Seychelles

Country or Region Description

Seychelles is located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of east Africa. It contains about 115 islands, the main 3 islands being Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. The Seychelles are a haven for wildlife, particularly tropical fish and birds. The islands have four marine national parks, and more than 150 species of tropical reef fish have been spotted between the islands.

Other Quick Facts:

« Seychelles lies 4° south of the Equator, 1800 km east of Kenya

« Seychelles boasts the only mid-ocean granitic islands in the world

« 40 granitic islands and 75 coralline islands form the archipelago

« Seychelles enjoys an average temperature of 29°C daily

Country Facts

Capital: Victoria (Mahé)

Population: 75,000

Independence: 1975

Languages: Creole, English and French.

Religion: 86% of Christians in Seychelles are Roman Catholic. The main church in the predominantly Christian community is Roman Catholic which covers 88.6% of the population; the Church of England covers a further 7%. Others such as the Seventh Day Adventists, Pentecostal, Jehovah's Witnesses, Bahai Faith, Muslims and Hindus cover between them 3.4%.

The Government has no restrictions on religion. People are free to participate in or express their beliefs in the religion of their choice.

Currency: Seychelles Rupee

Geography: The Seychelles Archipelago occupies 400,000 km² (150,000 mi²) of the Indian Ocean northeast of Madagascar and contains 115 islands and islets.

Time: GMT + 4.

Climate:

The drier South East monsoon blows from May-September

The North West monsoon blows from November-March

Average temperature is 29 degrees centigrade daily

Average humidity is 75%

The islands are beyond the cyclone belt. The weather in Seychelles is generally warm and humid. The tropical Climate is influenced primarily by trade winds.

May to September when the south east trade winds blow is a relatively dry period. The season's temperature averages between 24-30°C, with cooling breezes, lower humidity (80%), and light rainfall.

The Climate and the pattern of rainfall explain the lush vegetation and profusion of plants not found elsewhere in the region. The northwest trade winds bring in their path tropical rainfall, particularly in December and January. The season, which extends from November to January, has irregular wind patterns which results in high humidity and higher temperatures (up to a maximum of 32°C).

The transition periods of April and October are fairly hot, with little breeze and calm seas. Unlike its Indian Ocean neighbours the Seychelles lies beyond the cyclone belt.

Greetings: The handshake is the usual form of greeting, accompanied sometimes by "ki Dir" (key dheer), meaning "how do you do?".

Drinking Water: Tap water on Mahé and Praslin is drinkable. However, it is recommended to drink mineral water on the other islands.

Driving: Driving is on the left-hand side of the road. Petrol Stations close at varied times during the evening so it is advisable to fill up before sunset.

Health: Seychelles is free from infectious disease such as Malaria, Yellow Fever and Cholera. No immunisation is required except for visitors arriving from affected areas.

Things to know about Seychelles before you go

Visa and immigration regulations

No Visas are required. An embarkation form is handed out on the aircraft in which you must state the purpose and length of your visit. You must be in possession of a valid passport, return or onward travel ticket, pre-booked accommodation, and if asked, prove that you have sufficient funds to cover your stay.

Immigration officials will then grant you entry for one month. Extensions to this may be given by immigration at an additional fee of 200sr for up to three months, and an additional 200sr every three months thereafter.

Additional information can be obtained from:

Immigration and Civil Status Division,

PO Box 430,

Independence House,

Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles.

TEL: 00248 225333.

Departure tax

The current departure tax is US$40 per person payable in hard currency such as UK Pounds, German Marks, French Franks, Krones (Danish, Swedish, Norwegian) and Dutch Guilders but not in Seychelles Rupees. This fee is only applicable to persons over the age of 12.

A "fidelity" programme, which is optional, is also in place encouraging people to become "Friends of Seychelles" through a choice of either Personal, Family or Corporate sponsorships. For further information, please contact the Seychelles Tourist office.

Please note that only hard foreign currency is acceptable in the Seychelles Airport Departure Lounge; i.e. no Seychelles Rupees.

Seychelles money

The Seychelles Rupee is divided into 100 cents . There are coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25 cents, and 1 and 5 rupees. Notes are in 10, 25, 50 and 100 denominations.

Exchange rates are published regularly in the local paper . There is a bureau de change at the airport , which is open when there are incoming and out going flights . Better exchange rates are given for travellers cheques than for cash.

Banks are open from 8:30 am until around 2pm , and from 8.30 until 11am on Saturdays, You should check each bank for exact opening and closing times.

What to wear

As the temperatures are constant through out the year light clothing only should be packed. You should not require a jacket or sweater except for the air journey and for when you get home. The tropical sun is very strong and therefore great care must be taken, it is advisable to wear sun cream even on an overcast day , sunglasses and a hat will also help protect you. Most restaurants and hotels require that long trousers are worn during the evening. Gentlemen must wear long trousers after 7pm to enter the casinos.

