Alphonse Island, Seychelles

The main accommodation at Alphonse Island are the 22 striking A-frame Beach Bungalows. Raised above the ground and gloriously washed in white, the bungalows are set among tropical gardens and lie just steps from the beach. They all come with outdoor showers and an ocean-facing outside patio, which is ideal for watching the sunrise with your morning coffee.

The five Beach Suites offer more space and are great for small families, with the light, bright and airy design utilising local materials for a 21st-century island feel. They all come with indoor and outdoor showers, a private pool and a large patio perfect for soaking up the stunning ocean views.

If there's a large group of you, each of the two Beach Villas can sleep up to eight people, with four double bedrooms accompanied with their own en-suite bathrooms.

The central Bijoutier Restaurant and Le Lys Bar is the main dining hub of Alphonse Island, drawing influences from local Seychellois Creole and French cuisines, as well as from across the wider Indian Ocean. Unsurprisingly, given the area's heritage in fly-fishing, the daily catch is a staple, as well as fruit and vegetables from the island's on-site herb garden where you can also have a go at cooking classes. The team mix up the dining experiences on offer to their guests on a daily basis, including a Creole-themed spread of dishes, a barbecue on the beach or even being whisked to an outlying sandflats for a lunch to remember.

Le Lys Bar is one of three bars on the island, with a Sunset Beach Bar in the north of the island and the Barnacles Bar located at the resort's activity centre. In-room dining is also available at no extra charge, and the resort's team will be delighted to help you conjure up a special meal.

The lagoons and kaleidoscopic coral reefs of the Alphonse Atoll provide epic snorkelling and diving experiences, with tropical fish flitting between huge outcrops of coral and inquisitive manta rays and green and hawksbill turtles also keeping you company. With 24 dive sites all reachable within 30 minutes, divers of any ability can see Green and Hawksbill turtles, napoleon wrasse, manta and eagle rays, orca and blue whales, sharks, giant sweetlips, and more!

Fishing is still a big activity at Alphonse Island and the surrounding archipelagos and atolls, we especially recommend beginners have a go at catch and release fly-fishing, with a picnic in tow it will be a day to remember. Above the surface, an ocean safari boat trip will have you scanning the waters for a glimpse of many different species of whale (humpback, melon-headed, beaked and pilot) or dolphin (spinner, Risso's and bottlenose)

On Alphonse Island itself, you can help the resort's conservation team track nesting green and hawksbill turtles and explore the island on nature walks, meeting the 60-plus resident Aldabra giant tortoises along the way. Alphonse is also an unlikely birdwatcher's paradise, home to the Outer Islands' second-largest number of species at over 100, including the red-footed booby and frigate birds. We also highly recommend the bike tour which oozes history of the islands past finished off with a tour of the herb garden and a home-made smoothie.

There's also the opportunity to explore neighbouring islands on day trips, such as wandering the bird-rich mangroves of St. Francois and grinning at the postcard-perfect views of Bijoutier, which means 'jewel' in French.

Families will also love a holiday at Alphonse Island, too, with its impressive Tribes programmes for kids. With different tiers for different age groups, there are plenty of island-themed activities for children of all ages to enjoy, including flip flop art, coral bommie fishing and film screenings, as well as more educational activities like tree planting and guided nature walks.

The resort's main swimming pool is surrounded by swaying palms and is a lovely place to chill if you want to unwind, grab a coconut water and relax. With so many activities on offer at Alphonse Island, its spa will be a welcome sanctuary for many, with experienced masseurs ready to revitalise aching limbs. There's everything from head and shoulder treatments to full-body massages and even a massage package specifically tailored for those who've spent a whole day fishing out on the sand flats!