Key informations first:
In the menu on the left you will find our detailed insider reports and tours/excursions sorted by island.
Each of our providers has a valid business licence!
Wie das funktioniert?
How does it work?
You will be redirected to Paypal (deposit by credit card without Paypal account is also possible) to pay a deposit (of approx. 10% per tour) for the excursions. The deposit amount guarantees you a fixed place on the desired date. This is necessary because each tour has a limited number of participants. The remaining balance can be paid in cash to the guide at the end of the tour. Preferably in Euro. (If you prefer to pay in SCR, this is of course no problem, we use the current exchange rate. The deposit will of course be deducted from the total amount.
Participants aged 12 and over count as adults. Children under 12 years of age may only participate in the tours under the supervision of an adult.
The minimum number of participants for the tours is 2.
For excursions that cannot take place due to weather conditions, we will try to find an alternative date, otherwise the deposit will be refunded.
If you do not show up for the excursion or cancel within less than 24 hours, the deposit remains with us.
After booking you will receive a booking confirmation by email, within 24 hours you will receive a separate and definitive booking confirmation including a packing list for the tour(s).
Entry requirements for Seychelles (Mahé International Airport ):
> Passport / Children Passport valid until at least the end of the planned journey and has at least 2 pages.
> valid return ticket
> Proof of licensed accommodation for the entire stay
> financial resources e.g. creditcard
> valid Travel insurance/ health insurance to cover possible Covid 19 - related costs (isolation, quarantine and treatment), in englisch or french
> At the earliest 10 days before planned departure the "entry permit" Seychelles Govtas has to be filled out (all documents, booking confirmation, ticket, passport, insurance etc. must be uploaded here)
-> https://seychelles.govtas.com/
-> List of certified accommodations
Visum:
German tourists do not need a visa and usually get a residence permit for 1 month. (Recognizable by the stamp in the passport). This can be extended free of charge for up to 3 months. For a fee of SCR 5000 Scr it can be extended up to 3 times for another 3 months. This takes approx. 1 week
Department of Immigration
Independence House
Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles
Phone: +248 4293636
The general currency in the Seychelles is the Seychellen-Rupee (Scr, Rp). The exchange rate varies between 15-16, i.e. 1€ corresponds to approx. 15.5 Rupee. 100 Scr equals approx. 6.50€. Euros are also accepted almost everywhere, but usually at a worse exchange rate.
There are bank branches, ATMs and bureaux de change on all 3 main islands, e.g. Cash Plus or Doubleclick (best exchange rate). To change money you need to show your passport. In the Seychelles the the usual creditcards (Visa and Mastercard) are widely accepted. Maestro-cards / EC Cards should be arranged by the bank for the Seychelles before the trip. (just check with your bank at home)
The fees for cash withdrawals vary depending on the provider (it is best to choose a credit card with which you can withdraw cash abroad free of charge).
When withdrawing money with a credit card, as well as when paying in a shop, the PIN is requested. (Signature is rather rare).
I would recommend taking 2 cards and cash with you (that way you are completely protected). Euro´coins are not accepted!
Some Credit card companys offer a Travel health insurance (check your papers before the flight).
You can easily buy a local SIM card at the airport directly after entering the country. In the check-in area there is a small red (Airtel) and a blue (Cable and Wireless) pillar where cards are sold.
If you can't make it at the airport, there are several offices of the providers spread across the island.
However, the cards must be registered (bring your passport!)
Airtel, for example, offers a tourist package. 1.5 GB data volume and 40 minutes local calls for 400Scr (valid for 30 days) or 3 GB (incl. 6 minutes local calls) 500Scr
Cable sells the sim cards for 100 Scr incl. 25 Scr starting credit (at the moment there is a free sim card promotion at the airport). One can then load "Internet Booster" on it. 1 GB + 100MB Facebook is 199 SCR valid for 30 days, 2 GB + 200 MB Facebook is 399 SCR. In addition, you can load international phone credit for 89 SCR you get 30 minutes for 169 SCR 60 minutes (Attention: when the credit is used up, it will be deducted from the existing standard credit).
Check your balance on Cable: #155#
Status: 12/2019
The Seychelles have a subtropical climate
Northwest Monsun from December to March: also known as the rainy season. Heavy and prolonged rains are more frequent, especially in the month of January.
March and April are the hottest month.
Southeast Monsun May - September: the rather dry and hot time of the year, but often windy.
April, October and November are the quieter transition months.
Temperatures do not drop below 24 degrees at night, and during the day they range between 28 and 32 degrees with about 80% humidity.
Online weather services often show only rain and thunderstorms for days while it looks different on the ground. There are days of non-stop rain, sun and rain at the same time, sun in one part of the island while the other part is drowning in rain - there is no 100% reliable weather forecast for the Seychelles.
I always advise taking a small rain poncho with you (you can get one for about €1 in the usual drugstores).
Due to the proximity to the equator, we have a relatively early sunrise around 6 am, but unfortunately also an early and usually very spectacular sunset around 6 pm. It is highly recommended to have a torch with you in the evening, especially on La Digue (or a headlamp to keep your hands free when cycling).
The two main islands Mahé and Praslin got a Bus-System. Cost: 12 Scr per person per way or 15 Scr at weekends, pay directly in cash when boarding - the bus driver does not have to accept anything over 50 SCR notes, so it's best to pay appropriately). It doesn't matter whether it's one stop or to the terminus, as long as it's the same bus, the journey costs the same. Timetables can be obtained from Bustimetable for Mahé and Praslin for free. (On Mahe - if the station is served by several buses, it is best to wave 1x with an outstretched arm when the right bus arrives).
