Seychelles

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The Republic of Seychelles has a multi-party political system with an executive President as head of state and government.  The President heads a Cabinet of 10 ministers which includes the Vice-President.

In April 2004 Mr. James Alix Michel replaced Mr. France Albert René as President after Mr. Rene had been in office since 1977.  The Vice President is currently Mr. Joseph Belmont.  The First Designated Minister is Mr. Danny Faure, who is also the Minister for Finance.

The Republic of Seychelles is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, the Commonwealth and La Francophonie.  It has embassies in Paris, New York, Brussels, New Delhi and Beijing as well as numerous honorary consulates worldwide.

Today, the 87,122 strong Seychellois population continues to reflect its multi-ethnic roots. Traditionally, the islands have attracted a broad diversity of peoples from the four corners of the earth that has included freed slaves, European settlers, political exiles, adventurers, traders of Arab and Persian origin as well as Chinese and Indians.

Practically every nation on earth has been represented in this melting pot of cultures, each one contributing its special influence to today's vibrant yet tranquil society.

There are three official languages in Seychelles: Creole (a lilting, French-based patois), English and French. Many Seychellois also speak fluent Italian or German.

Religion : Roman Catholicism remains the dominant religion of Seychelles but there are also Anglican and Protestant churches and the places of worship of other denominations. These live in harmony alongside, Muslim, Hindu and Bahaï communities based on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.

Entry Formalities :
Of particular note is the ENTRY FORMALITIES section that lists all the requirements for entering Seychelles. Among other things, it advises that, whatever the nationality of the visitor and his or her family members, NO VISAS are required for entry.

Communications :
The international dialling code for Seychelles is 248.

Seychelles enjoys modern, efficient communication services. At present, there are two GSM networks in operation, Cable & Wireless and Airtel.

The offices of internet service providers, internet cafés, postal and courier services are located in or around central Victoria. Among the increasing number of Internet cafés, several may be found in the Beau Vallon area on Mahé, as well as on Praslin and La Digue. Postal services are also available on Praslin and La Digue.

Custom Formalities :
The duty free allowance for all liquors (including wine, beer, stout, ale and port) perfumes and tobacco is:

200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco
2 litters of Spirits and 2 litters of wine
200ml of Perfume or Eau de Toilette

All personal possessions intended to be re-exported on departure are exempt from tax. In addition to the duty free allowances listed above, each visitor may import tax-free a video camera, other camera, musical instrument, portable electronic or electric equipment, sports requisites and other leisure equipment.

Offensive weapons such as stun guns, mace, bows and arrows, knuckle dusters, daggers, swords, tear gas, whips, firearms and ammunition are prohibited imports unless the appropriate import permit or official authorization has been obtained in advance from the relevant authorities.

This also applies to spear guns, fireworks, pyrotechnic products and explosives of any kind.

The import of plants and parts of plants, animals and animal products, biological specimens, radioactive substances and apparatus, dangerous drugs, chemicals, medicines, pharmaceutical items and poisons is forbidden without the necessary import permit or official authorization having been obtained in advance from the relevant authorities.

The value of food items brought into Seychelles by a passenger must not be in excess of the SCR3,000 personal/household allowance unless the relevant import permits have been obtained in advance.

Pornography in the form of obscene articles, publications, video tapes and software is strictly forbidden.

Where goods are imported in excess of allowances, payment of import tax is to be made in cash (or personal cheque drawn on a local account). Credit card facilities are not available for the payment of import tax.

Electricity : Throughout Seychelles the voltage is 220-240 volts AC 50 Hz. Seychelles uses the British standard square three-pin, 13 amp sharp electric plug.  Visitors from countries other than the United Kingdom are advised to bring their own adaptors.

Local emergency numbers:
•  Fire, police or ambulance: 999
•  Victoria Hospital and the Intensive Care Unit on Mahé: 38 80 00
•  Praslin Hospital: 23 23 33
•  La Digue Logan Hospital: 23 42 55

Health clinics can be found in most districts.  Their respective contact numbers can be supplied by your hotel or found in the local telephone directory.

Remember to add the international dialing code (248) when dialing a Seychelles number from abroad.

Health Regulation :
There is NO risk of contracting malaria, yellow fever, cholera or other common tropical diseases in Seychelles.

