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Seychelles

Location:

The Seychelles consist of an archipelago of about 100 islands in the Indian Ocean northeast of Madagascar. The principal islands are Mahé (55 sq mi; 142 sq km), Praslin (15 sq mi; 38 sq km), and La Digue (4 sq mi; 10 sq km).
Government

Climate:

The islands of the Seychelles have a year-round tropical heat that is also relatively humid. The average annual temperature is 29°C (84°F), and the average sea temperature is similar, seldom dropping below 27°C (81°F). The waether is usually tempered by balmy sea breezes. The islands are outside of the cyclone/hurricane belt, so storms are rare, but tropical rains do fall during January and February. It is often easy to escape these rain showers because, although it may be raining on one side of your island, it can be sunny on the other side.

  • Full name: The Republic of Seychelles
  • Population: 87,000 (UN, 2007)
  • Capital: Victoria
  • Area: 455 sq km (176 sq miles)
  • Major languages: English, French, Creole
  • Major religion: Christianity
  • Life expectancy: n/a
  • Monetary unit: 1 Seychelles rupee = 100 cents
  • Main exports: Fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (re-exports)
  • GNI per capita: US $8,290 (World Bank, 2006)
  • Internet domain: .sc
  • International dialling code: +248
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Frequently Asked Questions

When to go
The Seychelles is located slightly south of the equator in the tropics and is not affected by cyclones. The weather is generally warm and humid throughout the year. November to March is the warmest period and as such, brings higher humidity and rain.

How to get there?
More and more airlines are flying to the Seychelles, so it’s worth checking with your travel agent (or giving us a call) to see the best options available. There are flights from Australia via Mauritius with Air Mauritius and Air Austral, or options via Singapore or Africa. Emirates Airlines also flies from Australia to Seychelles via Dubai. The Seychelles is only 2 hours north of Mauritius, 6 hours from Singapore and 4 hours south of Dubai making it an excellent option for a double destination holiday.

Air Seychelles runs regular flights from Mahe to Praslin, Fregate and Denis Island while a helicopter transfer is required to exclusive North Island. Ferries run regularly between Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. Sainte Anne is only a 15 minute boat transfer from Mahe and a regular shuttle operates between the two islands.

What is the time difference? Local time is GMT +4.

What should i know about the local currency?
The Seychelles currency is the Rupee (SR), divided into 100 cents with notes in denominations of 10, 25, 50 and 100. The country's foreign exchange regulations require visitors to pay for all services provided by hotels, guesthouses and self-catering enterprises in major foreign currency notes. International currency can also be used to pay for car hire, entrance fees to parks and reserves, scuba diving and boat charter. Taxis and restaurant bills (not connected to hotels) are payable in foreign or Seychelles Rupees. Rupees can only be used in local shops, markets, and bars. Credit cards are widely welcomed throughout the Seychelles. Money can be exchanged at banks and the airport on Mahé, or at hotels. To change Rupees back into foreign currency on departure requires the official receipt from the initial transaction.

What are the health requirements?
No vaccinations are required for entry, but immunisation against hepatitis A and typhoid are highly recommended. Medical facilities on the islands are limited, but there is a government hospital in Victoria and some private clinics. Medical insurance with full evacuation cover is necessary.

Visitors are advised to bring their own medication (to avert the risk of upset stomach), as well as sun block and insect repellent, as supplies are not always available locally and these are also costly.

Tap water meets World Health Organisation standards, but most visitors prefer to drink bottled water, which is widely available.

Following recent flooding it is advised that visitors take precautions against mosquito bites (risk of dengue fever) and to avoid walking barefoot (Leptospirosis). Fruit and vegetables should be peeled and meat well-cooked before being eaten

We recommend you visit Smartraveller (smartraveller.gov.au) for more travel tips to the Seychelles.