I’ve Explored the Indian Ocean for 25 Years—These 4 Islands Offer Beautiful Beaches, Rare Wildlife, and Fascinating Culture

An aerial view of Nosy Iranja, an island in Madagascar.Credit: mirecca/Getty ImagesA safari doesn't have to end with a flight home. Depending on your route, an Indian Ocean island can be a rewarding next stop after time on Africa's mainland. The change of pace is part of the appeal: game drives give way to beaches and warm water, with forests, distinctive cultures, and wildlife to explore beyond the shore.

I've spent more than 25 years exploring the region and visited more than 15 islands. I often encourage our travelers to add a few island days after their safari. The best choice depends on where the safari ends, the flight connections, and the budget—but the right pairing can make one journey feel like two. Here are four islands to consider.

A weathered boulder on a beach in the Seychelles.Credit: Oksanita/Getty Images

The Seychelles are accessible via air connections from Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa. On the archipelago's granitic islands, massive boulders punctuate white-sand beaches unlike any I've seen elsewhere. If your flight arrives early, the sunrise makes a memorable welcome.

Beyond the beach, you can walk forest trails, snorkel or dive the reefs, or head to the remote islands and atolls of Alphonse, Cosmoledo, and Desroches to fish. Anglers come for giant trevally, milkfish, triggerfish, and bonefish, as well as marlin farther offshore. Even with my limited fly-fishing experience, I've caught some remarkable fish here.

The waterfront in Stone Town, Zanzibar.Credit: Roberto Moiola/Sysaworld/Getty Images

If you love history and the rich cultural traditions of East Africa, a visit to Zanzibar is a must—and it's easily reached by air from mainland Tanzania. In Stone Town, palaces, forts, and winding streets speak to centuries of trade across the Indian Ocean. The former slave market and nearby Anglican cathedral also tell a darker story: Zanzibar was a major center of the East African slave trade and a base for abolitionists including David Livingstone. Beyond town, visit a spice plantation, look for red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest, or snorkel among the coral reefs.

Sunset over a beach in Ifaty, Madagascar.Credit: Francesco Riccardo Iacomino/Getty Images

Direct flights link Madagascar with South Africa, Kenya, Mauritius, and the Seychelles, making it possible to add the island to a wider African itinerary. Many of its plants and animals are found nowhere else on Earth, among them lemurs, chameleons, and a remarkable variety of birds and reptiles. The landscapes are just as varied: tropical rainforests, spiny forests, red canyons, white-sand beaches, and tiny islands off the coast.

Le Morne Brabant rises above the coast of Mauritius.Credit: AscentXmedia/Getty Images

Mauritius is one of my favorite recommendations for honeymooners and beach lovers. Its luxury resorts, white-sand beaches, and calm waters make it an easy place to unwind after a safari. Spend your days over seafood lunches and sunset sails, or venture inland to hike to tropical waterfalls. You can also windsurf along the coast.

Cherri Briggs is a member of Travel + Leisure's A-List and specializes in East African safaris, as well as trips to Botswana, Tanzania, and Rwanda. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Briggs by contacting info@exploreinc.com.

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