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Seychelles Information

Overview

This isolated island paradise offers fine beaches, turquoise seas and warm weather. As a result of their extraordinary, isolated history, the Seychelles are also rich in rare plants which flourish nowhere else on the planet. No less than 81 species are unique survivors from the luxuriant tropical forests that covered the islands until humanity’s belated arrival two centuries ago. Outstanding amongst these is the coco-de-mer (sea coconut), native to Praslin, which grows in the Vallée de Mai. Its seed is the largest in nature, and gave rise to many legends when it was washed ashore on the coasts of Africa, India and Indonesia. Since the islands were unknown, the nuts were thought to have grown under the sea - hence the name.

The Seychelles are also a major attraction for birdwatchers. Millions of terns nest on the islands - among them that most beautiful of seabirds, the fairy tern. Up to two million sooty terns nest on Bird Island, and on Aride can be found the world’s largest colonies of lesser noddies, roseate terns and other tropical birds. It was only some 30 years ago that active conservation of endangered species began in the Seychelles. Since then, with the establishment of island sanctuaries and nature reserves, much has been done to make the Seychelles a paradise for birds - and for those who love to watch them.

The first recorded sighting of the Seychelles was by the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama at the beginning of the 16th century. In 1756, French planters claimed Mahé and seven other islands for France. The islands, until then known as the Amirantes (Admiral da Gama had named them after himself), were re-named in honour of the French king’s accountant, Vicomte Moreau de Séchelles. The Seychelles, annexed by Britain in 1794, were placed under the administration of Mauritius. Over the course of the 19th century, administration was handled by ‘old India hands’ – men and women with some experience of the tropics.

For the next 150 years, isolated from the rest of the world and all but ignored by the major European powers, the Seychelles developed their own traditions, language and culture. The islands became a Crown Colony in 1903. Internal self-government was granted in 1975 and independence a year later. Despite several coup attempts, multi-party democracy was restored in the Seychelles in 1991 under pressure from the country’s main aid donors, particularly France and Britain.

Top Things To See

To see many species of coral and fish, board a glass-bottomed boat from Victoria to nearby St Anne Marine National Park, which encloses the islands of St Anne, Beacon (classified as a nature reserve), Cerf (renowned for Creole food), Long (closed to the public), Round (reputed for its tuna steaks) and Moyenne (privately owned, but open to visiting tourists).

Tour Mahé island by coach taking in such attractions as the market, the Botanical Gardens (with coco-de-mer, giant tortoises and orchids), and a replica of London’s Vauxhall Bridge Tower Clock in Victoria, before setting off around the island to visit colonial-style mansions in graceful decline, old plantations of cinnamon and vanilla, and everywhere the greenest of vibrant green jungles.

Discover fine displays depicting the history of spice cultivation in the National Museum in Victoria, which celebrates Seychellois history, folklore and music.

In Silhouette, discover an old plantation house of traditional Seychellois timber construction.

On Praslin island, the second-largest island, head for the famous Vallée de Mai, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, which contains the double-nutted coco-de-mer palm.

In La Digue, just over three hours by schooner from Mahé or 30 minutes from Praslin, see the rare black paradise flycatcher. There are only 15 cars on the island and the ox-cart remains the principal means of transport (although bicycles may be hired). See beautiful old plantation houses, such as Château Saint-Cloud, as well as a vanilla plantation, copra factories and superb beaches.

In Frégate, the most easterly and isolated of the granitic islands, look for the almost extinct magpie robin.

Two hours by boat from Mahé, Cousin was bought (in 1968) by the International Council for Bird Protection, which operates it as a nature reserve. Amongst the rare bird species thus protected are the brush warbler, the Seychelles toc-toc and the fairy tern. The best time to visit is April or May, when 1.25 million birds nest on the island. All visits to the island must be made as part of an organised tour.

In Aride, the most northerly of the granitic islands, see vast colonies of seabirds from October to the end of April.

On Bird island, see the millions of sooty terns that migrate here to breed between May and October.

Discover the rock-pools and tortoise colony of Thérèse, accessible from Port Glaud by a five-minute boat trip.

