Seychelles

Important Travel Information

• •Anse Source d'Argent and World's Most Beautiful Beaches: Anse Source d'Argent on La Digue island is consistently ranked among world's most beautiful and most photographed beaches. The beach features powdery white sand, shallow turquoise water, and iconic massive granite boulders sculpted by erosion into organic shapes, creating surreal landscape. Protected by offshore reef, the water is calm and safe for swimming. Sunset at Anse Source d'Argent is magical. Access via L'Union Estate (former coconut plantation, now nature reserve and cultural site with giant tortoises, vanilla plantation, traditional coconut oil mill, copra house - entry 100 SCR / $7). La Digue is small island (10 km²) accessible by ferry from Praslin (15 minutes) or Mahé (90 minutes via Praslin). La Digue has no cars - bicycles are main transport (rent $8-12/day). Beyond Anse Source d'Argent, Seychelles has numerous spectacular beaches: Anse Lazio on Praslin (stunning turquoise bay, often ranked top 10 globally, excellent swimming and snorkeling, some surf can be strong), Beau Vallon on Mahé (most popular beach, long stretch of sand, water sports, restaurants, busy but beautiful), Anse Intendance on Mahé (wild surf beach, powerful waves, popular with surfers, stunning but swimming dangerous due to currents), Anse Georgette on Praslin (isolated pristine beach accessible through Constance Lemuria Resort with permission), and countless others. Seychelles offers beach perfection - warm water year-round (26-30°C / 79-86°F), minimal pollution, protected marine parks, and uncrowded beaches outside main tourist spots.
• •Vallée de Mai and Coco de Mer: Vallée de Mai on Praslin island is UNESCO World Heritage Site protecting ancient palm forest. The 19.5-hectare forest contains over 4,000 endemic coco de mer palms (Lodoicea maldivica), which produce world's largest and heaviest seeds (up to 25kg). The female coco de mer nut resembles female pelvis; male catkin resembles male phallus - leading to erotic symbolism and legends (early sailors believed they grew underwater, hence 'coco de mer' - coconut of the sea). Coco de mer is endemic to Seychelles (found only on Praslin and Curieuse islands). Vallée de Mai also hosts endemic birds including Seychelles black parrot (national bird), bulbul, and sunbird. Walking trails wind through primeval forest with giant palms, takamaka trees, and lush vegetation - feels like prehistoric jungle. Entry 350 SCR ($25) adults. Guided tours available (optional, $10-15 extra). Allow 1.5-2 hours. Early morning best for birdwatching and fewer tourists. Buying coco de mer nuts legal only with permit from vendor (nuts 200-1,000 SCR / $14-70 depending on size and quality - permit included allowing export); attempting to take nuts without permit results in heavy fines. Vallée de Mai represents Seychelles' unique biodiversity and conservation efforts.
• •Island-Hopping and Transportation: Seychelles' main islands are Mahé (largest, 155 km², has international airport, capital Victoria, 70% of population, mountains, beaches, hotels), Praslin (second-largest, 38 km², Vallée de Mai, Anse Lazio, quieter than Mahé, own airport), and La Digue (10 km², bicycles only, Anse Source d'Argent, traditional lifestyle, charming island). Inter-island transportation: flights between Mahé and Praslin (Air Seychelles, 15 minutes, $100-150 one-way, multiple daily flights, scenic views, advance booking recommended); ferries between islands via Cat Cocos or Cat Roses (Mahé-Praslin 60 minutes, 60 EUR / $65 round-trip; Praslin-La Digue 15 minutes, 20 EUR / $22 round-trip; multiple departures daily, schedule varies by season, seas can be rough causing delays or cancellations). Helicopter transfers available for luxury travelers ($300-600 per person). On Mahé: rental cars ($45-70/day, drive on left), buses (cheap 5-7 SCR / $0.35-0.50, frequent on main routes, limited evenings/Sundays), taxis (expensive, no meters - negotiate fare; Victoria to Beau Vallon 150 SCR / $10, airport to Victoria 200 SCR / $14). On Praslin: rental cars ($50-80/day), bicycles ($10-15/day), limited buses. On La Digue: bicycles only (cars prohibited except essential vehicles) - bicycle paradise, flat terrain, 20km of roads easily cyclable. Most visitors do 5-7 day trips staying on multiple islands (e.g., 3 nights Mahé, 2 nights Praslin, 2 nights La Digue). Organized island-hopping tours available but independent travel gives more flexibility and is straightforward.
