Location of the Seychelles islands. Passports and visas. Souvenirs from Seychelles

Seychelles are an archipelago that is an island state. Palm trees with the largest fruits in the world grow here.

Locals believe that this is the very forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge that Adam and Eve ate. But anything can happen! Many people call these islands the real Eden.

Seychelles is located in East Africa. They are quite easy to find on the world map. The reference points can be Africa, the Indian Ocean, Madagascar and the equator. It is necessary to find the African segment Indian Ocean. Not far from the shores of this continent, Madagascar is immediately noticeable, and a little higher on the map, that is, to the north, are the Seychelles.

You need to look just south of the equator. You can also find quite prominent Kenya and draw a line from its shores. Its length will depend on the scale of the map. In reality, the distance corresponds to approximately 1600 km.

History with geography

The Seychelles archipelago consists of 155 granite islands. The latter are practically unsuitable for living. The first are the main settlements. The largest of the granite group - Mahe, where the capital of Seychelles is located - Victoria. It is on this island that about 80% of the state’s inhabitants live, approximately 72 thousand people.

For comparison, on one of the largest islands in the country - Silhouette, is home to about 200 people. It is on it that the graves of the first travelers - Arab sailors, dating back to the 9th–10th centuries, have been preserved.

In 1502, admiral Vasco da Gama, during the second voyage to, designated the Seychelles as the Admiral Islands. The French began to create the first settlements here in 1756. And in 1814, according to the Treaty of Paris, they transferred their possessions to the British. But only 41 years ago the Seychelles became an independent state.

From that time until 1991, socialism reigned in the country. It was replaced by a market economy. Now the locals are making money from their history, but from a completely different part of it - the pirate part. Brave corsairs hid here themselves and hid their treasures.

Capital of Seychelles and main airport

The main city of Seychelles is small - approximately 20 square kilometers. The name Victoria was given in honor of the English queen. Previously, the first French settlement existed on this site. Port Royal.

A tour of one of the smallest capitals in the world will take a traveler no more than an hour.. You can see a small copy here Big Ben, see the only street in this country that is equipped with traffic lights and try Creole cuisine.

Not far from Victoria there are two terminals of the Seychelles International Airport - Airport de La Pointe la Rue. The first terminal accepts flights from other countries: Kenya, Ethiopia, UAE, Qatar, as well as charters from Germany and the Netherlands. The second terminal is located nearby and sends planes with travelers to the islands of the state. To get to the Seychelles, it is more convenient to choose flights with a transfer in Doha or.

Having found out where the Seychelles Islands are located on the world map, all that remains is to plan your trip. After all, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to see paradise with your own eyes: the purest snow-white beaches, the bright blue of the ocean and the lush emerald green of lush vegetation!

? is of interest to newlyweds, seekers of solitude, paradise, beautiful dive sites, those who want to have fun at the Festival of Creole Culture, lovers of yachting, sea fishing and beach time. A stream of tourists flocks here in May-October, although the Seychelles are suitable for swimming all year round (the water is always warmed up to at least +26˚C), except for occasional storms and downpours that can “attack” the islands in November-April.

Seychelles: where are these paradise islands?

Location of Seychelles (area - 455 sq. km) - Eastern. Only 33 of the 115 islands located in the western Indian Ocean are inhabited. The most big island is Mahe, where the capital of the state (Victoria) is located. Administratively, the Seychelles is divided into 25 districts (Mont Buxton, Plaisance, Bel Air, Anse aux Pins, Port Glaud and others).

The distance from Mahe to Cerf is 4 km, to Praslin – 40 km, to La Digue – 50 km, to Bird Island – 100 km, to Denis Islands – 95 km, North – 35 km and Silhouette – 30 km.

How to get to the Seychelles?

To fly to the Seychelles from, you need to make transfers: due to the connection at (Emirates), the air journey will last 13.5 hours, and at (Air France) – 15 hours. Less flight time can be spent during the winter months when Air Seychelles organizes Russian tourists flights – every 10 days (9-hour flight).

Several transfers await tourists who want to get on. So, a flight with stops at airports and Mahe will last 19 hours.

Holidays in Seychelles

Mahe invites guests to enjoy the aroma of tropical flowers in the Orchid Garden, watch how tea leaves are collected on a tea plantation, and enjoy amazing views from a 900-meter height (to do this you need to climb to the top of the Morne Blanc mountain). Snorkelers are advised to head to Fairyland Beach or Anse Royal Beach, surfers - at the Grand Anse (here you can use the services of the Utetangar Riding Center riding school), and divers should head for the Trompeuse Rocks, which goes to a depth of 20 meters, where they will meet pennant butterfly fish, tuna, and musketeer fish , sharks.

Guests of Praslin relax on the beaches of Anse Consolacion (solitude awaits them here), Anse Marie Louise (here you can swim in a natural “pool” at high tide) and others, admire the black parrots and palm trees in the Valle de Mai National Park, and go to excursion to the Black Pearl Farm, which specializes in the cultivation of black pearls. Well, those who want to go diving are recommended to resort to the services of specialized centers (Bleu Marine, Octopus, Whitetip Divers).

Tourists can expect beautiful rocks, pink beaches, Mount Nid d'Aigl (you can climb to a 300-meter height in half an hour, and along the way you can stop by the Belle Vue Snack Bar restaurant), Paradise Flycatchers Nature Reserve (flycatchers live here), and a park L'Union Estate Park (its attractions are a vanilla plantation, an aviary with turtles, an ancient granite mountain), 30 dive sites (White Bank, Channel Rocks, Ave Maria, Coral Garden, West Sister Rock).

A tour of Fregate Island will allow travelers to meet land turtles and Dutch pigeons, listen to the singing of birds of paradise, and enjoy the aroma of flowering plants.

