What awaits travelers in the Seychelles?
The Seychelles are an archipelago of 115 islands, of which practically only the three granite islands Mahé, Praslin and La Digue are developed for tourism. With 457 km² of land and around 121,000 residents, the country is much smaller than Mauritius, but, according to World Bank data, has the highest per-capita income in Africa — which is directly reflected in the trip's price level.
Most trips combine two to three of the main islands: Mahé as the arrival point with the capital Victoria, Praslin for the Vallée de Mai national park, and La Digue for car-free beaches like Anse Source d'Argent. Those wanting to go further book an expedition trip to the remote outer coral islands, including the Aldabra Atoll.
This page summarizes islands, the best time to travel, entry requirements (as of September 2026), health — including the distinction from Madagascar, where, unlike in the Seychelles, malaria risk exists — and the advisories from the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA.
Sources: Wikipedia
What kind of travel destination is the Seychelles?
The Seychelles focus on few, high-quality beds rather than many affordable ones: 42% of the land area is under nature protection according to Wikipedia, which limits the number of possible building sites for large resort complexes from the outset. That clearly distinguishes the archipelago from Mauritius, which, with over a million residents and a broad charter-flight network, focuses on volume rather than exclusivity.
The 42 granite islands at the center of the archipelago, including Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, are of volcanic origin and rise up to 906 m (Morne Seychellois on Mahé); the outer coral islands, such as the Amirantes, the Farquhar Group and Aldabra, lie considerably further out and are almost uninhabited.
Several of the European flight connections to the Seychelles are seasonal — for example Condor from Frankfurt or Turkish Airlines from Istanbul — while Mauritius is served year-round by more airlines. The smaller flight offering and limited bed count keep prices in the Seychelles on average above Mauritian levels.
The official languages are Creole, English and French; the population is predominantly Creole-African in character, with French and British colonial traces visible in everyday life.
Which islands of the Seychelles are worth visiting?
Mahé, with the capital Victoria and the Morne Seychellois National Park, is the arrival point and largest island; Praslin, with the Vallée de Mai, is known for the coco de mer palm; La Digue is known for car-free beaches like Anse Source d'Argent. Those wanting to travel further book an expedition to the remote outer islands around the Aldabra Atoll.
Mahé
Mahé is by far the largest and most populous island and home to the international airport. The capital Victoria has a small clock tower modeled on London's, a colorful market, and the country's only notable urban structure; around half the island belongs to the Morne Seychellois National Park, with the 906 m peak of the same name.
Beau Vallon on the northwest coast is the island's liveliest beach, with restaurants and water sports, while quieter bays like Anse Intendance lie in the south.
Praslin
Praslin, reachable by flight or ferry from Mahé, is home to the Vallée de Mai: a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site since 1983 and home to the densest natural stand of the endemic coco de mer palm, whose nut, at up to 45 kg, is the heaviest in the world. The bay Anse Lazio in the northwest is among the country's most-photographed beaches.
La Digue
La Digue, the third-largest inhabited island at just 10.08 km² with around 2,800 residents, largely forgoes cars: bicycles remain the main mode of transport, supplemented by traditional ox carts. The beach Anse Source d'Argent, with its granite boulders and turquoise water, is among the most famous images of the Seychelles.
The 'Diguois', as the island's residents are known, are predominantly Catholic and maintain an ethnic mix of Creole, French, East African and Indian roots. The rare Seychelles paradise flycatcher survives on only a few islands, including La Digue itself.
Outer islands and Aldabra
The Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site since 1982, lies around 1,120 km southwest of Victoria and, with around 100,000 animals, is home to the world's largest population of the Aldabra giant tortoise. With no airstrip or landing jetty, the atoll is reachable only by permitted expedition or dive cruise; around 900 visitors come per year on average.
Between the three Amirantes, Farquhar and Aldabra groups lie, according to Wikipedia, a total of 73 further, mostly uninhabited coral islands; they serve mainly research and strictly controlled conservation, not mass tourism. For most travelers, Mahé, Praslin and La Digue therefore remain the practical destinations, while the outer islands remain a deliberate extra investment of time and money.