Public holidays

Jan 1st and 2nd (New Years holiday),

Good Friday and Easter Sunday (Easter holiday),

May 1st (Labour Day),

June 5 (Corpus Christi),

June 18 (National Day),

June 29 (Independence Day),

August 15 (Assumption Day / La Digue Festival),

November 1 (All Saints Day),

December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception),

December 25 (Christmas Day).

Health requirements

The Seychelles are currently free from any tropical diseases and therefore no vaccinations are required. It is advisable to keep your tetanus and polio immunisation up to date. You may check with your local doctor prior to departing for the latest requirements.

Departure Tax: There is a $40 USD departure tax. Children under 12 years of age are exempt.

When to go:

The tourist season extends all year round, with peaks corresponding to holiday time in Europe.

May to September

- drier, slightly cooler, longer hours of sunshine and lower humidity;

July and August

- strong winds occasionally causing a sea swell; the sea breeze makes the Climate refreshing and cool;

October to April

- humid conditions;

Mid-December to February

- frequent tropical rainfall.

« For divers

April, May, October & November - best visibility and conditions for divers, seas are calmest. However, conditions are normally good throughout the year.

« For bird-watchers

May to September - nesting period for seabirds mostly located on Bird Island (hosts approx. 2 million Sooty Terns).

April - onset of new breeding season.

October onwards - migration period. Seychelles' endemic species can however be seen all year round.

« For walkers

May to September - ideal time of the year for walking and mountain hiking; conditions are drier and less humid.

Arrival Guide

Seychelles lies beyond the cyclone belt. Seychelles is an archipelago occupying the western part of the Indian Ocean and spread out over an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of no less than 1.3 million square kilometres. The main part of this island group is situated between 4 and 5 degrees south of the equator at a longitude between 55 and 56 degrees east. The main island of Mahé lies some 1800 kilometres east of the east African coast of Kenya and to the north-east of Madagascar. There are over 100 named islands forming the Seychelles group. Most are coralline and are spread over a large area towards the south and south east. Some 40 of these islands, however, are granitic and are found within a radius of 50 kilometres from the main granitic island of Mahé.

MAHE

Mahé is 27 kilometres long and 12 kilometres wide with a total land area of 154 square kilometres. This compares with a land area of 291 square kilometres for all the outer islands. Mahé is mountainous with a highest peak of 905 metres.

The vegetation remains green all year round, but suffers a little during the dry season. The most common Seychelles soil has a greyish brown colour and contains only 1% organic matter; the red coloured soil has even less organic matter. Fertilizers must be added to the soil to assist in the growing of high yield crops. The soil has a low retention capacity for water and is constantly washed down to the sea leaving sand granules or exposing bare granite rocks.

Seychelles has a mean maximum temperature of 29°C and 12 hours of daylight. Rainfall recorded during the two monsoons, the south east from May to October (the dry season) and the north west from November to April, has averaged 2013 mm annually over the last 6 years. The heaviest rainfall is usually during mid-December to mid-January. Seychelles archipelago lies outside the cyclone belt and enjoys stable weather year round.

In Seychelles, there are many species of birds, fish and other marine life together with a rich flora, some of which are unique. Two of the outstanding species of birds found only in Seychelles are the black parrot and the paradise fly-catcher.

46% of the land area is set aside for National Parks, Nature Reserves and Protected areas

Ten endemic species and seventeen endemic sub-species of bird can be found on the granitic islands of Seychelles

Three endemic species of birds can be found on the coralline islands

Seychelles has large breeding colonies of sea-birds

The flora of Seychelles is as unique as the islands themselves

There are 75 plants which are endemic to Seychelles

The Tropicbird Orchid is the national flower of Seychelles

Coco-de -Mer is the worlds largest nut

150,000 Giant Tortoise live on Aldabra, that's five times more than on Galapagos

The world's largest tortoise, Esmeralda, weighs 320kg and lives on Bird Island

The Tiger Chameleon is endemic to Seychelles

Four of the seven species of Turtle are found in Seychelles

There are three species of snake in Seychelles and they are all harmless

There are two types of lizards in Seychelles the Geckos and the Skinks

The Black Bellied Terrapin is so rare it may have become extinct

There are no dangerous spiders

Seychelles has seven species of Caecilians and five species of Frogs

There is no Malaria in Seychelles

The Tenebrionid Beetle can only be found on Fregate

There are five species of stick insect endemic to Seychelles

Seychelles Fruit Bats are a common sight in the sky at dusk

Tenerecs have the world record for the largest number of nipples…..24!

Whale shark numbers around Seychelles are increasing

The best months for spotting Whalesharks are August and November

Whale shark tagging programmes are available from selected diving centres