Question 1

How many days do I need in Seychelles?

Accepted Answer

Plan on 5-7 days minimum once you factor in the inter-island logistics. The three main islands each deserve time: Mahé (capital island, Beau Vallon, Morne Seychellois), Praslin (Vallée de Mai, Anse Lazio), and La Digue (Anse Source d'Argent, ox-cart and bicycle pace). A workable split is 2 nights Mahé, 2 nights Praslin, 1-2 nights La Digue. Anything under 5 days means you spend a disproportionate share of the trip on the Cat Cocos ferry rather than on the beaches. Honeymooners and divers often stay 10-14 days.

Question 2

When is the best time to visit?

Accepted Answer

The two transition months — April and October — are widely rated the sweet spot: calm seas, lighter winds, and good underwater visibility for diving and snorkelling. May-September is the cooler, drier, breezier southeast-monsoon season (good for north-coast beaches like Beau Vallon), while November-April is the warmer, wetter northwest-monsoon season with the heaviest rain in December-January. There's no single 'perfect' month — wind direction shifts which beaches get seaweed (see the weather section).

Question 3

Is Seychelles safe?

Accepted Answer

It's one of the calmer destinations in the region, with violent crime against tourists rare. The realistic risks are petty theft (don't leave valuables on the beach or in unlocked self-catering villas), and ocean conditions — strong currents and waves hit exposed beaches like Beau Vallon during the windy season, and there are few lifeguards. Swim where locals swim, ask your hotel about current conditions, and respect the sea. Mosquito-borne dengue has occurred, so pack repellent.

Question 4

Do I need a visa?

Accepted Answer

Seychelles issues a free Visitor's Permit on arrival for most nationalities — typically up to 30 days, extendable to 90. You'll need a valid passport, a return/onward ticket, proof of accommodation, and proof of sufficient funds. Since 2022 most visitors also complete a Travel Authorisation online before arrival; check the official Seychelles e-Border portal for the current requirement and fee before you fly.

Question 5

How expensive is Seychelles, honestly?

Accepted Answer

Expensive — it's among the priciest beach destinations in the Indian Ocean, on par with the Maldives for high-end stays and only modestly cheaper across the board. Budget travel exists (guesthouses, self-catering, takeaway Creole) but the options are limited and the islands are not a backpacker bargain. Ferries, the occasional inter-island flight, restaurant meals, and activities add up fast. Set realistic expectations: this is a splurge or honeymoon trip for most people, not a cheap one.

Question 6

What's the currency, and should I bring USD or EUR?

Accepted Answer

The local currency is the Seychellois rupee (SCR). In practice tourism runs heavily on euros and US dollars — many hotels, tours, dive centres, and the Cat Cocos ferry quote and accept EUR or USD directly, and cards are widely taken at hotels and mid-to-upper restaurants. You'll want some SCR cash for local takeaways, market stalls, bus fares, bike rental, and beach-bar drinks at Anse Source d'Argent (often cash-only). ATMs in Victoria and the bigger settlements dispense SCR.

Question 7

How much should I budget per day?

Accepted Answer

Rough guidance: budget travellers self-catering and eating local can manage around US$100-130/day; a mid-range couple in a 3-4 star guesthouse with restaurant meals and a couple of activities runs US$250-350/day; luxury resorts push US$700-1,000+/day before flights. These are estimates — exchange rates and resort pricing swing widely, so treat them as a planning baseline, not a quote.

Question 8

What are the hidden costs people forget?

Accepted Answer

The inter-island Cat Cocos ferry is the big one: Mahé-Praslin runs roughly €56-77 one-way and Mahé-La Digue €68-89 one-way (plus a small per-trip port fee), and a couple hopping all three islands round-trip can easily spend €300-400 on ferries alone. Add the Vallée de Mai entry (SCR 450 / about €30 per adult), L'Union Estate entry on La Digue (about SCR 150), bike rental (~SCR 100/day), taxis (no Uber — fares are high and negotiated), and the 15% VAT and tourism levies baked into bills.

Question 9

Is tipping expected?

Accepted Answer

Tipping isn't obligatory and a service charge is sometimes already included — check the bill. Where it isn't, rounding up or leaving 5-10% at sit-down restaurants is appreciated but not demanded. A few rupees or euros for porters, guides, and helpful drivers is a kind gesture. Don't feel pressured into large tips on top of already-high prices.

Question 10

Can I do Seychelles on a budget?

