Where is Seychelles?
Seychelles is a group of 115 granite and coral islands that lie between 4° and 10° south of the equator and between 480km and 1,600km from the east coast of Africa in the western Indian Ocean. Visit the Geography section for more details.
Which Travellers Cheques are best to use?
The most ideal Traveller’s Cheques to use in the Seychelles are either of the following: the US Dollar, the British Sterling and/or the Euro.
Do I need yellow fever vaccinations when travelling to the Seychelles?
Vaccinations are only required for travellers over 1 year of age who have come from, or passed through a partly or wholly infected area within the preceding 6 days, in order to keep Seychelles free of Yellow Fever. Infected areas include certain parts of northern and central South America and central Africa. Persons travelling to Seychelles in transit do not require a vaccination against yellow fever.
Where can I change Traveller’s Cheques and/or money?
Exchanging foreign currency into Seychelles Rupees must ONLY be done at banks, authorised money dealers at the Seychelles International Airport, or with the hotel cashier.
BE WARNED! It is a criminal offence to change money with any person or business other than those authorised to do so and who are mentioned above.
For more information on money matters, please refer to the Money and Banking section of the site.
How can I book accommodation in Seychelles?
You can book your accommodation in Seychelles with/on:
1. Tour Operators or Travel Agents in your country of residence
2. Ground Handling Operators in Seychelles
3. The Hotels directly
4. The Seychelles Secrets website
For comprehensive information on all licensed accommodation facilities in Seychelles, please refer to the Accommodation section.
What are the health risks in relation to a baby when travelling to the Seychelles?
The Seychelles is free of tropical diseases and there are therefore no health risks involved. However should you have any specific health requirements then it is advisable to contact the Ministry of Health directly. Contact details:
Victoria Hospital
PO Box 52
Victoria, Mahé
Seychelles
Tel: +248 4 38 80 00
Fax: +248 4 22 47 92
Email:
Website: www.health.gov.sc
How do I get to Seychelles?
Air Seychelles (HM), the national carrier, operates non-stop scheduled flights from Mauritius, Johannesburg (South Africa), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Antananarivo (Madagascar), Beijing (China), Bombay (India), Paris (France) into Mahé International Airport.
Qatar Airways (QR), Etihad Airways (EY) and Emirates (EK) provide flights to various destinations through their hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha. Other airlines flying to Seychelles include Kenya Airways (KQ), Ethiopian Airlines and Condor (DE) which operates non-stop flights from Frankfurt to Seychelles.
Visitors arriving in private aircrafts are welcomed at Mahé International Airport provided clearance permission is obtained from the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) prior to arrival and that all relevant formalities are in order.
Is there a difference in price between the high and low seasons?
The Seychelles does not have a conventional ‘high and low season’. Seychelles enjoys the tourist season all year round. However, due to the ‘summer vacation time’ in most of Europe, the period June/July to August, and again from September to January may see more foreign tourists than other times in the year. The hotel prices may vary during these times however restaurants and dive centre rates are not affected by these periods.
It is advisable to contact either your Tour Operator, local Ground Handling Operator or the hotel directly, to find out about any price changes that may occur during these times.
How do I get information on walks and trails in Seychelles?
Please refer to the Walks and Trails section of the site.
What are the procedures for getting married in Seychelles?
Please visit our Romance niche site for comprehensive information regarding the legal procedures and requirements for marrying in Seychelles.
In addition, you can also download the Legal Requirements for Marrying in Seychelles document in our Downloads section.
What are the current Exchange Rates?
All exchange rates and validity periods can be obtained via the Central Bank of Seychelles website.
For more information on money matters, please refer to the Money and Banking section of the site.
I would like to receive information on honeymoon packages in the Seychelles?
For wedding and honeymoon packages and all related services please contact either your Tour Operator or any of the local Ground Handling Operators.
Can I visit Aldabra during my stay in the Seychelles?
Travelling to Aldabra requires permission and assistance from the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF). Contact details:
Seychelles Island Foundation
Ground Floor
La Ciota
Mont Fleuri, Mahé
Seychelles
Tel: +248 4 32 17 35
Fax: +248 4 32 48 84
Email:
Website: www.sif.sc
For more information on Aldabra, please refer to the Downloads section to view the Aldabra: an untouched atoll toolkit.
How can I obtain information on the Seychelles for an article I am writing?
Please contact the Seychelles Tourist Office that is nearest to you with your request. Visit the Tourist Offices section for more details.
Where can I find information about activities to do and attractions to visit in the Seychelles?
All activities and attractions available in Seychelles are listed on our site. Please refer to the Activities and Attractions sections of the site respectively for more information.
What are the acceptable currencies and methods of payment in Seychelles?
The GB Pound Sterling (£), the US Dollar (US$) and the Euro (€) are all accepted, as well as some other major international currencies.
Visitors to the islands are entitled to make payments for services/products in Seychelles rupees. The discretion to pay in another currency other than the Seychelles rupee shall lay solely with the visitor. Exchange rates will be determined by the market and may differ from bank to bank or at various bureaux de change. Other incidental purchases including local shops are payable in the local currency.
Credit cards are also widely accepted throughout Seychelles. These may be more ideal when travelling to the smaller more remote islands.
For more information on money matters, please refer to the Money and Banking section of the site.
Inter-Island flights in Seychelles only allow 10-15kgs. Is there any storage space for the excess luggage at the Seychelles International Airport?
This service is provided at the Seychelles International Airport by « Left Luggage ». Please contact for more details:
Mr. Samir Khan
International Airport, Mahé, Seychelles
Tel: +248 2 50 13 27
Email:
I am a student and I am conducting an assignment and require information?
