Seychelles

Seychelles is an archipelagic island country with 115 islands in the Indian Ocean. This island is a melting pot of many cultures which have coexisted since the first settlement in 1770. This unique travel destination is renowned for its timeless beauty, tranquility, and diversity, which rolls from emerald green rainforests down to crystal clear turquoise waters, home to some of the rarest species of flora and fauna on earth. This biodiversity is protected within two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Vallee de Mai in Praslin and Aldabra) as well as, several impressive nature reserves and national parks.

Highlights

Beaches

Tobi 87, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

otterboris, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

National parks

Radosław Botev, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Svein-Magne Tunli – tunliweb.no, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Diving and snorkelling

Walks and trails

By David Stanley, (CCBY 2.0)

Endemic Wildlife

Adrian Scottow from London, England, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Save Our Seas Foundation, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When to go

The best time to visit Seychelles is during the spring and the early fall (April and May, or October and November). Summer months (June-August) give the best weather conditions for enjoying the outdoors, but it is the peak travel season in Seychelles, so some tourists would prefer to travel at other times of the year. These shoulder months sit perfectly between the trade winds and weather changes for rain. As a result, they have the best temperatures, water conditions, and fewer tourist crowds than in the summer. It is important to inform that these winds cause seaweed to build up on some beaches, so it is important to consider when choosing your hotel locations at different times of the year. From May to October some beaches on the southern coasts of Mahé and Praslin Island are affected, and while a seaweed-free stretch of sand is never far away. Overall, the archipelago enjoys a pleasant tropical climate, with average temperatures between 24°C and 30°C on the main islands. The hottest months are December to April and the wettest are January and February, although it generally rains in short tropical downpours after which the sun comes out again.

Snorkelling and Diving: diving is excellent all year round but in April, October, or November when the seas are calm and boats can reach the more remote spots where you will often dive with sharks and manta rays. The weather is cooler and more humid during the southeast monsoon season of late May to September. During this period the visibility is lower, however the presence of lots of plankton brings in the whale sharks. The warmest weather is during the northwest monsoon from December to March. The water is always warm, from 25 to 29C.

Wildlife: between August and October, it is common to see whale sharks offshore from Mahe´s north and west coasts. Aldabra tortoises, you can observe in Curieuse Island. The turtle hatchling season is from January to March.

Hiking and walking: the weather is perfect for hiking, walking and nature trails in April through to mid-October.

Birdwatching: October to mid-December, this period combines the end of the southeast seabird season with the beginning of the northwest and the height of the migration season together with calm seas and settled weather.

Water sports: the months from May to September form the ideal time for outdoor enthusiasts or water sport.

Practical information

Currency

The Seychellois Rupee is the official currency. Typically, 14 to 15 seychellois rupees per Euro and 12 to 13 seychellois rupees per US Dollar.

Language

The national languages of Seychelles are Seychellois Creole, English and French

Visa

Seychelles is a visa-free country which means that there are no visa requirements for any persons wishing to travel for stays of up three months. Although a visa is not required to enter Seychelles, visitors should nevertheless have in their possession a valid passport or other travel documents recognized by the government of Seychelles in order to gain entry. The passport must be valid for the period of the intended stay until arrival back in the holder’s country of origin or residence. Immigration officers will also require that you mention the place or ask for a proof of your hotel booking where you are staying in the Seychelles.

For more information, you can visit this website

ATM & credit card

You will find ATMs on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Major credit cards, including Visa and MasterCard, are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and tourist shops. Many guesthouses will still expect payment in cash. A few places add on an extra fee (typically 3%) to the bill to cover bank charges. Euros are the best currency to carry here, prices for most tourist services such as accommodation, diving, car hire, excursions, etc, are cited in euros and can be paid in euros.

Opening times

Opening hours of the Seychelles are usually Monday to Friday from 8.00 – 16.00 o’clock. Most offices close on Saturdays and are closed on Sundays and public holidays. Restaurants from 11 am until 2pm or 3pm and 9pm daily. Shops and businesses from 8 am until 5pm.

Time: GMT + 4 hours.

Main airports

Aéroport Seychelles International (is the largest airport of the Seychelles archipelago and is located on the island of Mahé. The distance from the airport to the centre of Victoria is 10 kilometres. By car, it takes 20 minutes to get to the centre).

Praslin Island Airport (located in Grand Anse on Praslin Island, is one of the busiest airports in the islands. The distance from the airport to the centre is 7,2 kilometres. By car, it takes 13 minutes to get to the centre).

Public transport

In Mahe and Praslin islands, the local transportation available includes public buses, cabs and hired cars. In La Digue, there is no public transport, and very few cabs are available; renting bicycles and walking are the most common ways to move from place to place. If you are planning to travel between islands, Seychelles’ ferry services are both convenient and reliable. Taxis can also be found on all three of Seychelles’ main islands (though less easily on La Digue), and serve as the most convenient way to get from Seychelles.

By Bus, The Seychelles Public Transport Corporation provides public bus services on Mahé and Praslin. Buses run every day from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; rides cost a flat rate of 5 SCR (approximately 40 cents). If you plan on using the bus as your primary mode of transportation, consider purchasing a SMART Card for 50 SCR. You can find schedules online at the SPTC website, at Victoria bus terminus and tourist offices.

By bike, the roads in La Digue are best suited for bikes. They are also popular in Praslin and other tiny islands like Cerf Island, Alphonse Island, etc. A multitude of bicycles is offered for hire with prices not more than 160 SCR per day.

