Seychelles Information

Language

English (the language of law and commerce), French and Creole, are spoken and in some hotels and restaurants, the Hotel staff speak German and Italian too. The people are an attractive mixture of African, Chinese, European and Indian stock. Please note that English and basic French is spoken by staff at the
Sunsail Seychelles base.

Passports & Visas

Clients must ensure that their passport is valid for up to six months beyond their stay. Visas are not required for entry into the Seychelles, although we recommend that clients consult their local embassy anyway.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations for hepatitis A, typhoid and polio are recommended but not essential. Inoculation against Yellow Fever is essential if arriving within 6 days of having visited an infected country. Essential health care services are also provided free of charge to all Seychellois, and the standard of health and hygiene is relatively high. There is an efficient, well-equipped hospital in Victoria where visitors can obtain treatment for a nominal sum, and clinics in most villages around the islands. There are pharmacies in Victoria. For up-to-date authoritative advice on health protection, we recommend that clients consult their family
doctor.

Airport

  • Arrive at Mahé International Airport, which is 20 minutes from Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles.
  • Departure tax is currently US$40 per person. The departure tax must be purchased in hard currency (not Seychelles rupees) and is available from banks or the airport.  
  • It is important to reconfirm international flights at least 72 hours before departure.

Transfers

It is recommended that clients make their own way to the Sunsail sailing charter base by catching a taxi from the airport. Approximate cost is $AUD30 per person, each way.

Currency

  • The local currency is the Seychelles Rupee (SCR). 
  • Due to fluctuating exchange rates it is strongly recommended to take either Euros or USD$ (in small denominations) rather than the Rupee, as the the Rupee is not widely accepted.
  • Please note that the Sunsail base is unable to accept the Rupee. All transactions, provisioning, services etc made through the Sunsail base will need to be made in Euros or US$.
  • Cash and travellers cheques can be changed at banks at the airport and in some villages around Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. 
  • Major credit cards, particularly Visa, are widely accepted.

Customs & Immigration

  • On arrival, you will be required to show your passport, completed Immigration card (distributed on the aircraft) and your return ticket.  
  • Going through Immigration, Customs and Baggage Collection can take up to an hour.  
  • Duty free allowances are similar to those in the EU.  Airlines will assume no liability for perishable articles, e.g. food, which may also be confiscated by Customs. 

Briefings

  • The chart brief given on your arrival describes the cruising area and any potential hazards. 
  • The yacht charter briefing introduces you to your sailing yacht, its systems and rigging.  It is carried out individually for each yacht.  It is important that all systems and equipment are fully understood. 
  • Briefings are mandatory.

Cost of Living

Prices vary between areas and from restaurant to restaurant, however, the following is a guide for your reference:

  • A bottle of wine costs from about AUD$20 in a supermarket and from AUD$35 in a restaurant.
  • A bottle of beer costs about AUD$3- AUD$7 
  • A snack can be bought for about AUD$4
  • A three course meal is likely to cost over AUD$50 per head.
  • Mooring fees vary from about AUD$10 - $60 per person.  
  • Water is available at the base and Praslin.  
    NB:  there are no shower or toilet facilities at the base, besides those onboard the yachts, although water, fuel and power are available.  Fuel charges may cost from about AUD$100 for a week on a small yacht up to AUD$400 for two weeks on a large yacht.

Moorings

Apart from Port Victoria and, space allowing, the harbours on Praslin and La Digue, mooring will be at anchor.

Tourist Offices

Tourism offices and information centres are available in Victoria.  Sunsail can also arrange a variety of shore based excursions, e.g. diving, car and bike hire. 

Local Interest

Souvenirs include Mother of Pearl jewellery, seashells, needlework, prints, bamboo, woodwork. Around the islands there are a number of art galleries and arts and crafts shops displaying a variety of souvenirs, particularly wooden or bronze sculptures, model ships and paintings. The best known souvenir from the islands is the pelvis shaped Coco de Mer usually polished and decorated.

Fuel

Cost Guide: 6.00 Rupees (approx AUD$1.60) per litre
Fuel Station Location: Can only refuel using jerry cans – therefore we require clients to pay in advance of their charter (Fuel Option 1).

News and Media

Various local newspapers are published daily and monthly. The Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation radio (219 metres 1368 kHz) broadcasts daily from 0600 to 1300 and 1500 to 2200, and includes news and weather information. Full news bulletins are broadcast in French at 1700 and in English at 1800 daily, with headlines at 0730/2100 and 0700/1100 respectively. Paradise FM broadcasts on 93.6 and has news and weather on the
hour through the day The TV headlines are shown at 2100 in French and 1800 in English.

Entertainment

There are many different bars and restaurants around the islands, and a cinema and 3 casinos on Mahé. In Victoria there are only 4 restaurants open in the evening, serving creole and European food. Taxis to Beau Vallon where most restaurants are situated costs about SCR50 (AUD$13). There are discos at some of the larger hotels. Details of all of the above may be obtained from the Sunsail Base Manager. Catamarans may be hired and paragliding and waterskiing sessions on the beach at Beau Vallon Bay. There is a 9 hole golf course at the south eastern end of Mahé. Horse riding is available on La Digue. Tennis and squash courts can be hired on Mahé. There are marked walks through interior of the islands and guides or routes can be arranged. There is a new 18 hole golf course on the north of Praslin

Car Hire

Car hire is popular and a good way to explore the inner parts of the islands at one’s own pace and is reasonable at around 40 Euro per day. Drive on the left and keep to the speed limit of 40 Km/h through built up areas in Mahé and the whole of Praslin, and 65 Km/h throughout the rest of Mahé. Petrol stations are sited at Victoria, Beau Vallon, Baie Lazare, Anse Royale, and opposite the International airport. There are also two
on Praslin. There are many car hire companies operating in the islands and the Sunsail Base Manager can arrange good
reliable cars at reasonable rates through the travel agency which handles our transfers. Bicycle hire is available on Praslin and La Digue.

Public Transport

A public bus service operates on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue from early morning to late evening, are frequent, and fares are between AUD$0.80 and AUD$1.30. Taxis are stationed in Victoria, at the airport and at hotels providing a reliable 24 hour service. The speed limit is 40 km per hour in Victoria, through Mahé villages, around Praslin and 65 km on the rest of Mahé. Inter island flights are operated by Air Seychelles and Helicopter Seychelles and the Sunsail Base Manager can provide details of times and fares. Inter-island ferries also run between Mahé and La Digue and Praslin. Day excursion boats also run from Mahé to the two main islands which can also carry passengers on one way trips.

Duty Free Restrictions

Only 400 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco, 2 litre of alcohol (either 2 litre of wine OR 2 litre of spirit), 25ml of perfume, and 250ml toilet water per person are allowed to be brought into the Seychelles duty free. Firearms, spearguns, and pets may not be brought in to the Seychelles.

Diving

Clients can dive from the yachts unsupervised however they must be certified and checked by a local dive company. This is normally verified as equipment must be rented locally.

Security

The Seychelles is a friendly and peaceful country where crime is rare. You are however advised to lock your boat or car and keep a watchful eye on belongings left on the beach when swimming.

Time

Time difference is GMT +4 Hours

Current local time is 11:36 pm on 28th August