Accepted Answer

Partly. The savings levers are: self-catering guesthouses and Airbnb-style villas instead of resorts, the public SPTC bus on Mahé and Praslin (a few rupees per ride versus expensive taxis), takeaway Creole from local diners and the Victoria market, bicycles on La Digue, and choosing beaches and hikes (mostly free) over paid boat trips. But flights to Seychelles are long and pricey, and there's a floor below which you simply can't go. It rewards mid-range planning more than shoestring.

Question 11

How do I get between the islands?

Accepted Answer

The Cat Cocos catamaran ferry is the workhorse: Mahé-Praslin takes about 75 minutes, and Mahé-La Digue about 1h45 (usually via Praslin). The short Praslin-La Digue hop (the Cat Rose / inter-island boat) takes around 15 minutes and runs frequently. Book ferry tickets online in advance during peak season, as crossings sell out. Domestic flights with Air Seychelles connect Mahé and Praslin in about 15 minutes — faster but more expensive, and worth it if you're short on time or prone to seasickness.

Question 12

How do I get from the airport?

Accepted Answer

Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) is on Mahé, about 10 km / 20 minutes from Victoria and near Eden Island. Taxis meet flights; expect a fixed-ish fare quoted in advance (confirm the price before you get in). Many hotels and guesthouses offer transfers — often the simplest option after a long-haul flight. The public bus runs near the airport but isn't practical with luggage.

Question 13

Should I rent a car?

Accepted Answer

On Mahé, a small rental car is genuinely useful — the island is large, beaches and viewpoints are spread out, and the SPTC buses, while cheap, are slow. Driving is on the left, roads are narrow, steep, and winding (especially over Morne Seychellois), and you need to drive defensively. On Praslin a car or scooter helps; on La Digue there are essentially no rental cars — you get around by bicycle and ox-cart, which is part of its charm.

Question 14

How does getting around La Digue work?

Accepted Answer

La Digue is famously car-light: the classic way around is by bicycle (rentals roughly SCR 100/day, widely available near the La Passe jetty) or on foot. Ox-carts, once the main transport, still operate in a more ceremonial role. The island is small and mostly flat, so cycling to L'Union Estate and Anse Source d'Argent (about 15 minutes from the village) is easy and pleasant. There are a handful of taxis for luggage or the hillier routes.

Question 15

Is there public transport?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the SPTC public bus network covers Mahé and Praslin extensively and costs only a few rupees per ride, making it the cheapest way to get around if you have time and patience. Buses can be crowded, infrequent on some routes, and not ideal with beach gear or large luggage, but they're a real budget option locals rely on. There's no public bus on tiny La Digue.

Question 16

What is Seychellois Creole food like?

Accepted Answer

It's a fusion of African, French, Indian, and Chinese influences built around fresh seafood, coconut, and spice. The signatures are octopus curry (zourit, cooked in coconut milk), grilled fish with chilli-garlic, fish curries, breadfruit (grilled, fried, or as chips), rice, lentils, and chutneys. Desserts lean tropical — ladob (plantain or breadfruit simmered in sweet, vanilla-scented coconut milk). It's flavourful, generous, and best at family-run Creole spots rather than resort buffets.

Question 17

Where should I eat?

Accepted Answer

On Mahé: Marie Antoinette in Victoria (a Creole institution since 1972, set menu of local classics), Del Place on the west coast, and the Beau Vallon spots (The Boat House Creole buffet, La Plage). On Praslin: Café des Arts at Anse Volbert and Bonbon Plume right on Anse Lazio for beachfront seafood. On La Digue: Chez Jules near Anse Fourmis for curries and fresh juices, and hilltop Belle Vue for sunset views. The Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke market in Victoria is great for cheap local eats and fruit.

Question 18

Is the coconut crab really a local delicacy?

Accepted Answer

Be careful with this one — the coconut crab is a protected species in Seychelles and is considered effectively extinct on the main granite islands. Despite what some older guides claim, it is not a dish you should expect (or ask) to eat on Mahé, Praslin, or La Digue. If you see 'coconut crab' offered, treat it with suspicion. The everyday seafood stars are octopus, fresh reef and pelagic fish, and prawns — those are what you actually come for.

Question 19

How much do meals cost?

