I’ve been to a lot of beaches, and I’ve loved them all, but there’s something magical about the boulder-dotted coastlines of the Seychelles Islands. There’s a reason they call the Seychelles “paradise on earth,” and you’ll see as soon as you arrive.

Located off the east coast of Kenya, the Seychelles is made up of 115 coral and granite islands—most have protected areas of marine sanctuaries and UNESCO-listed nature reserves, and are home to endemic species like the giant Aldabra tortoises and the rare Coco de Mer palm.

You can spend your days hiking through the lush jungles, relaxing on the picture-perfect beaches or diving and exploring the island’s underwater heritage.