Most visitors to the Seychelles land on Mahé, the main island, and divide their stay between its beaches and the smaller islands of Praslin and La Digue, reached by ferry, and in Praslin's case also by a short flight. The Seychelles are outside the EU's Roam Like at Home area, so a European SIM roams there at its operator's own rates.
Key facts for the Seychelles
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: Airtel (depending on plan)
- Emergency numbers: 999 (police, ambulance and fire)
- Embassies: in Victoria, on Mahé
Before you fly
You must apply and pay online for a travel authorisation before you travel, and the application asks for a return or onward ticket, proof of confirmed accommodation and enough funds for your stay. On arrival you get a visitor's permit for 3 months. You need a yellow fever certificate only if you are coming from a country with a risk of transmission, and you may be asked to show proof of travel insurance at the border.
Beaches and the sea
The west coast is unsafe for swimming during the north-west monsoon, roughly December to March, and the east coast during the south-east winds, roughly May to September. Beau Vallon and other beaches can have dangerous rip currents when the sea is rough, and there are few lifeguards, so ask locally before you swim, and check that small excursion boats carry life jackets.
Crime on the islands
Coverage is good on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Break-ins, robberies and opportunistic thefts happen, including from parked cars, guest houses, hotels and beaches, so leave nothing on display, keep your passport and money in the hotel safe, and take extra care around Beau Vallon, in the back streets of Victoria and in any isolated area at night.
Roads and buses
Traffic drives on the left. Mahé is mountainous, and its narrow, winding roads have sheer drops, hairpin bends and deep uncovered storm drains, often without barriers, while drink-driving makes other road users unpredictable, so drive slowly, especially after a heavy downpour. Buses are cheap but infrequent on some routes, and most stop running at around 8pm.
Laws to know
Penalties for drug offences are severe, up to life imprisonment, and bail is highly unlikely, so pack your own luggage and never carry anything through customs for someone else. Nudism is not accepted. Same-sex sexual activity is legal, but attitudes vary.
Money
The currency is the Seychelles rupee. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and larger shops, and there are cash machines on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, including at the international airport.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM installed at home picks up a network when you land on Mahé, and your usual number keeps receiving texts and bank codes. An Africa plan also covers Mauritius, Kenya and Tanzania.
Seychellois SIM cards are sold at the airport and in Victoria, and you need your passport to buy one.
Consular protection: who to call in the Seychelles
- Dial 999 for the police, an ambulance or the fire brigade. To report a crime, the police are also on +248 428 8000.
- Embassies are in Victoria, on Mahé. The Telcomia app shows yours, with address and phone.
- EU citizens whose own country has no embassy or consulate in the Seychelles can ask the embassy of any other EU country for help, and it must treat them as it would its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- English, French and Seychellois Creole are the official languages, and the app has emergency phrases in French to show on screen.
Seychelles travel-safety page →
Questions travellers ask about the Seychelles
Will my EU tariff work in the Seychelles?
Only on roaming, at your operator's rates, since the Seychelles are not part of Roam Like at Home.
Do I need a visa?
No, but you must apply and pay online for a travel authorisation before you travel, and you receive a 3-month visitor's permit on arrival.
Which network does a Telcomia eSIM use in the Seychelles?
Airtel, with 4G where available.
When is the sea safe?
It depends on the season and the coast: the west coast is unsafe from about December to March and the east coast from about May to September, so ask locally before you swim.
The short version
Get your travel authorisation before you fly, install the eSIM at home, check the season before you swim, keep valuables in the safe, drive slowly on Mahé's mountain roads, and save 999.
See plans for the Seychelles →
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