Seychelles beaches

Beau Vallon: the beach is aimed at romantics (amazing sunsets), family and children's recreation (sloping entrance to the water + sandy bottom + no stones, big waves and underwater currents), active vacationers (conditions have been created for snorkelers, divers, fishermen, parasailers).
Anse Intendance: The 800-meter beach is crescent-shaped (it has snow-white sand). It is popular among those who like to sunbathe and surf, but the best time to swim here is in December-April.

Souvenirs from Seychelles

Seychelles gifts include models of sailboats, coco-de-mer sea nut liqueur, bottles with colored sand, Creole-style textiles, products woven from palm leaves, souvenirs made from turtle shells (don’t forget to get permission to export them), jewelry made of corals, black pearls and mother-of-pearl, figurines and boxes made of coconut shells, herbs and spices (cinnamon, chili, vanilla, cloves).

The Seychelles is a stunningly beautiful archipelago, a real lost paradise in the waters of the Indian Ocean. Amazing beauty landscapes, fine white sand, the ocean, unique flora and, of course, the “signature” palm trees of the archipelago - all these are the Seychelles.

Location of Seychelles

The exotic archipelago stretches in East Africa over an area of 455 square kilometers. In such a small area there are 115 islands, but only 30 of them are inhabited by people. The islands are located 1,600 kilometers from the African mainland, and almost 1,000 kilometers north of the notorious Madagascar. The capital of the island is the most Big City Victoria (Mahe Island).

Seychelles International Airport (Aоport International de Seychelles - Pointe Larue) with three terminals is located 10 kilometers southeast of the capital. The islands are home to approximately 90,000 people.

Seychelles is a former French and British colony.

. Some of the islands of the archipelago are composed of granite rocks, some are coral atolls, which are very dry and hot, and the vegetation is represented only by coconut palms.

Holidays in Seychelles

The wonderful Seychelles archipelago is undoubtedly an almost ideal place for an unforgettable and truly heavenly holiday, as they say, the most natural “bounty”. A tropical fairy tale is separated from the ideal in the classical sense by one “almost” - the price. The cost of a vacation will cost the price of a good car. But the coin has two sides, so such a vacation will be unforgettable in all respects. Moreover, a visa is not needed to travel to “paradise” if the stay is less than 30 days.

The route to the Seychelles, as is already obvious, is not close, and is about 7000 kilometers. Travel time ranges from 13 to 15 hours. All flights are connecting with transfers, usually in Paris (“Air France”), in Doha (“ Qatar Airways"), in Dubai ("Emirates"). There is no time difference with Moscow.

The most popular “tourist” islands are the main Mahe, Praslin, La Digue. Also interesting are the islands of Saint Anne, Desroches, Cerf, Silhouette, Frigate, Denise.

The Seychelles were named after the French minister of finance (XVII-XVIII centuries) - Moreau de Sechelles.

The names of cities, islands, establishments are found in French and English languages, which is a kind of reminder of the colonial past of the archipelago.

The most popular entertainment for tourists is rightfully considered diving and Boat trip. It is also recommended to visit National Parks, for example, Morne Seychelles. The island has been isolated for a long time, so there are quite a lot of endemic flora and fauna found here.

The islands are very popular not only among the very wealthy, but also among newlyweds. Exotic weddings on the islands are gaining more and more popularity, and in this segment the Seychelles compete with the Maldives and Mauritius.

Video on the topic

One of the most beautiful islands Caribbean Sea are rightfully the Seychelles Islands. They are rich a huge amount various birds, and large trees grow there, which only reach 2 meters in diameter. Seychelles centenarians live here - large turtles whose weight is approximately 250 kg. But the main miracle of the island is the sea coconut.

A holiday in the Seychelles is truly unforgettable. The official symbol of the USA is the nut, which weighs 20 kilograms and grows only on these islands. Despite the great popularity of the resort, this place is great for privacy. There is crystal clear water and untouched nature.

Seychelles beaches rank first as world-class beaches. Tourists can enjoy a fascinating mountain hike or hiking in a tropical paradise forest. There are also large bazaars that open at night.

Coral reefs, underwater encounters with huge blue sharks and other fish are the dream of any diver. Seychellois love to welcome families with children. Many hotels are equipped with the most necessary things for children: children's rooms, playgrounds, children's menus. There are also nannies.

For newlyweds, there are rooms for the first wedding night, luxury rooms with floating flowers in the pool. You can relax in the Seychelles at any time of the year: the air temperature here is about 30 degrees. From May to September the climate is the least humid. The rains begin from December to February, at this time the humidity is high, but the temperature still does not drop below 20 degrees.

Video on the topic

There are many islands on our planet that can truly be called paradise. These include the Seychelles archipelago. Beautiful nature, clean beaches and clear water of the Indian Ocean attract hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.

It is noteworthy that Seychelles is not only the name of the archipelago, but also the name of the state.

There are about 115 islands in total. The biggest ones include:

Mahe is the largest, and the capital of the Seychelles, Victoria, is located on it.
La Digue.
Silhouette.

Please note that the pieces of sushi are located very close to each other. Therefore, moving from one to another is quite simple. If speak about local residents, then they do it on corn trucks or ferries.

Where are the Seychelles on the world map?

In answering this question, you should pay attention to the fact that The archipelago is located in the Indian Ocean. To find it, you should start by looking for Madagascar on the map, and then look a little higher, that is, to the north, where the Seychelles will be located.

However, even the largest island, Mahe, is so small that it may not even appear on the map. To roughly understand its size, it should be emphasized that Mahe is 20 times smaller than the area of the entire Moscow. Therefore, to see the entire archipelago, you should choose a map with a large scale.

The closest African countries are Somalia, Tanzania and Kenya. It is noteworthy that the distance to the coast of Africa is about 1600 km.

It should be noted that the Seychelles are located in the subequatorial climate zone, that is, the equator is very close to the islands. Islands such as Reyunuk are located relatively close to the Seychelles. In the southwest, the Seychelles neighbors the Comoros Islands, and in the northeast there are

What is Seychelles?

