Seychelles Tourism (2020) Travel Guide Top Places

"The Honeymoon Paradise"

Seychelles Tourism

A land of pristine beauty, Seychelles is a luxury destination which lies in the western part of the Indian Ocean. An archipelago of 115 islands, the island nation is known for its exquisite natural beauty, spectacular beaches, and luxury resorts. It is home to the world's oldest ocean islands and largest raised coral atoll.

Seychelles is blessed with a warm climate throughout the year making it a hotbed for water activities such as diving and snorkelling in its clear turquoise waters. Seychelles is also a hub for ecotourism and endemic wildlife spotting offering an incredible variety of flora and fauna with some of the most exotic trees, birds and marine life.

The entire population is concentrated in the inner Seychelles region which consists of three islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. Together these islands form the economic, cultural and tourism hub of the country. Do not miss out on the chance of exploring the Seychellois Creole cuisine and the country's capital Victoria, a city that can be explored entirely on foot in less than a day.

Due to its remote location, Seychelles is unlike any other island getaway. This tropical paradise provides an aura of seclusion marked by soft white powdery sands and spectacular turquoise waters.

Top Places to Visit In Seychelles

Mahe, Seychelles

La Digue Island

Snorkeling in Seychelles

Bird Island Seychelles

Hiking in Seychelles

Praslin Island

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Seychelles Packages

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Tropical Seychelles Getaway

5 Nights

Starting from $735

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Best of Seychelles - Island Hopper Special

7 Nights

Starting from $963

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Best of Mahe Island Package

3 Nights

Starting from $390

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Breathtaking Praslin Island Tour

4 Nights

Starting from $695

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Relaxing Vacation - Seychelles and Mauritius Package

6 Nights

Starting from $796

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Relaxing Island Break - Praslin Island with La Digue Island Package

6 Nights

Starting from $2,212

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Language of Seychelles

French, English and Creole are the three official languages of the Seychelles islands as it was ruled by both British and the French. The Seychellois speak English fluently and are comfortable conversing in it. The Seychellois Creole is phonetically similar to French, use Bonjour for Hello or Good Morning, Seel Voo Play for Please (form French S'il vous plait) and Mair See for Thank you.

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History of Seychelles

Seychelles traces its history to the 18th century when the French first took control of the islands in 1756 before which the islands were mostly uninhabited. After Napoleon's loss in the Battle of Waterloo, the islands came under the British rule formally in 1814.

Under the British rule, the population grew in number, important estates were established, slavery was abolished and Victoria was established as the capital. Seychelles finally achieved independence from Britain in 1976 and the period after that is marked by a series of coup attempts. The country has prospered since the beginning of the 21st century and is progressing with a special focus on promoting tourism.

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Nightlife in Seychelles

While the nightlife may not be as vibrant or eclectic as in other tropical destinations, it is not disappointing either. There are quite a few exciting options provided by larger hotels.

Some of the best-known centres for nightlife in the country include La Faya Bar, Tequila Boom and Katiolo Night Club on Mahe islands and La Reserve Hotel, The Jungle and Chateau San Souci on Praslin islands.

Typical nightlife hours are from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM, some of the hotels also have late-night theatres in English, French and Creole. And if you have gambling on your mind, head to the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort and Casino to try your luck.

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Shopping in Seychelles

Mahe offers the best shopping experience with its laid back markets and small shopping outlets. Sir Selwyn Clarke Market is a must-visit if you plan on bringing loads of souvenir back home such as traditional handicrafts, aromas, spices, teas and jewellery made from seashells. The classic souvenir in Seychelles is 'Coco de Mer' which requires a special export license.

More on Shopping in Seychelles and Shopping in Mahe.

Currency in Seychelles

All major credit and debit cards are accepted throughout the country. Many establishments will also accept Euros and US Dollars for payments, however, it is always better to get local currency for easier transactions everywhere.

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Exchanging Money in Seychelles

ATMs are located throughout Mahe and Praslin and are the best for exchanging currency. You can exchange your currency in the banks or at an official Bureau of Exchange. Avoid exchanging on the road or with private vendors.

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Daily Budget for Seychelles

On a budget trip, SCR 2200 would be enough to spend a day which includes local transport, decent food and a few drinks. A typical Mid-range budget would be from SCR 2400 to SCR 3200, with luxury budgets going as high upto SCR 4500.

