From surfing warm waves to sunrise yoga overlooking the ocean, Lauren Murphy tries the sports sitting on her fitness bucket list in the sunny Seychelles
Words & Photography: Lauren Murphy
For years I’ve had a small fitness bucket list in the back of my mind. Nothing dramatic. No marathons or extreme challenges. Just a few sports I always thought looked fun but never quite got round to trying. Now, in my thirties, I’ve finally started ticking them off.
As a mum to two very sporty boys, most weekends are spent on the sidelines of football pitches and swimming pools – I’m usually the one with the snacks, the spare kit and the car keys, cheering from the stands. At some point, I started wondering what would happen if I joined in. Surfing in the Seychelles felt like a pretty good place to start.
Learning to surf in the Seychelles
Standing up on that first wave is something I’ll remember for a long time. Dressed in my Billabong surf suit, I certainly looked the part. Whether I was going to act the part was another question entirely.
Before we got in the water, our instructor Sean from TropicSurf ran through everything on the sand. His explanation involved something he called the “frog and chicken” move. It sounds slightly ridiculous, but it works. On land I had it nailed. In the water I wasn’t quite so sure – then the wave came, and suddenly there wasn’t really time to think about it.
As I popped up, I took a deep breath and just let the wave carry me in. That moment has stuck with me ever since. It was a mix of adrenaline, freedom, a bit of fear and a lot of happiness, all at once. And somehow I made it all the way in. I remember laughing more than anything else.
It turns out surfing is far more physical than it looks. It’s not just about balance. Your core works constantly, your shoulders burn from paddling and your legs have to react quickly to stay steady.
Suddenly those early morning PT sessions made perfect sense. All the strength work I’d been doing in the gym had quietly been preparing me for this. It was one of those moments where everything just clicked.
Movement that doesn’t feel like a workout
The surf sessions took place at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island, a private coral island where staying active feels effortless – movement just becomes part of the day.
The island is threaded with sandy trails through palm forests, so bikes quickly became the easiest way to get around. Cycling to breakfast felt like a better start to the day than anything structured. Before long it just became routine – a bike ride here, paddleboarding later, a swim before dinner. Even when I took a wrong turn back to the villa, it didn’t feel like a mistake – just a few extra miles (usually because I’d stopped to watch the light shift through the palm trees).
Even snorkelling turned into a workout without realising – you look up and suddenly you’ve been swimming for far longer than planned. It reminded me that fitness doesn’t always have to feel like a workout.
Yoga, strength and surprising soreness
One of the toughest workouts of the trip came from something much slower. Yoga.
Sessions with Manish, the island’s resident yogi, were far more challenging than I expected. He has a way of encouraging you to hold poses just a little longer than you’d choose to on your own, which quickly adds up. I could feel it for days afterwards. Not in a bad way, just that reminder that your body has worked.
The setting didn’t hurt either – ocean in front, runway behind. Not your average studio.
Building confidence in Mahé
By the time we arrived at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles on Mahé, something had already shifted.
If Desroches was where I learned to surf, Mahé felt like where I started to build on it. The energy is slightly different – a little more pace, a little more movement, but still plenty of space to slow down.
Most mornings started with a quiet swim in the villa pool, looking out across the ocean before the day began. It became a bit of a ritual.
Out on the water, surf sessions with TropicSurf took on a different feel. The waves were more powerful and sessions often meant heading out by boat to reach the best breaks along the coastline. This time, it felt less about whether I could do it and more about enjoying it – and that felt like progress.
Food that actually fuels you
One thing that stood out across both resorts was how well the food supported the way you were moving.
Breakfast at Claudine on Desroches was colourful, fresh and exactly what you wanted after an early surf or bike ride. On Mahé, mornings at Zez had a slightly stronger focus on wellness.
The “wake up to wellness” menu included moringa pancakes and green omelettes packed with avocado, spinach and asparagus. Alongside freshly pressed juices and infused waters that genuinely made you feel good. After active mornings, it felt like proper fuel rather than just breakfast. Of course, there was balance too (because sometimes after a full day in the water, a pizza just makes sense).
Evenings usually meant swapping my swimwear for something bright and tropical from Farm Rio and heading out for dinner as the sun set.
Recovery is part of the process
After days spent surfing, swimming and cycling, recovery became just as important. Both resorts have beautiful spas, but the experience on Mahé stayed with me the most.
Le Syel Spa sits high above the hillside, completely removed from everything below. I had a wellness consultation with Dr Anoop, the resort’s resident Ayurvedic doctor, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. It turned out to be one of the most interesting parts of the trip.
We spoke about routine, stress, energy and how I tend to approach things day to day. It wasn’t about strict rules or being told what to do. It felt more like understanding how to work with your body instead of against it. It stayed with me more than I expected.
Afterwards I had a massage and I don’t think I’ve ever felt more relaxed walking back to a room. It was a different kind of reset to the one I felt in the water. Quieter, but just as important.
It’s never too late to start
One thing I’ve realised in my thirties is that trying new sports actually gets easier, not harder.
Diving, skiing and now surfing have all quietly made their way off that list. Every time I try something new, I have the same thought afterwards – why didn’t I do this sooner? You don’t need to be the fittest person in the room to start something new. More often than not, your body is far more capable than you give it credit for.
Somewhere between the surf lessons, the yoga sessions and the slower moments in between, something shifted. It’s not about being the best at any of it, it’s just about starting.
Right now, my thirties are turning out to be my most adventurous fitness decade yet.
Lauren Murphy is a travel writer and photographer who regularly explores the connection between adventure, movement and wellbeing through her work.
Flights
Lauren travelled to the Seychelles with Qatar Airways, flying from Edinburgh to Mahé via Doha. Business class offers fully flat beds, dine-on-demand menus and access to lounges at Hamad International Airport, making it a comfortable option ahead of an active trip.
Where to stay
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island sits on a private coral island reached by a 40-minute domestic flight from Mahé. Villas feature private pools and direct access to miles of white sand beaches. Villas from approximately £1,450 per night.
On the main island, Four Seasons Resort Seychelles is set into the hillside above Petite Anse, with expansive ocean-view villas and the hilltop Le Syel Spa. Villas from approximately £1,150 per night.
What to do
Learn to surf with TropicSurf, which runs guided surf experiences at both resorts.
On Desroches, cycle around the island, snorkel the house reef, try paddleboarding or visit the giant tortoise sanctuary.
On Mahé, explore the coastline by kayak, take a sunset hike overlooking Petite Anse or book a wellness consultation at Le Syel Spa.
What to pack
A supportive surf suit makes a big difference when you’re spending time in the water. Lauren wore a Billabong surf suit for surf sessions, and lightweight activewear from Vuori which worked perfectly for yoga, stretching and slower movement days.
For more information, visit fourseasons.com/seychelles & tropicsurf.com
