National Geographic Traveller - Indian Ocean Collection 2026 - Ultimate directory of hotels & experiences

Aug 27, 2026

Indian Ocean Collection 2026 curates standout destinations across the Maldives, Kenya, Zanzibar, Seychelles and beyond, framed as a planner for trips that go deeper than postcard views. The editor’s letter sets an experiential tone: time with local communities, hands-on moments, and discovery of culture, nature and wellness. Highlighted ideas include coral mapping with marine biologists using AI, seaweed farming by hand, wellness experiences, and routes inspired by the Indian Ocean’s spice trade, culminating in a roundup of recommended hotels and experiences.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLifestyle

FormatPDF

Pages108

Reading Time2 h 46 min

AccessFree to download

Indian Ocean Collection 2026

Destination highlights and editor’s promise

Maldives feature and AI coral mapping

Zanzibar, seaweed and wellness scene

Spice routes and lesser-known islands

Hotels & experiences roundup

| INDIAN OCEAN
| | | --- | --- | | C O L L E C T I O N | | | MALDIVES
Join the scientists decoding the reef
KENYA
Explore the sacred forests of the Swahili Coast
ZANZIBAR
Learn theart of turning seaweed into soap
SEYCHELLES
Hike an ancient volcano at sunrise | THE ULTIMATE DIRECTORY
of hotels & experiences | | £7.99 | | | 2026 | | | ALSO: COMOROS • INDIA • INDONESIA • MAURITIUS • MOZAMBIQUE • OMAN • R É UNION • SRI LANKA | | Cora Cora Maldives is a truly innovative resort and unlike anything the Maldives has ever seen, giving guests the unmissable opportunity to experience the Maldives like never before. Cora Cora Maldives oﬀers its guests a one-of-a-kindimmersive Maldivian cultural, experiential, and culinary experience. The resort comprises of 100 villas, four restaurants, two bars, the MOKSHA® Spa & Wellbeing Center, a watersports & diving centre, a gym, an overwater yoga pavilion, an outdoor cinema, the CoRa kids® club, and The Dutch Onion® Museum. Cora Cora Maldives is 45-minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport and located in the picturesque Raa Atoll. It's freedom time! The premium all-inclusive Gourmet Meal Plan® is available in every outlet and detail of theresort, giving guests the opportunity to experience an array of dining, relaxation and activity options. The leading premium all-inclusive resort in the Maldives CORACORARESORTS.COM Editor’s letter I N D IA N OC EA N CO L L ECT IO N 2 0 2 6 A friend of mine recently returned from her honeymoon in the Maldives and, by all accounts, it was the once-in-a-lifetime fantasy you’d expect: cocktails on powder-white sand, lazy afternoons by the inﬁnity pool, a night on a private beach beneath an impossibly starry sky. But when I asked about her favourite moment, it wasn’t the overwater villa or the candlelit dinner, it was a morning aboard a traditional dhow with two of the resort’s boat crew, sharing sweet tea and stories as the sun slipped behind the atoll. That’s the memory that has her poring over ﬂights, working out when she can return. It’s easy to see why so many Indian Ocean destinations are sold as once-ina-lifetime escapes—the sort of places you tick oﬀ for a honeymoon and never revisit. But venture beyond the postcard views and spend time with locals, and, like my friend, you’ll soon be planning your next trip. That’s the spirit behind this collection. Turn to page 16 to descend beneath the Maldives’ waves with marine biologists using AI to map coral, or to page 28 to see how the archipelago’s wellness scene is trading treatment menus for something wilder. On Zanzibar’s east coast, we spend time with women farming seaweed by hand (page 22), and on page 34, follow the ancient spice routes that once made the Indian Ocean the most valuable stretch of water on Earth. Then we go further still, to islands you may never have heard of—exploring the reef breaks of Indonesia’s Mentawai Islands, the wildlife-rich shores of Comoros and the castaway calm of Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago (page 6). Because the deeper you look, the more there is to discover. And ﬁnally, there’s our roundup of the best hotels and experiences, brought to you by our advertising partners, to help plan your next escape (page 38). Charlotte Charlotte Wigram-Evans, editor NAT G E O T R AV E L U K National Geographic Traveller —The Collection team Editor: Charlotte Wigram-Evans Deputy Editor: Sacha Scoging Art Director: Becky Redman Deputy Art Director: Lauren Atkinson-Smith Senior Art Editor: Lauren Gamp Art Editors: Kelly Markwell, Dean Reynolds Lead Digital Designer: Tully D’Souza Senior Picture Editor: Ben Rowe Associate Picture Editor: Aisha Nazar Chief Sub-Editor: Olivia McLearon Senior Sub-Editors: Hannah Doherty, Victoria Smith Sub-Editors: Lucy Coward, Rory Goulding, Chris Horton, Ben Murray Director of Sales: Danny Pegg Heads of Campaigns: James Bendien, Lorna Goodings, Matthew Rickard Produc

FAQs

What travel destinations are included in Indian Ocean Collection 2026?

The collection highlights the Maldives, Kenya, Zanzibar, Seychelles, plus additional islands such as Comoros, India, Indonesia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Réunion, and Sri Lanka.

What kind of travel experiences does the collection focus on?

It emphasizes going beyond postcard views by spending time with locals and seeking culture, wellness, nature encounters, and memorable day-to-day activities.

Which types of features are mentioned to help plan a trip?

The editorial points readers to specific pages for activities such as marine biologists using AI to map coral, seaweed farming with women on Zanzibar’s east coast, wellness developments, and an overview of recommended hotels and experiences.

Aug 27, 2026

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