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Have an exceptional experience Holidaying in The Seychelles! Useful INFORMATION | TOURS | Mahé | Praslin | La Digue | Outer Islands  Seychelles is the name for an archipelago of 115 small islands in the heart of the Indian Ocean. All the islands are splendid in their own right, one more exotic than the other, yet they share a common denominator: lush tropical vegetation, lined by white sandy beaches running down to crystal clear water in shades from emerald green to dark blue. It is a sight which never fails to impress the newly arrived traveller: beach after beach, sometimes appearing as unending expanses of white sand and sometimes as rare white pearls enclosed by small coves and lagoons. The dazzling white and extremely fine sand is a product of erosion, from the coral reefs and from seashells. Ones first impulse is to dive straight into the warm crystalline water where the abundant fish can be spotted right up to the shoreline. 
Immediately upon arriving at Mahe International Airport - Mahe being the main island - one feels as if one has entered another world, a world shrouded by an exotic calm accentuated by the sweet fragrances of red jasmine, vanilla and chilli. With the equatorial sunrise and sunset setting the rhythm of the warm days, one almost immediately becomes accustomed to the slow, flowing nature of time, even though it runs contrary to the western mentality. It is difficult, perhaps impossible, not to succumb to the special ambience and the unblemished nature of this piece of paradise. Mahe Mahe, the largest island in Seychelles, is a paradise waiting to be discovered by travellers in search of surprises. The clear calm waters of this island surrounded by coral reefs, as a haven for relaxation and ideal for a range of water sports. Mahe has beautiful powdery white beaches, plantations of coconut palm sand cinnamon that rise to forested peaks with unparallel views of the neighbouring islands. Within Mahe, there is a warmth of natural beauty worth exploring. Praslin Praslin is the second largest granite island in Seychelles. It is surrounded by beautiful bays and private beaches that are enclosed by coral reefs teeming with over 900 species of fish and jewel-toned shells. In the heart of this island is Vallee de Mai National Park, designated a World Heritage Site which is home to over 4,000 of the unique coco de mer palms. Meandering nature trails and walking paths surround the characteristic flora and fauna of this park which is worth exploring. La Digue
Beaches: Most beaches in Seychelles are protected by reefs and consequently safe for swimming but strong currents can occur at certain times of year and attention should be paid to any notice boards present. Exceptionally beautiful beaches: Mahé: Beau Vallon Beach, Anse Intendance, Petit Anse, Port Launay and Anse Takamaka Praslin: Côte d’Or, Anse Georgette and Anse Lazio La Digue: Grand Anse, Petit Anse, Anse Coco and Anse Source d’Argent Banks: All banks are open from Monday to Friday and variously from 08h00 to 14h00 (exact timings to be checked with hotel reception). Certain banks are also open on Saturday mornings. Bureau de Change located at the International airport on Mahé are open for all incoming and outgoing flights and ATM machines are available on the principal islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Birdlife: The islands are densely populated by both land and sea birds with unique endemic species to be found in certain locations throughout the islands. As many remarkable species are diminutive, binoculars will be needed in order to observe them in detail. Car Hire & Driving: Cars are only required on Mahé and Praslin, where there is a wide choice of rental vehicles and include both European and Japanese closed cars and 4x4’s. We can arrange for vehicles to be delivered to and collected from your hotel or the airport. Drive on the left-hand side of the road. You will require a valid international or E.U. driving licence. The speed limit varies between 40kmh – 60kmh depending on the road. Service stations are not 24-hour facilities and close at different times during the evening. It is advisable to fill up during the daytime. All cars hired are automatically covered by third party insurance. Climate: Seychelles is blessed with an equitable climate year round when temperatures range between 24° and 30° centigrade. The year is divided between the northwest trade winds (December-March) and those of the south-east (May-September) with the intervening periods being relatively calm and windless. Normally short-lived tropical downpours can occur at any time of year.
