Everyone has a dream island in their head: empty white sand, impossibly blue water and nothing to do but breathe. Seychelles is that island, times 115. Scattered across the Indian Ocean off East Africa, these islands are so photogenic that you've probably seen them already on a screensaver, with giant granite boulders, leaning palms and beaches that seem to go on forever. Often the only company you'll have is brightly colored birds and giant tortoises.

Most visitors stay among the 43 Inner Islands and base themselves on one of the big three. Mahe is the largest, home to the capital, Victoria, and the beautiful Anse Intendance. Praslin has its own celebrated beaches plus the lush Vallee de Mai forest. La Digue is the quiet one, where bikes outnumber cars and Anse Source d'Argent is as pristine as beaches get. If you want to go even farther, a private yacht charter can take you to the 72 Outer Islands, low sandy cays where wildlife rules.

Island-hopping here takes ferries, flights and good timing. I'll build the route and pick the right resorts so you spend your trip on the beach, not in logistics.