To ensure that you have the best possible holiday experience, we ask you to read the following information carefully. If you have any questions, please discuss them with us before you depart.
Hand Luggage – pack essential items for a day or two in your hand luggage, in case your bags go astray and take a few days to catch up with you, especially if you have any tight connecting flights.
Baggage – if you are flying on a light aircraft to one of the smaller islands (but excluding Praslin), your luggage must be packed in soft sports bags, usually restricted to 15 kg. Rigid suitcases will not fit into the luggage pods and will be left behind.
Documents – take a copy of your travel insurance policy with you, and leave a copy of your passport with a reliable contact at home, in case the originals are lost or stolen.
Electronic Devices – ensure these are all fully charge before travel, as you may be required to switch them on at airport security.
Mobile Phones – make sure they are set up for international calls and if you plan to use travel apps such as Google Translate or Google Maps, ensure you check your data package with your provider in advance. Alternatively turn off date roaming to avoid large phone bills. Be aware that some areas may not have mobile or WiFi coverage.
Credit Cards – remember to inform your bank when travelling abroad.
Clothing – casual light clothing is advised including T-shirts, shorts, jeans, sunhat, swimming costume, sunglasses, biodegradable sunscreen and flip-flops. Water shoes are very useful in many places, to protect your feet from sharp coral. Swimwear should not be worn away from the beach. Sanitising hand cleaner and eye drops can be handy, especially if you wear contact lenses.
Medicines - if you travel with prescription drugs, carry an adequate supply in their original bottles/packaging & keep them in your hand luggage, as if lost they may be difficult to replace.
Accessories – pack your phone (with charger and a spare battery pack), camera (with spare memory cards and batteries – a 200 mm zoom lens is good for wildlife photography), torch and binoculars (large 8x40 is best). We suggest one pair per person, as it can be frustrating to share.
Plugs – type G (flat 3-pin, same as UK).
Books – pack a good travel guide, with information on the wildlife and birds of the region. Also a good supply of reading material for quiet evenings and when waiting for flights.
Water – tap water is considered safe to drink in the main towns, but drink only bottled water in undeveloped areas.
Food – delicious Creole seafood is served, as well as a wide variety of international cuisine. However be aware that hotel food is extremely expensive in Seychelles, if not included in your package, so stock up on snacks at a local shop on Mahe, especially if travelling to a small island where some shops are not allowed to serve foreigners to protect the hotel trade. Vegetarians and food allergies are well catered for.
Taxis – these are available in Mahe and Praslin, but negotiate your fare in advance to avoid being ripped off.
Self-Drive – driving is on the left, but be aware the roads across the islands have very sharp swithback turns. Any valid European or American driving license is accepted as long as it has a photograph and signature.
Safety – Seychelles is a relatively safe destination, take all sensible precautions. Leave valuable jewellery/watches at home, wear a money belt and be alert when outside your hotel. In particular avoid taking out large wads of cash in public view and keep your spare cash, passport and a spare credit card in your hotel safe.
Tipping – this is not compulsory, but if you want to tip because you have received good service, we suggest the following per adult:
- guides: €10 per day.
- porters: €1 per bag.
- waiters: no tipping is required, as 5 to 10% service fee is automatically added to your bill.
It is not necessary to tip drivers doing short transfers (eg to the airport).
Displays of affection - Seychelles is one of the more LBGT-friendly African nations, but we advise all our clients, gay and heterosexual, to be sensitive to cultural differences.
FCO Travel Advice - consult the UK Foreign Office website for the latest travel advice www.fco.gov.uk.