There’s more to the Seychelles than its five-star resorts and sugar-white beaches. Thank God for that, we say.

The Seychelles may have the world’s best beaches and more French honeymooners than you can poke a stick at. But it would be wrong to write it off as an authentic and affordable destination.

In this photo essay, Peter Moore goes beyond the resorts and discovers a world where locals play dominoes on the beach, buy their fish straight from the fisherman who caught them and cycle to the bank to take out some cash.

It’s a Seychelles that’s a little rougher around the edges, but all the more interesting for it.

Follow the lead of the locals, says Peter, and your budget will stretch a hell of a lot further too.

Main image: A local walks by a construction site in Victoria (© Peter Moore)