The Seychelles,
jewels of the Indian Ocean

The climate

The Seychelles have a tropical climate , with temperatures well above 20°C all year round. So it's warm all year round. Due to its proximity to the equator, there is little variation. However, there are some differences throughout the year, notably due to the south-east and north-west trade winds.

There are 2 main seasons:

-The wet season is warmer, from December to April, with frequent rains, but the sun soon reappears. Trade winds blow from the northwest.

-the drier, cooler "southern winter" season from May to October, with southeasterly trade winds. Cooler temperatures and stronger winds.

Sailing in the Seychelles between March and May, and September and November, during the transitional months between the wet and cool seasons, is very enjoyable.

Swimming

Water temperatures in the Seychelles vary between 23°C and 28°C, depending on the time of year. The lowest temperatures are during the austral winter from July to September.

So it's possible to swim all year round in the Seychelles.

Formalities

Valid passport for French, Belgian or Swiss nationals. For other nationals, please contact the relevant authorities.

To cover all eventualities, make sure your passport has the required or sufficient number of blank pages (usually 3, with 2 facing each other).

Visa: Before boarding, you must apply online for a " travel authorization "(for a fee). To obtain this authorization, you must present a valid passport, a hotel reservation or proof of accommodation for the duration of your stay, a return or onward ticket, and sufficient funds to cover the cost of your stay. On arrival, this authorization entitles the holder to a short-stay visa issued by the airport police, which can be extended for up to three months. For stays of more than three months, you must apply to the immigration authorities for a residence permit (for which a fee is charged).

Please note that identification is required to embark with one of our rental partners.

To know more

Currency and exchange rate: the Seychelles rupee (SCR). 1 euro is equivalent to around 15 rupees. It is advisable to withdraw money from ATMs or to change money into cash on the spot. There are numerous exchange offices and banks in the major cities of the Seychelles. Credit cards are widely accepted on the islands.

Time difference: There is a 2-hour time difference with France in summer and a 3-hour time difference in winter (2 hours more in the Seychelles in summer and 3 hours more in winter). Time zone: GMT +4

Hours of daylight: Seychelles is renowned for its consistently long days, offering an average of twelve hours of sunlight throughout the year. Sunrise and sunset times are remarkably consistent, with sunrise shortly after 6 a.m. and sunset around 6 p.m. in the evening.

Important contacts: Police: +248 999 / First aid: + 248 999

Language: Creole is the main language, but English and French are also official languages.

Born with the colonization of the Seychelles, Creole is derived from the French spoken by the slaves of African origin who worked on the plantations from the 18th century onwards.

Getting to the Seychelles: From France, several airlines fly to the Seychelles. Emirates with a stopover in Dubai, Qatar Airways with a stopover in Doha, Etihad Airways with a stopover in Abu Dhabi, Ethiopian Airlines with a stopover in Addis Ababa and Turkish Airlines with a stopover in Istanbul.

Snorkeling

The Seychelles are a prime destination for snorkeling in the Indian Ocean.

The various islands abound with beaches, bays and lagoons where you can meet the underwater fauna attracted by the currents that sweep across the seabed.

Manta rays, leopard rays, reef sharks, hawksbill turtles and schools of fish such as butterfly fish, platax, snapper and jacks.

St. Denis Island, Coco Island and Port-Launay are all well-known sites for this sport.