Language and culture
There are three national languages in the Seychelles – Creole, French and English. Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion, but there are also Anglican and other Protestant churches, as well as the smaller Muslim, Hindu and Baha’i communities. There are several festivals throughout the year with the most popular being the Creole Festival - a six-day celebration of traditional art, music, dance and food held in October.
Currency and time difference
The Seychelles Rupee is divided into 100 cents, visitors are required to use only foreign currency in hotels or for excursions. Small purchases in restaurants outside hotels, shopping and taxi fares should be payable in local currency, but all major credit cards are accepted.
During the UK winter the Seychelles is 4 hours ahead and during our summer the Seychelles is 3 hours ahead.
Health
A yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers coming from infected areas. There is no malaria risk in the Seychelles.
Holiday Visas
There are no visa requirements for UK passport holders to enter the Seychelles. You will need a passport valid for 6 months after your return date, return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation and sufficient funds for the duration of your stay.
Useful times
Check- in is officially 3pm, its worth noting that its not always possible to have your room ready immediately on arrival. Therefore, it’s worth having your swimwear handy for when you arrive so you can make use of the complimentary facilities, take a cooling dip, change, freshen up and store your luggage while you wait. The official check-out time is 11am however if you would like to keep your room until departure this can be arranged at some hotels at an additional fee.
If you need to visit a bank during your stay, the opening hours are as follows; Monday to Friday 08:00-14:00 and Saturday 08:00-11:00. All banks handle traveller’s cheques and foreign exchange transactions and nominal commissions may be charged.
To enjoy shopping in the Seychelles the main place to visit is Mahé at Victoria, with shops open weekdays 0900-1600, Saturdays 0800-1200 and closed on Sundays.
What to pack for your Seychelles Holiday
Due to the climate of the Seychelles, it’s worth considering some of the following points to ensure you are comfortable during your visit
- Light clothing for tropical conditions and a change of clothing for arrival.
- Swimwear, shorts and t-shirts are suitable during the day with smart casual eveningwear expected at restaurants during the evening.
- Walking shoes for those who are adventurous and looking to explore nearby trails.
- The tropical sun is strong even on an overcast day, bring sun protection, a hat, sunglasses and high UV protection sun cream.
- Cameras are essential for recording your holiday memories, batteries are not readily available so it’s best to bring spare ones with you
Seychelles domestic flights
Internal flights between Mahe and Praslin have a weight based checked baggage allowance of 15kgs per person and 5kgs of hand luggage per person. For infants under two, the checked baggage limit is 10kgs and hand luggage of 5kgs. All checked luggage must not exceed 75cm x 43cm x 90cm. There is a charge for excess luggage.
