Seychelles Travel Guide

What is Seychelles known for?

The stunning Seychelles is a cluster of tropical islands scattered across the Indian Ocean. Paradise on earth is decorated with incredible beaches and turquoise waters perfect for relaxing and romantic vacations. This 115-island country combines a lush verdant interior, charming towns and breathtaking landscapes.

Seychelles is a luxurious honeymoon hotspot with rich culture, secluded shores and colorful surroundings. Visitors can laze on beaches such as Anse Marron on La Digue, hike through Morne Seychellois National Park, and explore dense forest filled with endemic trees at Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve.

Silhouette Island offers some of the archipelago’s most dramatic scenery, while private-island resorts and remote properties such as North Island and Alphonse Island are known for luxury stays, diving and fishing.

The surrounding waters are rich in marine life including tropical fish, turtles, dolphins and rays. Diving and snorkeling are among the most popular water activities in Seychelles. Mahé, the largest island, is home to dozens of beaches, resorts, restaurants and Victoria, one of the world’s smallest national capitals.

What are the best places to visit in Seychelles?

Mahé Island is an idyllic tropical paradise famous for its crystal-clear blue waters, lush vegetation and dramatic scenery. It offers a wide variety of beaches, outdoor activities and access to Victoria, Morne Seychellois National Park and many of the country’s cultural attractions.

Praslin, the second-largest island of Seychelles, is known for palm-fringed beaches such as Anse Georgette and Anse Lazio, backed by granite boulders and sparkling blue water. The heart of the island includes Praslin National Park and the UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve.

La Digue is one of Seychelles’ best-known inhabited islands and is famous for beaches such as Anse Marron and Anse Source d’Argent, as well as a laid-back atmosphere, granite formations, cycling and jungle-clad interior landscapes.

How many days should I spend in Seychelles?

We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights on each island, desired hotel and activities. Travelers combining Mahé, Praslin and La Digue often benefit from allocating several nights to each island.

What is the best way to get around Seychelles?

What is the currency of Seychelles?

The official currency is the Seychelles rupee (SCR). It is the standard currency for local transactions throughout the islands. Major hotels, resorts and tourism businesses commonly accept credit cards, while some tourism providers may also quote or accept selected foreign currencies depending on the transaction.

Travelers should not assume that U.S. dollars or euros will be accepted everywhere. Carrying Seychelles rupees is useful for local transport, markets, smaller businesses and gratuities. ATMs and banking services are available on the main islands, particularly Mahé and Praslin.

Do people speak English in Seychelles?

Seychelles has three national languages: Seychellois Creole, English and French. English is widely used in the tourism and service industries, while Creole is central to everyday life and national culture.

Some of the best months to visit Seychelles are April-May and October-November, when the islands sit between the principal trade-wind seasons. Winds are often lighter, seas can be calmer and temperatures commonly remain in the 80s, making these periods attractive for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, diving and wildlife watching.

June through September brings the cooler southeast trade winds. These months are popular with visitors and accommodations can fill well in advance. The stronger breezes create good sailing conditions and can make hiking in the island interiors more comfortable.

January through March is part of the warmer and wetter northwest monsoon period. Sea turtle nesting and hatching activity varies by island and species, but nesting generally begins in the final months of the year and hatchlings can be seen during the early months of the following year at appropriate protected beaches.

April – May

April and May bring hot, humid weather as wind patterns transition. Temperatures generally remain in the high 70s to high 80s Fahrenheit, and quieter periods can offer lower hotel rates and less crowded beaches.

These months can bring excellent underwater visibility for diving and snorkeling. By May, the southeast trade winds begin strengthening and continue through much of the following several months, bringing drier conditions but sometimes rougher seas on exposed coasts.

Events and Festivals

• Seychelles National Fishing Tournament – traditionally held during the first half of the year.
• FetAfrik – a cultural celebration highlighting Seychelles’ African heritage, typically associated with May.

June – September

Cooler and drier conditions become more noticeable during July and August as the southeast trade winds dominate. This is a busy period for tourism, and popular resorts can book well in advance.

Beaches remain beautiful, but wind and sea conditions differ by island and coastline. Travelers should select beaches according to seasonal exposure rather than assuming every shore will be calm.

October – November

After the main southeast-wind season begins easing, travelers can find warmer conditions, lighter winds and excellent diving visibility. Beaches, accommodations and restaurants can be quieter before the year-end holiday period.

November marks the gradual return of warmer northwest winds and increasing humidity as the wetter season approaches.

Events and Festivals

• Festival Kreol – one of Seychelles’ major cultural events, celebrating Creole music, dance, cuisine and heritage, typically in October.
• SUBIOS – Seychelles’ underwater festival has historically celebrated the islands’ marine environment and underwater photography.

December – March

December through March is the hottest and most humid part of the year and corresponds broadly with the northwest monsoon. Mountainous interiors and tropical vegetation become especially lush.

December and January are among the wetter months. Seychelles lies outside the principal tropical-cyclone belt, although outer islands can occasionally experience effects from regional tropical systems. Travelers should monitor current weather forecasts rather than treating this entire period as a conventional cyclone season.

Christmas and New Year bring strong demand, so flights and accommodation should be booked well in advance.

Events and Festivals

• Seychelles Eco-Friendly Marathon – typically held early in the year.

Tipping in Seychelles is not typically obligatory. Restaurants, cafes, bars and hotels may include a service charge, so travelers should check the bill before adding an additional gratuity. When service is exceptional, a modest extra tip is a welcome way to show appreciation.

Currency: Should I use the Seychelles rupee?

The official currency is the Seychelles rupee (SCR), and it is the appropriate default currency for everyday transactions and gratuities. Major hotels and resorts generally accept credit cards, while selected tourism businesses may accept foreign currencies depending on the transaction. Travelers should not assume that U.S. dollars or euros are accepted everywhere.

Final Thoughts:

It is perfectly acceptable not to leave a gratuity when you are unhappy with the service provided. If you encounter a service problem at a hotel or resort, speak with the manager.

When paying for services in cash, keep your receipt where one is available. If you add a gratuity to a card payment, the intended employee may not always receive it directly, so follow the establishment’s guidance on how staff tips are distributed.