Seychelles Tourism (2021) Travel Guide Top Places

Plan Your Trip To Seychelles

"The Honeymoon Paradise"

Seychelles Tourism

Seychelles is an island nation, located in the Indian Ocean close to the east of Africa, known for its breathtaking beauty. It is an archipelago of 115 islands, 45 of which are granitic islands, while 74 are coralline islands. Its capital and largest city is Victoria, which is the smallest capital city in the world. Popular as the island of love, Seychelles’ surreal beauty makes it a popular luxurious honeymoon destination. The most visited islands of Seychelles are Mahe, Praslin and La Digue.

Stunning Beaches
Seychelles is home to over 45 beautiful powdery white beaches lined with swaying palms. With the whitest and thinnest sand, these are some of the world’s best sand beaches. The award-winning Anse Source d’Argent Beach is also located in Seychelles, on La Digue island.

Giant Tortoise and UNESCO Heritage Site
Some islands of Seychelles, like the uninhabited Curieuse Island, is one of the very few places in the world where a tortoise can be spotted roaming freely in the middle of the road, causing a traffic jam! The UNESCO world heritage site Valle De Mai Natural Reserve is located in Seychelles, on Praslin Island. It is home to the famous coco de mer, the largest seed in the world. The fabled Aldabra, which is the world's largest raised coral atoll, is also found in Seychelles.

Diving & Snorkelling
Like all island nations, Seychelles is ideal for diving and snorkelling. Being less inhabited than Maldives, the underwater life in Seychelles is easier to spot. Numerous schools and diving courses are available on different islands, while Mahe has an underwater scuba centre for beginners, with a shipwreck experience. Other popular water sports in Seychelles include paddleboard, surfing and crystal kayaking.

Seychelles Black Parrot
The Praslin Parrot, also known as the Seychelles Black Parrot, is only found here in the world. It can be spotted only on Praslin island with the breeding area limited to Valle De Mai and Praslin National Park. It is a dark grey-brown parrot with a greyish undertail, giving it a blackish appearance. The Black Parrot is unsurprisingly the national bird of Seychelles.

Visa Free on Arrival for Indians for 30 days (view full details)
Entry point to Seychelles is Mahe. Ferry is available to commute to other islands
People typically stay in Mahe, La Digue & Praslin islands and visit other islands on day trips
English and French are widely spoken
Airtel Sim cards can be bought at various stores and including airport

Places To Visit In Seychelles

Mahe, Seychelles

Praslin Island

La Digue Island

Beau Vallon

Anse Lazio

Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve

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Seychelles Packages

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4 Days / 3 Nights

Romantic Seychelles - Budget Sepcial

$ 522

18% off

$428 per adult on twin sharing

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6 Days / 5 Nights

Alluring Mahe Island and Praslin Island - Honeymoon Special

$ 971

18% off

$796 per adult on twin sharing

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7 Days / 6 Nights

Island Hopping in Seychelles

$ 1,296

17% off

$1,063 per adult on twin sharing

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7 Days / 6 Nights

Exotic Vacation - Seychelles and Mauritius Package

$ 1,008

18% off

$826 per adult on twin sharing

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9 Days / 8 Nights

Magical Mahe Island, Praslin Island and Mauritius Vacation

$ 1,306

18% off

$1,070 per adult on twin sharing

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7 Days / 6 Nights

Family Getaway - Seychelles and Mauritius Package

$ 989

17% off

$811 per adult on twin sharing

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Top Food and Dinning Collection in Seychelles

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.

Read more on Currency of Seychelles.

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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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.

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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Things to do in Seychelles by Neighbourhood

La Digue

Victoria

Mahe

Praslin

FAQs on 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 is the 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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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

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 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

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Seychelles Reviews

Your rating

Rajilal K.Nair

3 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

3 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 Souri (Read More)s. 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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Seychelles

Plan Your Trip To Seychelles

"The Honeymoon Paradise"