Religion of Seychelles

Christianity is the dominant religion in the country with the Roman Catholics comprising 82% of the population and Anglicans making up 6%. The minority religions in the country include Hinduism, Islam and Baha'i, based in the islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue.

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Seychelles Customs

Seychelles has a multi-ethnic society with a broad diversity of people. The people are laid-back and relaxed, so there are no specific dress codes as such, however, it is advised for men to wear long trousers and women to dress up in evenings or when visiting a temple.

Men and women greet each other by shaking hands and using either French or English greeting for the time of the day. When it comes to tipping in the country, you can always shell out some money for good service, which is appreciated but tipping as a practice is not obligatory in the country as many places usually include a 5-10% service charge in the total bill amount.

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Restaurants and Local Food in Seychelles

The Creole cuisine of today has resulted from a perfect amalgamation of French, Indian, Chinese and English cuisine over centuries to create something unique and remarkable, reflecting the country's multi ethnic diversity. The cuisine is characterized by use of spices such as coriander, lemongrass and ginger and over 10 different varieties of chillies. Being an island nation, most of the cooking is based on seafood, fish, rice, coconut and breadfruit. The national favourite includes grilled fish with curries prepared from coconut milk, tamarind chutney and shredded green papaya salad. What makes Creole cuisine so special is the fact that almost all ingredients are fresh produce due to limited transport options. Head out to some of the country's finest restaurants in Mahe such as Eden, La Grande Maison and La Scala Restaurant.
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Best Time to Visit Seychelles

Commuting within Seychelles

Seychelles Photos

Anse Lazio Beach - One of the Most Visited Beach in Seychelles

Valle de Mai Natural Reserve - A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Surfing - One of the Famous Activity in Seychelles

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FAQs on Seychelles

What is the local food in Seychelles?

What are the places near Seychelles?

The top places near to Seychelles are London which is 8159 km from Seychelles, Dubai which is located 3324 km from Seychelles, Amsterdam which is located 7923 km from Seychelles, New york city which is located 13598 km from Seychelles, Bali which is located 6593 km from Seychelles

What is the best time to visit Seychelles?

April-May and October-November is the best time to visit Seychelles. However, the island is blessed with a year-long tropical warm climate, making it an all-year-round destination; the best time to visit will depend on what activities best suit your interests.

Two trade winds influence the weather, the north-western trade winds from October to March and the south-eastern trade winds from May to September. The transition period between these trades in April, May, September and October is characterised by mild temperatures and wind-free conditions which are ideal for wildlife spotting, diving and snorkelling.

High Season and Low Season
Peak season begins from May to September which is perfect for sailing and windsurfing. During these months, the island experiences most visitors from all over the globe and hence, are over-crowded. November-March is usually the low tourist season in Seychelles. During these months, the beaches are generally filled with seaweeds and hence, in case you travel during this time, you need to choose your hotel wisely.
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What are the things to do in Seychelles?

The top things to do in Seychelles are Mahe, Seychelles, La Digue Island, Snorkeling in Seychelles, Bird Island Seychelles, Hiking in Seychelles, Praslin Island. You can see all the places to visit in Seychelles here

What is the best way to reach Seychelles?

The only way to get inside the island of Seychelles is via airway. Due to some restrictions, mainly for environmental protection, even getting in via waterways is not a feasible option.
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How much does a package cost for Seychelles?

The packages for Seychelles start at INR 29190 which can be further customized based on number of people, days, hotel category, vehicle type and customizations. You can have a look at all packages here

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Seychelles Reviews

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Rajilal K.Nair 2 years ago

Lepa, Ros leskalye or the Stairways to devil`s hell is a spectacular place on Mahe, close to Port Launay. It is difficult to get there by hiking. But you will not be disappointed !

Rajilal K.Nair 2 years ago

Praslin,It?s known for palm-fringed beaches, like Anse Georgette and Anse Lazio, both bordered by large granite boulders. The main beach, Anse Volbert-C?te D?Or, faces the offshore islet Chauve Souris. Praslin?s rugged, jungle-covered interior is home to PraslinNational Park, which encompasses Vall?e de Mai Nature Reserve Coco u can get from here

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