Information for general and/or country assignments can be found on this website. We recommend that you try and search for all the relevant sections before contacting us. The Site Search, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), Site Directory and Useful Links functionalities should be able to answer the majority, if not all of your questions. However, if you require additional information, we recommend that you refer to the Contact Us section with your request.
I would like information on diving in the Seychelles
Information about diving in Seychelles, including the various dive operators can be found on our dedicated dive niche site.
I would like to conduct my internship in one of the hotels in the Seychelles. How can I do so?
In this case, you should contact the hotels directly. Please refer to the Accommodation section for their contact details.
What are the costs of renting a car?
There are various car hire operators on Mahé and Praslin. Please refer to the individual car hire records in the Car Hire section for more information about rental rates, methods of payment, etc …
How do I travel around whilst in Seychelles?
There are various modes of transportation that one can use to get around in Seychelles. Please refer to the Getting Around section for more information.
Am I allowed to travel to the Seychelles with my pet?
All cats and dogs entering Seychelles require an Import Permit issued by the Veterinary Services. Such pets must have valid vaccination records including proof of RABIES inoculation as well as a Veterinary Health Certificate. They will be obliged to undergo a quarantine period of two weeks to six months, depending on the country of origin. Seychelles does not accept pets for a period less than six months and bringing bird species of any kind into Seychelles is not permitted.
I need information on sailing in Seychelles
Please visit our Sailing niche site for comprehensive information about Sailing in Seychelles, including a list of charter companies.
When is the best sailing weather in the Seychelles?
Seychelles is an ideal destination to sail all year-round. It is outside the cyclone belt and it has a tropical climate with favourable sea conditions year-round. There are two opposing wind patterns, blowing seasonally either north-westerly (October-March) or south-easterly (May-September) between 10-20 knots.
Visit our Sailing niche site for more information.
What is the STB?
The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) is the official organisation that oversees all aspects of Seychelles’ tourism industry. Its responsibilities include the implementation of Seychelles’s national tourism policy, research, product development and marketing. For more details please refer to the About Us section.
Is there GSM coverage on all of the islands?
There is GSM coverage on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue and most of the Inner Islands. On more remote islands such as Alphonse or Denis there might not be any coverage or it may be poor. However there are landlines at all hotels, which you may request to use.
Do I need a visa to visit Seychelles?
Irrespective of the nationality of a visitor and his or her family members, there are NO VISA requirements to enter Seychelles. However, the following documents must be shown in order to obtain immigration clearance at the Seychelles International Airport:
1. A passport valid on the date of entry to and exit from Seychelles
2. Return or onward ticket
3. Proof of accommodation; including contact details
4. Sufficient funds for the duration of the stay
Presentation of all of the above documents will grant you a Visitor’s Permit that will be issued upon arrival by the Seychelles Department of Immigration.
The Visitor’s Permit is initially valid for one month. It can be extended for a period of up to three months from the date of issue and capable of further extensions for successive periods not exceeding three months at a time to a maximum period of 12 months, provided that the person still meets the criteria of a bona fide visitor.
The visitor’s permit is issued free of charge for the first three months after which there is a fee of SCR1,000 for extension covering each period of three months or any part thereof.
For all visa exemptions and extensions and other enquiries regarding immigration issues please contact:
Department of Immigration
Independence House
PO Box 430, Victoria
Mahé, Seychelles
Tel: +248 4 29 36 36
Fax: +248 4 22 50 35
Email:
Do I need an official invitation to come to the Seychelles?
There is no need for an official invitation regardless of your country of origin. Visit the Entry Requirements section for more details.
What are the job opportunities in Seychelles?
For employment opportunities kindly contact the following work agency bureau who will advise you on jobs available and application procedures.
Ministry of Labour & Human Resources Development
PO Box 1097
Oliaji Mall, Victoria House
Victoria, Mahé
Seychelles
Tel: +248 4 29 72 00
Fax: +248 4 32 53 26
It is also advisable that you contact the Department of Immigration in Seychelles for more information about entry requirements and work permits. See contacts below:
Department of Immigration
Independence House
PO Box 430, Victoria
Mahé, Seychelles
Tel: +248 4 29 36 36
Fax: +248 4 22 50 35
Email:
I wish to invest in and/or start up a business in Seychelles?
All local and foreign investments in Seychelles are handled by the Seychelles Investment Bureau. Please contact the Seychelles Investment Bureau (SIB) directly for more detailed information.
I am planning my holiday to the Seychelles and would like to receive further information. Where can I get further information?
We are confident that our website will provide you with all the information that you require to organise your holiday to Seychelles. For instance, the Site Search, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and Site Directory functionalities should be able to answer the majority, if not all of your questions.
For your convenience, we also feature some of our promotional materials in the Downloads section; where you can easily download brochures such our current hotel directory, entitled the ‘STAY’ Guide.
However, should you like to receive actual hard copies of our promotional materials, please Contact Us directly.
When is the best time to visit Seychelles?
As the Seychelles Islands are blessed with a warm, tropical climate year-round, it’s always a good time to visit, although different times of year may be better suited to your particular interests.
Two opposing trade winds generally govern the weather pattern: the north-westerly trades blow from October to March when wind speeds average from 8 to 12 knots; and the brisker south-easterly trades blow from May to September with winds of between 10 to 20 knots, bringing the cooler and windier conditions ideal for sailing.
The periods of calm between the trades produce fairly warm and wind-free conditions throughout April and also in October. Conditions for swimming, snorkelling and especially diving are superb during April/May and October/November when the water temperature sometimes reaches 29ºC and visibility is often 30 metres plus.
The ‘SUBIOS – Seychelles’ Festival of the Sea’, showcases Seychelles’ extraordinary underwater world through a series of film shows, lectures and competitions, while the ‘Festival Kreol’ (a week-long celebration of Creole heritage and traditions) is held in October every year.