This archipelago of islands is a republic. Despite the fact that there are about 115 islands in total, only 33 are inhabited. All the other islands have long been discovered, however, no one lives there. Therefore, if you want to enjoy wild and primitive nature, then this is the place for you. It is noteworthy that half of the islands are covered with specific tropical vegetation, and the second half is empty.

As already mentioned, the most big Island- This is Mahe. The area of this island is about 141 km², and the capital of the state is also located here. On the same island is located international Airport, where all the tourists arrive.

There is an opinion that the largest island is Aldabra. It is noteworthy that total population Seychelles has about 90 thousand people.

Who owns the islands?

Answering this question, it should be noted that some islands belong to the Seychelles state. For example, La Digue belongs to the president, however, tourists can still be there.

Why do tourists choose Seychelles?

The Seychelles archipelago is so popular because it is here the sun is constantly shining, it’s warm and there’s a beautiful ocean nearby. In addition, on the islands of this archipelago you can see pristine tropical nature. Tourists not only from Europe, but also from America and Asia come to the resorts of this region.

Sea coconuts, Seychelles palm trees - that's why tourists come. The most popular island among tourists is Silhouette. It is noteworthy that the natural landscape has been preserved in this place. This is simply a paradise for drivers, as one of the most beautiful underwater lagoons is located here. Moreover, this great opportunity admire not only corals and seaweed, but also a wide variety of fish species.

How to get to the Seychelles archipelago?

After looking at the world map, the tourist begins to think about the question of how to get to this paradise. It should be noted that there are no direct flights from Russia, so you will have to fly with transfers.

You can get to the archipelago through:

Milan;
London.

Please note that the international airport is located only in the capital. Therefore, if you want to visit other islands, you will need to book your local flights in advance. There is also another option for traveling between the islands - by boat. Tickets can be purchased upon arrival.

Seychelles beaches

Coastline dotted with snow-white beaches, where you can not only sunbathe, but also exercise. So, all the necessary equipment can be bought or rented directly on the beach. The most famous beach is Cote d'Or, which is also called the “Gold Coast”.

Is Seychelles a safe holiday destination?

Holidays here are safe, but you should not forget about the basic rules. It is noteworthy that on islands such as Mahe or Praslin there is clean tap water, but it is better to drink bottled water. In addition, before traveling, you should definitely get vaccinated against hepatitis A. But special vaccination is not necessary, but is desirable. Insurance will also not be superfluous.

How developed is the tourism sector?

It should be noted that there are always a lot of tourists here, so the infrastructure is more than well developed. There definitely shouldn’t be any problems with housing, as there are many options for where you can stay. So, these can be either expensive hotels or budget hotels and hostels. However, it should be said that there is no single classification of hotels. Now the country's Ministry of Tourism is actively working on this issue.

While relaxing on the islands of the Seychelles archipelago, you will always find something to do. So, you can sunbathe all day long on well-groomed and clean beaches, or walk along the seashore. Special attention should be paid to diving.

Please note that in this country roads are in poor condition, so you should drive with extreme caution. A huge advantage is that here you can rent a car with a Russian license.

It is noteworthy that the Seychelles region has the most developed medicine. The central hospital is located in the capital.

As a result, it should be noted that The Seychelles archipelago is heaven on earth. However, you should also rest with caution. For example, while swimming in the sea you may stumble upon sea urchin or on coral fragments. Therefore, you should also rest wisely.

Seychelles

Today I am opening a new and long-awaited column about the Seychelles - a truly heavenly place on Earth and a tropical resort located near eastern shores Africa in the Indian Ocean. The Seychelles is one of the prestigious destinations of beach tourism, a place that will be appreciated not only by sunbathers, but also by fans of active recreation. Unique beauty Seychelles resorts attracts tourists from all over the world and travelers from Russia who are happy to spend their long-awaited vacation in the Seychelles. So I’ll share everything I know about these incomparable islands: what kind of country the Seychelles is, where it is located, do you need a visa to visit, what language do they speak there, what kind of money is used, how long does it take to fly there and what are the prices? for air tickets, when is the best time to vacation there and what islands and hotels are in the Seychelles. In general, my article is about how best to prepare for a trip to the Seychelles and what is worth seeing there to make your holiday in the Seychelles memorable for a long time.

I will begin my story, of course, with a definition and brief description Seychelles, where they are located on the world map and what a vacation there is like.

Seychelles- This Island state(its full name is the Republic of Seychelles), located below the equator in the southern hemisphere in East Africa, in the western Indian Ocean, with a population of about 90 thousand people and a territory of only 455 km 2. According to the form of government, the country of Seychelles is a presidential republic, which gained independence from Great Britain on June 29, 1976. The Seychelles flag has 5 colors radiating from the lower left corner and was adopted on June 18, 1996.

basic information

Judging by where the Seychelles Islands are located on the map - slightly south of the equator, approximately 1600 km east of the African mainland, their belonging to Africa can be called very conditional, especially considering the unique animal world these islands. However, geographically the Seychelles is located closest to Africa, next to another famous island- Madagascar.

Seychelles on the map

Capital of Seychelles is the city of Victoria, the largest city in this country. It is located on the largest island of the Seychelles archipelago - Mahe (its area is 142 km 2). Seychelles International Airport is also located there, the runway of which is only 3 meters above sea level.

The territory of the Seychelles is formed by islands rising 4-8 meters above the ocean, which in the Seychelles are of two types: granite and coral. It is very easy to distinguish between them: people live and relax on granite (inhabited) ones, but coral ones, similar to, are mostly uninhabited and can only be visited as part of excursions.

Do you want to know how many islands there are in the Seychelles? Compared to other island states, there are not so many, only 115 islands. However, only 33 of them are inhabited. Moreover, most tourists relax in the best hotels, such as Four Seasons And Hilton Seychelles on the largest Seychelles islands - Mahe, Praslin, La Digue, Silhouette - or on small and private islands with exclusive hotels - North, Fregate, Felicite, Denis and a number of other resorts.