Destinations
Regions with their own page
Islands and regions
- IslandLa DigueAt around 10 km², La Digue is the smallest of the Seychelles' three inhabited main islands, a short ferry ride east of Praslin.
- IslandMahéAt around 157 km², Mahé is the largest island of the Seychelles and, with well over 80 percent of the national population, by far the most populous.
- IslandPraslinAt 38.52 km², Praslin is the second-largest island of the Seychelles, lying around 44 km northeast of Mahé.
When is the best time to visit the Seychelles?
The Seychelles lie outside the cyclone belt and are a year-round destination; according to Wikipedia, the most pleasant period is May to November, when steady southeast trade winds provide cooling. Between December and April, northwest winds bring more humidity and short, intense showers.
| Victoria (Mahé) | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 30 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 |
| Low °C | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Rainfall mm | 206 | 108 | 106 | 115 | 94 | 80 | 55 | 62 | 108 | 117 | 124 | 164 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station SEYCHELLES INTL (10 km, 3 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
In Victoria, daytime highs range between around 29 and 32 °C year-round, and lows rarely fall below 25 °C — the Seychelles have no cool season the way higher-elevation Antananarivo does. Most rainfall occurs between November and January with over 100 mm per month, and July and August are driest at around 55 to 62 mm.
The southeast trade wind period from May to November brings noticeable but rarely unpleasant wind and calmer diving conditions on the islands' east side; during the wetter period from December to April, the sea is often calmer on the west coasts, which makes switching beaches worthwhile.
Unlike Madagascar or Mauritius, the Seychelles lie north of the main track of tropical cyclones in the southwestern Indian Ocean; a pronounced cyclone risk like that on Madagascar's east coast or in Mauritius is therefore practically absent. That makes the islands one of the most reliably plannable year-round destinations in the region, regardless of the calendar month of travel.
Sources: Wikipedia
What do you need to enter the Seychelles?
Swiss, German and Austrian nationals need no visa, but must apply online for a paid Travel Authorization before departure, which, according to the Federal Foreign Office, takes around 24 hours to process. On entry, a free Visitor's Permit for up to 90 days is also issued.
- Travel Authorization: apply online via the official government website or app before departure; passport details, a photo, flight details, proof of accommodation and a credit or debit card are required.
- Visitor's Permit: issued free of charge on arrival for up to 90 days, with no further visa formalities.
- Travel document: national ID cards are not accepted, only a passport or children's passport, valid at least through the departure date.
- Documentation: a return flight ticket, proof of accommodation and sufficient financial means are required; minors without parents need written parental consent.
- Other nationalities: separate rules apply; the Seychellois immigration authority or the relevant embassy is authoritative.
The current information from the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office, the BMEIA and the Seychellois immigration authority at the time of travel is authoritative.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria
Do you need malaria prophylaxis for the Seychelles?
No: the CDC lists no malaria risk for the Seychelles, unlike for mainland Madagascar. Mosquito-borne diseases such as chikungunya and dengue do occur on the islands, however; healthytravel.ch therefore recommends hepatitis A for everyone and all-day mosquito protection.
The CDC lists no malaria risk for the Seychelles and recommends routine vaccinations, hepatitis A for unvaccinated travelers, plus hepatitis B and typhoid depending on travel style. A yellow fever vaccination is required only when arriving from a risk area within six days.
- Chikungunya: the virus is transmitted by day-active mosquitoes and, according to healthytravel.ch, occurs repeatedly on the inhabited islands, for example on Mahé and La Digue; all-day mosquito protection is the most important safeguard.
- Dengue: also recorded; according to healthytravel.ch, a vaccination is only considered after a previous dengue infection.
- Rabies: rare, but caution is warranted with animal contact; pre-vaccination is recommended for certain activities.
- Sun and heat: intense UV radiation near the equator makes good sun protection and adequate hydration important on hikes and boat tours.
Since there is no social security agreement with Austria, Germany or Switzerland, and hospital costs can be substantial according to the BMEIA, travel and repatriation insurance is strongly recommended.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · healthytravel.ch, Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria
How safe is the Seychelles for travelers?
