Seychelles

Seychelles is an archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean, located approximately 1,500 km east of mainland Africa and northeast of Madagascar. The country comprises 115 islands scattered across an exclusive economic zone of over 1.3 million square kilometers, making it one of the world's smallest and most dispersed nations by land area.

Renowned for its pristine beaches, unique granite boulder formations, and UNESCO World Heritage sites, Seychelles has positioned itself as a premier luxury beach and honeymoon destination. The main islands of Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue account for most tourist activity, while the outer islands offer exclusive private resort experiences.

Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on Mahe serves as the sole international gateway, with the national carrier Air Seychelles (HM) operating regional and long-haul routes. The country receives approximately 350,000 visitors annually, primarily from Europe (especially France, Germany, and the UK), the Middle East, and South Africa.

International Gateway

Airport	Code	Location	Role
Seychelles International	SEZ	Mahe (Pointe Larue)	Only international airport, Air Seychelles hub

Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) is the country's sole international airport, located on the main island of Mahe, approximately 11 km south of the capital Victoria. The airport handles all international traffic and most domestic inter-island flights.

The terminal underwent expansion and modernization, featuring:

• Single terminal for arrivals and departures
• Duty-free shopping and restaurants
• Currency exchange and ATMs
• Car rental desks (Avis, Hertz, Europcar)
• Free WiFi throughout
• Air Seychelles lounge for business class passengers

Ground transport from SEZ:

• Taxi: Fixed-rate taxis to hotels across Mahe (SCR 400-800 depending on destination)
• Hotel transfers: Most hotels and resorts offer airport transfers (often included or at additional cost)
• Bus: SPTC public buses run to Victoria and along the coast (SCR 7)
• Car rental: Available at airport; drive on the left

Domestic Airports

Airport	Code	Island	Notes
Praslin Island	PRI	Praslin	Second-largest island, 15-min flight from SEZ

Praslin Island Airport (PRI) is a small domestic airport serving Seychelles' second-largest island. Air Seychelles operates multiple daily Twin Otter flights from Mahe (15 minutes). The airport has basic facilities with a small terminal building.

Note: La Digue, the third most popular island, has no airport. Access is by ferry from Praslin (15 minutes) or Mahe (1 hour).

Flag Carrier

Air Seychelles (HM) is the national airline, headquartered in Victoria with its hub at SEZ. The carrier operates:

• Regional routes: Mauritius, Johannesburg, Mumbai, Tel Aviv
• Domestic: Mahe to Praslin (multiple daily)

Air Seychelles operates a fleet of Airbus A320neo aircraft for regional routes and DHC-6 Twin Otters for domestic island-hopping. The airline has undergone restructuring and currently focuses on regional connectivity rather than long-haul operations.

International Airlines Serving Seychelles

Major carriers with regular service to SEZ:

• Emirates (EK) — Dubai hub, daily flights
• Qatar Airways (QR) — Doha hub, daily service
• Ethiopian Airlines (ET) — Addis Ababa hub
• Kenya Airways (KQ) — Nairobi connection
• Turkish Airlines (TK) — Istanbul connection
• Condor (DE) — Frankfurt (seasonal)
• Edelweiss Air (WK) — Zurich (seasonal)
• British Airways (BA) — London Heathrow (seasonal, via partner)

The Middle Eastern carriers (Emirates and Qatar Airways) provide the most convenient connections from Europe, Asia, and the Americas, making Dubai and Doha the primary transit hubs for reaching Seychelles.

Charter and Seasonal Services

During European winter (November-April), additional charter flights operate from:

• France (Paris, Lyon)
• Germany (various cities)
• Russia and Eastern Europe

Visa-Free for All Nationalities

Seychelles has one of the world's most open entry policies. All nationalities receive a free visitor permit on arrival for tourism or business purposes.