The flora and fauna of the Seychelles includes a large percentage of endemics - birds, reptiles and plants that are found only on this archipelago of islands and nowhere else in the world. Seychelles palm trees grow here, the fruit of which weighs up to 20 kg and is considered the largest in the world. flora. Rare species of birds also live - the Seychelles small black parrot and the bulbul nightingale.

Here is an interesting overview video about Seychelles:

It is important to know: For detailed background information about the Seychelles, see Wikipedia, and I will continue to share with you practical information about this country and holidays in it.

I would compare the Seychelles with Hawaii: there are also several large islands, each unique in its own way. Therefore, when preparing trips to Seychelles the most important thing is to choose the right island on which you will relax. If we compare it with the Maldives, then everything will be completely different, because it is not so important (in essence they are almost all the same) how to decide whether you want to relax.

Here are three of the best hotels in Seychelles:

Four Seasons Resort Seychelles 5* - real paradise lagoon and stunning ocean views. The hotel is conveniently located in the southwest of Mahe island in a separate cove of Petite Anse. From the airport it can be reached in just half an hour. Accommodation in spacious villas with expensive interiors and a swimming pool. It features two restaurants serving Creole and international cuisine, a hilltop spa with... panoramic views and the best yoga center in the Seychelles.
Price per room – from $1000 per day.
Book Four Seasons 5*

Raffles Seychelles 5*- relatively new hotel with a magnificent design of the rooms, excellent sandy beach Takamaka has no stones and an incredible level of staff. This truly fabulous place is located on the island of Praslin. It features romantic and family villas and apartments with superb interiors and a private pool, yoga room and kids club. For the convenience of guests, there are as many as 3 restaurants on site, which often host themed evenings. An ideal holiday destination in the Seychelles. They speak Russian at the hotel, there is a Russian manager.
Price per room – from $1100 per day.
Book Raffles 5* hotel

Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa 5* is the only hotel on Silhouette Island. He's in the top best hotels in the Seychelles and is the wildest, which will especially appeal to nature and ocean lovers. The well-groomed hotel grounds are suitable for romantic and family vacation or a retreat in comfortable solitude. Everything is blooming all around, as if in paradise, and the birds are singing, and the convenient beach is well suited for children. Among the staff there are very competent Russian-speaking people, not everyone will tell you about the island - a real nature reserve with a pure atmosphere and beautiful landscape. Complete relaxation is guaranteed!
Price per room – from $450 per day.
Book Hilton 5* hotel

Seychelles on the map

Legend on the map:

Burgundy color - airports and ferry piers of Seychelles;
Blue color - islands in the Seychelles;
Yellow color is the most famous beaches Seychelles;
Green color - Seychelles national parks.

Holidays in Seychelles

So, I told you the basic information about the Seychelles, and now let’s talk about what the Seychelles is like the best place for a beach and romantic holiday. It is no secret that the Seychelles constantly compete with the Maldives in these two prestigious categories, and tourists choose where it is better to relax - in the Seychelles or in the Maldives. And at the same time, the Seychelles is slightly ahead of its competitor as the best wedding destination for a vacation and honeymoon. general impressions and price for two.

If you don't know what the language is in Seychelles, then keep in mind that there are three official language- Seychellois Creole, French and English. All residents speak mainly Creole, which is a variety French. However, the staff in Seychelles hotels and the majority of those employed in the tourism sector speak English, because tourism accounts for about 30% of the country's GDP.

Why go to Seychelles

Romantic getaway and wedding. If you want to have a wedding there with Seychelles flavor and live music, have Honeymoon in luxurious surroundings, renew your vows on a family anniversary, spend a relaxing and expensive holiday on the beach with your loved one and get a lot done at the same time beautiful photos. In general, every category of romantic getaway is available in the Seychelles;
Vacation with children . Families with children also love holidays in the Seychelles. Many hotels have children's clubs where your child will be engaged in interesting games with other little travelers, and will also be able to explore the Seychelles in an educational way with experienced mentors;
Go diving. Since the Seychelles has many coral islands and rich underwater life, the diving here is as five-star as in the Maldives. In addition, do not forget that everything in the Seychelles is unique: there are fish, birds and animals that are not found anywhere else on Earth. It is for this reason that experienced and novice divers come to the Seychelles and go scuba diving in one of the best places on the planet for this;
Trekking in nature and leisure . This category works best for me. I don't like to just relax on the beach and do nothing. At least for a long time. And I definitely need to go somewhere, see the beauty of the world around me, climb higher on the mountain. So, the Seychelles are just ideal in this regard: you come and relax for a couple of days on the beach, and then you can go trekking into the jungle, visit tea plantations, study the local flora and fauna, and visit small towns and villages. And when he was tired of exploring the world, he returned to the beach again. Moreover, the beaches here are truly heavenly!
Beach holiday. And finally, if you’re just tired of everything and want to have a great rest on secluded beaches and swim in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, and you’ve already been to the Maldives, then why not visit the Seychelles this time?

Tour to the Seychelles or a trip on your own?

There are two simple ways to relax in the Seychelles:

Buy a ready-made tour to the Seychelles;
Organize your own vacation.

Both are expensive. But going to the Seychelles, nevertheless, is the best gift you can give. Unlike the Maldives, where today there is a large selection of hedgehogs, in the Seychelles budget holiday still underdeveloped. Yes and direct flight there is no flight from Moscow to the Seychelles yet, even the ubiquitous one does not fly there. So you will have to get there with a transfer, but it will be much more exotic and interesting, won’t it?

So, if you prefer to entrust your vacation to trusted travel companies and pay more for it, you can familiarize yourself with their offers and look at tours to the Seychelles for the dates you are interested in on the website.
And if you are like me, solo traveler , then all you need to do is buy cheap flights(on the Aviasales website), book hotels that suit you on Booking and check out online. That's all you need to go to the Seychelles yourself!

