Seychelles guide: what to know before you go

One of the world’s most sought-after tropical holiday destinations, the Seychelles is a blend of white-sand beaches, Indian Ocean blues, and lush greenery. You’d be forgiven for thinking it’s nothing more than a fly-and-flop destination, and while there’s certainly plenty in the way of relaxation on offer, there’s also lots for nature and adventure lovers. This Seychelles guide covers some of the frequently asked questions about these idyllic islands and will give you a taster of its beachfront resorts, spectacular scenery, and rich Creole heritage.

First off, where exactly can you find these magical isles? The Seychelles is in the northwest of the Indian Ocean, 1,750 kilometres from the east coast of Africa, and the same distance northeast of Madagascar. It’s an archipelago comprising of 115 coral and granite islands spread across a vast area of isolated ocean, and lots come for its away-from-it-all feel.

The Seychelles is in the northwest of the Indian Ocean

The people of the Seychelles are termed Seychellois and the vast majority stem from a blend of European, Caribbean, and African cultural heritage – Creole. French and English are widely spoken throughout the islands, although the national language is Seychellois Creole.

Catholicism is the main religion here – thanks to the European colonists – and you’ll find a variety of churches open for Sunday service, including the Cathedral of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception in the capital, Victoria.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, Victoria

Victoria, on the island of Mahé, is the home of Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market, which offers a fabulous snapshot of local life, and a myriad of vegetable, fruit, fresh fish, spice, and craft stalls. Haggling’s not really part of the culture. That said, you might be invited to try before you buy.

We’d advise coming to the Seychelles with a healthy appetite. African, French, and Asian influences can be found everywhere – from the rustic beach shacks to the fine dining restaurants. Unsurprisingly, fresh-from-the-net fish is a mainstay, and usually served with rice and seasonal vegetables.

Fish curry with coconut rice

Seafood like squid and octopus is curried or grilled and, be warned – the spice scale can go all the way up to 11. Chicken, pork, and beef curries are widely eaten, too, as are fried aubergines and steamed bananas, washed down with a cold SeyBrew beer or freshly squeezed fruit juice.

The Seychelles holds a steady 30 degrees throughout the year, with temperatures dipping to the mid-20s during the night. As it’s a tropical country, it’s humid, and rain can fall at any point, especially in the late afternoon. December to February tend to be the wettest months, while May through to October are traditionally the driest.

Thanks to the Seychelles’ tropical locale, it’s a good place to visit any time of year, but we’d recommend heading here either side of the dry and wet seasons. That is, in April and May or October and November. It means you’ll find fewer tourists and less chance of rainstorms and soaring temperatures.

Tropical beach Anse Source d'Argent, La Digue

You can fly direct from London Heathrow to Seychelles International Airport in Mahé. There are also several indirect flights from Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow airports. The direct flight time is around 10 hours, while indirect flights take around 13.

Once you arrive in Mahé you can either fly to the island of Praslin (one hour), take the inter-island ferry (75 minutes), or a private charter boat. You can catch the ferry from Praslin, meanwhile, to dinky La Digue (15 minutes), and there’s a Hilton-owned ferry from Mahé to Silhouette Island if you’re staying at the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa – the only hotel on the island.

Most travellers visiting the Seychelles will fly into Mahé, the largest island, and transfer to one of the luxury beach resorts on the coast. STORY Seychelles and Constance Ephelia in the northwest, and Canopy by Hilton in the southwest, are among the offering, and perfect for snorkelling over the coral in Port Launay Marine Park or visiting Victoria for cultural tours around the spice markets, churches, and botanical gardens. You can also pull on your hiking boots and explore the forested mountain trails in Morne Seychelles National Park with Mahé as your base.

Canopy by Hilton, Mahé

Praslin Island, 48 kilometres northwest of Mahé, is ideal if you’re looking for peace and quiet. It’s famous for the UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai National Park, where indigenous Coco de Mer palms grow; as well as achingly beautiful beaches like Anse Georgette and Anse Lazio. Coco de Mer Hotel & Black Parrot Suites and Paradise Sun Hotel are both 20 minutes from Praslin’s ferry terminal.

All in all, the Seychelles islands offer something for everyone – whether you’re here to relax and recharge, discover abundant wildlife or soak up the culture. Feeling inspired? Click here to explore the full Saga collection of Seychelles holidays – including hand-picked hotels and island-hopping tours.