OO...TO THE INDIAN OCEAN

 The Andaman Islands are India’s far-flung frontier—jungle-covered, reef-wrapped, and scattered like emeralds across the Bay of Bengal. Havelock’s beaches are among the world’s finest, with white sands sloping into water clear as thought. Trek through rainforests to hidden waterfalls, dive with manta rays and sharks, or kayak through mangroves lit by bioluminescence. Culture here is a quiet blend of Bengali, Karen, and Indigenous influences. The Andamans don’t just feel remote—they feel otherworldly, like a secret kept by the sea. 

 Comoros is an archipelago rarely spoken of but impossible to forget—volcanic, fragrant, and pulsing with Swahili-Arab traditions. Wander the medina of Moroni where minarets rise above coral-stone houses, or hike the slopes of Mount Karthala, one of the world’s largest active volcanoes. The air is thick with ylang-ylang and cloves, and offshore reefs shimmer with sea turtles and kaleidoscopic fish. Comoros is not built for mass tourism—it’s wild, soulful, and perfect for those drawn to the rhythm of places few have seen. 

The Maldives is a scattering of coral atolls that seem barely tethered to the Earth—crystal-clear lagoons, stilted villas, and beaches softer than sleep. But beyond the private islands lies another story: local fishing boats called dhonis, reef-fringed villages, and a culture shaped by monsoon rhythms and sea currents. Dive with manta rays in Hanifaru Bay, snorkel over technicolour coral gardens, or share fresh coconut bread on a quiet sandbank. This is the Maldives beyond the postcard—slower, saltier, and rich with hidden life beneath the surface. 

Madagascar is its own planet—a place where nothing looks, sounds, or feels quite like anywhere else. Wander through forests where lemurs leap like ghosts and baobabs stretch skyward like giants. Snorkel past coral reefs in Nosy Be, or hike into the surreal limestone spires of Tsingy de Bemaraha. In villages, rhythms beat out from handmade drums, and ancient beliefs live side by side with French echoes. Madagascar is not polished—but it is powerful, alive, and like nowhere you’ve ever known. 

Mauritius unfolds in layers—white beaches, sugar cane fields, volcanic peaks, and a cultural blend that’s entirely its own. Trek the peaks of Black River Gorges, visit Hindu temples wrapped in marigolds, or paddle clear rivers beneath banyan trees. In Port Louis, street food stalls serve dholl puri and Chinese dumplings, while sega music drifts into the evening air. From Chamarel’s coloured earth to Le Morne’s sweeping views, Mauritius is more than a beach break—it’s an island of fusion, warmth, and endless detail.

Réunion is adrenaline laced with elegance—a French département where the earth bubbles, cracks, and climbs. Circle the rim of Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, or hike jungle trails past waterfalls and cloud forests. Creole homes perch above sugarcane fields, and bougainvillea spills into narrow alleys. Paraglide above black-sand beaches or sip punch in mountain hamlets where time feels paused. Réunion doesn’t sit still—it surges, dances, and calls to those who crave movement with meaning. 

Seychelles is sculpted beauty in its purest form—granite islands with forests tumbling down to beaches kissed by coral-blue sea and golden light. On Praslin, walk through ancient palm groves in the Vallée de Mai, where rare coco de mer palms sway gently. On La Digue, cycle past ox carts and crumbling colonial homes to reach pink-sand coves shaded by boulders. Dive with turtles, sail between atolls, or linger over Creole curries by lantern light and ocean breeze. These islands aren’t just pretty—they’re proud, protected, and wrapped in an island culture that moves with the tide.

 Sri Lanka is an island of stories—etched into stone temples, whispered through tea leaves, and painted in jungle, coast, and cloud. One day you're watching blue whales off Mirissa, the next you're wandering ancient cities where monkeys perch on thousand-year-old ruins. Climb the rock fortress of Sigiriya, ride the scenic train through tea fields, or surf mellow breaks in Arugam Bay. There’s something deeply welcoming here—in the smiles, the curries, and the rhythm of a tuk-tuk through coconut groves. Sri Lanka is not just seen—it’s felt, long after you’ve gone. 

 Zanzibar hums with history, spice, and surf. In Stone Town, the scent of cloves and grilled octopus winds through narrow alleys, past carved doors and coral stone walls. Offshore, dhows sail past reef-fringed islets, and dolphins play in warm, glassy blue shallows. Walk barefoot on Jambiani’s endless beaches, snorkel at Mnemba Atoll, or share a Swahili feast under lantern-lit palms and stars. Sip spiced coffee in a shaded courtyard, where call to prayer mingles with the sea breeze. Zanzibar is both past and present—where traders once docked and dreams still drift in on the tide.