The Seychelles Islands
The national airline, Air Seychelles (HM) operates scheduled flights from London, Paris and Rome in the European sector. Regional and peripheral sectors include Mauritius, South Africa and Singapore.
For schedules and further information, visit www.airseychelles.com
Qatar Airways (QR) and Emirates (EK) fly to and from Seychelles providing flights to various worldwide sectors through their hubs in Dubai and Doha. Other airlines flying to Seychelles include Air France (AF), Kenya Airways (KQ), Condor (DE) Air Austral (UU) and Air Mauritius (MK).
Visitors arriving by private aircraft are welcome at Mahé International Airport, after having cleared all relevant formalities with the Civil Aviation Authority.
Seychelles is 4 hours ahead of GMT, 3 hours ahead of British summer time and 2 hours ahead of European summer time.
Seychelles has three official languages - English, French and Creole with many people speaking Italian or German to varying degrees of proficiency.
Over 90% of the Seychelles’ population are Roman Catholic, with Anglican and other Protestant churches existing in harmony alongside small Muslim, Hindu and Baha’i communities. There is no dress code imposed by religion in Seychelles.
There are no visa requirements to enter the Seychelles. Documents required for immigration clearance:
* A passport valid for more than 6 months,
* Return or onward ticket
* Proof of accommodation
* Sufficient funds for the duration of your stay
Presentation of all of the above documents will grant you a free Visitor's Permit that will be issued upon arrival by the Seychelles Department of Immigration.
The Visitor's Permit is valid for a maximum of one month, extended stay available upon application.
Seychelles is blessed with almost perfect year round weather with temperatures ranging between 24° and 32° centigrade. The year is divided between the northwest trade winds (December-March), when it is generally hot and humid, and those of the southeast trade winds (May-September), when it is drier and cooler. The period between the 180° swing of the opposing trades (March, /April/May and October/November), is normally calm and relatively windless. In the tropics refreshing and short-lived tropical downpours can occur at any time, particularly during the months of December and January.
Statistic |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature Mean Value (C) |
29.8 |
30.4 |
31.0 |
31.4 |
30.5 |
29.1 |
28.3 |
28.4 |
29.1 |
29.6 |
30.1 |
30.0 |
Precipitation Mean Monthly Value (mm) |
379 |
262 |
167 |
177 |
124 |
63 |
80 |
97 |
121 |
206 |
215 |
281 |
Relative Humidity Mean Value (%) |
82 |
80 |
79 |
80 |
79 |
79 |
80 |
79 |
78 |
79 |
80 |
82 |
MasterCard/Access and Visa Cards are widely accepted in Seychelles. American Express, and Diners Club to a lesser extent.
The local currency is the Seychelles Rupee (SR) made up of 100 cents. Notes come in denominations of SR10.00, SR25.00, SR50.00, SR100.00 and SR500. Coinage from SR5.00 downwards.
Seychelles accepts all major currencies including the Euro. Traveller’s cheques are accepted at all banks.
Cable and Wireless and Airtel operate competing GSM networks, with full International roaming agreements with most countries. Payphones are available in most districts on the Inner Islands. Internet service providers, Internet cafés, postal and courier services are located in central Victoria with postal services also provided on Praslin and La Digue.