Seychelles
Seychelles scatters 115 islands across the western Indian Ocean, but most visits focus on three granite isles: Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Anse Source d'Argent's sculpted boulders are instantly recognisable, and Praslin's Vallée de Mai shelters the coco de mer, a palm found wild nowhere else. It is among the priciest island destinations, though self-catering guesthouses soften the cost.
Overview
Seychelles divides into the mostly granitic Inner Islands — rugged, forested and fringed by the famous boulder-strewn beaches — and the flat coral Outer Islands such as Aldabra and Desroches, reached only by small plane or boat at considerable cost. Almost everyone flies into Mahé, the largest island, home to the small capital Victoria, the Morne Seychellois mountains and Beau Vallon beach. The classic first trip spends a few nights each on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, linked by fast ferries, with day trips to Curieuse, Cousin or the Sainte Anne marine park.
Costs are high: imported food, island-hopping transfers and beach resorts add up, though Creole guesthouses, takeaways and supermarket picnics keep a trip within reach. Most UK travellers fly via a Gulf hub such as Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi. The pace is slow and crowds thin, even at the famous beaches outside the middle of the day. It suits couples, hikers, snorkellers and birdwatchers more than nightlife seekers. First-timers are often surprised by how mountainous and green the islands are — and by how much the trade winds decide which beaches are calm and seaweed-free.
Map of Seychelles
Top 5 highlights
- 1Beach
Anse Source d'Argent, La Digue
On La Digue's west coast, pink-grey granite boulders frame shallow, reef-sheltered water and powder-white sand. Cycle in through the L'Union Estate, which charges an entry fee, and come in late afternoon when the light softens.
- 2Nature
Vallée de Mai, Praslin
This UNESCO-listed palm forest on Praslin protects thousands of coco de mer palms, whose huge double nuts are the world's heaviest seeds. Walk its shady trails early and listen for the rare Seychelles black parrot.
- 3Beach
Anse Lazio, Praslin
Praslin's north-western beach of fine sand and clear water is backed by takamaka trees and flanked by granite boulders; snorkel round the rocks at either end and arrive early to beat day-trippers.
- 4Wildlife
Curieuse Island
A short boat ride from Praslin, Curieuse has free-roaming Aldabra giant tortoises, a mangrove boardwalk, wild coco de mer palms and the ruins of a former leper colony; trips often add snorkelling at St Pierre islet.
- 5Nature
Morne Seychellois National Park
Covering about a fifth of Mahé, this park rises to the 905-metre Morne Seychellois. Hike the Copolia or Morne Blanc trails through mist forest and endemic pitcher plants to viewpoints over the coast.
Biggest cities
Victoria
One of the world's smallest capitals: browse the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market, see the silver clock tower and the colourful Hindu temple, and give it a morning rather than a night.
Victoria is the only town in Seychelles; everyone else lives in villages and districts strung along Mahé's coast and on Praslin and La Digue. The figure covers greater Victoria at the 2022 census.
When to go to Seychelles
Best time: Apr–May, Oct–Nov.
Average climate in Victoria
Festivals & events
- AugFet La Digue
La Digue's biggest celebration falls on 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption, with a church procession followed by music, food stalls and partying that draws visitors from the other islands.
- OctFestival Kreol
A week of Creole music, dance, food, fashion and literature in late October, centred on Mahé, celebrating the islands' shared language and African, Malagasy, French and Indian roots.
How much does Seychelles cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Kari pwason (fish curry)
Fresh reef fish or tuna simmered with ginger, garlic, turmeric and coconut milk, served with rice or boiled breadfruit and a tangy green-papaya chutney.
Kari zourit (octopus curry)
Tender octopus slow-cooked in a coconut and spice sauce; a Creole favourite that appears on almost every local menu.
Ladob
A sweet stew of plantain or breadfruit cooked in coconut milk with sugar, nutmeg and vanilla, eaten as dessert; a savoury salted-fish version also exists.
Getting around
On Mahé, cheap SPTC public buses reach most of the coast, though they fill up and stop early in the evening; hire cars suit confident drivers happy with narrow, steep roads on the left. The Cat Cocos fast ferry links Mahé and Praslin in about an hour, smaller ferries continue to La Digue, where bicycles rule, and Air Seychelles flies Mahé–Praslin in around 15 minutes.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- G240V — UK plugs fit
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 999 (ambulance, fire, police)
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +248
- Time zone
- UTC+4 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the left
- Tipping
- Many hotels and restaurants add a service charge; otherwise around 10% is appreciated for good service, plus a small tip for boat crews and guides.
- Etiquette
- Greet people with 'Bonzour' before asking anything, cover up away from the beach, especially in Victoria and churches, and note that nude sunbathing is not permitted.
- Main airports
- Seychelles International Airport (SEZ), Victoria
Visas & entry for Seychelles
Shown for a British passport.
Apply online before you go (travel authorisation)
You do not need a visa to visit Seychelles, but you must get a travel authorisation before you travel.
When you arrive, you’ll get a visitor’s permit for 3 months. You can apply for 3-month extensions, up to a maximum period of 12 months in total, if you meet visitor permit extension requirements. You can apply online to extend before your current visitor’s permit expires or in-person at the Immigration and Civil Status Office in Victoria.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BBat LyssavirusTyphoid
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Seychelles
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sun 1 Nov 2026 | All Saints' Day |
| Mon 2 Nov 2026 | All Saints' Day (observed) |
| Tue 8 Dec 2026 | Immaculate Conception |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Sat 2 Jan 2027 | New Year Holiday |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Sat 27 Mar 2027 | Easter Saturday |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Thu 27 May 2027 | Corpus Christi |
| Fri 18 Jun 2027 | Constitution Day |
| Tue 29 Jun 2027 | Independence (National) Day |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Assumption Day |
| Mon 16 Aug 2027 | Assumption Day (observed) |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Seychellois Creole
| English | Seychellois Creole | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Bonzour | bon-ZOOR |
| Thank you | Mersi | mair-SEE |
| Please | Silvouple | seel-voo-PLAY |
| Excuse me | Eskiz mwan | es-KEEZ mwan |
| How much is this? | Konbyen sa? | kom-BYEN sah |
Know before you go
- Beach conditions follow the trade winds: from May to September, north-west coasts such as Beau Vallon are calmest; from December to March, south-east-facing beaches are usually better.
- Coco de mer nuts sold as souvenirs need an official export permit; buy only from licensed sellers, who supply the paperwork.
- Book the Cat Cocos and inter-island ferries ahead in peak season, carry seasickness tablets when the south-east trades blow, and allow a buffer day before international flights.
Seychelles travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Seychelles?
The best time to visit Seychelles is generally Apr–May, Oct–Nov. Peak months are April, May, October and November. Average highs in Victoria range from 29°C to 32°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Seychelles cost per day?
Roughly £90 a day on a tight budget, £220 mid-range and £520+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Seychelles?
Seychellois rupee (SCR).
What plug type does Seychelles use?
Type G sockets at 240V. UK visitors need a travel adapter.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Seychelles?
Traffic drives on the left in Seychelles — the same as in the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Seychelles?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Seychelles?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You do not need a visa to visit Seychelles, but you must get a travel authorisation before you travel. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Seychelles before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/seychelles/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Seychelles?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Bat Lyssavirus and Typhoid sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
