The Indian Ocean stretches from the eastern coast of Africa to the western shores of Australia, and its island destinations span an extraordinary range of experiences. The Maldives, set at the very heart of the ocean, is the ultimate luxury archipelago — over-water villas, pristine coral reefs and water of an impossible clarity and blue. The Seychelles to the west offer a different kind of Indian Ocean beauty — ancient granite islands draped in tropical forest, pink sand beaches and the extraordinary Valle de Mai palm forest of Praslin. Mauritius, south of the equator east of Madagascar, has built an enviable reputation as a complete island destination — not just beaches and luxury resorts but mountains, waterfalls, a fascinating multicultural culture and food scene, excellent golf courses and a vibrant cultural calendar. Reunion, France’s DOM just west of Mauritius, offers a dramatic volcanic interior, exceptional hiking and some of the most extraordinary natural scenery in the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka, off the southern tip of India, combines Indian Ocean beaches with extraordinary cultural heritage, wildlife and a food culture that is gaining international recognition. The ancient cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya, the sacred mountain of Adam’s Peak, the tea country of the central highlands and the beach towns of Mirissa and Tangalle form a remarkably complete travel itinerary. The Andaman Islands, accessible from India, and the Cocos Keeling Islands off Australia are among the more remote Indian Ocean destinations — extraordinary for diving and near-untouched natural environments. Zanzibar, just off the Tanzanian coast, completes the picture with its Swahili history, spice trade heritage and beautiful north coast beaches. The Indian Ocean is warm year-round, with local seasonal variations depending on the specific destination.