Unexplored Islands of the Indian Ocean Beyond Maldives & Seychelles

When you think of the Indian Ocean, you probably think of pictures of honeymooners in the Seychelles or infinity pools in the Maldives. Yes, those islands are beautiful, but let’s be honest, they’re also very expensive, crowded, and high-end.

The Indian Ocean is really very big. There are islands outside of the resorts and glossy brochures where people still live a leisurely life, the beaches are empty, and the cultures seem rich and pure. You can walk up mountains that look like they come straight out of the sea, drink tea made from volcanic soil, and watch turtles lay their eggs at night in these places.

If you’ve ever wanted to find a place that few tourists have been to, these lesser-known islands might be the ones for you.

The Comoros Islands: The Smelly Islands You’ve Never Heard Of

Imagine stepping off a small plane and breathing in air that smells strongly of ylang-ylang flowers. The Comoros is a small group of islands located between Mozambique and Madagascar. While passing through the famous spice gardens and vanilla plantations, this is why people often call it the Perfumed Isles.

Mohéli Island is probably the most magical of these. You can swim with humpback whales or watch sea turtles walk across the sand to lay their eggs. It is wild, pure, and not affected by a lot of tourists.

If you’re feeling brave, you could even climb Mount Karthala, an active volcano with stunning views of the ocean. Bring good shoes because you’ll need them.

The Lagoon of Mayotte Is Like a Dream

Picture a huge, natural swimming pool that stretches for miles and is protected by two barrier reefs. Mayotte has one of the biggest lagoons in the world. You could see dolphins by lunchtime, snorkel with manta rays in the morning, and drink cocktails while watching the sun set over the ocean.

You can’t expect five-star hotels on these beaches, but that’s what makes them so appealing. You can hike along trails that wind through green hills, paddle across calm turquoise waters, and walk barefoot under baobab trees. It is a mix of life on an island, France, and Africa.

Rodrigues: Mauritius’s Little Secret

If Mauritius is the flashy sibling, Rodrigues is the calm younger sibling who steals the show. It’s only an hour’s flight to this small volcanic island, and it feels completely different. People here take their time; you might see kids walking around barefoot in colourful towns and fishermen casting nets by hand.

Lakshadweep: India’s Other Paradise

When people talk about India, they usually mainly talk about Goa, Kerala, and sometimes people also talk about the Himalayas. People usually don’t talk about Lakshadweep, but the island has a lot of special offers for tourists.

These islands are stunningly beautiful. Kadmat and Bangaram, in particular, look like they would make great postcards. Picture beautiful beaches, tall coconut palms, and clear lagoons where you can see fish swimming around your feet.

What is the best part? You don’t need a lot of cash. Lakshadweep is still fairly cheap compared to its neighbours around the world. You can experience the adventure of kayaking, diving, or you can just relax and sit and watch the tide.

The Adventure with Spirit: Reunion

Some islands don’t have beaches. Some islands speak about the waterfalls, as well as some of the mountains, and others of volcanoes, which are always covered in fog. Réunion is a French territory that is east of Madagascar.

If you like to walk, this is your paradise. At the active Piton de la Fournaise volcano, you can still walk across lava fields and feel the heat rising from the ground. The cirques, which are huge volcanic amphitheatres, are full of waterfalls and forests. If you want more excitement, try paragliding over the valleys.

There are some nice beaches here, but the scenery is what really makes Réunion special. It is rough, intense, and very exciting.

Pemba and Mafia: Stories from Zanzibar That No One Knows

You might already know about Zanzibar, but do you know about its quieter neighbours, Pemba and Mafia? You should go to these islands if you want to see Zanzibar’s magic without the crowds.

The main thing to see on Mafia Island is whale sharks, which are gentle giants that you can snorkel with from October to February. Coming to Pemba gives all the divers an experience of heaven, as you will witness the reefs that have been untouched and unexplored. You will find a vibe of relaxation. When you wake up, you can get the smell of cloves, and you will sleep along with the sound of waves.

The Andaman Islands are beautiful, wild, and far away

The Andaman Islands in India look like they’re in a different world. There are a lot of things to see here that will surprise you, like limestone caves, bioluminescent rivers, and thick jungles.

Havelock Island is the most famous place. It has Radhanagar Beach, which was once voted the best beach in Asia. But there’s more to do than just go to the beach. You can live in towns where time seems to stop, dive with colourful fish, and kayak at night under twinkling plankton.

Madagascar’s Offshore Treasures

Madagascar is already on many people’s bucket lists, even though its smaller islands are sometimes forgotten. It’s worth taking a diversion to Île Sainte-Marie, Nosy Be, and Nosy Komba.

You will find a lot of lemurs jumping from one tree to another on Nosy Komba. You can experience the blue and calm bays, which help you relax in the afternoon. There are a lot of histories hidden in Sainte-Marie, but the main attraction is the whales that pass through here every year. You will always remember the time you sat on a quiet beach and watched whales breach right in front of you.

Why These Islands Feel Different

These islands not only look alike, but they also have the same spirit. In the Maldives or Seychelles, tourism often overshadows native life. In these places, you can experience real culture. People will speak Swahili, French, Creole, and dialects from the area. You will taste food that has flavours from Arabia, India, and Africa. You will take part in events where drums play late into the night.

These islands remind us that travel is about more than just seeing new places. It’s also about making memories, meeting new people, and hearing stories.

Want to visit a tropical place, but don’t want something in common, then you will be very happy to know that there are many secrets hidden in the Indian Ocean. These islands show that paradise doesn’t need a slogan, from the volcanic peaks of Réunion to the air that smells like spices in Comoros.

The next time you find yourself on a white sand beach with a martini in hand, ask yourself: do you want the typical version or do you want to go off the map and find the real magic?

You just have to go a little farther to find it because it is so common in the Indian Ocean.