Seychelles - Info & Facts

Suggested Length of Stay

If you want a good overview of the Seychelles, experiencing the cultural and natural wonders of the country a good length of stay is between 7-12 days. If you want to relax and enjoy the beaches thatā€™s as long as you can spare.

Modes of transport

Road

Driving in Seychelles is on the left side of the road. The roads on Mahe are low-traffic, mountainous, narrow roads, so caution is generally advised. The roads usually have steep drops or low walls on the side instead of curbs, which can make driving on the narrow roads stressful, especially if driving a large vehicle.

Air

Air Seychelles operates multiple daily flights between Mahe and Praslin. Over two dozen flights vary in frequency from 15 minutes to 2hour intervals, depending on the time of day.

On Mahe, the flights depart from the modest domestic terminal, located just next to the international terminal. The tiny airport on Praslin is modern and comfortable.

Air Seychelles also operates once daily or several times per week between Mahe and the islands of Bird, Denis, Fregate, Desroches and Alphonse. Assumption Island and Coetivy can be reached by air charter.

Ferry

Two companies operate charter and scheduled services between islands on a regular basis.

 

Health Precautions

Chikungunya virus is a disease spread by mosquitoes and causes flu-like symptoms. It is increasing in concern and although it is rare to die from it, the joint pain it causes can last for months. Insect repellent can help deter mosquitoes but not much else can be done as a precaution. The disease is native to East Africa and occasionally is introduced and quickly eradicated.

Tap water is safe to drink on Mahe and Praslin, but water quality is variable in undeveloped areas. It is recommended to drink bottled water only and to avoid bodies of fresh water like lakes, rivers, ponds, etc.

 

Food

Seychellois cuisine has been greatly influenced by the islands’ rich cultures. Creole cooking, varied seafood dishes, coconuts and curries are the most popular. The main product of the country, fish, is cooked in a variety of ways. Especially the red snapper is very tasty and well known to visitors.

 

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.

Exchange rates are featured on the Central Bank of Seychelles website, in the Nation newspaper and are also available at all banks.

Banking hours are generally Monday-Friday 0830hrs-1430hrs and Saturday 0830hrs-1130hrs. All banks process travellerā€™s cheques and foreign exchange transactions. Passports are required for visitorsā€™ transactions and nominal commissions may be charged. ATM facilities exist at major banks on MahĆ©, Praslin and La Digue and at the airport on MahĆ© and Praslin. Please note that these provide cash in local currency.

Visitors to the islands are now entitled to make payments for services/products in Seychelles rupees. The discretion to pay in another currency other than the Seychelles rupee shall lay solely with the visitor. Exchange rates will be determined by the market and may differ from bank to bank or at various bureaux de change.

Exchanging foreign currency into Seychelles Rupees must only be done at banks, with authorised money dealers such as a bureau de change, or with other licenced operators.

 

Time Zone

Seychelles is 4 hours ahead of (GMT/UTC + 4 hours) and 6.5 hours behind AEST.

 

 

Visas

You won’t need a visa to enter Seychelles for tourism purposes. You may need to provide evidence of accommodation bookings for your stay on arrival.

 

 

Australian Embassy & Consulate contacts in Seychelles (located in India)

Australia doesn’t have an Embassy or Consulate in the Seychelles. The Australian High Commission in India provides consular assistance to Australians in Seychelles

High Commission of the Republic of the Seychelles

Chancery

F-4 Anand Niketan

New Delhi 110021

INDIA

 

Email: seychelleshighcommission@gmail.com

Phone: +91 11 2411 4102

Fax: +91 11 4787 5502

Hours of Business

Monday – Friday: 9.00 am – 5.00 pm

 

 

Seychelles Embassy contacts in Australia

Consulate General of the Republic of Seychelles

197 Drysdale Ave. Narre Warren North, Victoria 3804

PH: +61-3-9796-9412

Fax +61-3-8790-4938

Email: gaetan@bei.com.au or gb@bei.com.au

 

 

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.

 

 

Getting there (stopovers)

Currently, there are no direct flights between Australian cities and International airports in Seychelles. However, the best way would be either via Dubai or Colombo (Sri Lanka)

A brief history

Seychelles is a comparatively young nation which can trace its first settlement back to 1770 when the islands were first settled by the French, leading a small party of whites, Indians and Africans. The islands remained in French hands until the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo, evolving from humble beginnings to attain a population of 3,500 by the time Seychelles was ceded to Britain under the treaty of Paris in 1814.

During this period Seychelles came to know the enlightened policies of administrators such as Pierre Poivre, the brilliant politicking of Governor Queau de Quinssy and, of course, the terrible repercussions of the French Revolution.

Under the British, Seychelles achieved a population of some 7,000 by the year 1825. Important estates were established during this time producing coconut, food crops, cotton and sugar cane. During this period Seychelles also saw the establishment of Victoria as her capital, the exile of numerous and colourful troublemakers from the Empire, the devastation caused by the famous Avalanche of 1862 and the economic repercussions of the abolition of slavery.

Seychelles achieved independence from Britain in 1976 and became a republic within the commonwealth. Following a period of single-party rule by the government of Mr France Albert RenƩ, on December 4, 1991, President RenƩ announced a return to the multiparty system of government, 1993 saw the first multiparty presidential and legislative elections held under a new constitution in which President RenƩ was victorious. President RenƩ also won the 1998 and 2003 elections before transferring the Presidency to James Alix Michel in June 2004.

 

Tipping Guideline

Most charges (restaurant, hotel, taxis, porters, etc) already include a 5% to 10% service charge or “tip” and so tipping is not obligatory in Seychelles. However, as a reward for exceptional service, a nominal tip is sure to be warmly received.

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