Map of Seychelles (from seychellesbookings.com)

Direct flights to the Seychelles from Russia have not yet been opened. Therefore, the best way to fly to the Seychelles from Moscow is to buy tickets with a transfer in one of the Arab countries, for example, the UAE or Turkey. Tourists also often choose a flight from Moscow to Seychelles with a short connection in Europe (usually via Serbia).

How long is the flight to Seychelles? It all depends on the choice of airline and the number of transfers. If you take inexpensive tickets Moscow - Seychelles at a price of 500-600 dollars, then the travel time will be from 18 to 24 hours. But air tickets to the Seychelles from Russia with a short connection in Dubai will cost more, $600-800 per person, and the entire flight will take only 13 hours.

It is important to know: If you want to fly to the Seychelles, keep in mind that the time difference with Moscow is only +1 hour, which is not so much. Remember to set your watch forward after landing in the Seychelles so it shows exact time in the Seychelles.

Upon arrival in the Seychelles, you arrive on the island of Mahe, in the center of which the Seychelles International Airport is located. Then tourists need to think about transfer to the hotel:

Vacationers on the island of Mahe can simply order a transfer: anywhere on the island can be reached in 30-40 minutes by bus from the hotel.
To Praslin Island You can fly from Mahe using domestic airlines - Air Seychelles or take a ferry. Many high-end five-star hotels offer private helicopter transfers from the airport directly to the hotel - usually starting from $600.
You can get to La Digue island by ferry from Mahe; the journey takes about 3 hours. Or use a combined method: first get to Praslin (by plane or ferry), and then take a ferry to La Digue (it takes only 20 minutes). This is convenient if you choose both islands for your vacation and live on each of them in turn.
To Silhouette Island tourists are brought exclusively by helicopter, since there are only two hotels there, one of which, Hilton, organizes this transfer.

To get to other private islands, like Providence, where Seychelles House 2 is filmed, hotel guests usually book a helicopter transfer. But some of them, for example, Fregate Island, can be reached by ferry. This is due to the fact that the Frigate is an important tourist destination and is interesting to many travelers from a historical point of view.

As I said, to have a great holiday in the Seychelles, first you need to choose an island, and then a hotel and a beach on it. For the most curious travelers, I recommend visiting all three main islands, especially if the number of days on your vacation allows it.

So how are they different? islands in Seychelles?

Mahe is the central and largest island in the Seychelles, where the international airport and the capital Victoria are located. The city of Victoria itself is a small copy of London (after all, the Seychelles used to be an English colony) and at the same time competes with for the title of the smallest capital in the world. There are amazing beaches along the shores of Mahe, there are a lot of them - about 70 in total! Despite the fact that Mahe is a busy island, its western part is very quiet, and this is where the most prestigious and expensive hotels are located. Also on Mahe there is nature reserve — national park Seychelles Morne (Morne Seychellois National Park), in the middle of which there is the most high mountain in the Seychelles - Morne Blance (height 907 meters) and the jungle around. Among other things, Mahe also has tea plantations - a heritage of the British. Almost perfect island for relaxation - both beach and active, right?
Praslin — beautiful island, which is unique for its unusual palm trees, for which a national park was even organized here. It’s not for nothing that the Seychelles was called the leader among honeymoon destinations, because the coconuts of the local palm trees look like a heart! So Praslin is the island of love in the Seychelles. The beaches here are as beautiful as those on Mahe, but on Praslin they are quieter. At the same time, in small towns you can find nightlife- bars and discos. Divers also come to Praslin who dream of exploring undersea world in local waters. So if you also dream of diving, be sure to include Praslin Island in your Seychelles itinerary.
La Digue- this is the smallest among the granite islands, and at the same time it has the most big rocks. If we continue to compare the islands, and call Mahe an island-city, and Praslin a small town, then La Digue is undoubtedly a village. At the same time, the village is cozy and fantastically beautiful. This is a way to break away from everything and everyone, live among tropical beauty, relax on snow-white beaches and relax in silence. It also has its own attractions, such as Eagle's Nest Mountain and Union Estate Park. It was also on the island of La Digue that the cult film “Goodbye Emmanuel” was once filmed, and there you can even see the preserved house of the planter from this movie. By the way, it will be important for budget travelers to know that on the island of La Digue hotel prices are significantly lower compared to other Seychelles islands, both the most expensive room categories and simpler accommodation.
Silhouette is a wild island in the Seychelles. Yes, after a village, you can call an island with only two hotels in the middle of the jungle wild. So if even the village atmosphere is too crowded, welcome to Silhouette, where there are very few people.

Sand and beautiful beaches in Seychelles

All beaches in Seychelles sandy and located in small coves (you will immediately notice their names in French - anse, which means bay). That is, if the name contains the words Ans, it means a bay, and therefore a beach. Another feature of the beaches in the Seychelles is that they are all municipal. That is, everyone can come and relax, even if you are staying in a five-star hotel.

Tourists who come to the Seychelles inexpensively are quite happy with this arrangement. Since sunbeds and umbrellas on the beach are free, you can book a cheaper hotel on the second line, and go to the beach of expensive hotels and not deny yourself anything.

Helpful advice: What to do if you want to relax on a beach where there are few people? There is a solution - choose a hotel away from settlements, then there will be no one to come to the beach except tourists.

Many beaches in the Seychelles are without waves, as the bays are surrounded by breakwaters and special fortifications. One of these beaches is the most popular and party place Beau Vallon Beach, which is located near the capital Victoria. This means that the Seychelles is ready for the arrival of families with children and those tourists who are not very good swimmers. But also places with good waves There are also surfing and diving spots - especially on the islands of Denis, Felicite, Alphonse and Silhouette.

Intendance Beach - the most beautiful in the Seychelles

Which beach to choose in Seychelles?

Do you need insurance in Seychelles?

