Seychelles

EXPLORING SEYCHELLES

A sparkling archipelago of 115 islands, only a few of which are inhabited, the Seychelles was long believed to be the site of the original Garden of Eden. After years of territorial disputes between France and Great Britain, the Seychelles achieved independence in 1976 and the majority of the population reside on the islands of Mahé, Praslin, La Digue and Silhouette Island. The Seychelles is the ultimate destination for travellers in search of a relaxing getaway, and a short hike along the islands’ shore is often rewarded with the discovery of a hidden beach cove, untouched by development of any kind. The Seychelles is also a favourite destination for visitors who enjoy water sports, including sailing, windsurfing, yachting and scuba diving. On land, active travellers can play golf, go horse riding or hiking before heading back to one of the island’s many luxurious private villas.

 

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Contemplating a villa holiday in the Seychelles? Here is some useful information to help kickstart your vacation planning.

Location:

• The 115 islands of the Seychelles are situated in the Indian Ocean just off the East coast of Africa to the northeast of Madagascar.

Passport and Visa Information

• No visa is required for entry into the Seychelles, although all overseas travellers must have a passport valid for six months from the point of entry, in addition to proof of their accommodation bookings for the duration of their stay. Initially, a one month visa is granted, but this can be extended to one year.

Currency

• Seychelles Rupee (SCR)
• USD1:SCR 12.09
  EUR1:SCR 16.53
  GBP1:SCR 20.1
  (for exchange rate updates check on www.xe.com)

Official Language(s)

• The official languages of the Seychelles are English, French and Creole.

Climate:

• The Seychelles islands remain hot and humid all year round, although a refreshing sea breeze blows through the islands to help visitors cool off. The Seychelles have two monsoon seasons: the southeast monsoon season is from May to September, while the northwest monsoon season is from November to March.

Quick Facts:

• International Tourist Arrivals in 2011: 194,753
• Capital: Victoria
• Country / Area Calling Code(s): +248
• Electricity: 22V, 50 Hz
• Type(s) of plug / socket: G

Destination Information

• Seychelles Tourism Board (www.seychelles.travel/)

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

Now that you have selected your destination, here are some pointers on how you can get to your Seychelles villa.

Airport Info

• Seychelles International Airport near Victoria is the only international airport to serve the islands. International services operate between the Seychelles and South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, UAE, Qatar and Germany, which means passengers from most countries will have a layover in one of these locations.

Other Means of Arrival

• Catamaran services operate between the main islands of the Seychelles.

Approximate (Scheduled Flight) Travel Time from:

• Los Angeles: 21hr+ depending on connecting layover
• New York: 17hr+ depending on connecting layover
• London: 10hr+ depending on connecting layover
• Moscow: 9hr+ depending on connecting layover
• Shanghai: 10hr+ depending on connecting layover
• Sydney: 13hr+ depending on connecting layover