Alternatively, you can get a rental car This costs about 35€ + per day, the insurance usually includes a deductible of up to 2000€. Attention left-hand traffic!
At some car parks in Victoria you need a parking ticket (but this is explicitly signposted). You can get this in one of the small shops in the vicinity (it is best to ask a local and have the shop fill out the ticket for you - or have a biro with you).
Taxi (there are plenty of taxis available at the port as well as at the airport and in Victoria).
Price from Jetty to Airport is around 400 SCR (20-25€')
Bicycles: Not recommended on Mahé and Praslin due to the relatively heavy traffic and the lack of cycle paths. On La Digue, however, it is a must! For day tourists, bikes can be rented directly at the harbour for 150 SCR per person/day. If you rent the bikes for a longer period of time, they cost 100 SCR per day/person, please make sure to check the brakes! On La Digue, almost all accommodations have their own bikes. You should bring a combination lock (a key can easily get lost...) - this is not usually available here, and a torch or headlamp is also recommended. The bikes are rarely stolen, but they do get mixed up by mistake and it is quite a distance to walk from Grand Anse to the Patatran Hotel.
There are daily domestic flights between Mahé and Praslin from Air Seychelles (you can book them directly on Air-Seychelles Homepage ). Or 2-3 ferrys a day Cat Cocos .
Between Praslin and La Digue are 6-7 ferrys daily Cat Roses
Both ferrys can be booked online Seychelles Ferry up to 24 hours before departure.
There are no compulsory vaccinations for entry from Germany. However, it is recommended to have sufficient tetanus protection, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, MMR.
For longer stays, vaccinations against hepatitis B and typhoid are recommended.
Medical care
Overall, medical care on the main island is sufficient for most illnesses/accidents, but still not comparable with European care options. On most of the islands, medical care is much worse or even non-existent. Travel health insurance with a return option is strongly recommended for all travellers.
There is relatively good medical care on Mahe, including some German doctors, e.g. the German Dental Clinic on Eden Island. In addition to the hospitals, there are also some private practices.
There are 2 hospitals on Praslin and a few private practices, e.g. Dr Wilkins in Baie Ste Anne.
There is a hospital on La Digue, the treatment there should rather be compared with a general practitioner, there is neither an X-ray nor an ultrasound machine here (people affected by bicycle accidents often have to be transported by ferry/flight or helicopter to Mahe to the hospital).
Dengue Fever
Infections with dengue fever occur regularly (especially when it rains a lot). Dengue is transmitted by the diurnal tiger mosquito and usually manifests itself with fever, headache, aching limbs and a rash. (Mosquito repellent should also be used during the day, especially when hiking. Do not forget to spray or apply cream regularly, wear light-coloured clothing). Affected persons usually recover within a few days, but complications can also occur that can lead to death.
The incubation period is about 3-14 days (most frequent outbreak between day 4-7)
Chikungunya-Fever
The course of the disease and the mode of transmission correspond to dengue fever (see above).
Malaria
Seychelles are free of malaria.
HIV/AIDS
Overall, the number of HIV/AIDS infections is increasing, especially in the risk groups (i.v. drug addicts (5 %), homosexuals (15 %), prostitutes), although the overall prevalence is still low. There is always a risk of infection through sexual contact and drug use (unclean syringes or needles). Condom use is always recommended, especially for casual acquaintances.
Diarrhoeal diseases and cholera
Appropriate food and drinking water hygiene can prevent most diarrhoeal diseases and also cholera. If you do not want to endanger your health during your stay, then follow these basic tips: Drink only water of safe origin, e.g. bottled water with carbon dioxide, never tap water. In an emergency, use filtered, disinfected and boiled water. When travelling, use drinking water wherever possible for washing dishes and brushing teeth. For food: cook or peel it yourself. Be sure to keep flies away from your food. Wash your hands with soap as often as possible, always before preparing food and before eating. Disinfect hands where appropriate, using disposable towels if necessary.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is extremely widespread, especially among drug addicts. Protective measures corresponding to those of HIV (see above).
Leptospirose
Transmission of this bacterial disease occurs through the intact moist skin, as well as the mucous membranes and conjunctiva when in contact with infected soil and water. In the Seychelles, it is the most common infectious cause of death in the local population. Infection occurs through walking barefoot and working unprotected in damp soil, mainly during the rainy seasons.
Fever, muscle pain, nausea and conjunctivitis are characteristic. In the further course, complications with liver and kidney failure can occur. If diagnosed in time, the disease can be treated with antibiotics.
Prohibited are: Weapons (knives, pyrotechnics, brass knuckles etc), drugs, food, fruit, vegetables, plant (seeds), pornographic material etc.
Local currency may only be imported and exported up to Scr 2000 (approx. €115).
Valuable electronic devices must be reported to customs
Import limits
Alcohol2 litres of spirits and 2 litres of wine;
parfum:200 ml
Tobacco:200 cigarettes or 250g tobacco
Customs regulations on exit
See customs regulations of the respective country of destination
Important addresses and numbers:
hospital in Victoria (next to botanical garden) +248 4388000
hospital Anse Royal +248 4371222
hospital Praslin (Baie Ste Anne) +248 4232333
hospital La Digue +248 4234255
Toll-free number for emergency services and accidents +248 151
Emergency number +248 999
police +248 4288000
police Praslin +248 4232332
police La Digue +248 4234251
Immigration +248 4293600
Sources:
Seychelles Immigration www.ics.gov.sc
Federal Foreign Office (Germany) www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseundSicherheit/seychellensicherheit/226912
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