The Seychelles are the type of islands that you dream about on cold winter mornings whilst freezing as you travel to work. Long white beaches, swaying palm trees, turquoise sea, and lots of sun - all the ingredients required to define a true island paradise - and the Seychelles have it all. Many of the islands that make up the Seychelles Archipelago are uninhabited, and this has made the islands an ideal habitat for many plants and wildlife. That is why many endangered animal and plant species are now found in the Seychelles that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world.Find your travel arrangement to Seychelles here
Region and City Guides
Region:
City:
Facts
Local name
Seychelles
Capital
Victoria (70.000)
Size
455 km2
Principal Languages
English and French are the official languages.
Principal Religion
Catholicism
Inhabitants
79.326 (2000)
Government
Republic
Geography
The Seychelles Archipelago covers an area of 400.000km2 north east of Madagascar in The Indian Ocean. The Seychelles consists of in all 115 islands and small isles. There is a large geological difference between the islands because their underground structure is made up either of granite or of coral. The vegetation consists of banana and coconut palm trees, mango trees, yams, and other tropical fruits - as well as jungle area.
Travel preparation
Best time to visit
When to visit the Seychelles depends on what you want to do there. If you want to go diving it is best to go between March and April and again between September and November. If you want to go wind surfing you should leave in May and October, because the trade wind is not at its highest.
Literature
Lonely Planet Mauritius, Reunion & Seychelles
Travel Guide Seychelles
Visitor's Guide to Comoros and Seychelles
Insight Guides Mauritius and Seychelles
Journey Through Seychelles
Travel Guide Seychelles
Visitor's Guide to Comoros and Seychelles
Insight Guides Mauritius and Seychelles
Journey Through Seychelles
Local conditions
Weight and Measures
In the Seychelles the following weight and measure schemes are used:
Temperature: Celsius
Length: metre
Weight: kilo
Cubic content: litre
Temperature: Celsius
Length: metre
Weight: kilo
Cubic content: litre
Photography
If you avoid taking pictures of the police and in the airport you should not have any problems on the islands.
Drinking water
It is hazardous to your health to drink the tapwater in the Seychelles. You should always buy bottled water.
Electricity
In the Seychelles the following power source is used:
240 Volts/AC, 50 Hz
240 Volts/AC, 50 Hz
Behaviour
The inhabitants of the Seychelles are very friendly and forthcoming, and they always shake hands in greeting. You should not bathe nude or topless on the beaches.
Business Hours
Banks are open from 8:30 to 14:30 (Monday - Friday), and from 8:30 to 11:00 (Saturday).
Shops are open from 8:00 to 17:00 (Monday - Friday), and from 8:00 to 12:00 (Saturday).
Shops are open from 8:00 to 17:00 (Monday - Friday), and from 8:00 to 12:00 (Saturday).
Food and drink
The Seychelles's Creole kitchen is inspired by Chinese, French, African, British, and Indian traditional cuisine. The food is gently spiced and many dishes contain coconut milk. The local beer is called Seabrew and is brewed in accordance with German tapping traditions. On the islands you can also get a number of good imported wines.
Disabled travellers
The islands are not suitable for the disabled. Even though tourism has existed on Seychelles for many years nothing has been done to improve conditions for the disabled in the island's hotels or public places.
Holidays
New Years Day, January 1st
Workers Day, May 1st
Liberation Day, June 5th
Independence day, June 29th
The Conception of The Virgin Mary, August 15th
All Saints Day, November 1st
The Conception of Christ, December 8th
Christmas Day, December 25th
Alternating Holidays
Good Friday, Easter and Easter Monday, March or April
Workers Day, May 1st
Liberation Day, June 5th
Independence day, June 29th
The Conception of The Virgin Mary, August 15th
All Saints Day, November 1st
The Conception of Christ, December 8th
Christmas Day, December 25th
Alternating Holidays
Good Friday, Easter and Easter Monday, March or April
Accommodation / Hotel
It is relatively expensive to stay at the island's hotels, and the cheaper types of accommodations such as camping and youth hostels do not exist on the islands. Even the island's only Bed & Breakfast in Victoria is rather expensive. Nevertheless, on some of the islands you can find fairly cheap guesthouses.
Book your Hotel in Seychelles here
Book your Hotel in Seychelles here
Camping
It is forbidden to camp in the Seychelles.
There are many good hotels on the islands that are nicely situated on the beautiful beaches. There are only 4500 beds on the island, so it is a good idea to make a reservation.
Bed og breakfast or guesthouse
There is only one Bed & Breakfast in the capital, Victoria. Furthermore there are a number of pleasant guesthouses on all the islands where it is rather cheap to spend the night.
Hostels
There are no youth hostels in the Seychelles.
Other Accommodation
It the past few years many apartment buildings have been popping up in the Seychelles. They are equipped with kitchens so you can prepare your own food.
Local transport
Transport between the big islands is good. On the other hand if you want to go to the smaller islands it is more difficult. So you will either have to rent a boat or fly there by helicopter. On most of the islands there are neither buses nor taxis, but because everything is in such close proximity you can easily walk or ride a bike.
Planes
There are routinely scheduled airline departures between Praslin, Frégate, Desroches, Bird, and Denis Island. Air Seychelles charters planes if you want to go to the other islands.
Bus
There are buses running on Mahé and Praslin. The Bus system on Mahé is extensive and can get you out to the far corners of the island. The bus system on Praslin on the other hand is limited.
Trains
There are no trains in the Seychelles.
Taxi
There are taxis on Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue. They drive by set prices determined by the government.
car rental
There are good car rental options in the Seychelles. You just have to be aware that the drivers here drive like maniacs.
Boat or Ferry
Schooners sail regularly between Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue. If you want to sail to the other islands you will have to charter a boat.
Other Transport
Mini Moke
A mini moke is a jeep-like car that is covered by a tarpaulin with windows. They can be rented on most of the islands, and even though they often have small mechanical faults they are the best form of transport for the conditions in the Seychelles. Furthermore there are helicopters which fly between the islands. A good way to get around is by renting a bicycle.
A mini moke is a jeep-like car that is covered by a tarpaulin with windows. They can be rented on most of the islands, and even though they often have small mechanical faults they are the best form of transport for the conditions in the Seychelles. Furthermore there are helicopters which fly between the islands. A good way to get around is by renting a bicycle.