Insurance in Seychelles will be necessary, especially if you plan to study active species sports. And for everyone else who just wants to relax on the beach, just in case, it’s better to take care of their health and not leave it to chance. I also recommend buying health insurance, if you are going on vacation with kids.

Compared to the total cost of a holiday in the Seychelles, insurance is not at all expensive. However, if you need to use medicine in the Seychelles, it will greatly help in saving on medical care costs.

Don’t forget, Seychelles is Africa after all! But at the same time, you do not need to do any special vaccinations before the trip.

Visa to Seychelles

For tourists visa to Seychelles not required if the period of stay in the Seychelles does not exceed 30 days (as well as).

So if you are flying for two or three weeks, feel free to take your international passport and tickets, and at Pointe Larue International Airport (Mahe Island) upon arrival you will be given an entry stamp and - welcome to the Seychelles! All you have to do is go through customs.

By the way, before your flight, read the list of what you cannot bring to the Seychelles and what you cannot take out, as well as how much cash you can bring and take with you to the Seychelles.

Currency in Seychelles and what money to take with you

Official currency in Seychelles is the Seychelles Rupee (SCR). There are 100 cents in 1 rupee. Banknotes in denominations of 10, 25, 50, 100, 500 rupees and coins of 1 and 5 rupees, as well as cents - 1, 5, 10 and 25 are in use.

Despite the fact that prices in the Seychelles are indicated in rupees, in the Seychelles you can officially pay with other money - American dollars and euros, which are used here on a par with the rupee. So you can take both dollars and euros with you to the Seychelles, but cash rubles must first be exchanged for foreign currency.

The exchange rate of the Seychelles rupee to the dollar is quite stable and does not change significantly. It averages 14 rupees per US dollar. 1 rupee = 4 rubles, 1 euro = 16.5 rupees.
It is not difficult to exchange dollars for local currency. This can be done at the airport, in many ways. exchange offices in the city, bank branches or directly at your hotel.
It is important to know that the reverse exchange of money - from rupees to dollars or euros - is possible only if you have the original currency exchange receipt. So don't throw it away unless you plan to leave with Rs. Moreover, it is generally prohibited to export more than 2 thousand rupees per person from the country.
In hotels and restaurants it is better to pay for services by bank card. And in transport, small shops and cafes, cash is preferred - local rupees, dollars or euros.
Tipping in Seychelles is usually 10% and is already included in the bill. Unlike and, all taxes that must be paid for accommodation are usually immediately included in the prices shown in the hotel booking system. That is, this is the final price and there is no need to additionally calculate and estimate how much more you will have to add.

When is the best time to fly to Seychelles - weather and seasons for holidays

Climate in Seychelles- tropical, but very soft. Temperatures fluctuate slightly between months throughout the year. We can say that the weather in the Seychelles is approximately the same all year round: average temperature air during the day is +26..29°C, and water temperature is +25..28°C. There are no strong winds, and rains occur much more often in winter than in summer.

Seasons in Seychelles not as pronounced as in Maldives. This is not to say that there is a time when you shouldn’t even think about flying to the Seychelles. You just have to keep in mind that during winter period From December to February there is more precipitation. Moreover, the rainiest month in the Seychelles is January, and in December and February there is also quite a lot of rainfall. Therefore, it is better not to travel to the Seychelles in winter. Although you can take a risk if you are not a big fan of going into the jungle or going on excursions to see nature. The rains are just starting to fall mountain regions Mahe and Silhouette Islands. In this, the Seychelles are similar to Hawaii. It may rain in the mountains, but the sun is on the beach. The rest of the year - spring, summer and autumn - the Seychelles is a great holiday!

Conventionally, the seasons in the Seychelles are usually divided into two:

hot from December to May, with rain from December to February;
cool - from June to November, when the air temperature is quite pleasant and there is little rain.

Thus, When is the best time to fly to Seychelles?? That's right, summer! But it is also possible in spring and autumn.

You may ask, but how? new year holidays, and is it really not worth going to the Seychelles in winter? You can take a chance and try to go, because the weather in the Seychelles at this time is generally not bad, but if you still want to guarantee yourself a 100% sunny vacation on the beach, then it is better to choose from December to March.

Transport and car rental in Seychelles

Seychelles is an island nation, but developed enough to cleverly arrange transport connection between their islands.

There are several ways to travel between the Seychelles using different transport:

Air Seychelles domestic aircraft allows you to fly between the two most large islands in the Seychelles - Mahe and Praslin. In addition, this company connects Seychelles with other islands and countries in the Indian Ocean - Madagascar and Mauritius, as well as mainland Africa - Tanzania, Kenya and others.
Public ferries They also go between the islands, and this type of transport in the Seychelles is the cheapest. In just an hour you can get from Mahe to Praslin. It will take another twenty minutes to swim between Praslin and La Digue. And in two hours you can get from Mahe to Fregate.
Helicopter is the most convenient way to get not only to private islands or to Silhouette, but also right on the territory of the most prestigious hotels on all islands, including Mahe, there are equipped helipads.

Ground transportation on the islands:

Mahe and Praslin also have good local transport. There are clear and convenient routes ground transport with the option to buy an all-day pass for just 5 rupees (about 40 US cents). Buses run from early morning until the evening. There are also minibuses (minibuses) that connect Mahe International Airport with the capital Victoria.
A taxi in the Seychelles is also a great way to get to your hotel, go to the store or visit attractions, and it’s very inexpensive. Taxi pays according to the meter. Landing (or rather the first kilometer) costs 15 rupees, and then another 5 rupees are added for each subsequent one. For example, during the day you can get from the airport to the capital for only 75 rupees (at night it will be more expensive).

Car rent- this is the most convenient way, how to see the island of Mahe or Praslin on your own. If you are planning to see nature or go to the mountains, then it is better to immediately take a four-wheel drive vehicle and be an experienced driver. Road traffic in the Seychelles, drive on the left, and the roads in the mountains are narrow and in some places look like serpentines.