On Aldabra, the world’s largest atoll, and listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, see the giant land tortoises (150,000 tortoises in total, reputedly five times more than on the Galapagos Islands). The atoll consists of 13 islands which make up about one-third of the Seychelles’ land mass. Some tortoises have been exported to Curieuse, now a reserve for giant tortoises.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Top Things To Do

Relax on Mahé’s numerous powdery white sandy beaches (there are almost 70 beaches on Mahé alone) while enjoying its lush vegetation, rising through plantations of coconut palms and cinnamon to forested peaks that afford unparalleled views of neighbouring islands.

Go waterskiing, windsurfing, sailing, fishing and scuba-diving in Desroches, the largest of the Amirantes archipelago; water scooters may also be hired. The diving is particularly good: there are sea cliffs, tunnels and caves – and, of course, multitudes of fish of many different species. Visibility is best from September to May. A favourite location for snorkelling is the St Anne National Marine Park, which encompasses six islands off the coast of Mahé.

Go deep-sea fishing in Denis. Marlin may be caught from October to December. The minimum stay is three days. The location of Bird island, at the edge of the Seychelles continental shelf (the sea floor drops rapidly to 2,000m/5,000ft), also makes it a favoured destination for fishermen. The best spots for salt-water fly fishing are Alphonse and Desroches islands.

The clear water of the Seychelles makes conditions perfect for underwater photography. The coastal waters are a haven for 101 species of coral and over 920 species of fish. The annual SUBIOS underwater festival is held in the Seychelles over a three-week period in November and attracts underwater experts from all over the world.

Hire a power boat, cabin cruiser or yacht to explore the islands at your own pace.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Going Out

Food and Drink

Seychellois Creole cuisine is influenced by African, Chinese, English, French and Indian traditions. The careful blending of spices is a major feature and much use is made of coconut milk and breadfruit. Lobster, octopus, pork and chicken are used more frequently than beef or lamb, which must be imported. Most restaurants offer a few items of what is termed ‘international’ cuisine, generally with a bias towards preparations of fresh fish and shellfish, as well as the Creole cuisine mentioned above. Waiter service is the norm. A wide range of wines, spirits and other alcoholic beverages is available in the Seychelles.

Things To Know: A hotel licence permits hotel residents to drink at any time. Alcohol can be sold to anyone between Mon-Fri 1400-1800, Sat 0800-1200 and 1400-1800. Other bars open 1130-1500 and 1800-2200. It is illegal to drink alcohol on any road or in public.

National specialities:
• Kat-kat banane.
• Coconut curries.
• Chatini requin.
• Soupe de tectec.
• Bouillon bréde.

National drinks:
• Seybrew (a German-style lager made locally).

Tipping: Tips are usually already included, as 5 to 10% of the bill.

Nightlife

There is much to be enjoyed in the evenings, and a speciality is the local camtolet music, often accompanied by dancers. Several hotels have evening barbecues and dinner dances. Theatre productions are often staged (in Creole, English and French) and there is one cinema in Victoria and casinos at Beau Vallon Bay Hotel and the Plantation Club.

Shopping

Local handicrafts include work with textiles (such as batik), fibres (such as basketwares, tablemats and hats) and wood (such as traditional furniture, ornaments and model boats). Pottery and paintings may also be bought. Special souvenirs might include jewellery made from green snail shells. Tea-growing and manufacturing in the Seychelles is done on a small scale. Local tea can be bought in the shops or when visiting the tea factory on Mahé, where many blends of tea may be sampled at the Tea Tavern. Vanilla is cultivated as a climbing plant around the base of trees as it can be pollinated by hand. Pods can be bought in shops and used as flavouring. Cinnamon grows wild on all the islands. It can be bought as oil or in quills made from dried bark which can be freshly grated before use.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700, Sat 0800-1200. Some shops close weekdays 1200-1300.

Climate

The islands lie outside the cyclone belt but receive monsoon rains from November to April with the northwest trade winds. This hot and humid season gives way to a period of cooler weather, though the temperature rarely falls below 23°C (73°F), and rougher seas when the trade winds blow from the southeast (May to October).

Required Clothing

Tropical lightweights, with rainwear advisable during the rainy season. Sun hats and sunglasses essential all year round.