Accepted Answer

A takeaway Creole plate from a local diner or the Victoria market can be SCR 80-200 (roughly €6-14). A sit-down main at a mid-range Creole restaurant runs about €15-30, and a beachfront or resort dinner with seafood and a drink can reach €50-100 a head. Self-catering from supermarkets (note: many imported goods are pricey) is the budget play. Drinks add up — the local Takamaka rum and SeyBrew beer are the value choices.

Question 20

Are there options for dietary restrictions?

Accepted Answer

Seafood and vegetable curries, lentils, rice, and breadfruit mean vegetarians can eat reasonably well, though dedicated vegan or strict-allergen menus are limited outside resorts. Communicate clearly — kitchens are small and not always set up for substitutions. Halal and other specific needs are easier to arrange at hotels than at tiny Creole eateries. Self-catering gives you the most control.

Question 21

Which island should I base myself on?

Accepted Answer

Most people split across two or three. Mahé suits first-timers and those wanting the capital, the airport, the widest range of hotels, and Beau Vallon. Praslin is greener and more relaxed, ideal for Vallée de Mai and Anse Lazio, and a hub for day trips. La Digue is the slow, postcard island — bicycles, granite beaches, fewer big resorts. For a honeymoon, a night or two on each gives the full picture; for a single base, Praslin is the most central.

Question 22

Resort, guesthouse, or self-catering?

Accepted Answer

Seychelles has a strong self-catering and guesthouse scene (a deliberate government policy to spread tourism beyond resorts), which is the realistic way to control costs. Guesthouses run roughly €80-200/night; mid-range hotels €200-400; and the headline luxury resorts (private-island and five-star brands) €600 well into the thousands. Self-catering villas let you cook and cut the eye-watering restaurant bills.

Question 23

When should I book?

Accepted Answer

Book several months ahead for the peak windows — the December-January holidays and the July-August European summer — when the better-value guesthouses and the top resorts sell out and ferries fill. The April and October shoulder months are calmer and a little easier on availability and price. Last-minute deals exist in the wettest low-season weeks but the choice is thin.

Question 24

Are private-island resorts worth it?

Accepted Answer

If money is no object, the private-island resorts (the kind that occupy their own island with a handful of villas) are a genuine bucket-list experience and among the most exclusive in the world. For most travellers they're out of reach, and you can have a superb trip on the main three islands at a fraction of the cost. Decide honestly whether you're paying for seclusion and service or just for the name.

Question 25

Do I need to worry about seaweed at my hotel's beach?

Accepted Answer

Yes, factor it in. Trade winds push sargassum-type seaweed onto different coasts at different times of year — broadly, southeast-facing beaches collect it May-September and northwest-facing beaches October-April. A beachfront room is lovely until the seaweed arrives. Ask the property directly which season affects its beach, and don't assume every beach is pristine year-round.

Question 26

What's the climate like?

Accepted Answer

Tropical and warm all year — daytime highs sit around 28-31°C and rarely vary much, with high humidity and warm seas (27-29°C). It's near the equator and outside the main cyclone belt, so direct cyclones are very rare. The year splits into the cooler, drier, windier southeast monsoon (May-October) and the warmer, wetter, calmer northwest monsoon (November-April), with the heaviest rain around December-January.

Question 27

Will it rain on my trip?

Accepted Answer

Probably some — even the 'dry' season gets occasional tropical showers, and the wet season brings heavier, more frequent downpours, often short and intense. Rain rarely ruins a whole day; build in flexibility rather than expecting blue skies for a fortnight. December and January are the wettest and greenest; June through August are the driest and breeziest.

Question 28

What about seaweed and wind?

Accepted Answer

The trade winds dictate both. May-September the stronger southeast winds bring breezier conditions and choppier seas on exposed coasts (and seaweed on southeast-facing beaches), favouring sheltered north-coast spots like Beau Vallon. October-April the gentler northwest winds calm the seas (good for diving) but can deposit seaweed on northwest-facing beaches. There's no season that's flawless on every beach — pick beaches to match the wind.

Question 29

When is best for diving and snorkelling?

Accepted Answer

April and October — the transition months — typically offer the calmest water and best visibility, prized by divers. Whale shark sightings are more likely around August-November. The windier southeast season can stir up exposed dive sites. Year-round you can snorkel sheltered bays and marine parks like Sainte Anne and Curieuse.

Question 30

What should I pack?