To rent a car in the Seychelles, you will need an international driving license (IDP), and your driving experience must be more than 3 years.
There are not many gas stations in the Seychelles: only 6 gas stations on the island of Mahe and 2 more on Praslin. It is better to know their location in advance so as not to be left without gasoline when you rent a car in the Seychelles.
It is also worth remembering that the maximum permissible speed in the Seychelles is 65 km/h, and in the city it is generally only 45 km/h.

Bicycle rental will be most useful on La Digue Island. But on other islands you can also try to travel by bike, if you have experience and desire.

Diving, surfing - what to do in the Seychelles

- this is interesting not only for those who already master this skill, but also for beginners who just want to try underwater diving. The Indian Ocean is very a nice place for scuba diving. In addition, near the Seychelles there are various unique fish and giant Aldabra turtles.

Visibility in the water near the Seychelles is up to 30 meters;
The best time for diving in the Seychelles is from September to October and April to May.

The best places for snorkeling are along the coast of the islands (the boat ride takes about 10-40 minutes). Don't miss the UNESCO-protected Aldabra Island and the site of the English tanker Ennerdale Rocks, where turtles and a variety of deep-sea fish now live. Other recommended dive spots are Mammel Island and Tropheus Rocks.

Surfing It is also popular in the Seychelles, especially on the islands of Mahe and Praslin.

Where to surf in Seychelles:

On the island of Mahe, the best beaches are Grand Anse, Beau Vallon and Anse Bougueville. In the west of the island the waves are more unpredictable, while in the east they are calmer;
On the island of Praslin, Anse Lazio beach is ideal;
On the island of Silhouette - Anse Lascar.

Beaches in the Seychelles for surfing by skill level:

Beaches for beginners in surfing: Beau Vallon and Carana (Mahe);
Beaches only for pros: Anse Bougainville, Anse Royale, Barbaron and Misfit Bay (Mahe);
Beaches for people of all skill levels: Anse Goulette (La Digue), Bel Ombre and Anse Intendance (Mahe).

Brief history and culture of Seychelles

History of the Seychelles closely related to European discoveries. There is practically no information left about the time that existed before the Europeans first landed in the Seychelles. Except that the Arab pirates used some islands (Silhouette, Frigate) for their base. Also, the Malays from Borneo could replenish their supplies of water and provisions in the Seychelles on their way to Madagascar.

But as for the written history of the Seychelles, it begins from the moment when great navigator Vasco da Gama sailed past them on his way to India at the very beginning of the 16th century (in 1502). For some time these were no man's lands, but the British first declared their territory of the Seychelles when, following in the footsteps of Vasco da Gama more than a century later (in 1609), they sailed to India and were caught in a storm. Seeing the land, the British landed in the Seychelles and immediately decided that this piece of paradise was now in the possession of the English crown. However, since resort islands were not in fashion then, it was not entirely clear how these lands in the middle of the ocean could be useful. And the British left them alone, but first they described them in detail.

Then, a little more than a century later, the French became interested in the islands and founded the first settlements there. They arrived in the Seychelles in 1756, looked around, and decided that, together with Mauritius, the Seychelles would make an excellent base for them (Mauritius is a source of sugar cane). Then they brought people here from Madagascar and East Africa, turning them into slaves. The name Seychelles did not appear immediately. The Seychelles Islands began to be called this way in the second half of the 18th century in honor of the French Minister of Finance, Jean Moreau de Sechelles.

During the wars with Napoleon, which took place not only on land, but also at sea (many remember Nelson's victory), battles also took place in the distant Indian Ocean. In 1794, Britain drove the French out of the Seychelles and began cultivating huge coconut palm plantations there with the help of slaves.

In 1814, the Seychelles became a colony of England under the Treaty of Paris. Life became better under the British. At least in the sense that in 1835 they finally abolished slavery. But at the same time, they began to encourage the import of hired workers - Arabs and Indians. It was necessary to work, and someone also had to conduct trade.

The independence of the Seychelles was declared quite late (compared to India), only in 1976, when the Seychelles became a Republic ruled by a president.

Interesting facts about Seychelles:

The history of the Seychelles is quite short compared to world history. Nevertheless, a tangle of events has formed an unusual historical cocktail here.

Despite the fact that most of the time the islands were owned by the British, the name of the country itself and all its objects is French.
The brought slaves mastered French culture. Now it is called Creole - that is, African and French, born from mixed marriages and a common household. Now here the language is Creole, that is, it seems to be similar to French, but not quite, the cuisine is Creole, the religion is Creole: all are Catholics, but with their own African flavor.
The fact that the British brought Arabs and Indians did not greatly affect the situation. Hindus, Arabs and other peoples in the Seychelles are in the minority. Their culture is officially recognized, but does not greatly influence general position cases, the absolute majority are still Creoles.

Attractions in Seychelles

The main attraction of the Seychelles is their fantastic nature, which is definitely worth watching. Since most tourists come here for beach holiday, then picturesque beaches on the islands for them - this is the best thing in the Seychelles. In general, the beaches here are also important attractions, and they are all different - rocky or sandy, with white or pink sand, with calm seas or high waves suitable for surfing. In general, if you have time and desire, you can personally visit many Seychelles beaches and see their unique diversity.