Permit duration: Up to 90 days (extendable to 12 months)

Requirements on arrival:

• Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond stay)
• Return or onward ticket
• Proof of accommodation (hotel booking)
• Sufficient funds for the stay (approximately $150/day recommended)
• Completed travel authorization form (can be done online or on arrival)

Travel Authorization

Since 2021, all visitors should complete the online Travel Authorization before departure at seychelles.govtas.com. Processing is typically instant and free for tourism.

Extending Your Stay

Permits can be extended at the Department of Immigration in Victoria:

• Up to 3 months initially
• Further extensions possible up to 12 months total
• Proof of funds and accommodation required

Health Requirements

• No mandatory vaccinations for most travelers
• Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from endemic countries
• Standard travel health precautions recommended

Official immigration information: Immigration and Civil Status (ICS)

Inter-Island Flights

Mahe (SEZ) ↔ Praslin (PRI):

• Multiple daily flights on Air Seychelles
• Flight time: 15 minutes
• Fare: Approximately $80-150 one-way
• Book at airseychelles.com

Ferries

The most common way to travel between the main islands:

Route	Operator	Duration	Frequency	Price
Mahe ↔ Praslin	Cat Cocos	1 hour	2-3 daily	€55-65 one-way
Praslin ↔ La Digue	Inter Island Ferry	15 min	Multiple daily	€15-20 one-way
Mahe ↔ La Digue	Cat Cocos	1 hour	Limited service	€65-75 one-way

Cat Cocos operates modern high-speed catamarans. Book in advance during peak season at catcocos.com. Seas can be rough during northwest monsoon (December-February).

Car Rental

Popular on Mahe and Praslin for independent exploration:

• Drive on the left (British system)
• Valid national or international driving license required
• Roads are paved but narrow and winding with steep hills
• Automatic and manual vehicles available
• Rates: SCR 500-1,500/day ($35-110)

Major rental companies: Avis, Hertz, Europcar, local operators (all at SEZ airport)

Taxis

• No meters: Negotiate or confirm price before journey
• Mahe taxis: Relatively affordable for island size
• Hotel taxis: Premium pricing but reliable

Bicycles

The preferred transport on La Digue:

• No cars (except essential vehicles)
• Bicycle rental: SCR 150-200/day ($10-15)
• Island is flat and small (5 km long)
• Traditional ox-carts also available for tourists

Public Buses

SPTC operates bus services on Mahe and Praslin:

• Affordable: SCR 7 flat fare
• Extensive routes covering main coastal roads
• Less frequent evenings and Sundays
• No service to some resort areas

Dry Season / Peak Season (May-October)

The southeast trade winds bring drier conditions:

• Lower humidity and rainfall
• Cooler temperatures (24-29°C)
• Best for diving on the southeast coast
• Peak prices: July-August (European summer holidays)
• Calmer seas on northwest coast

Wet Season / Shoulder Season (November-April)

The northwest monsoon brings:

• More rainfall (usually brief tropical showers)
• Higher humidity and temperatures (27-32°C)
• Calmer seas on southeast coast, rougher on northwest
• Christmas/New Year: High season with peak pricing
• Fewer crowds in January-April

Shoulder Periods

• Late April / Early May: Transition, good value
• October / November: Calmest seas overall, excellent diving

Year-Round Conditions

Seychelles lies outside the cyclone belt, offering relatively stable conditions throughout the year:

• Water temperature: 26-29°C year-round
• No distinct "bad" season—each period has advantages
• Average 6-8 hours sunshine daily throughout the year

Regional Variations

Coast	Best Time	Notes
Northwest (Beau Vallon)	May-October	Calm during southeast monsoon
Southeast	November-April	Calm during northwest monsoon
Praslin/La Digue	May-October	Best overall conditions

Main Islands

Island	Access	Known For
Mahe	SEZ airport	Capital Victoria, Beau Vallon beach, Morne Seychellois
Praslin	15-min flight or 1-hr ferry	Vallee de Mai UNESCO site, Anse Lazio beach
La Digue	15-min ferry from Praslin	Anse Source d'Argent, bicycles, relaxed pace