No vaccinations are required except in the case of yellow fever where a vaccination is required for travellers over 1 year of age who have come from, or passed through a partly or wholly infected area within the preceding 6 days. Infected areas include certain parts of northern and central South America and central Africa. (South Africa is not considered an infected area.)

Persons travelling to Seychelles via Nairobi, Kenya and who remain in transit in Kenya do not require a vaccination against yellow fever.

Money : The local currency is the Seychelles Rupee (SCR) which is divided into 100 cents. Coins come in 5, 10, 25 cents, and 1 and 5 Rupee denominations. Notes come in 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 Rupee denominations.

Personnal Safety : Seychelles enjoys a low level of crime.  Nevertheless, it is still advisable to take some routine precautions to ensure your personal safety and that of your possessions.

Walking alone on isolated beaches, swimming alone or leaving yachts unlocked at their moorings is not advisable.

It is also not recommended to carry large sums of money or valuables on your person, to leave them unguarded in your room or in the boot of your car or to advertise the fact that you possess them.

Time Difference : Seychelles is 4 hours ahead of GMT, 3 hours ahead of British summer time and 2 hours ahead of European summer time.

Visitors may enjoy almost 12 hours of daylight throughout the year with sunrise occurring just after 0600hrs and the sun setting around 1830hrs.

What to Pack : Light clothing suitable for Seychelles' warm tropical climate is recommended and visitors should prepare themselves for the relatively hot, humid atmosphere. Also, for plenty of sun.

Bring hats, sunglasses and adequate UV protection - SPF30+ is advisable. It is important to remember that even on an overcast day the tropical sun is still strong and able to cause unpleasant sunburn. Wearing a t-shirt for the first swim or snorkel is a good idea.

A camera is an absolute must! Please bring a stock of film (particularly for non-standard cameras and video cameras) together with a supply of batteries.

Casual evening wear (long trousers for men), together with appropriate footwear, is necessary for dining out and for gaining entrance to casinos and most hotels.

Sturdy walking shoes are recommended if you intend to take guided walk and trail excursions.

Visitors suffering from a specific medical condition should be sure to bring an adequate stock of the appropriate medication along as well as their preferred brand of sun cream, mosquito repellent etc.

Transportation in The Seychelles :
Independently operated taxis are available on Mahé and Praslin, and a handful on La Digue. You can hail one from the street, at designated taxi stands or by simply phoning a driver directly.  It is advisable to request a metered ride, or if a particular taxi is not equipped with a meter, quotes should be negotiated and agreed prior to the trip.  Many drivers will take clients on sightseeing tours for a set tariff.


Cars may be hired only on Mahé and Praslin with several companies represented at the International airport on Mahé and at the larger hotels. Hired vehicles, which can also be booked through your ground handling operator, range from Mini-Mokes to saloon cars, 4-wheel drives, chauffeured Mercedes Benz and small vans. A valid E.U. or International license is required to rent vehicles and most companies will deliver your rental to a location of your choice. Vehicles are driven on the left-hand side.

There are also the services of knowledgeable guides who will help you to discover the numerous walking trails and interesting sites on the islands, by foot or in the comfort of a tour bus.

You can also discover the islands by bicycle, readily available for hire on La Digue and Praslin, where they are a popular mode of transport.

Island-hopping is made possible through a regular network of air and sea transport primarily operating out of the principal island, Mahé.

Air Seychelles operates a shuttle service between Mahé and Praslin, the second largest island.  The flight lasts only 15 minutes with an average of 20 return flights every day. Air Seychelles also operates other inter-island flights, usually on the request of hotels to Bird, Denis, Desroches and Alphonse Islands.

Also part of the air network is Helicopter Seychelles, which is a helicopter charter company specializing in island transfers, excursions and chartered scenic flights throughout Seychelles.  The Islands Development Company (IDC) specializes in charter flights mostly to the Outer Islands of Seychelles.

Two types of sea ferry operate in Seychelles: the traditional and the modern. The traditional, sail-assisted schooner-type ferry chiefly operates from the Inter-Island Quay of Victoria on Mahé to Baie Ste. Anne Jetty on Praslin (2½hrs duration), or to La Passe Jetty on La Digue (3hrs duration).

The modern mode is the Cat Cocos service, a fast and modern catamaran that operates transfers between the Inter-Island Quay of Victoria and the Baie Ste. Anne Jetty on Praslin (less than 1hour duration).