Are
you tempted to fall under the charming spell of the Seychelles?
Nothing is easier. Here is some practical information and advice
to help you prepare the holiday of your dreams... Do not hesitate
to contact the Air Seychelles office closest to you!
The
temperature in the Seychelles does not vary much. The average
is 29°C throughout the year, accompanied by a very
pleasant breeze. The islands lie outside the hurricane
belt, and violent storms are very rare. The Seychelles
can therefore be visited at any time of the year. Even
though tropical rains fall more frequently in January and
February, the weather can be completely different from
one side of an island to the other; the sun will probably
be shining only a few kilometres away. Choose your accommodation
depending on the prevailing wind during the period of your
visit, to make sure you will have a clear and calm sea,
sheltered from the wind. Strangely enough the month of
June seems to be low season even though the weather is
usually fine. So why not choose this month for your holiday?
Climate,
seasons and temperatures…
The
weather in the Seychelles is tropical and humid. From
May to October, the wind blows regularly from south to
east, bringing a dryer climate and slightly cooler temperature.
From December to March, it is the southern summer with
north-west winds and a more humid climate. However, the
weather is pleasant in all seasons, never too cool or too
hot. Advice: when
it rains, just hop along to the other side
of the island, you are sure to find sunnier
weather only a few kilometres away.
The Seychelles is outside the hurricane belt. Air temperature. The "coolest" temperature
is in July and August, at 28°C. March, May and November are the
hottest months, with an average of 32°C. Sea temperature: from
27° to 29°C (you have read correctly,
it is not a typing error!).
Hotels are
usually the favourite type of accommodation. The brochures
of tour operators will help you choose and compare them. Many
are in beautiful settings with direct access to a beach.
Some islands have only one hotel, very often an exceptional one nestling
in a corner of paradise, for example, Bird Island, Desroches, Denis
Island, Silhouette, Frigate, or Alphonse... Guest-houses: apartments,
bed-sitters and bungalows can be rented at
very reasonable rates. It is a convenient formula
which proves that the Seychelles are now within
the reach of many travellers. Some of the newer
guest-houses have very comfortable and well-equipped
apartments. Camping is forbidden,
so you will have to opt for one of the above
two formulas.
The
delicious Creole
cuisine is based on fish and a wide variety of exotic vegetables,
fruit and spices which simply must be sampled when you are
in the Seychelles.
Most hotels regularly serve Creole buffets. Those who like fish will
be in for some very pleasant surprises.
There are many restaurants in Mahé, some of them excellent. Do not hesitate to try
the Creole "take-away" menus, they
are usually delicious Creole specialities and
offer good value for money, apart from being
a convenient formula for visitors staying in
guest houses.
Visa
A visa
is not required for nationals of many countries. A valid passport
and return ticket are usually sufficient in most cases. Upon
arrival, you will be required to indicate the address of where
you will be staying, so before your departure, make sure that
you have a reservation for at least the first night.
IMPORTANT:
Local currency and foreign exchanges
The
official currency is the Seychelles Rupee (SR 1 =
USD 0,19 approximately). Credit cards are widely accepted
throughout Seychelles. You can also withdraw money from cash
distributors. Most consumption goods have to be imported,
which explains why shopping can be fairly expensive in the
Seychelles. Foreign
exchange regulations: Visitors
are required to use foreign currency in making
payments in hotels, guesthouses and for other
holiday-related expenses such as hiring of
cars or boat, the services of tour operators
or travel agents, patronage of casinos and
domestic transferts within Seychelles.
Languages: Creole,
English and French. Time difference: The Seychelles
is four hours ahead of Universal Time. The time difference
with France and Western Europe is therefore only + 2 hours
in summer and + 3 hours in winter. This is why travelling
to the Seychelles will be less tiring than to many other
exotic destinations! Electricity: 220
volts AC, 50 Hz. Plugs are of the English type,
square with three points. Adapters are available
in most hotels. However, it may be a good idea
to buy a universal adapter from one of the
boutiques at the airport of your departure…
Telephone
and postal service
Country
code: 248
* Direct lines to most countries are available at nearly all the
hotels.
* Telephone cards can be purchased for use in telephone booths.
* There is excellent GSM coverage so mobile telephones with a "world" option
can be used.
* Most hotels offer a postal service.
Shopping
Shops
are open from Mondays to Fridays, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Numerous stalls and
small grocery stores are open every day until late in the
evening… Duty-free at the airport: Only
foreign currency is accepted.
Transport
Road: Mahé and
Praslin have frequent and regular bus services. There are
many taxis and cars which can be hired, either before your
departure or once you arrive. A valid national driving licence
is required for renting a car. Driving is on the left hand
side of the road. Sea: There is
a daily service between Mahe, Praslin and
La Digue. Air: Air Seychelles
provides air links between the main islands
of the archipelago. Mahe
and Praslin are linked by many scheduled
daily flights.
The other islands are served by flights chartered by the hotels…
Seychelles
Tourism Marketing Authority
The
Seychelles Tourism Marketing Authority (STMA) just launched
(Nov. 2002) their
very new website. Go and visit it: you will find there
a tremendous amount of information of all kind and suiting
to all needs whatever your travel taste and habits might
be!
Advice:
The
delicious 
