Indian Ocean

Maldives

Mauritius

Seychelles

Highlights - Essential Info - History - Hotels

Visa Requirements - Holders of UK passports do not require a visa for entry into the Seychelles for stays of less than 1 month. However you should have a full passport with at least six months validity from the date of your return to the UK. Non-British passport holders should check their visa requirements with their local Embassy or High Commission. Please also be aware that you need to have at least two blank pages in your passport.

Health Requirements - A Yellow Fever Certificate is required if you enter the Seychelles from or via an infected country. There are no other mandatory vaccinations required although Tetanus, Typhoid, Polio, Hepatitis A and Meningitis may be recommended. Malaria is not considered to be a risk in the Seychelles, but it is still advisable that you obtain qualified medical advice on this issue.

We strongly recommend that you contact your doctor or the MASTA (Medical Adisory Service for Travellers Abroad) Travellers Health Line on 0870 606 2782 for all professional medical advice.

Time - GMT + 4 hours (+ 3 hours during British Summer Time)

Money - The currency is the Seychelles Rupee.

Former foreign currency regulations have now been relaxed and as of 1st November, 2008 the local authorities have decided to float the Seychelles Rupee, with exchange rates decided by market forces. Thus any service booked and consumed locally can be piad in either Seychelles Rupees or any other convertible currency at the prevailing rate of exchange on the transaction date. Credit cards are widely accepted and can be used to settle hotel bills in the main foreign currencies.

Flights

Climate - a rough guide
Isolated in the Indian Ocean and lying outside the cyclone belt, the Seychelles has a wonderful climate that is tropical throughout the year and is dominated by the trade winds that effectively split the weather into two seasons as described below:

APRIL - OCTOBER The south-east trade winds blow from around late April to October and bring generally warm, dry conditions, although there is always a chance of rain. The winds usually become a little stronger with rougher seas as the season progresses. The daytime temperatures tend to average around 85F with the nights cooling to a balmy 75F and there is little humidity throughout this period. It should be noted that the trade winds can bring deposits of seaweed onto some beaches during these months.

NOVEMBER - MARCH The north-west trade winds blow from November through to March and generally bring slightly heavier and more humid weather with temperatures hovering around the same level of 85F. There is more rainfall at this time, particularly in December and January, but it is normally in short, heavy downpours and not continuous rain. The islands of the Seychelles are out of the cyclone belt and so are not affected by these heavy storms.

When to go - It is possible to visit the Seychelles throughout the year and enjoy an excellent holiday in a stunning location, but you should be aware that between Novembers to March there are usually higher levels of rainfall and humidity.

It is therefore generally the drier months from April to October with clear skies and hot, balmy days that tend to be more popular.

If you are a keen scuba diver then the best times to go are generally between the two main seasons (March/May and September/November) as the winds tend to be calmer and the visibility is better.

Temp (Fahrenheit) = Average Maximum Temperatures (day/night)
Rain (inches) = Average Monthly Rainfall