‑bottom kayaks with Crystal Water Kayaks. Paddling over coral gardens and watching the marine life pass beneath us was an incredible, immersive way to experience the ocean together. The kids also got roped into a Robinson Crusoe‑style race to crack open coconuts, which ended in a lot of laughter, dramatic demonstrations of “technique” and a fresh coconut feast on the sand. It is these slightly silly, unplanned moments that really make a family holiday feel alive.

FINAL THOUGHTS: SEYCHELLES, FOR FAMILIES TOO

Our Christmas in the Seychelles was a reminder that this destination is so much more than beaches and romance. Yes, it is impossibly beautiful, and yes, it is a dream for honeymooners, but it is also a wonderful playground for families with older children.

On Praslin, we found a hotel set‑up at Coco de Mer that let us enjoy adults‑only tranquillity without sacrificing time together. We could play golf on a championship course just down the road, feast our way through Christmas with seafood and champagne, and still have all the relaxed, everyday moments of a family holiday: card games by the pool, quiet chats over breakfast, and everyone collapsing into bed after a big day out on the water.

The inter‑island connections, whether the little propeller planes between Mahé and Praslin or the ferries across to La Digue, add a sense of adventure without being difficult or stressful. Private boat trips, bike rides, glass‑bottom kayaks, tortoise encounters and spontaneous coconut‑cracking contests turned what could have been “just” a beach break into a collection of shared stories and in‑jokes that are now firmly part of our family history.

So if you have always filed the Seychelles under “honeymoons only”, it might be time to think again. With the right base and a mix of activity and relaxation, it can be an outstanding choice for families too: a place where grown‑up luxury and carefree fun sit side by side, and where Christmas on the beach becomes a memory you all treasure long after you get home.

Fancy your own family Seychelles adventure?  Then let's chat.