The Seychelles are considered a country with a good security standard and a stable domestic political situation. According to the Federal Foreign Office, the main risks are petty crime on beaches, dangerous currents, occasional shark attacks especially near Praslin, and piracy risks far offshore.
Pickpocketing and bag snatching occur mainly on beaches according to the Federal Foreign Office; valuables should stay in the hotel safe rather than be left on the beach. For hikes on the islands' interior, the Federal Foreign Office additionally warns of earth holes and slippery paths after rain.
According to the Federal Foreign Office, piracy risks exist mainly far offshore near Somalia and the outer Seychellois islands, not in the tourist-frequented waters around Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Isolated shark attacks have been reported especially near Praslin; marked swimming zones and local advisories should be observed.
The current travel advisories from the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA at the time of travel are authoritative.
Sources: Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Federal Foreign Office, Germany
How do you travel to the Seychelles and between the islands?
International flights land at Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) near Victoria on Mahé. Nonstop connections from Europe are limited and partly seasonal — Frankfurt is served year-round by Discover Airlines and seasonally by Condor, and Zurich seasonally by Edelweiss — while most travelers connect via hubs such as Abu Dhabi, Doha, Addis Ababa or Nairobi.
| Origin/destination | Airline | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Frankfurt | Discover Airlines / Condor | Discover year-round, Condor seasonal |
| Paris–Charles de Gaulle | Air Seychelles | nonstop |
| Abu Dhabi | Air Seychelles | nonstop, worldwide connections |
| Doha | Qatar Airways | nonstop, worldwide connections |
| Istanbul | Turkish Airlines | seasonal nonstop |
| Addis Ababa | Ethiopian Airlines | nonstop |
| Nairobi | Kenya Airways | nonstop |
| Antananarivo (Madagascar) | Emirates | nonstop |
| Johannesburg, Mauritius | Air Seychelles | nonstop |
| Mahé – Praslin – La Digue | Domestic flight / ferry | short connection, several times daily |
Air Seychelles also connects Mahé with Mumbai and Colombo, and Sichuan Airlines flies seasonally to Chengdu. Travelers from Switzerland find a nonstop connection with Edelweiss during the northern winter season; outside that season, travel runs via one of the hubs named above.
Between the three main islands, domestic flights and ferries run several times daily; La Digue has no airport of its own and is reached exclusively by boat from Praslin or Mahé. On La Digue itself, bicycles rather than cars are the usual means of getting around.
What money do you need in the Seychelles, and how do you pay?
The national currency is the Seychellois rupee (SCR); 100 euros got you around 1,643 rupees in September 2026. Many hotels and restaurants also bill in euros or US dollars, and card payment is widespread on the three main islands.
ATMs are plentiful enough on Mahé and Praslin; the selection is smaller on La Digue. Cash in rupees is still worth carrying for smaller expenses, bicycle rental or tips.
On departure, according to the Federal Foreign Office, at most 100 SCR in cash may be taken out without an official receipt; foreign currency amounts over 10,000 US dollars must be declared. Overall, the price level for hotels and restaurants is above that of Mauritius, which shows in menu prices and room rates.
A tip of around 5 to 10% is customary in restaurants, unless a service charge is already included in the bill; boat crews and guides appreciate a small cash extra.
Sources: Xe.com · Federal Foreign Office, Germany
Where is the best place to stay in the Seychelles?
On Mahé, hotels cluster around Victoria and the beach at Beau Vallon; on Praslin, around Anse Lazio and the Vallée de Mai; on La Digue, small guesthouses near La Passe. Large all-inclusive chains are rarer than in Mauritius; the offering leans more toward boutique hotels and private villas.
Because only a small share of the land area is available for building projects, the total room count stays limited; that drives prices up, but also results in less densely developed coastal stretches than in comparable destinations.
Travelers switching between islands should plan accommodations separately for Mahé, Praslin, and possibly La Digue, since staying the whole time in one place rarely reveals all three islands' distinct characters.
What do you eat in the Seychelles?
Seychellois Creole cuisine relies on fresh fish and seafood, often seasoned with coconut milk, chili and curry leaves; bat curry and octopus curry are considered typically local specialties. Breadfruit and cassava frequently replace rice or bread as a side.
