Beach experiences

If you are feeling the pull of a beach getaway, the picturesque Seychelles is just the place to recharge. Especially in April. The bright teal skies, blue oceans and sun bleached shorelines, draw those in search of tropical island relaxation. Spend your time lazing on the beach with a cocktail or indulging in the numerous watersports. The real seasonal highlight is the diving, with a water clarity of up to thirty meters, there is no better time to encounter the creatures of the deep in every colour.

May is a prime month to visit Lake Malawi, a freshwater paradise between Malawi and Mozambique. The famed regions of Cape Maclear, Likoma Island and the slightly more intimate Mumbo Island are internationally renowned for their beauty and wonder. The glowing green waters, powdery beaches and exceptional tropical diving provide entertainment no matter what the fancy. Don't waste a moment and explore the tropical fish beneath the glassy surface, get active with the numerous watersports or just lay back and relax as the day unfolds.

Kisite Marine Park is just a short boat ride from Msambweni Beach, and is home to one of Kenya’s largest and most spectacular coral reefs. Each morning, visitors to the reef climb aboard a dhow (a traditional East African sailing boat) and venture out for a morning of snorkelling. Dolphins often cruise the islands around the reefs and accompany visitors on these expeditions and then maybe even escort them to Wasini Island to delight in Charlie Claws infamous fresh crabs and a cold coca cola.

Visit Mafia Island between October and March to swim with whale sharks, the world’s largest known fish species, as they slowly migrate north. Take a boat out from the island to the deeper water and then jump in with snorkel and fins and float beside these gentle giants as they open their mouths and feed on plankton, completely relaxed by your presence. The water is clear and warm in this part of the Indian Ocean, and you can spend hours enjoying the company of these great animals. Head back to the island and end your day with cocktails and a tropical sunset, a life-changing experience that will stay with you forever.

Pemba’s lush, undulating interior is beautiful and wild, but nothing compared to the tropical waters that surround it. Here, fisherman craft handmade traditional sailing boats called dhows using mango wood and invite you to experience sailing their way. They can take you on a day trip to a secretive sandbank to enjoy a picnic lunch on powder sand, watch the sunset from the open ocean or jump right in and snorkel the colourful reefs that surround this quiet, castaway island.

In one of nature’s true wonders, sea turtles arrive every year to nest at Ras Kutani in Tanzania, and guests can witness baby turtles hatch and make their first beach journey towards the ocean. This activity is organised in conjunction with Sea Sense, a Non Government Organisation (NGO) that works closely with coastal communities in Tanzania to conserve and protect endangered marine species. Seeing these turtles hatch and make their way to the ocean is one of those unique experiences that remains with you long after you leave this paradise.

Part sleepy fishing village, part culinary heaven, you can’t visit Paternoster without doing a little restaurant hopping. So for a 24 hour, tastebud-ticklingly delicious foodie journey, here’s the plan. Cast off your flip-flops and head straight along the beach to Voorstrandt. The 115-year-old green and red tin hut is a Paternoster institution where the beer is cold and the fish comes straight from boat to plate. For dinner it’s Gaaitjie and chef Suzi Waterhouse’s Afrikaans classics with a seaside twist and the best sunset in town. After an early morning dip (essential to replenish the appetite!), roll in to the Strandloper Hotel for freshly baked pastries and heavenly coffee. Next up is Oep ve Koep, a rustic farm-stall-come-restaurant owned by the legendary Kobus van der Merwe. Foraging is the name of his game, so expect wild oysters in the restaurant and fynbos jam in the pretty shop. And if you’ve got an extra few hours, squeeze in a Malay fish curry under the twinkling garden lights at the Noisy Oyster. Talk about saving the best till last….

Part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Sodwana Bay on South Africa's east coast is rich in natural biodiversity, a place of whales, sharks, dolphins, manta rays and turtles. Go fishing, scuba diving or kite-surfing, join a turtle tour, and explore the area's birds and wildlife on nature walks, quad bikes or game drives.

Nicknamed the 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean', the Bazaruto Archipelago is nothing short of sensational. And what better way to explore it all than on a boat trip round its five fabulous islands? The archipelago sits within a protected marine reserve, complete with powdery soft beaches, azure water and amazing sea life. Climb to the top of the sand dunes, park off under a palm on one of the uninhabited isles, search for the rare pansy shells, snorkel along the life-filled reefs and scan the water for everything from dolphin to dugong on the way. Stop for a beach picnic and a dip in the water to finish of a magnificent day of island hopping.

Float above thousands of colourful fish in Africa’s great Lake Malawi. This huge body of freshwater hosts perhaps the largest number of fish species of any lake in Africa. Due to the Lake’s high alkalinity, it also has an amazingly high proportion of endemic brightly-coloured fish. This makes for an amazing snorkelling experience in the clear, turquoise water beside your lodge. There are also few plants and organic material in the lake, which makes for amazing visibility above the sandy and rocky bottom. Dive into the waters and get lost in this gin-clear paradise, as you search out new species of fish, or just sink to the floor and let your body float up to the surface as all your troubles melt away.

Pemba island was quickly made famous when The Manta Resort installed a unique floating room with an underwater bedroom. And you can believe all the hype because floating out above the coral reef on your own “private island” is exciting enough, but sleeping four metres under water surrounded by colourful marine life really brings this ocean holiday to a new level. Share your morning coffee with vibrant and energetic reef fish, breakfast on the top deck followed by a dip in the warm Indian ocean. What a way to start the day!

Dubbed the 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean', the Bazaruto Archipelago is nothing short of picturesque. Ask anybody and they'd tell you, one of the best ways to take in this dreamy destination is from a dhow. The traditional way of getting around these seas for thousands of years, dhows have become synonymous with Africa's east coast. From the island's quiet beaches of soft white sand you'll watch local dhows sail to and fro on the turquoise waters. As the wind fills the wistful, curved sails, you'll cruise across the water, toasting another splendid day as the sun turns the sea from gold to pink to dusky blue. Keep your eyes peeled for flocks of pelicans, sea turtles, rare dugong and dolphin dancing in the waves! Temperate and steady most of the year (with the chance of rain between January and March), there isn't a 'bad' time for a dhow cruise.

The waters of Lake Malawi are free of tides or currents and excellent for sailing. Winds are rarely very high but there's always a breeze for sail boats. If you're not confident of your own sailing skills, board a skippered catamaran or yacht to experience the freedom of sailing with the wind in your hair.

When you see the dorsal fin silently slice the clear water, you know a Great White Shark has arrived near your boat. Secured in a special steel cage, you then descend below the surface for a little one-on-one with this terrifying, beautiful creature - it's nerve-wrecking, yet extremely rewarding.

With a variety of reef and big game fish, the waters offer a stunning experience for both beginners and advanced fishermen. We're happy to report that the fishing here is informed by the marine reserve's conservation policies and is done on a catch and release basis. Head out on a fully-equipped fishing boat to catch everything from sailfish, wahoo and giant trevally (up to 50kg) to giant black marlin - it's one of the best places to do so! The conditions are good all year round but peak season for big game fishing is between mid-September and late December.

Dig your toes into the sand, take in the glow of the sun (or sunset) and let your senses be heightened by the surroundings, all while enjoying a tasty meal. Whether you'd like to start your day with laidback and breezy breakfast or end it with a private dinner under the moonlight, what better place than a beach on the coast of Mauritius?