By Boat or ferry, Seychelles has an extensive network of boats for facilitating inter-island travel, Cat Cocos provides daily transportation from Mahé to both Praslin and La Digue, and services Mahé’s Inter Island Cay in Victoria, the Praslin Quay along Baie Sainte Anne and La Digue’s La Passe Quay; one-way trips last between an hour to an hour and a half, depending on the route. Expect to pay between 835 and 1,060 SCR each way, though prices vary by itinerary. Meanwhile, Inter Island Ferry offers more frequent daily transport between Praslin and La Digue.

By Taxi and car hired, cabs are available on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue and they are good for small distances. Cab drivers can also act as excellent guides sometimes. Some of the cab operators in Mahe include Mahe Cab Services, Seychelles Taxi Touring, Green Path Transfers, etc. In Praslin, Coconut Services, Donster Services Seychelles etc., and Cliff Pirame, Chez Michelin, etc. on La Digue. Cabs can be metered or non-metered, with metered fares at present being around SCR 35 for a kilometre. For non-metered ones, haggle and agree on a price beforehand, especially if you choose to commute longer distances by taxis, say, for half a day. You can either drive yourself, in case you choose the former, there are certain things to know. In Seychelles, 23 years is the legal age for driving. Even if you are beyond that age, carrying your driving license is mandatory. All cars in Seychelles are right-hand drive ones and remember to keep to the left side of the road as that is the norm. Both Mahe and Praslin have many cars rental companies such as Maki Car Rental, Creoleplay Cars, U-Drive Car Hire, Thrifty Car Rental, etc.

Things to avoid

Exchanging illegally, with unauthorized dealers

Staying in unlicensed accommodations, as they do not offer you the expected holiday quality and can be very disappointing

Collecting shells on the beach, as they serve as a habitat for hermit crabs. The collecting of shells is strictly forbidden in nature reserves, marine parks, and other protected areas

Walking along the reefs

Feeding seabirds, mammals, land, or sea turtles or disturb them in their breeding grounds

Nude bathing

Photographing people ask permission before

Food

Seychellois Creole cuisine combines the exoticism of Indian and Asian dishes with the piquant flavors of the Orient, as well as some subtleties of European culinary culture. Seychelles land and its surrounding waters have to offer such a variety of fresh fish and seafood. Fish are served grilled, depending on their type, but can also be fried, baked, or diced and prepared as a curry (curries make up a staple of Seychelles cuisine), chicken or pork can also be used as the basis for curries. Rice, vegetables, and often spicy sauces are served as side dishes. In addition, manioc, potatoes, breadfruit, and chutneys made from native fruits such as papaya are served. Some of the most popular dishes are: “Kat-kat banana” (is a traditional Seychellois specialty made with green bananas and fish cooked in coconut milk. It is usually prepared with plantains, which are first boiled with fresh coconut milk, then mashed and combined with fish fillets), “Kari koko zourit” (is a variety of Seychellois curry featuring octopus cooked in coconut milk. It typically comprises of octopus cut into small pieces, which are first boiled, and then cooked with coconut milk, other ingredients apart from octopus are eggplants, garlic, fresh ginger, curry leaves, cinnamon leaves, curry powder, saffron, masala, chili powder, turmeric, and green hot chili peppers), “Pwason griye” (is prepared with fresh fish, often a red snapper or rabbit fish, flavored with crushed chili, garlic, and ginger, served over rice, with sweet potatoes and an exotic tamarind-tomato chutney on the side), “Carotte banana” (is a snack comprised of a banana that is flavored with honey and vanilla, and then enclosed within banana leaves).

Electricity and plug types

On the Seychelles the power plugs and sockets are of type G (this type is of British origin). The standard voltage is 240 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

Health and insurance

The Seychelles government provides free access to primary healthcare for all citizens and has adequate services in child and maternity healthcare. There is no mandatory travel insurance obligation to enter Seychelles, however, a travel insurance is strongly recommended. Healthcare facilities in Seychelles are relatively limited for those who reside in or visit the outlying islands. Holiday resorts located on remote islands generally employ a doctor that can provide basic health care and organize emergency evacuation to Mahe if specialized care is required.

Outbreaks of the bacterial disease, Leptospirosis, continues to be reported throughout the Republic of Seychelles. Leptospirosis is usually transmitted through contact with water, wet soil, or vegetation that has been contaminated by the urine of animals infected with the bacteria Leptospira. There is no risk of contracting malaria in Seychelles as the anopheles’ mosquito does not exist in Seychelles. However, some cases of dengue fever transmitted by mosquitoes have been reported. Try to avoid mosquito bites wherever possible wear loose long-sleeved clothing and trousers and use a repellent on clothing and exposed skin. There is no risk of yellow fever in Seychelles, so a yellow fever vaccination is not required for travellers. Travelers’ diarrhea is also very common, particularly among foreign visitors.

The Seychelles Government requires all individuals to present a validated International Certificate of Vaccination if they have traveled to a country where yellow fever is prevalent. No other vaccination is mandatory, however protection against typhoid, measles, and DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus) is recommended for individuals.

Tap water meets W.H.O. (World Health Organization) specifications and is safe to drink nationwide. Because tap water is chlorinated, however, visitors are advised to drink bottled water but there is no imperative to avoid soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, and ice.

Other

Tipping is not typically expected in the Seychelles, as a service charge is usually added to/included in the bill. Normally the charge is 5-10%.

In restaurants, prices are cited in rupees but you can also pay in euros.