Seychelles Travel Guide

Best Time To Visit

When to go

The Seychelles islands are blessed with tropical climate year round and lie outside the cyclonic belt. The north-westerly trades from October to March bring more humidity and rainfall (most falls January-February) and the brisker south-easterly trade winds from May to September bring more sunshine, although rain may fall in short showers. Between these seasons are fairly warm and calm conditions, ideal for swimming and diving (April/May and October/November). April is seabird breeding season; Sooty terns nest May-September, migration in October. 

Getting there

Etihad flies via Abu Dhabi, Qatar Airways flies frequently from London and Manchester via Doha and Emirates from London and major regional UK airports via Dubai. Kenya Airways flies from Nairobi twice weekly. Connections from Johannesburg three times a week.

Time Zone 

GMT +4 hours

Visas

UK citizens do not currently require visas.

Health

There are currently no compulsory health requirements. Always consult your doctor at least six weeks before travel and refer to this useful NHS website for details of recommended vaccinations for your destination.

Things To Do

• Visit the Saturday market in Victoria, Mahé
• Enjoy a dinner at Creole Marie Antoinette Restaurant in Mahé
• Visit the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve on Praslin to see Coco de Mer palms and seek Seychelles black parrot.
• Transfer to your hotel by helicopter – it’s a great ride
• Spot Seychelles blue pigeons on Mahe and lovely Seychelles paradise flycatchers on La Digue

The islands of the Seychelles really are as beautiful as they appear in the ads,  a spectacular setting for an island holiday. The archipelago is as ideal for families as it is for those in search of romantic seclusion. Beyond the cyclone belt and malaria-free, the archipelago is the ideal place to unwind.

The islands possess some of the world's rarest flora and fauna and half of the country's landmass is protected in reserves and World Heritage Sites. With spectacular scenery above and below the warm tropical waters, scuba diving and superb sailing are superb.  These remote isles offer a rich diversity of experience.

Birding in the Seychelles

With over 220 recorded species, 11 of which are found nowhere else, the Seychelles is a fine birding destination. Some of the endemics, such as the mega-rare Seychelles Scops owl with its extraordinary call, the beautiful Seychelles Paradise flycatcher and the Seychelles Magpie robin, are among the world’s rarest birds. We can arrange private birding tours with expert guides.

FAQ

It’s hard not to be bowled over by the Seychelles… they are right at the top of all of our lists for a sublime beach holiday. Here Inken answers some frequently asked questions about holidays in the Seychelles. You can ring Inken or any of the Southern Africa team on 020 7666 1250 if you’d like to talk in detail about going on holiday in the Seychelles.

Are the Seychelles as wonderful as people say?

Yes in short….the Seychelles have some of the most beautiful beaches and exclusive resorts in the world, with pristine coral reefs providing word-class scuba diving and snorkelling. Popular with honeymooners and couples wanting a very special celebration holiday, the Seychelles is also a lovely place for island hopping – you can even use local transport if you like you enjoy  It’s a year-round destination with temperatures ranging between 23-28° C.

Would you recommend one island over another?

Each Seychelles island has its own unique charm so its hard to single out one island over another. La Digue is a favourite of mine, it’s just like a step back in time. The second largest island, Praslin, has a great choice of places to stay and for those looking for exclusivity, there are private islands like Bird Island and Denis Island. If money is no object, then it has to be North Island, where the villas are enormous and the facilities truly out of this world.

How do we get there?

Currently the best value option would be to use one of the Middle Eastern airlines via Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai. Alternatively a couple of carriers go via Europe or even via Mauritius. Kenya Airways flies via Nairobi twice weekly and Air Seychelles fly twice a week from Johannesburg making the Seychelles an excellent destination for a beach holiday after a safari in either Kenya or South Africa.

How do we travel around the country?

There are a number of ways  to get from one island to another including scheduled flights, private charters and helicopters, ferry and boats. You can also take local transport or private road transfers.

If there was one thing I shouldn’t miss, what would you recommend?

Swim in the ocean… this may seem obvious but the Seychelles has world-class beaches and warm clear waters and it doesn’t come better than this anywhere in the world. Visit the Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve if you are on Praslin and enjoy being dwarfed by this well preserved palm forest and also see the famous seed of the Coco de Mer. Try to island hop, even if just for the day, to a nearby island as some are coral and others are granitic and it would be a shame not to see these two contrasting island landscapes.

Is English widely spoken?

Yes. English is widely spoken on the islands alongside French and Creole.

Are there child-friendly hotels or is this very much a honeymoon destination?

There’s a good range of child-friendly hotels in the Seychelles … they are close on the heels now of their Mauritian cousins who have children’s clubs in all the larger properties. The fine white sand beaches and calm seas make this a perfect spot for families. There some gently shelving beaches that create ideal swimming conditions for young families, do ask us for more details.

What is the local food like? 

The Seychelles is a popular tourist destination with some excellent restaurants specialising in a wide range of International cuisine… everything from Thai to Italian. There are some Creole dishes and the fresh seafood is delicious. 

Next Steps

You can call any of the Southern Africa team on 020 7666 1250 if you’d like to talk in detail about going on holiday in the Seychelles.