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Indian Ocean holidays
Escape to paradise
If you’re a fan of castaway beaches and luxury accommodation, the Indian Ocean should be at the top of your list. The world’s third largest ocean laps against some of the most sought-after islands – including Mauritius and the Maldives – as well as the coastlines of India, Africa, and Australia. Thanks to its location straddling the Equator, it’s home to countless marine creatures as well as one of the world’s largest coral reefs, Saya Del Malha Bank, southeast of the Seychelles, making the region a hotspot for diving and snorkelling.
Barefoot luxury seekers will be in their element here. Beachside resorts geared up for R&R are in no short supply, but you can also ditch the sunbed and discover the history and culture of the Indian Ocean. Countries like Sri Lanka and Madagascar are packed with cultural treasures, including fortifications and architecture from Dutch, Portuguese, and British-era rule. Indian Ocean cuisine is a big draw, too, with lots of European influences and fusion dishes spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and star anise, and flavoured with coconut and fruit.
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Highlights of Indian Ocean holidays
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The Indian Ocean does beaches very well. This is the setting for a hammock snooze in the shade and snorkelling in warm shallows. Set sail for the Seychelles and you’ll find picture-perfect gems like Anse Lazio Beach on the island of Praslin. The coral islands of the Maldives also boast some exquisite stretches of sand with locations like Raa Atoll offering overwater villas neighboured by snow-white sand. Head east to Indonesia and the beaches of Bali are also spectacular – home to places like Sanur, on the southeast coast, where lengthy stretches of golden sand are washed by calm, shallow waters.
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Key Indian Ocean travel information
It takes from 10 to 13 hours to fly to most Indian Ocean countries from the UK. Mauritius, for example, can be reached in 12 hours, and the Maldives’ flight time is just over 10 hours.
The Indian Ocean has four different time zones: Cocos Islands (six hours and 30 minutes ahead of GMT), East Africa (three hours ahead of GMT), Indian Chagos (six hours ahead of GMT), and French Southern and Antarctic (five hours ahead of GMT).
The Indian Ocean is 27, 243 368 miles² (70.56 million kilometres²). It’s the world’s third largest ocean and covers 20% of the Earth’s surface. The distance of Indian Ocean from East Africa to Western Australia is 6,200 miles (9,977 kilometres).
The average depth of the Indian Ocean is around 3,741 metres (12,274 feet). The deepest section of the Indian Ocean – within the Wharton Basin – stretches to 6,000 metres (19,685 feet). That’s roughly the same height as the tallest peak in North America, Mount McKinley.
There are 21 main island groups in the Indian Ocean. These include Mauritius, the Maldives, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, the Seychelles and Indonesia, which is situated where the Indian Ocean meets the Pacific.
The marine life of the Indian Ocean ranges from minuscule molluscs to massive blue whales. You’ll also find whale sharks, dolphins, dugongs, and green sea turtles in the Indian Ocean, alongside tropical fish, moray eels, and manta rays.
The Indian Ocean is the world’s warmest ocean. The closer you are to the Equator – Kenya, the Maldives, and Bali in Indonesia, for instance – the warmer the water will be, especially around the shoreline. Temperatures in the warmest areas of the Indian Ocean can reach over 30°C during July and August – like a warm bath.
Absolutely, swimming in the Indian Ocean, and snorkelling, is a great holiday activity. However, best advice is to only swim with someone else and to seek local advice before entering the water. Currents and strong waves are just a couple of reasons why swimming in the Indian Ocean isn’t to be taken too lightly.
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