Clothing: As the temperature in Seychelles rarely drops below 27° C throughout the year, light clothing is appropriate with women advised to bring light cotton dresses, slacks, and shorts for day wear and a long skirt or cool dress for evenings. Men will be most comfortable in lightweight slacks or shorts and open neck shirts. For business, a safari suit is acceptable with ties worn on occasion. Sandals or light canvas shoes are suitable as footwear with plastic shoes or hard-soled sports shoes advisable for reef walking. Crafts: Seychelles enjoys a wide array of arts and crafts ranging from books, jewellery, sculptures, paintings and clothing to objects made from mother-of-pearl and shells, needlework, crochet, stained glass, bamboo, model boats, woodwork and the legendary Coco-De-Mer. Credit cards: MasterCard/Access and VISA cards are commonly accepted throughout Seychelles with Diners Club and American Express also accepted in some places. Currency: The local currency is the Seychelles Rupee (SCR), divided into 100 cents and with notes in denominations of SCR 10, 25, 50 and 100. Seychelles accepts all major currencies as well as Travelers Cheques. Electricity: The electric current is delivered as 220-240 v AC via 50 Hz British Standard square-pinned, 3 point, 13 amp plugs. Visitors from countries except the UK should bring adaptors. Entry requirements: No visas are required to enter Seychelles. Upon presentation of a valid passport, proof of accommodation, a return or onward ticket and sufficient funds for your stay you will be granted a visitors permit, valid for one month but extendable upon application to the Department of Immigration. Exchange Control: By law, visitors must pay for board and lodgings and other tourism related expenses in hotels, guesthouses or self-caterings in major international currency notes or by credit card. This also applies to car hire, diving, boat charter, excursions, ferry or air transport and entrance fees to reserves and marine parks. Small incidental purchases in restaurants, outside hotels, shopping (excluding Duty Free) are payable in local currency. For those limited needs, foreign currency may only be exchanged at banks, authorized money dealers or with hotel cashiers – it is a criminal offence to change money with an unauthorized person. Retain bank slips in case of a need to reconvert unspent rupees. Ferry services: Both traditional, sail-assisted schooner-type ferries and a modern high speed Cougar catamaran operate in Seychelles. On Mahé, ferries operate from the inter-island quay in Victoria to Baie Ste. Anne on Praslin, and to La Passe on La Digue. Languages: Seychelles has three official languages: English, French and Creole with many people speaking Italian or German to varying degrees of proficiency. Medical Services/Health: Seychelles is free from Malaria and other tropical diseases with a modern central hospital in Victoria and clinics spread throughout the principal districts of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. There are also several doctors and dentists in private practice whose fees vary according to the cost of the service provided. No vaccinations are required (disease such as malaria and yellow fever) however if travelling through a country which is considered to be an infected area it is compulsory to provide a vaccination certificate. Continents considered as infected are South America and Africa, excluding South Africa). Pharmacies: The pharmacy at Victoria Hospital opens Monday to Friday 08h00 to 18h00 and until 12h00 on Saturdays. Behram’s pharmacy can be found in Victoria Arcade. On Praslin and La Digue the only pharmacy outlets may be found at these islands respective hospitals. Photography: Both colour and black and white film is available locally both in certain shops and most hotel boutiques. It is advisable to bring spare batteries for your particular camera as these may not be readily available. Postal Services: Most hotels have postal facilities and stamps are sold by many shops throughout the main Inner islands and by hotel lodges on the Outer islands. Public Holidays: Official: New Year’s Day – January 1st & 2nd; Labour Day - May 1st; Liberation day - June 5th; National day - June 18th; Independence Day – June 29th. Religious: Good Friday – Easter Sunday; Corpus Christi – Assumption of Mary – August 15th; All Saints day – Nov 1st; Immaculate Conception – Dec 8th; Christmas Day – Dec 25th.Public transport: Daily services on Mahé and Praslin operate between 0530hrs and 2200hrs. On weekdays schedules operate every 30 minutes from most areas within Mahé to the Capital Victoria. Timetables are available from the Central Bus depot or the local Seychelles Tourist Offices. It is best to avoid traveling during the 'rush hours' between 07h30 and 08h30 and between 15h00 and 16h30. The Bus fare is Sr.3.00 to any destination on Mahé and Praslin. Please note that the last bus on Mahé is scheduled to leave the terminal in Victoria at 22.00hrs and the bus fare is Sr.5.00 to any destination. Religion: Over 90% of the Seychelles' population consists of Roman Catholic, with Anglican and other Protestant churches on Mahé and Praslin existing in harmony alongside small Muslim, Hindu and Baha'i communities. There is no dress code imposed by religion in Seychelles. Restaurants: Besides those of hotels and guesthouses, there are numerous restaurants dotted throughout the islands that feature Creole, Italian, Chinese and International cuisine. There is an abundance of take-away shops and also several café’s. Many restaurants open only in the evening when it is advisable to reserve. Men are expected to wear long trousers for the evening meal. Shops: Shops are variously open between 08h30/09h00 and 17h00 From Monday to Friday and until 12h00 on Saturday. Most shops in Victoria are closed on Sundays and public holidays. Telecommunications: Airtel and Cable & Wireless both operate GSM networks and provide international roaming agreements with many countries as well as a limited SMS service. Payphones are widely distributed throughout the Inner Islands and Internet cafés as well as postal services are available in Victoria. Time: Behind Melbourne and Sydney Winter Time
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