Rougaille, a tomato curry with fish or meat, and grilled fish straight from the boat are everyday dishes. The cuisine is shaped more by African and Malagasy influences than the more Indian-influenced cuisine of Mauritius.
Street food stalls are rarer than in larger destinations because of the small population; meals are usually eaten in restaurants or directly at the hotel. Fresh fruit like papaya, mango and the large coco de mer nut are sold mainly at the markets of Victoria.
What culture shapes the Seychelles?
Seychellois culture is predominantly Creole-African, with French and British colonial traces visible in language, architecture and cuisine. The dance moutya, accompanied by drums, traces back to the African ancestors of enslaved people and is still performed at festivals.
France settled the previously uninhabited islands in the 18th century, and Britain took them over during the Napoleonic Wars; this dual colonial history explains why Creole, English and French remain equally official languages today.
Conservation is deeply anchored in national identity: with 42% of the land area protected and two UNESCO Natural World Heritage sites (Vallée de Mai and Aldabra), the country explicitly sees itself as a steward of its unique island nature, not merely a travel destination.
Sources: Wikipedia
What experiences are worthwhile in the Seychelles?
Highlights include the coco de mer palms in the Vallée de Mai on Praslin, the granite-boulder beaches of La Digue, and hikes in the Morne Seychellois National Park on Mahé. Those with time and budget can add an expedition to the Aldabra Atoll, with its 100,000 giant tortoises.
Praslin and Vallée de Mai
The Vallée de Mai National Park shows the densest natural stand of the coco de mer palm; a roughly two-hour loop trail leads through the palm forest. The bay Anse Lazio in the northwest is considered one of the country's most beautiful bays and is reachable only on foot or by boat.
La Digue by bicycle
La Digue can be explored by bicycle in a few hours; besides Anse Source d'Argent, the quieter bays Grand Anse and Petite Anse are worth a detour along unpaved paths.
Mahé and the water
The Morne Seychellois National Park offers hikes with views over the island and neighboring bays; diving and snorkeling trips from Beau Vallon lead to underwater granite formations with rich fish diversity.
Aldabra for expedition travelers
The Aldabra Atoll, lacking runways and subject to strict access restrictions, is reachable only with permitted expedition vessels; the giant tortoise population and untouched reefs make up for the effort of getting there.
How do you travel responsibly in the Seychelles?
42% of the land area is under nature protection according to Wikipedia, and the Aldabra Atoll is deliberately kept hard to access through the absence of any tourist infrastructure. The protected coco de mer palm may only leave the country as a souvenir with an official export permit.
- Buy coco de mer nuts only with an official origin seal and export permit; export without a seal is illegal.
- When snorkeling and diving around the granite and coral formations, touch nothing and use mineral sunscreen.
- Pay national park and reserve fees, for example at the Vallée de Mai, directly on site rather than to informal operators.
- Book an Aldabra expedition only through operators approved by the Seychelles Islands Foundation.
Sources: Wikipedia
Which destinations can the Seychelles be combined with?
Emirates connects the Seychelles directly with Antananarivo, which makes a side trip to Madagascar easier, while there are no nonstop flights to Mauritius. Combinations with a safari via the hubs Nairobi or Addis Ababa, or a stopover in Abu Dhabi or Doha, are also natural fits.
Anyone wanting to combine the Seychelles with Mauritius must connect via one of these hubs, since the two island groups are not directly linked; as separate trips, each with its own character, both destinations work better than one continuous round trip.
Sources: Wikipedia
Who is the Seychelles suited for, and who is it less suited for?
The Seychelles suit couples, divers and travelers who accept a quiet pace, nature and an upscale price level in exchange for uncrowded granite beaches. Anyone seeking a large, price-varied offering, plenty of nightlife, or a single, easily traveled island is better served by Mauritius.
Divers and photographers benefit from the light development and the granite formations above and below water; those combining several islands deliberately experience the distinct characters of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.
The Seychelles are less suitable for travelers on a tight budget, for anyone seeking a big nightlife scene, or for families who want to change accommodations as little as possible — Mauritius offers the larger, more affordable option on a single main island instead.