a group of people standing on top of a sandy beach

Africa

Seychelles

Seychelles is an island country in the Indian Ocean, known for beaches on granite islands, giant tortoises and the Vallée de Mai, a prehistoric palm forest on Praslin.

Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Seychelles

Seychelles is an island country of about 115 islands in the Indian Ocean. Its capital, Victoria, lies on Mahé, the main island, about 1,500 km east of mainland Africa, and Mahé holds nearly 87% of residents. Seychelles is the smallest country in Africa and the least populous sovereign African state. The islands fall into two groups: granite islands such as Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, and coral outer islands such as Aldabra and Desroches.

Anse Source d'Argent on La Digue is one of the most photographed beaches in the world, and Beau Vallon on Mahé is cited among the most beautiful beaches. The Vallée de Mai on Praslin is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a prehistoric palm forest where the coco de mer grows. Giant tortoises can be seen on La Digue. Temperatures stay hot and humid. The southeast trade winds from May to November are the most pleasant months. Fish and seafood are the staple foods, usually served with rice, and boats run from Ste Anne Bay on Praslin to La Digue.

Five things to know before Seychelles

Apply for the Travel Authorisation before you fly
Every visitor completes a Travel Authorisation on the official Seychelles border system, seychelles.govtas.com, before travel. Apply up to 30 days ahead. Visiting Seychelles
Book your stay before you apply
You need a return ticket, confirmed accommodation and funds of at least $150 a day. The visitor permit is free for the first 3 months.
Pick calm months for boat trips
April, May, October and November sit between the trade wind seasons and usually bring calm seas and clear water. The southeast trades from about May to September make some coasts choppy.
Use ferries or short flights between islands
Fast ferries link Mahé and Praslin, with a short hop on to La Digue. Small planes also fly Mahé to Praslin; book both ahead in high season.
Budget for high prices
Most food is imported, so restaurants and groceries cost more than on the African mainland. Self-catering guesthouses and takeaway stalls keep costs down.

Seychelles travel guides

Practical guides from writers who live there.

Visas and entry

The Travel Authorisation, visitor permit and proof of funds.

Read the guide Travel insurance

Medical and evacuation cover, and what policies exclude.

Read the guide Phones and eSIM

Getting data in Seychelles from the day you land.

Read the guide Money and costs

Cash, cards, ATMs and what to carry for rural stretches.

Read the guide Getting around

Domestic flights, long-distance buses and hiring a driver.

Read the guide

Top places to visit in Seychelles

See all attractions in Seychelles

Park · VictoriaMorne Seychelles National Park

Sight · SeychellesNid d'Aigle

Landmark · SeychellesAnse sur d'argent

Beach · MahéAnse Intendance

Destinations in Seychelles

CityVictoriaExplore

What a day costs in Seychelles

Per person, in SCR

Work out your trip

BudgetSCR 1,800a day≈ $124 · per person

Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.

Bed a night: SCR 1,200
Food: SCR 500
Transport: SCR 100
Sights: Free

Mid-rangeSCR 4,150a day≈ $286 · per person

A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.

Bed a night: SCR 1,800
Food: SCR 1,200
Transport: SCR 700
Sights: SCR 450

ComfortSCR 7,900a day≈ $544 · per person

A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.

Bed a night: SCR 3,000
Food: SCR 2,500
Transport: SCR 1,500
Sights: SCR 900

Checked Oct 3, 2026 by Amara NwosuA source for every line on the trip cost page. Flights not included. Rates By Exchange Rate APIWork out your trip

When to go

Rainy days

Best

JanuaryRain25 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Hot, rainy
FebruaryRain18 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Humid, rainy
MarchRain19 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Hot, calmer
AprilRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Calm seas
MayRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Calm, warm
JuneRain21 rainy daysHigh27°Low26°Trade winds
JulyRain20 rainy daysHigh26°Low25°Windy, drier
AugustRain19 rainy daysHigh26°Low25°Windy, drier
SeptemberRain19 rainy daysHigh27°Low26°Windy
OctoberRain19 rainy daysHigh27°Low26°Calm seas
NovemberRain19 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Calm, showers
DecemberRain24 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Rainy

Average daily high and low in Victoria, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to SeychellesPut the places you like in Seychelles on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Right now in Seychelles

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 31°
Humidity: 73%
Wind: 6 km/h
Chance of rain: 41%

Mahé

12:36 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+4

Today26°23°41%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 41%.
Wed25°22°69%Wednesday: Rain. High 25°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 69%.
Thu25°22°76%Thursday: Rain. High 25°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 76%.
Fri25°22°40%Friday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 40%.
Sat26°23°25%Saturday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 25%.
Sun25°22°60%Sunday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 60%.

Updated 10:11 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 14.53 SCR

Amount

Converted to

SCR · Seychellois Rupee

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Seychelles

Big events, festivals and concert tours

Events calendar

a group of women standing next to each other

JanuaryTimkatJan 19, 2027

Before you go to Seychelles

eSIM for SeychellesData from the day you landRead the guide Travel insuranceMedical and evacuation coverRead the guide Money in SeychellesCash, cards and ATMsRead the guide Visas and entryRules for your passportRead the guide

Rules for Seychelles, checked

All visitors must get a Travel Authorisation online before arrival, and show a return ticket, booked accommodation and fundsChecked Oct 1, 2026 · Read more Declare cash worth SCR 50,000 or more in your Travel Authorisation applicationChecked Oct 1, 2026 · Read more Carry a yellow fever certificate if you arrive from a risk country, including layovers there of over 12 hoursChecked Oct 1, 2026 · Read more

Seychelles FAQ

Do I need a visa for Seychelles?

No visa is needed, but every visitor must apply online for a Travel Authorisation before travel. The visitor permit itself is free for the first 3 months.

When is the best time to visit Seychelles?

April, May, October and November usually bring calm seas and clear water. December to March is hotter and wetter; May to September is windier and drier.

How do I get between the islands?

Fast ferries run Mahé to Praslin and Praslin to La Digue, and small planes fly Mahé to Praslin. Book ahead in busy months.

Which island should I stay on?

Mahé has the most choice and the airport, Praslin has the Vallée de Mai and Anse Lazio, and La Digue is small, quiet and best by bike. Many visitors split a week between two.

Is Seychelles expensive?

Yes, by regional standards. Guesthouses, self-catering and takeaway meals cut costs compared with resorts.