Eastern Africa · UN member
Seychelles: Travel Guide & Requirements
Republic of Seychelles · Repiblik Sesel
The Seychelles is a country in Eastern Africa with its capital in Victoria. It has a population of 122,730 (#187 in the world) and covers 455 km². The official languages are Seychellois Creole, English and French. The currency is the Seychellois rupee (SCR, ₨).
Where is the Seychelles? Map of the Seychelles
archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar.
- Region
- Eastern Africa
- Coordinates
- 4.5833° S, 55.6667° E
- Neighbours
- none (no land borders)
- Coastline
- 491 km
- Seychelles
- Capital
Travel requirements
What you need to travel to the Seychelles
- Passport
Seychelles Immigration says the passport must be valid for the period of the intended stay until arrival back in the holder's country of origin or residence.
- Visa or eTA
Depends on your passport: of 198 passports, 198 need an eTA. Check yours or see The Seychelles entry requirements for every passport.
- Return or onward ticket
Seychelles Immigration says a valid return or onward ticket for the duration of the visit must be presented for the Visitor's Permit issued on arrival, and the official Travel Authorisation site says you can apply only …
- Proof of funds
Seychelles Immigration says a visitor must have sufficient funds for the duration of the stay, a minimum of US$150 or equivalent per day, together with a valid return or onward ticket and confirmed accommodation.
- Travel insurance
No official requirement.
- Vaccinations
The official Travel Authorisation site says you upload a yellow fever vaccination certificate only if you are travelling from a country or region where the disease is endemic, and that you do not need one if you transit…
- Customs allowance
The UK Foreign Office says that if you are taking cash with a value of 50,000 Seychellois rupees or more into Seychelles, you must declare it when you apply for your travel authorisation.
- Travel advice
Safe to visit — US and UK advice.
Entry rules: TravelRequirements.info — Entry Requirements Dataset (CC BY 4.0), each rule cited to an official government source. Always confirm with the airline and the official source before you travel.
Before you go
10 things to know before you travel to the Seychelles
- Safety: Yes — the Seychelles is generally safe to visit: the US State Department rates the Seychelles Level 1 (“Exercise Normal Precautions”), and the UK Foreign Office has no warnings against travel there.
- Best time to go: June to September — when daytime highs in Victoria are around 26–27°C.
- Money: the Seychellois rupee (SCR) — 1 US dollar is about 14.5078 SCR.
- Plugs: type G, 240 V, 50 Hz — standard 220–240 V: devices from the US or Japan (110–120 V) need a converter unless they are dual voltage (100–240 V).
- Emergency numbers: Police 112 / 999, Ambulance 112 / 999, Fire 112 / 999.
- Language: Seychellois Creole, English and French are official.
- Driving: on the left — speed limits are 80 km/h outside built-up areas.
- Time zone: UTC+4 in Victoria.
- Capital: Victoria. About 122,730 people live in the Seychelles.
- Outdoors: 5 national parks.
Key facts
Seychelles at a glance
Languages spoken: Seychellois Creole (official) 89.1%, English (official) 5.1%, French (official) 0.7%, other 3.8%, unspecified 1.4% (2010 est.)
Geography & history
About the Seychelles
Seychelles was uninhabited before Europeans discovered the islands early in the 16th century. After a lengthy struggle, France eventually ceded control of the islands to Great Britain in 1814. During colonial rule, a plantation-based economy developed that relied on imported labor, primarily from European colonies in Africa. Seychelles gained independence in 1976 through negotiations with Great Britain. In 1977, Prime Minister France-Albert RENE launched a coup against the country’s first president, and Seychelles became a socialist one-party state until adopting a new constitution and holding elections in 1993. RENE continued to lead Seychelles through two election cycles until he stepped …
Read the full history
Seychelles was uninhabited before Europeans discovered the islands early in the 16th century. After a lengthy struggle, France eventually ceded control of the islands to Great Britain in 1814. During colonial rule, a plantation-based economy developed that relied on imported labor, primarily from European colonies in Africa. Seychelles gained independence in 1976 through negotiations with Great Britain. In 1977, Prime Minister France-Albert RENE launched a coup against the country’s first president, and Seychelles became a socialist one-party state until adopting a new constitution and holding elections in 1993. RENE continued to lead Seychelles through two election cycles until he stepped down in 2004. Vice President James Alix MICHEL took over the presidency and in 2006 was elected to a new five-year term; he was reelected in 2011 and again in 2015. In 2016, James MICHEL resigned and handed over the presidency to his vice-president, Danny FAURE. In 2020, Wavel RAMKALAWAN was elected president, the first time an opposition candidate has won the presidency.
