Go Places Travel Guide To Seychelles
Seychelles is an island in the western Indian Ocean that has 115 islands with beautiful beaches, amazing marine life, and a great view of tropical vegetation. It’s a perfect destination for family vacation activities, honeymoon destinations, wedding events, couple vacations, and even solo vacations. . The three most populated Islands Mahe, Praslin & La Digue are well known for their natural beauty with an abundance of terrestrial flora, fauna and rich marine biodiversity. Some of the beaches on these islands are listed as the top 10 globally. These have expansive white-sand beaches, granite rocks, pristine azure blue waters and white powdered sands that just slip through your feet. The legendary Anse Source d’Argent is amongst the most photographed beaches on earth.
How To Get Seychelles
The main island of Mahe is home to the capital Victoria and is the most populated of the islands of Seychelles. It is the hub for all transportation to the other Seychelles islands. Seychelles enjoys a comprehensive network of aviation connections from Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe to the Seychelles International Airport which is on the main island.
The national airline, Air Seychelles, currently operates direct flights to Abu Dhabi, Johannesburg, Mauritius, Mumbai and Antananarivo. Other airlines like Kenya Airways fly directly into Seychelles from Nairobi, while others go through hubs such as Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Addis Ababa and Istanbul.
They accept and welcome private aircraft, although after clearance of relevant formalities with the Seychelles Civil Authority.
Modes Of Transportation Between The Islands
Moving between the principal islands of Mahe and Praslin can be done via Air Seychelles’ domestic service. Alternatively, you can travel by fast catamaran ferry which takes roughly an hour to thirty minutes. Between Mahe and La Digue, there is a direct service by fast catamaran ferry. These are Cat Cocos from Mahe to Praslin and Cat Rose from Praslin to La Digue.
https://youtu.be/uR_nH6xKbZ0 Duration of travel between:- Mahe and Praslin: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Mahe and La Digue via Praslin: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Mahe and La Digue direct: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Praslin and La Digue: 15 minutes
Chartered helicopter travel between these islands and further afield is available via Zilair.
Getting around Mahe and Praslin islands is easy. You can hire a number of different kinds of car or take a taxi, although it is not always available at night, alternatively, you can hire a car. On La Digue, the principal modes are by hired bicycle, or Ox cart with a small number of motorized vehicles also available
Climate
Seychelles enjoys a pleasant tropical climate all year long because the islands lie outside the cyclone belt and there are no extremes of weather. The best time of the year for diving and other water sports would be between the months of March and December due to the Northwest trade winds that compel the calmness of the sea and the hot and humid weather. however, when the Southeast trade winds blow, the weather is generally drier and cooler, with rougher seas, particularly on south-eastern coasts (between May and September). March, April, May, October and November are normally calm and relatively windless. Furthermore, short-lived tropical downpours can occur at any time of the year.
Entry/Exit Formalities
A fascinating fact about Seychelles is that there are no visa requirements to enter the Island. In spite of that, every individual who intends to travel by air or sea to Seychelles must have an approved, valid Travel Authorization which can be applied online CLICK HERE. The documents required for application are soft copies of the following:
For all visitors- Valid passport (At least 6 months validity)
- Selfie or passport-type photo
- Contact information
- Details of your arrival and departure flight into Seychelles
- Details of accommodation for every night of your stay in Seychelles
- If you are staying with family or friends, you must provide a letter of invitation.
- One of the following valid COVID-19 certificates:
- COVID-19 vaccination certificate (this must show completion of a primary series (2 doses typically) plus a booster dose if more than 6 months have passed from the completion of the primary series) OR;
- negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to departure OR;
- negative Rapid Antigen test within 24 hours prior to departure
- One of the following valid COVID-19 certificates:
- COVID-19 vaccination certificate (this must show completion of a primary series (2 doses typically) OR;
- negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to departure OR;
- negative Rapid Antigen test within 24 hours prior to departure
Health Regulations
Seychelles is proud to be a disease-free environment, there is no risk of contracting malaria or yellow fever. Although, in these times of COVID-19, Seychelles has put in place several protocols to ensure safe travel and stay for visitors. Visitors must have valid travel health insurance that covers at minimum, covid-19 testing, isolation, quarantine, and clinical care. A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year of age who come from or who have passed through a partly or wholly infected area, that is, south America and Africa, excluding south Africa. While guests enjoy their stay, it is essential that they remain conscious of these safety measures. Seychelles tourism urges all its guests to read the travel advisory that they have received.
Currency And Foreign Exchange
The local currency is the Seychelles Rupee (Sr) made up of 100 cents. Notes come in denominations of Sr25.00, Sr50.00, Sr100.00, and Sr500.00 and coins from Sr10.00 downwards. Seychelles accepts all major currencies. The best payment method is through credit or debit cards or uses ATMs to withdraw Sr. Exchanging foreign currency into Seychelles Rupees must only be done at the Banks or Forex Bureaus and a passport must be produced when exchanging monies.
Important Tips and Links For Visitors
- Travel Advisory: CLICK HERE
- Dress Code: Day- Casual and Night- casual, but smart
- Language: Seychelles has 3 official languages, that is, English, French and Creole.
- Available flights: Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, British Airways, Air France, Air Seychelles,
- Apply For Travel Authorization: https://seychelles.govtas.com/
- Domestic Transportation: www.airseychelles.com, www.catcocos.com
- Book A Holiday: www.goplacesholidays.com
Check us out on Social Media
]]>