In the meantime, I will briefly tell you about the most interesting sights of the Seychelles:

Source d'Argent is the most photographed beach in the Seychelles. To be more precise, this is the most photographed beach in the whole world! It is located on the island of La Digue and is famous for its granite boulders. You've probably seen this photo on the Internet. It was precisely because of this photo that I learned about the Seychelles and wanted to go there.
Aldabra Island is one of the most famous outer Seychelles islands, which is located in a specially protected UNESCO region. It does not consist of granite, but coral, and is located geographically closer to Africa, next to the Comoros. The peculiarity of this island, in addition to its extraordinary lagoon where divers come to dive, is that Seychelles giant turtles live there - unique marine inhabitants. All in all, it's worth paying a pretty penny to see them in natural environment habitats and get to know them.
Bird Island, which is a half-hour flight from Mahe, is especially popular from May to September. From the name it is immediately clear that this island is the habitat of birds, black terns. In the summer (winter for the Southern Hemisphere) there are so many of them that you can become deaf from their conversations.
Curious Island, which is part national park in the Seychelles, has also become home to giant tortoises. But, as far as I understand, they were transported there from Aldabra.
Cousin Island near Praslin is home to some endangered animals. The Seychelles is a unique place, and the animals here are endemic. And some of them, unfortunately, are on the verge of extinction.
Vallee de Mai is another Seychelles national park on the island of Praslin where you can admire sea palms and their coco de mer nuts. I love all palm trees very much and always find time to visit them unique places, like the California Palm Garden in Joshua Tree Park. I’ll definitely set aside an hour or two for sea palms in the Seychelles.
Victoria is the largest city and capital of Seychelles. Compared to world capitals, this town is quite small, but here you can see in detail how the British settled on an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, far from rainy London.

Here's what else you can do in the Seychelles, besides sightseeing:

Diving
Surfing
Fishing
Island tours
Trekking on Mahe and Silhouette. Why not?
Beaching is undoubtedly the most important point of the vacation program
Getting to know the local cuisine.

Holidays

Seychelles is a Catholic country. Therefore, the main holidays here are also Catholic, and their celebration is not much different from the usual European holidays.

Generally, holidays in Seychelles can be divided into two types:

Religious
Related to the independence of the Seychelles Republic from Great Britain (all of them occur in June).

Here are the days declared public holidays (national holidays) in the Seychelles:

New Year(January 1-2)
Good Friday
Easter
Labor Day (May 1)
Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (June 3)
Liberation Day (June 5)
national day(June 18) is the main holiday in the Seychelles.
Independence Day (June 29)
Assumption of the Virgin Mary (August 15)
All Saints' Day (November 1)
Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary (December 8)
Christmas (December 25)

Cuisine and restaurants

The cuisine in the Seychelles is special - Creole. What does it mean? Creole cuisine in the Seychelles took as its basis island status and traditions, added European culinary delights (mostly French) on top and mixed it all with Indian spices. The result is an original tropical mix that all tourists should definitely try.

The basis of Creole cuisine is, of course, seafood. Rice, curry and coconuts are also constantly used. What do you think is the most common dish in the Seychelles? Of course, rice with fish. Not just, but with spices and coconut sauce.

And since there is quite a lot of fish caught in the Seychelles, there is also an abundance of fish dishes here. Anyone who loves seafood will not get bored in the Seychelles either - octopus, crabs, lobsters and so on. In addition, expensive hotels always have European or other Asian restaurants. So it’s impossible to stay without pizza and sushi.

As for inexpensive food, the Indians always come to the rescue. If you want something local and colorful, you can always go to an Indian restaurant or buy food right on the street. It's inexpensive and adds interesting variety to your diet.

The locals like to drink different types fermented coconuts, sugar cane, mint infusions. And of course, they bring in wines - French and South African.

Tours to Seychelles and prices

Trip to Seychelles tour– this is quite an expensive pleasure, but almost every tourist can go there. The price of the tour depends on the cost of the flight, the luxury of the hotel and the distance of the island from the airport (transfer fee), as well as on your special preferences. Since there are practically no experienced tour operators in the Seychelles, it will take a very long time to book a trip to the Seychelles with them. It is much more convenient to organize your trip yourself, especially since it is not at all difficult. In this case Seychelles tour for two will cost much less since you will not pay a large commission to the travel agent.

Tour price to Seychelles strongly depends on the season (in summer from June to August – high season and the highest prices, and even on New Year’s it can be very expensive), as well as on your ability to save and desire to understand the features of a holiday in the Seychelles before starting your trip. Because you can immediately book the most expensive hotel and quickly spend all the money in a few days on expensive entertainment, as in the Heads and Tails Seychelles program. But it would be much more rational to calculate in advance the approximate budget for a tour to the Seychelles, taking into account your own wishes, choose good hotel on the beach or in nature, plan cultural program and visiting attractions to see as much as possible.

As an example, I will provide information about Seychelles price for two- airfare and double rooms in hotels, if you book a room yourself on the website Booking.com:

And here's how much they cost ready-made tours to the Seychelles with a flight from Moscow - price for two, including fuel surcharges and all surcharges (no meals, only breakfast or all inclusive):

Types of tours to the Seychelles	Price for two
Tour to Seychelles (7 nights) - 3* hotel on Mahe island without meals	160 thousand rubles
Tour to Seychelles (7 nights) – 3* hotel on Mahe island, breakfast included	180 thousand rubles
Tour to Seychelles (7 nights) - 4* hotel on Praslin island, 2 meals a day	360 thousand rubles
Tour to Seychelles (10 nights) – 4* hotel on Praslin island, all inclusive	500 thousand rubles
Tour to Seychelles (7 nights) - 5* hotel on Praslin island, breakfast only	650 thousand rubles
Tour to Seychelles (7 nights) – 5* hotel on Mahe island, all inclusive	1 million rubles
Tour to Seychelles (10 nights) – 5* hotel on Praslin island, all inclusive	1.4 million rubles.

What else you need to know about the Seychelles

The best hotels in the Seychelles, where Russians most often go, are the following:

On the island of Mahe - Kempinski Seychelles 5* and also Savoy Seychelles 5*
On the island of Praslin – Raffles Seychelles 5*
On the island of La Digue – Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort & Spa 4*
On Silhouette Island - Hilton Seychelles 5*

In general, Russians are not often found in the Seychelles, but some rich people here have their own villa, registered in a Seychelles offshore. A few years ago, when local authorities did not disclose information about company owners, many preferred to buy property in the Seychelles in order to optimize the payment of their taxes. However, now that all data has become open, keeping money in the Seychelles has ceased to be as profitable as it was before.

It might be useful to read: