Seychelles Travel Guide

Seychelles — Travel Tips

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Social Conventions

The people live a simple and unsophisticated island life and tourism is carefully controlled to protect the unspoiled charm of the islands. Before the international airport opened in 1971, the islands could be reached only by sea, and since they are miles from anywhere, visitors were few and far between and the people were little influenced by the outside world. They developed their own language and culture which – like so many things on the islands – are unique. Shaking hands is the customary form of greeting. The Seychellois are very hospitable and welcome guests into their homes. When visiting someone’s home, a gift is acceptable. A mixture of imperial and metric systems operates. For example, petrol is dispensed in liters, while bars sell bottled and draught beer in half-pint measures. Casual wear is essential and formal clothes are only worn by churchgoers. Swimwear should only be worn on the beaches.

International Travel

Getting There By Air

The national airline is Air Seychelles (HM) (www.airseychelles.com).

Departure Tax

None.

Main Airports

Mahé Island (SEZ) (Seychelles International) is 10km (6 miles) southeast from Victoria (journey time – 20 minutes). To/from the airport: Some coach services are provided by agents and taxis are available. Facilities: Duty-free shop, banking and currency exchange facilities, car hire and restaurant/bar.

Getting There By Water

Cruise and cargo ships call at Mahé but there are no scheduled passenger services.

Duty Free

Overview

The following items may be imported into the Seychelles by persons of 18 years or older without incurring customs duty:

• 400 cigarettes or 500g of tobacco.
• 2L of spirits or 2L of wine.
• 200mL of perfume or eau de toilette.
• Other items not exceeding R3000.
• One video camera and one camera.
• Musical instrument.
• Portable electronic or electric equipment.
• Sports requisites and other leisure equipment.

Prohibited Imports

The import of non-prescribed drugs and all firearms, including air pistols, air rifles and spearfishing guns, and plants and plant products, animals and animal products, radioactive substances and apparatus, dangerous drugs, biological specimens, fireworks and explosives, medicines and poisons are prohibited, unless prior authorization has been granted. Video tapes must be declared and may be retained for security reasons. The import of animals and food and other agricultural produce is strictly controlled and subject to licensing.

Prohibited Exports

Shells, unprocessed coco-de-mer, processed or live fish and live tortoises may not be exported.

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Air

Air Seychelles (www.airseychelles.com) provides an efficient network of scheduled and chartered services from Mahé to Alphonse, Bird, Denis, Desroches Islands, Frégate and Praslin. Helicopter Seychelles Ltd (tel: 385 858; www.helicopterseychelles.com) provides an inter-island shuttle service and scenic flights. Charter flights can be arranged from any heli-stop.

Getting Around By Water

Privately owned schooners provide regular inter-island connections between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Boats can be chartered privately to get to the other islands. Cat Cocos (www.catcocos.com) is a new service offering fast crossings between Mahé and Praslin.

Getting Around By Road

Traffic drives on the left. There are paved roads only on La Digue, Mahé and Praslin; elsewhere the roads are sandy tracks. Visitors should be aware that Mahé is mountainous with narrow, winding roads, rarely with safety barriers.

Bus: SPTC buses run on a regular basis on Mahé and Praslin. There are a number of 18-seater coaches for airport transfers and excursions.

Taxi: There are about 300 independently operated taxis on Mahé and Praslin, with a handful on La Digue, with government-controlled rates. There is a surcharge for taxi fares on Praslin between 2200-0600.

Car hire: There are over 550 cars or mini mokes for hire on Mahé, and a limited number on Praslin. It is advisable to make advance reservations, especially in the high season. Hire is on an unlimited mileage basis and the price includes Third Party insurance and tax. The minimum age is 21. Petrol is approximately a third more expensive than in Europe.

Bicycle hire: Available on La Digue and Praslin.

Regulations: There is a speed limit of 65kph (40mph) on the open road, decreasing to 40kph (25mph) in built-up areas and throughout Praslin.

Documentation: A national driving license is sufficient, for up to three months.