Seychelles

The Seychelles are a group of about 90 islands in the Indian Ocean that lie off the coast of Eastern Africa, northeast of Madagascar.

Regions

Mahe
Praslin
La Digue

Cities

Victoria - is the Capital

Understand

The Seychelles were disputed between France and Great Britain during the age of colonialism, with Britain ending up in control in 1814. The islands achieved independence in 1976, however free elections did not occur until 1993. The politics of this island group remain in something of a state of flux, although this should not bother the tourist after a relaxing beach vacation.

Get in

By plane

Air Seychelles flies only one flight from Singapore and one flight back per week. The plane flies in to Seychelles on Thursday and leaves the following Tuesday.

By boat

Get around

By plane

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

Air Seychelles also operates once daily or several times per week between Mahe and the islands of Bird, Denis, Fregate, Desroches and Alphonse.

More expensive, but not out of the question, are scheduled helicopter flights with Helicopter Seychelles as well as private charters available to get you where you want to go.

By Boat

Cat Cocos is a high speed catamaran operating twice or thrice daily roundtrips between Mahe and Praslin. The sailing normally takes one hour.

Five or 6 roundtrips daily are made by schooner ferry between Praslin and La Digue. The crossing is 30 minutes and the schedule is timed to interconnect with Cat Cocos.

It is also possible to take small boats from Mahe direct to La Digue, although departures can be unreliable, there is limited wet weather cover and the journey takes about 3 hours (but that's cheaper than an Indian Ocean Island cruise!)

By car

Having a car is really a good idea. It is easier to find a good view point. You can only rent on Mahé and Praslin. You can find a car for only 45E per day.

By bus

There are local busses on the islands of Mahe and Praslin which run from morning through the evening. Fare is SCR 3.

Talk

Languages: English (official), French (official), Creole

Sleep

The Seychelles are not tolerant of backpackers turning up at the airport without accommodation booked. Most accommodations, however, are relatively expensive. Your best bet for a budget bed is renting an apartment.

Stay safe

Seychelles is more or less safe. Just try to avoid any dark bylanes.

Contact

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Claude Sylvestre MOREL

: chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017 : FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786 : telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785

; Diplomatic representation from the US : the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to the Seychelles

Get out

Try Comoros, Mauritius, and Madagascar