• •Diving, Snorkeling, and Marine Life: Seychelles offers world-class diving and snorkeling with abundant marine life, coral reefs, and granite underwater landscapes. Dive sites: around Mahé (Shark Bank - reef sharks, rays, tuna; Brissare Rocks - granite boulders, moray eels, octopus; Ennerdale Wreck - British tanker sunk 1970, encrusted with coral, penetration dive), around Praslin and La Digue (Ave Maria Rock, Channel Rocks), and outer islands (advanced divers - pristine reefs, pelagic life). Marine life includes sea turtles (green and hawksbill), reef sharks, rays (eagle rays, manta rays), whale sharks (seasonal October-November, snorkeling encounters $150-250), tropical fish (thousands of species), morays, octopus, dolphins. Coral bleaching events (2016, 2019 due to rising ocean temperatures) damaged reefs but recovery ongoing. Dive operators in Mahé and Praslin offer PADI courses ($400-600 for Open Water), daily dives ($70-130 for 2-tank dives), and snorkel trips ($50-100). Snorkeling excellent from shore at many beaches - Anse Lazio, Beau Vallon, and numerous small bays have coral gardens accessible from beach. Snorkel gear rental $10-15/day. Marine parks: Sainte Anne Marine National Park (islands off Mahé, glass-bottom boat tours and snorkeling $50-80), Port Launay Marine Park, Curieuse Marine National Park (giant tortoises, snorkeling, boat trips from Praslin $70-100). Best diving season: April-May and October-November (calm seas, best visibility 20-30m); December-March northwest monsoon brings plankton reducing visibility but attracting whale sharks; June-September southeast monsoon has rougher seas. Water temperature warm year-round (26-30°C). Seychelles' unique granite underwater formations create dramatic diving distinct from typical coral atolls.
• •Costs and Luxury Travel: Seychelles is expensive destination (one of priciest in Africa) due to island isolation, import costs, and luxury positioning. Budget travelers: $100-180/day possible but challenging (self-catering accommodation $70-120/night, groceries from shops, public transport, limited activities). Mid-range: $250-450/day (small hotels/guesthouses $150-300/night, restaurants $50-100/day, some activities). Luxury: $800+/day easily (luxury resorts $500-3,000+/night, fine dining, boat charters, helicopter transfers). Accommodation dominates costs - luxury resorts $500-3,000+ per night (Four Seasons, Banyan Tree, Hilton Labriz, North Island Resort - ultra-luxury private island $5,000+/night); mid-range hotels $200-500; guesthouses $80-200 (self-catering options help reduce food costs - buying groceries and cooking much cheaper than dining out). Dining: local takeaways $8-15/meal; casual restaurants $25-50/person; hotel restaurants $60-120; fine dining $100+. Activities: Vallée de Mai $25, Anse Source d'Argent estate $7, catamaran day trip $100-180, diving $70-130 per dive, island-hopping ferries $22-65. Seychellois Rupee (SCR): approximately 1 USD = 14 SCR, 1 EUR = 15 SCR. Euros and USD widely accepted (change given in SCR). Credit cards accepted at hotels, restaurants, tour operators. ATMs available in Victoria and main tourist areas. Best time to visit: April-May and October-November (transitional periods, calm seas, optimal for diving and snorkeling, pleasant temperatures 24-30°C / 75-86°F); December-March northwest monsoon (hotter, more humid, occasional rain, best for northwest coast beaches); June-September southeast monsoon (cooler, windier, rougher seas - better for southeast beaches). Seychelles requires significant budget but offers unparalleled natural beauty, luxury resorts, and pristine tropical paradise experience. Package deals (flights + accommodation) offer better value than booking separately.