Practical Information
Flying to the Seychelles for an island-hopping holiday or after a safari is easy.
Emirates and Qatar fly daily from London and other regional airlines via Dubai, and there are flights twice per week from Johannesburg and Nairobi to link your stay in the Seychelles with time on safari.
Once on the islands you can base yourself at one hotel or, alternatively, you may wish to island hop, staying at two or three islands.
Accommodation types on the Seychelles
There is a wide range of accommodation on the Seychelles ranging from deluxe five-star hotels to tiny Creole guesthouses. We have selected small properties including boutique hotels, plantation houses and exclusive private island hideaways. Their locations range from the larger islands of Praslin and Mahé to sleepy La Digue and far-flung Desroches.
The private islands are secluded hideaways with only one exclusive lodge.
Language
There are three languages in the Seychelles. English and French are widely used and understood and English is the language of commerce and law. However, the most commonly spoken language is Creole. This is a French patois which developed during the slave era when the French plantation owners needed to be able to communicate with African and Malagasy slaves. The vocabulary is similar to French, with additional words and phrases from Swahili and Arabic, but the grammar is simplified and the spelling is phonetic.
Food and Drink
Seychellois cuisine is influenced by African, Chinese, English, French and Indian traditions. The careful blending of spices is a major feature and much use is made of coconut milk and breadfruit. Breadfruit is prepared in similar ways to the potato (mashed, chipped, roasted and so on) but has a slightly sweeter taste. The main meal of the day is eaten in the evening and with so much of life in the Seychelles dominated by the ocean it is little wonder that many of the recipes include fish. Most restaurants offer a few items of what is termed 'international' cuisine, generally with a bias toward preparations of fresh fish and shellfish.
Tipping
Tipping is not obligatory, but it is appreciated for exceptional service. In restaurants a service charge of between five to ten percent is often added to the bill so you will not be expected to leave an additional tip.
Money
The currency of the Seychelles is the Seychelles Rupee (SR), split into 100 cents. However, Seychelles Rupees are not accepted in most tourist areas so we recommend taking Euros with you. Diners Club, Visa, Access and Mastercard are widely accepted at the larger hotels, restaurants and shops.
Social Issues
Conservative casual wear is generally acceptable everywhere, but revealing clothes should be avoided since they may cause offence. Do not take pictures of people without asking permission. Photography is not allowed in airports. Places of historic and scenic interest may be photographed, but permission should be sought before photographing military installations, government buildings or other possibly sensitive subjects.
Travel Advice
Our country specialists can advise on any safety concerns you may have. For current information, please refer to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website.
When to go to The Seychelles
You'll find temperature and rainfall information, together with a month-by-month guide on visiting, on our guide for when to go to The Seychelles.