I’ve never seen so many extraordinary beaches and so few people on them. The forests are lush, the beaches are loaded with green and hawksbill turtles, and the water is crowded with fish.
Isabella Tree
Seychelles holiday experts at WEXAS will tailor-make all aspects of your itinerary to create a Seychelles holiday, personal to you.
The Seychelles lies just four degrees south of the equator, but several hundred miles from anywhere. In all there’s 115 islands scattered across this area of the Indian Ocean. Some of these are low-lying coral atolls and reef islands while just over 40 are mid-ocean granite islands. The latter are focused around the main island Mahé, while the rest form the Outer Islands.
Most visitors come to stay on Mahé, Praslin or La Digue, which act as the cultural and economic heart of the country. Mahé, home to 90% of the population, reflects the diverse ethnicity of the nation’s residents. African, Indian, Chinese and Europeans all have roots here. The island itself is quite an extraordinary sight – 1000m granite peaks reach up to the sky in the forested interior. Rare endemic plants can be seen on hikes into the centre, in Morne Seychellois National Park.
The islands as a whole are an excellent destination for ecotourism, and a favourite for bird watchers and those wanting to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. And when you tire of exploring this magical land, any beach you choose to recover on – all white sands, big glacis boulders and palms – could very well be the most beautiful you’ve ever seen.
Seychelles facts
Capital: Victoria
Language: Creole and English.
People: Descendants from European, African, Indian, Arab and Chinese origins.
Religion: Roman Catholic (80%).
Size (sq km): 455
Population: 82,247.
Population density/sq km: 180.7.
Etiquette
A simple and unsophisticated way of life is followed on the island, creating an unspoilt charm, and this is carefully protected. The locals are hospitable and welcoming people. Imperial and metric weights and measures are used. Casual wear is normal, only churchgoers dress formally, but beachwear should be kept to the beach.
Shopping
Batiks, baskets, table mats, hats, traditional furniture, pottery, paintings, green snail shell jewellery, tea, vanilla pods, cinnamon.
Food & drink
The Creole cuisine in the Seychelles is influenced by French, Indian and African traditions. Emphasis is placed on the careful blending of fresh spices, and coconut milk and breadfruit are commonly used. Specialities include coconut curries, salade de palmiste (palm heart salad) and seafood dishes. Lobster, octopus, pork and chicken feature more often than lamb or beef, which must be imported. Wide selections of alcoholic beverages are available. The local lager is Seybrew, German in style.
International Airports
Mahé Island (SEZ) is 10 km from Victoria.
Internal travel
Good air and boat services. Roads are mostly sand-tracks. Regular buses available and frequent taxis.
Red tape
Visas
Not required.
Vaccinations
Hep. A, Hep. B, Rabies, Typhoid, Y. Fever2.
Driving requirements
National driving licence.
Reps in UK/US
UK: The High Commission for the Seychelles in France deals with UK enquiries: 51 Avenue Mozart, 75016 Paris, tel (1) 4230 5747, fax (1) 4230 5740, email ambsey@aol.com. US: 800 Second Avenue, 4th Floor, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017, tel (212) 972 1785, fax (212) 972 1786, email seychelle@un.int.
UK/US reps in Seychelles
UK: PO Box 161, Oliaji Trade Centre, Frances Rachel Street, Victoria, Mahé, tel 283 666, fax 283 657, email bhcvictoria@fco.gov.uk. US: PO Box 251, Oliaji Trade Centre, Suite 23, Victoria, Mahé, tel 225 256, fax 225 189, email usoffice@seychelles.net.
Currency
Seychelles rupee (Sre) = 100 cents.
Finance
Amex, Visa and traveller's cheques are widely accepted.
Business hours
0800-1700 Mon-Friday.
Safety & life expectancy
Safety information
Safe.
Life expectancy
Life expectancy: M 67.27, F 78.1.
Useful websites for travel
www.seychelles.travel, www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/seychelles
Local media
The Seychelles Nation (daily), The People (monthly) and Seychelles Review (monthly) are all printed in English.
Tourist boards
n/a.
Below is a selection of some ideas for holidays to Seychelles. This is simply a taste of what we can offer. If you're interested in a specific Seychelles itinerary then please call one of our consultants on 0845 643 6562.
The Seychelles is a collection of a wide variety of tropical islands, each offering something unique, with their own geography and character. Unlike some other island destinations, island-hopping in the Seychelles is relatively easy and thoroughly recommended ...
The Seychelles is a collection of a wide variety of tropical islands, each offering something unique, with their own geography and character. Unlike some other island destinations, island-hopping in the Seychelles is relatively easy and thoroughly recommended ...
Unlike the larger granitic islands, noted for their verdant slopes and grey, granite boulders, Denis is a privately owned, flat coral island about 95 km north of Mahé – a mere 120 hectares of emerald-green forest and white-sand beach....
Opened in 2011, Raffles Praslin is located on the north-east of the island of Praslin, the second largest granite island in the Seychelles, a short 45-minute catamaran ride or 15-minute flight from the main island of Mahe. The hotel has an enviable location wi... Please call 0845 643 6562 for price details.
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Monsoon rains from November to April with northwest trade winds. Mostly hot all year round with temperatures above 23°C.
GMT +4.
Seychelles rupee (Sre) = 100 cents.
Get foreign currency online