Accepted Answer

Lightweight, breathable clothing; swimwear (bring two sets — things stay damp); strong reef-safe SPF 50+ (the equatorial sun is intense); a hat and sunglasses; water shoes for granite and rocky entries; insect repellent for dengue-carrying mosquitoes; a light rain jacket; and a dry bag for boat trips and ferries. A Type G (UK-style) plug adapter — Seychelles uses 240V Type G outlets. Modest cover-up for Victoria and churches.

Question 31

What are the must-sees?

Accepted Answer

Anse Source d'Argent on La Digue (the granite-boulder beach inside L'Union Estate, one of the most photographed beaches on earth); Vallée de Mai on Praslin (UNESCO palm forest, home of the Coco de Mer and the endemic black parrot); Anse Lazio on Praslin (a top-rated beach for swimming); Beau Vallon on Mahé (the main resort beach, watersports, sunsets); and the Morne Seychellois National Park hikes above Mahé. Add Victoria's small but walkable capital sights.

Question 32

Is Vallée de Mai worth the entry fee?

Accepted Answer

For most nature-minded visitors, yes. It's a UNESCO World Heritage palm forest and the only place the giant Coco de Mer palm grows wild, with the rare Seychelles black parrot overhead. Entry is SCR 450 (about €30) per adult, open roughly 8:00-17:30 with about an hour suggested for the main trails, and the fee funds conservation including Aldabra. If you've limited budget, the nearby Fond Ferdinand reserve is a cheaper, quieter alternative with similar palms.

Question 33

What's there to do on Mahé beyond the beach?

Accepted Answer

Hike in Morne Seychellois National Park — the Copolia Trail (short, with a payoff view over Victoria, Eden Island, and the Sainte Anne marine park) is the most popular, and the Anse Major coastal trail leads to a secluded beach. Wander Victoria: the 1903 Clock Tower (a small replica of London's), the colourful Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke market, and the botanical gardens with their giant tortoises. The Takamaka rum distillery at La Plaine St André offers tastings.

Question 34

Should I do island day-trips?

Accepted Answer

They're some of the best experiences here. From Praslin, boat trips to Curieuse Island (free-roaming giant tortoises and a turtle-nesting beach) and Cousin/Aride bird reserves are popular. From Mahé, the Sainte Anne Marine National Park is a quick snorkelling day out. These add up in cost, so pick one or two rather than trying to do them all.

Question 35

What about the Aldabra Atoll?

Accepted Answer

Aldabra — the giant UNESCO coral atoll with its enormous tortoise population — is genuinely remote and effectively only reachable on a multi-day liveaboard expedition costing well into the thousands; it is not a day trip from the main islands. For the vast majority of visitors it stays on the wish-list. Curieuse and the Mahé botanical gardens are where you'll realistically meet giant tortoises.

Question 36

What languages are spoken?

Accepted Answer

Seychelles is officially trilingual: Seychellois Creole (Kreol Seselwa), English, and French. English is widely understood across tourism, signage, and government, so you'll have no real language barrier. A few Creole greetings (bonzour for hello) are warmly received.

Question 37

How do I get internet?

Accepted Answer

Buy a local prepaid SIM (Airtel or Cable & Wireless) at the airport or in Victoria for affordable data — easiest if your phone is unlocked. eSIMs work too. Hotels and many restaurants offer WiFi, though speeds on the smaller islands can be modest. Coverage is good across the three main islands.

Question 38

Is the tap water safe to drink?

Accepted Answer

Tap water on Mahé is generally treated and considered safe, but quality can vary on the outer islands and after heavy rain, so many visitors stick to bottled or filtered water to be cautious. Carry a refillable bottle. Avoid contributing to plastic waste where you can — some accommodations provide filtered refills.

Question 39

What health precautions should I take?

Accepted Answer

No special vaccinations are usually required for entry (check current rules and any yellow-fever transit requirement). The practical risks are sunburn, dehydration, and mosquito-borne dengue — so use SPF 50+, drink plenty of water, and apply repellent at dawn and dusk. Medical facilities are decent on Mahé but limited on the smaller islands; travel insurance covering evacuation is strongly advised. Bring any prescription medication with you.

Question 40

Any etiquette or environmental rules I should know?

Accepted Answer

Seychelles takes conservation seriously: don't touch or stand on coral, don't take shells or sand, keep your distance from nesting turtles, and use reef-safe sunscreen. Topless and nude sunbathing is not the norm and isn't appropriate outside private resort areas. Dress modestly when visiting Victoria and churches. Littering and disturbing wildlife carry real penalties — this is a place that polices its environment.

Seychelles Travel FAQ