Seychelles
| Flag | |
 | |
| Quick Facts | |
| Capital | Victoria |
| Government | republic |
| Currency | Seychelles rupee (SCR) |
| Area | total: 455 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 455 sq km |
| Population | 80,098 (July 2002 est.) |
| Language | English (official), French (official), Creole |
| Religion | Roman Catholic 86.6%, Anglican 6.7%, other Christian 2.5%, other 4.1% |
The Seychelles are a group of about 90 islands in the Indian Ocean that lie off the coast of Eastern Africa, northeast of Madagascar.
Regions
Cities
- Victoria - is the Capital
Understand
The Seychelles were disputed between France and Great Britain during the age of colonialism, with Britain ending up in control in 1814. The islands achieved independence in 1976, however free elections did not occur until 1993. The politics of this island group remain in something of a state of flux, although this should not bother the tourist after a relaxing beach vacation.
Get in
By plane
Air Seychelles flies only one flight from Singapore and one flight back per week. The plane flies in to Seychelles on Thursday and leaves the following Tuesday. International service is also available from Nairoba (Kenya Airways), Dubia (Emirates), and Doha (Qatar Airway).
By boat
Get around
By plane
Air Seychelles operates multiple daily flights between Mahe and Praslin. Over two dozen flights vary in frequency from 15 minute to 2 hour intervals, depending on time of day.
Air Seychelles also operates once daily or several times per week between Mahe and the islands of Bird, Denis, Fregate, Desroches and Alphonse.
More expensive, but not out of the question, are scheduled helicopter flights with Helicopter Seychelles as well as private charters available to get you where you want to go.
By Boat
Cat Cocos is a high speed catamaran operating twice or thrice daily roundtrips between Mahe and Praslin. The sailing normally takes one hour.
Five or 6 roundtrips daily are made by schooner ferry between Praslin and La Digue. The crossing is 30 minutes and the schedule is timed to interconnect with Cat Cocos.
It is also possible to take small boats from Mahe direct to La Digue, although departures can be unreliable, there is limited wet weather cover and the journey takes about 3 hours (but that's cheaper than an Indian Ocean Island cruise!)
By car
Having a car is really a good idea. It is easier to find a good view point. You can only rent on Mahé and Praslin. You can find a car for only 45E per day.
By bus
There are local busses on the islands of Mahe and Praslin which run from morning through the evening. Fare is SCR 3.
Talk
- Languages
- English (official), French (official), Creole
Buy
Best place for shopping ist Victoria, the capital. Best buy is the market at the city center.
Eat
Food culture on the Seychelles is terrific. The main product of the country, fish, is cooked in a variety of ways. Especially the Red Snapper is very tasty and well known to visitors. Some restaurants I have enjoyed during my stay. Mahe, anse du soleil. Can't remember the name of the place, but if you go to anse du soleil you can't miss it. Nice people, incredible fish (Red Snapper Filet in sauce was my favourite), acceptable prices. Mahe, beau vallon bay. Can't remember the name of this place either (must return to the Seychelles soon...) but it was a buffet grill restaurant. Not as high quality as the first one, but very good prices. Cheaper: Baobab Pizzeria on the beach in beau vallon. The pizza was quite good and the prices really low. Cheapest: Collect coconuts on the beach and learn how to open their terrible cover (not the shell, that's easy; they have a thick cover of natural fibres; to open it: hit the coconut very strong many times on the edges, sooner or later the fibres break up).
Drink
Sleep
The Seychelles are not tolerant of backpackers turning up at the airport without accommodation booked. Most accommodations, however, are relatively expensive. Your best bet for a budget bed is renting an apartment.
Learn
Work
Stay safe
Seychelles is more or less safe. Just try to avoid any dark bylanes.
Stay healthy
Respect
Contact
- Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Claude Sylvestre MOREL
- chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017
- FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786
- telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785
- Diplomatic representation from the US
- the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to the Seychelles
Get out
- Try Comoros, Mauritius, and Madagascar