Seychelles: granite islands, white sand & turquoise

International flights land at Seychelles International Airport on Mahé, near Victoria.

• Inter-island ferries are the backbone of travel. The Cat Cocos high-speed catamarans link Mahé to Praslin (about 1 hr 15 min) and on to La Digue (around 1 hr 45 min via Praslin); the Cat Rose shuttles the short Praslin–La Digue hop. Book ahead in peak season.
• Domestic flights with Air Seychelles connect Mahé and Praslin in about 15 minutes on small Twin Otter aircraft — quick, scenic and frequent. Luggage limits are tighter than on international flights, so check your allowance.
• On La Digue, life moves by bicycle and the occasional electric buggy — hire a bike and explore at island pace.
• Car hire & taxis — self-drive is easy on Mahé and Praslin (a valid foreign licence is fine; driving is on the left). Roads are narrow and winding, so take it slowly. Taxis and a cheap public bus network also serve both islands.
• Private-island resorts arrange their own boat or light-aircraft transfers as part of your stay.

The currency is the Seychellois Rupee (SCR, written SR).

• Cards — Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at resorts, hotels, restaurants and larger shops, and contactless is increasingly common. American Express is mostly limited to high-end hotels.
• Cash — carry some rupees for local markets, smaller islands, bus fares, tips and casual cafés, where cards may not be taken.
• Euros & US dollars are quoted and accepted by many hotels, car-hire firms and excursions, but you'll usually get better value paying in rupees for everyday spending.
• ATMs are available at the airport and in the main hubs of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, and dispense rupees (withdrawal fees apply).
• Tell your bank you'll be travelling so your cards aren't blocked.
• Mandatory Hotel Tax: Accommodation providers in Seychelles are legally required to collect a per-person, per-night green levy upon check-in/check-out:

Medium accommodations (25–50 rooms): SCR 75 per person/night

Large accommodations (51+ rooms), island resorts & yachts: SCR 100 per person/night

Small establishments (1–24 rooms): Exempt

Children aged 12 and under are exempt.

Good news first: the Seychelles is malaria-free — no anti-malarials needed for the islands themselves. Still, see your GP or a travel clinic about 6–8 weeks before you leave.

• Mosquito-borne illness — although there's no malaria, dengue and chikungunya can occur (a chikungunya outbreak was reported in early 2026), so prevent bites: use repellent, especially around dawn and dusk, and cover up when needed.
• Yellow fever — none in the Seychelles, but you must show a vaccination certificate if you arrive from, or have transited over 12 hours through, a yellow-fever-risk country — relevant if you're combining the islands with an East or Central African safari.
• Routine vaccines — make sure these are up to date; many travellers also discuss hepatitis A and typhoid with their doctor.
• Water — stick to bottled or filtered water for drinking; your hotel will advise.
• Sun & sea — the equatorial sun is intense and currents can be strong on exposed beaches (see the warning below).

Insurance: medical facilities are limited, especially on the smaller islands, and serious cases may need evacuation to Mauritius, Réunion or further afield — so comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical evacuation is essential.

The Seychelles is one of the safer destinations in the region, and the vast majority of visits are trouble-free. Smartraveller advises Australians to exercise normal safety precautions — the same common sense you'd use anywhere.

• Petty theft — opportunistic theft can happen; don't leave valuables unattended on the beach or visible in a parked car, and use your accommodation's safe.
• Beaches & water — respect currents, surf and tides, and heed local warnings (see above).
• Natural hazards — heavy rain during the wet season (roughly December–March) can cause localised flooding and landslips.

Emergencies: dial 999 for police (or the 133 police hotline) and 151 for an ambulance/medical emergencies. Save your hotel's number and the Australian High Commission details below.

The Seychelles has three official languages — Seychellois Creole (Kreol), English and French. English is widely spoken and used in business, signage and tourism, so Australians get by easily everywhere.

Seychellois culture is a warm, relaxed blend of African, French, Indian and Chinese influences. Dress is casual and beachy, though it's polite to cover up away from the sand — in Victoria, in shops and at churches. A friendly greeting goes a long way, and it's courteous to ask before photographing people. The islands take their pristine environment seriously: don't touch or stand on coral, never remove shells, coral or a coco de mer nut without the proper permit, and follow marine-park rules.

• Mobile coverage (4G) is good across the main islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, with patchier service on remote outer islands.
• Wi-Fi — most hotels and resorts offer it, though it can be slower or limited on smaller and private islands (a fine excuse to switch off).
• SIMs & eSIMs — local prepaid SIMs from Cable & Wireless or Airtel are inexpensive and sold at the airport (bring your passport); a travel eSIM set up before you fly is a convenient alternative.

Last verified: 29 June 2026. This guide is researched from official and authoritative sources and reviewed by Explore Africa. Visa, health and safety rules can change — always confirm the current advice before you travel.

Key sources:

• Smartraveller (Australian Government): smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/seychelles
• Seychelles Electronic Border System (Travel Authorisation): seychelles.govtas.com
• Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs & the Diaspora: mfa.gov.sc
• Seychelles Department of Immigration & Civil Status: ics.gov.sc
• US CDC Travelers' Health: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/seychelles
• Australian High Commission, Mauritius (accredited to the Seychelles): mauritius.embassy.gov.au