Key Beaches

Beach	Island	Notes
Anse Source d'Argent	La Digue	Iconic granite boulders, one of world's most photographed beaches
Anse Lazio	Praslin	Consistently rated among world's best beaches
Beau Vallon	Mahe	Main tourist beach, water sports, restaurants
Anse Intendance	Mahe	Dramatic surf beach, sea turtle nesting
Anse Georgette	Praslin	Secluded, access through Constance Lemuria resort
Petite Anse	Mahe	Scenic, access via Four Seasons resort

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Site	Island	Description
Vallee de Mai	Praslin	Primeval palm forest, home to endemic Coco de Mer
Aldabra Atoll	Outer Islands	World's second-largest coral atoll, giant tortoise habitat

Aldabra is a protected nature reserve with extremely limited access (expensive expedition cruises only).

Outer Islands

For exclusive experiences, several outer islands offer private resort or expedition access:

• Desroches: One&Only resort, diving, fishing
• Fregate: Private island resort, conservation focus
• North Island: Luxury eco-resort, celebrity destination
• Denis Island: Remote lodge, diving, fishing

Access is typically by charter flight or private transfer arranged through the resorts.

Money

• Currency: Seychellois Rupee (SCR, Rs)
• Exchange rate: Approximately 13-14 SCR = $1 USD
• Euros widely accepted: Many hotels, restaurants, and tours quote in EUR
• Cards: Visa/Mastercard accepted at hotels, larger restaurants, and shops
• Cash: Essential for small shops, markets, taxis, and La Digue
• ATMs: Available in Victoria, Beau Vallon, and at SEZ airport; limited on Praslin and La Digue
• Tipping: Not mandatory but appreciated (5-10% at restaurants)

Connectivity

• Mobile operators: Airtel, Cable & Wireless
• Tourist SIM: Available at airport and Victoria (SCR 200-500 for data)
• eSIM: Airalo and similar providers work
• WiFi: Available at hotels; quality varies on outer islands
• Coverage: Good on main islands; limited on outer islands

Electrical

• Voltage: 240V, 50Hz
• Plug type: Type G (UK three-pin rectangular)
• Adapters: Travelers from Europe, US, and most countries need adapters
• Note: Most hotels provide adapters on request

Health & Safety

Health:

• Tap water safe on main islands (bottled water widely available)
• No malaria or major tropical diseases
• Sun protection essential—equatorial UV is intense
• Sea urchins in some areas; reef shoes recommended
• Basic medical facilities on Mahe; travel insurance strongly recommended

Safety:

• Very safe destination with low crime rate
• Standard beach precautions (currents, sun exposure)
• Avoid swimming alone at isolated beaches
• Secure valuables at accommodations
• Strong currents at some beaches, especially during monsoon transitions

Cultural Notes

• Languages: Seychellois Creole (Kreol) is the common language; English and French widely spoken
• Religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic (over 75%)
• Dress: Casual and relaxed; cover up when visiting Victoria or churches
• Greetings: Friendly and welcoming; "Bonzour" (good day) in Creole
• Pace of life: Relaxed island time—patience appreciated

Costs

Seychelles is an expensive destination:

Item	Typical Cost
Budget guesthouse	$80-150/night
Mid-range hotel	$200-400/night
Luxury resort	$500-2,000+/night
Restaurant meal	$20-50/person
Local beer	$4-8
Taxi (airport to Victoria)	$20-30

Budget travelers can reduce costs by staying in guesthouses, self-catering, and using public buses.

Useful Apps

• Google Maps: Works well for navigation
• WhatsApp: Widely used for communication
• Cat Cocos: Ferry booking
• Hotel/resort apps: Direct booking and services

• Tourism: Seychelles Tourism Board
• Travel Authorization: seychelles.govtas.com
• Immigration: Department of Immigration and Civil Status
• Air Seychelles: airseychelles.com
• Airport (SEZ): scaa.sc
• Ferry (Cat Cocos): catcocos.com
• National Parks: snpa.gov.sc