Wellness is much more than simply taking a vacation; it’s about going one step further, taking the time on your getaway to take care of your physical, spiritual and mental needs. Wellness spas at resorts in the Indian Ocean have long embraced that wellness means more than just massages.

Top resorts are now offering guests everything from sleep improvement to mountain yoga, giving guests something that they can take back into their everyday lives.

Why do we need wellness? Wellness Strategist, Lara Delafield, has the answer: “Our brains are always stimulated, as we try to balance a fast-paced work, life, and family. We feel we don’t have the luxury to sit down and relax. But our bodies and brains need to break away, refuel and recharge.”

We picked our favourite spas in the Indian Ocean that we feel have truly embraced wellness.

Six Senses Zil Pasyon (Seychelles)

Overlooking the ocean, the Six Senses Zil Pasyon’s award-winning spa has five treatment villas. If you just want to relax, there’s an elevated saltwater pool with a sundeck from which you can overlook the azure bay far below. The spa uses a wide range of holistic wellness like African-inspired treatments, deep tissue, and movement restoration massages, to whole body treatments. Six Senses calls this “integrated wellness”.

Miavana (Madagascar)

Time + Tide Miavana’s in-villa spa treatments use all African products varying from bentonite clay, coconut oil, and aloe ferox. Locally and internationally trained therapists are on hand to make recommendations, with treatments including crystal therapy massage, body masks, detoxifying facials and Thai stretching massages. The Miavana villas offer a number of tranquil spaces with the sounds of the ocean in the distance providing a calming backdrop.

Banyan Tree (Seychelles)

With two awards under their belt, Banyan Tree Spa Seychelles is a place where you’ll be taken care of. Local indigenous ingredients are compressed into perfect poultices to soothe the stress away. Surrounded by the Seychelles tropics, the seasoned therapists will take great care of you.

One&Only Reethi Rah (Maldives)

Insulated from the rest of the resort, the One&Only spa is an experience! As you enter a lush world (surrounded by green gardens) you are met by rich colours and calm music. The spa’s focus is on natural healing, using ancient to modern therapies to restore the body. But there are also facial treatments available for both men and women.

 MAIA Luxury Resort & Spa (Seychelles)

Located just half an hour from the airport, the resort is surrounded by a lemongrass, hibiscus and cinnamon 4.8-hectare large garden. This secluded resort, with 30 villas, overlooks the Indian Ocean, but that’s not all that will make you feel relaxed at MAIA. There are 3 open-air spa pavilions with a private garden, shower and changing room. Therapists offer intuitive massages to beauty treatments, plus, there’s also trained spa therapists who can do yoga, self-Shiatsu and Qi Gong sessions with you.

Four Seasons Resort (Seychelles)

From mountain yoga to chakra treatments to breathing exercises, the Four Seasons caters to the jetlagged and stressed. With 5 different spa pavilions, 7 signature spa rituals and a large menu to choose from, there’s also a kids’ spa that carefully creates treatments for the small family members.

Gili Lankanfushi (Maldives)

The Maldives’ islands are known for their tranquility. Gili Lankanfushi takes this feeling to a new level with their Robin Crusoe stand-alone villas that hover over the water. The spa treatment rooms are also built over the water. Spa specialists use a variety of treatments from Tibetan bowls to facial treatments made of herbs, flowers, and earth clay. There’s a focus on connecting you to the natural world – with seaweed baths, and organic plant and sea extracts.

Soneva Jani (Maldives)

Soneva Jani means wisdom in Sanskrit, and that’s what the Soneva Jani spa sets out to do. “The over-water Soneva Jani spa will be closer to a lifestyle center, than a traditional, standardised spa,” says their website. The therapists teach their guests new skill as well as to “heal, move, and be”. Located above a 5-kilometer long lagoon, it’s surrounded by turquoise waters and the perfect setting to enjoy treatments. Spa treatments are complemented by a gym and yoga pavilion as well as sauna and steam rooms.

Six Senses Laamu (Maldives)

Forget about spa rooms, at Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives you get to rejuvenate in treatment nests. Set right on the beach, there are four secluded treatment “nests” and one Ayurveda treatment “nest”, surrounded by natural vegetation. Natural products and award-winning signature treatments make this spa very special. There are holistic therapies, personal consultations and expert spa practitioners on offer.

Huvafen Fushi (Maldives)

Imagine being in a spa that’s underwater! You’re surrounded by sea life, turquoise water and the occasional diver. Located in the North Malé Atoll in the Maldives, Huvafen Fushi is a luxurious resort for those who love to get away from it all. The spa has a variety of treatments aptly named: Lose It, Tone It, Stress Buster and Cellulite Therapy.

Constance Prince Maurice (Mauritius)

The grand Constance Prince Maurice in Mauritius has an exceptional spa. The spa uses Sisley Phyto-Aromatic treatments, which are designed to meet everyone’s individual needs. Surrounded by the lush greenery so typical of Mauritius and natural materials – the spa offers classic and tailor-made spa treatments for their guests.

North Island (Seychelles)

On arrival at North Island, you will experience a “barefoot ritual”, designed to soothe away the stresses of travel to slip into island mode. The spa also uses natural herbal ingredients from the island in the treatment at the spa with its gorgeous views down over the granite boulders and ocean (or in your private villa). Using Thalgo marine spa cosmetics created from the sea for the ultimate sensory spa experience. Or you can salute the sun at the morning yoga sessions.

Soneva Fushi (Maldives)

All Soneva properties take wellness to heart. You can enjoy scrumptious spa treatments from soothing scrubs and oils of local coconuts to Tibetan hot stones from a variety of body treatments, specialist traditions, and wellness therapies. Six Senses Spa Kunfunadhoo at Soneva Fushi in the Maldives is nestled in the island’s natural beachfront jungle. Explore the uniquely restorative combination of a stunning tropical environment, invigorating wellness facilities, and talented therapists.

If you’d like to book a wellness experience at an Indian Ocean resort, just get in touch with us.