Seychells Travel Information
Seychelles
:: Country
Information :: Luxury
Hotels and Resorts
Geography
Seychelles is an archipelago of approximately 115 islands divided
into two main categories, the “inner” and “outer”
islands. The inner islands are the closest to the main island,
Mahe, with Praslin and La Digue the next largest and most frequently
visited. Mahe covering an area of 154 square km, is a mountainous,
tropical island and contains the capital Victoria, the international
airport and most of the hotels and accommodation. .
The latitude of the islands varies between 4 degrees and 10 degrees
south of the Equator.
Some islands are closer to the coast of Africa than they are to
the main island of Mahe.
Mahe is 1 600 kilometres east of Mombasa in Kenya.
Money Matters
The local currency is the Seychelles rupee and
the rate of exchange to the South African rand is subject to currency
fluctuation. It is important for visitors to note that all costs
in hotels must be settled in foreign currency, either in cash
or by credit card. This applies to meals or drinks at any hotel
and not only in the hotel of residence. Travellers’ cheques
in foreign currencies cannot be exchanged for foreign cash, and
visitors receive their cash in Seychelles rupees. Local currency
may be used for purchases in shops or markets, or for meals purchased
from small independent beach restaurants and cafes. Change for
purchases in foreign currency is given in Seychelles rupees. It
is recommended that visitors take cash in US dollars for incidental
expenses.
Banks
Victoria and branches on | Monday to Friday 08h30
– 14h00
Mahe, Praslin and La Digue | Saturday 08h30 – 11h00 Monday
to Friday 08h00
Health
Compulsory vaccinations: Yellow Fever (if coming from an Endemic
Country)
Recommended vaccinations: Hepatitius A and Tetanus
No inoculations are required for Sainte Anne Resort and Spa
Climate and Season
Seychelles enjoys a pleasant tropical climate year round. The
islands lie outside the cyclone belt and there are no extremes
of weather. The temperature seldom drops below 24 degrees or rises
above 33 degrees. During the north-east trade winds which blow
from October to May, the sea conditions are calm and the weather
is humid. When the south-east trade winds blow from June to September,
the weather is cooler and the sea is rougher, particularly on
the south-eastern coasts.
Places to Visit
The magic of Seychelles is to be found in the variety of scenery
and natural beauty of its islands. The granitic islands are characterised
by giant rocky outcrops and tropical vegetation, ringed with pristine
white beaches. The coralline islands are flat, with magnificent
sandy beaches lapped by the clear blue ocean.
Island-hopping is the main attraction, whether it be by boat or
by air. In this way, visitors will see a wealth of flora and fauna,
many species of which are endemic to these remote islands.
Attractions
Visit quaint galleries, craft shops, old-Creole style plantation
houses, scenic viewpoints and natural wonders. Mahe has several
museums, a botanical garden, a tea plantation and numerous national
monuments. Experience the diversity of the people through Seychellois
cuisine, which features the spicy flavours and fragrant aromas
of the islands.
Vallee de Mai
Described as the original Garden of Eden, the Vallee de Mai is
host to some of the rarest trees and plants in the world. The
forest is millions of years old and, until 50 years ago, remained
untouched. Now visitors can explore nature trails and see the
most spectacular sight of all, the majestic Coco de Mer palms.
In places, the canopy of palm leaves is so dense that no sunlight
can penetrate through. Freshwater crabs and giant crayfish inhabit
the streams, while rare birds include black parrots, hummingbirds
and the island’s blackbird. Discover an immense granite
outcrop dating back 650 million years, and spot many trees, ferns,
bamboo and vanilla orchids.
Bird Island
A flight of an hour and a half will take you to Bird Island, the
breeding place of millions of sooty terns who flock in from November
to March to nest in the soft, warm sands of the island. Walking
among the birds is an unforgettable experience, as their cries
are deafening, and they protect their young quite aggressively.
Fishing
The ocean teems with countless species of fish which attract the
casual angler or the serious game fisherman. Boats with professional
skippers will guide you to the most prolific fishing grounds for
grouper, bream, emperor or job fish, or tackle a marlin, barracuda,
tuna or sailfish for the thrill of a lifetime.
Visas
No visas are required by an nationals who wish
to enter Seychelles as long as the passport is valid 6 months
after the return and passenger is in possession of a return ticket.
A visitor’s permit is issued on arrival for a period of
one month (subject to the validity of return/onward ticket). Extension
for a period of 3 months is possible.
What to pack
Lightweight cottons and linens.
Rainwear throughout the year.
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