Welcome to The Seychelles

Seychelles is the stuff of daydreams with its turquoise waters lapping up to white-sand, boulder-strewn beaches, UNESCO-listed nature reserves, lush jungles and brilliant coral reefs.

Of course, water sports are supreme here, from snorkeling to surfing, but inland adventures await, too, from hiking to rock climbing.

Glorious resorts and upscale restaurants dot the waterfront of Mahé, the largest island, but Praslin and La Digue are worth a visit as well. It’s the best of both worlds – a deserted island paradise with a cosmopolitan vibe.

Unique Facts

• Esmeralda, the heaviest land tortoise living in the wild, lives on Bird Island in the Seychelles. She weighs 670 pounds.
• Some of the rarest endemic birds in the world live in the Seychelles, including the bare-legged Scops owl.
• The coco de mer, native to the Seychelles, produces the largest seed in the world, up to 33 pounds.
• Legend has it that the famous pirate Olivier Levasseur hid a treasure worth more than $160,000 in the Seychelles, perhaps in Pirate’s Cove on Mahé or Côte d’Or on Praslin.
• Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles, is the smallest capital city in the world.

Language

The Seychelles’ official languages are Seychellois Creole, English and French.

When To Go

The best time to go to the Seychelles is between April and May or October and November. These are the calmer periods between the two trade wind periods of November to March and May to September.

Airports

Seychelles International Airport

Passport Validity

Passport must be valid for the duration of stay.

Visa Required By US Citizen?

None, visitor permits granted upon arrival with return ticket

Vaccinations

The CDC recommends the following vaccines for most travelers when visiting the Seychelles: Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Depending on where you are traveling, you may also need Hepatitis B, Yellow Fever and Rabies vaccines.

Electrical Outlets

Power plugs and sockets: type G. Standard voltage: 240V. Frequency: 50Hz.

Currency

Official local currency: Seychellois Rupee

Getting Around

It is only practical to drive if you are visiting the islands of Mahé and Praslin. Roads are narrow and wind steeply over mountains. Most are not well-maintained and are poorly lit. Avoid remote roads, particularly at night.

Public transportation includes bus service, taxi service and ferry service. Bus service is infrequent on some route and can be crowded. On the islands of Mahé and Praslin, buses operate from early morning to early evening.

If traveling by taxi, negotiate the fare before beginning your journey.

Most of the inner islands are accessible by boat or ferry.

Driver’s License

A valid US driver’s license is required.

US Embassy Info

U.S. Embassy Port Louis
4th Floor, Rogers House
John Kennedy Street
Port Louis, Mauritius
Telephone: +(230) 202-4400
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(230) 202-4400,
press one (1) after the automated greeting
Fax: +(230) 208-9534
PTLConsular@state.gov

Local Visitor Info

Tourist Information Office
Independence House
Victoria
Tel: 248-461-0800
info@seychelles.net

Local Emergency Phone Numbers

Police, Fire: 999
Ambulance: 151

Safety and Security

The crime rate is increasing in the Seychelles. Petty crime includes meggings, purse snatching and pickpocketing and can be a problem at tourist attractions and near ATMs. Use standard safety precautions and do not leave belongings unattended.