Public Holidays

Below are the Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
1-2 Jan New Year. 
21 Mar Good Friday. 
24 Mar Easter Monday.
1 May Labour Day.
22 May Corpus Christi.
5 Jun Liberation Day (Anniversary of 1977 Coup). 
18 Jun National Day.
29 Jun Independence Day.
15 Aug Assumption/La Digue Festival.
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2009
1-2 Jan New Year. 
10 Apr Good Friday. 
13 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labour Day. 
5 Jun Liberation Day (Anniversary of 1977 Coup). 
11 Jun Corpus Christi.
18 Jun National Day.
29 Jun Independence Day.
15 Aug Assumption/La Digue Festival.
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Health

Diphtheria

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Hepatitis A

Special Precaution: Yes

Malaria

Special Precaution: No

Rabies

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Tetanus

Special Precaution: Yes

Typhoid

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Yellow Fever

Special Precaution: No*

Health Care

There is a large general hospital in Victoria and there are clinics elsewhere on La Digue, Mahé and Praslin, but medical facilities are limited. Visitors may obtain emergency treatment for a basic consultancy fee. Additional medical insurance is advised, including emergency repatriation. There are several pharmacies available in Victoria. On other islands, government clinics are used. There are dental clinics available on Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue. Prices vary according to whether they are government clinics or private ones. A 24-hour doctor is on call for visitors at their hotels.

Note

* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from an infected area.

Further Health Information

We advise you to check health requirements for the country you are traveling to with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic as health requirements and vaccinations can change at short notice.

Money

Currency

Seychelles Rupee (SCR) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of SCR100, 50, 25 and 10. Coins are in denominations of SCR5 and 1, and 25, 10 and 5 cents.

Note: Tourists must pay hotel bills in foreign currency (in the form of cash, traveller’s cheques or credit or debit cards). Payment in local currency is only allowed if an exchange receipt can be shown as proof of the conversion from foreign currency into local currency. The duty-free shop at the airport only accepts credit cards or foreign cash.

Currency Exchange

Exchange facilities are available at the airport banks, which are open for all flight departures and arrivals. The following banks have branches in the Seychelles and will exchange traveller’s cheques and foreign currency: Barclays Bank, Bank of Baroda, Banque Française Commerciale, Central Bank of Seychelles, Development Bank of Seychelles, Habib Bank Ltd, Nouvo Banq and Seychelles Savings Bank. Currency exchange receipts should be kept in order to facilitate re-exchange on departure.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted; Diners Club has more limited use. ATMs are available in Mahé and Praslin.

Traveller's Cheques

Accepted in most hotels, guest houses, restaurants and shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0830-1430, Sat 0830-1100.

Passport/Visa

British

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Australian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Canadian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: Yes

USA

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Other EU

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Passports

Passport valid on the date of entry to and exit from the Seychelles required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Visa not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above as long as they have:
(a) onward or return ticket (if not, onward or return ticket must be purchased on arrival);
(b) proof of sufficient funds (between US$100-150 per day) and organised accommodation for the duration of the stay.
A visitor’s permit, valid for up to three months, is issued on arrival, subject to possession of (a) and (b) as above; alternatively, a deposit may be made by ‘security’ bond in lieu. The permit may be renewed, provided the applicant holds a valid open return ticket and applies at least one week before the permit’s expiry. For further information, contact the nearest Seychelles Tourist Office.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Transit

Passengers in transit must have tickets with reserved seats for their onward journey.

Contact Addresses

Embassy of the Seychelles in France

51 Avenue Mozart, 75016 Paris, France
Tel: (01) 4230 5747.

Seychelles Tourist Office in the UK

Aviareps House, Gatwick Road, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 9RB, UK
Tel: (01293) 596 649.
Website: www.seychelles.com

Embassy of the Republic of Seychelles in the USA

Suite 400C, 4th Floor, 800 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel: (212) 972 1785.

Travel Advice

Warning

Most visits to the Seychelles are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

Please note that beaches and parked cars are favourite targets for petty thieves.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice.

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

• Seychelles Overview
• Seychelles Things to See
• Seychelles Things to Do
• Seychelles Events
• Seychelles Climate
• Seychelles Public Holidays
• Seychelles Health
• Seychelles Currency
• Seychelles Passport & Visas
• Seychelles Contact Addresses
• Seychelles Travel Advice