Location
archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar
Climate
tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May)
Terrain
Mahe Group is volcanic with a narrow coastal strip and rocky, hilly interior; others are relatively flat coral atolls, or elevated reefs; sits atop the submarine Mascarene Plateau
Highest point
Morne Seychellois 905 m
Natural resources
fish, coconuts (copra), cinnamon trees
Natural hazards
lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; occasional short droughts
National symbols
coco de mer (sea coconut)
Driving
Speed limits & road rules in the Seychelles
The default speed limits in the Seychelles are 80 km/h outside built-up areas. The legal alcohol limit for drivers is 0.8‰. Posted signs always take priority over these defaults.
- 8080 km/hOutside built-up areasCountry roadsWHO data (2017)
- International Driving PermitRecognised: 1968 ViennaCarry the IDP together with your national licence
- Driving sideDrive on the leftOvertake on the right
- Alcohol limit0.8‰ blood alcohol (0.08% BAC)
- Seat beltsRequired by law
- Child seatsRequired by law
- Motorcycle helmetsRequired for riders
- Road deaths (2021)6.6 per 100,000 peopleSafer than most countries (median 12.4)
Speed limits: OpenStreetMap wiki — Default speed limits (CC BY-SA 2.0) and WHO. Road-safety laws: WHO Global Health Observatory. Compare speed limits and alcohol limits by country. Defaults for cars; local signs, weather and vehicle type can lower them.
Safety
Is the Seychelles safe to visit?
Yes — the Seychelles is generally safe to visit: the US State Department rates the Seychelles Level 1 (“Exercise Normal Precautions”), and the UK Foreign Office has no warnings against travel there.
US State Department
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)Latest update: New information about Ebola health measures for entry into Seychelles (‘Entry requirements’ page).
Updated 23 Oct 2026 · Full travel advice
Sources: US Department of State travel advisories (public domain) and UK FCDO foreign travel advice (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). Checked daily. Advice can change quickly — always read the official page before you travel.
Weather
Best time to visit the Seychelles
The best time to visit the Seychelles is June to September, when daytime highs in Victoria are around 26–27°C. February to May and October to December are also a good time to go. April is the warmest month (29°C by day), July the coldest (26°C at night), and January the wettest with about 206 mm of rain.
- Jan28°C27°C
- Feb28°C27°C
- Mar29°C28°C
- Apr29°C28°C
- May29°C28°C
- Jun27°C27°C
- Jul26°C26°C
- Aug26°C26°C
- Sep27°C26°C
- Oct28°C27°C
- Nov28°C27°C
- Dec28°C27°C
Best time Good Less ideal
Before you go
Plugs, voltage & emergency numbers in the Seychelles
Plugs & sockets
240 V, 50 Hz · Standard 220–240 V: devices from the US or Japan (110–120 V) need a converter unless they are dual voltage (100–240 V).
Sources: Wikipedia — Mains electricity by country and List of emergency telephone numbers (CC BY-SA 4.0).
National parks
5 national parks in the Seychelles
- 7 km² protected
- oldest from 1973
Largest: Sainte Anne Marine National Park · National Park · Baie Ternay Marine National Park
Currency · 26 October 2026
Seychellois rupee exchange rates today
The Seychelles uses the Seychellois rupee (SCR, ₨). One US dollar buys 14.5078 SCR; over the last 30 days the SCR has lost 4.4% against the dollar.
What other currencies cost in SCR
Currency converter
Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0), 26 Oct 2026. Banks and exchange offices add a margin.
World rankings
Where the Seychelles ranks
How the Seychelles compares with the rest of the world — open any card for the full ranking.
Airports
Airports in the Seychelles
24 airports and airfields — 1 large, 1 medium and 15 small, plus 7 heliports. 3 have scheduled passenger flights.
Borders
No land borders
The Seychelles has no land borders with other countries. Coastline: 491 km.
People
Population & society
Religion
Largest cities: Victoria (28,000)
Economy
Economy
Main industries
fishing, tourism, beverages
Export partners
France 20%, Mauritius 12%, UK 9%, Japan 8%, Italy 8% (2023)
Top exports
fish, scrap iron, animal meal, broadcasting equipment, ships (2023)
Travel tools
Handy before every trip to the Seychelles
Next public holiday
All Saints' Day — Sunday, 1 November 2026. Then The Feast of the Immaculate Conception (8 Dec).
Seychellois passport
Ranked #50: 102 countries visa-free, 29 with visa on arrival, 6 with an eTA and 26 with an eVisa.
Seychellois passport photo
Exact size, head position and background for the Seychelles's passport and visa photos — make one free with AI checks.
Calling the Seychelles
Dial +248 before the local number. Internet domain .sc.
Climate footprint
0.7 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024 — 5.00 t per person.
Entry requirements
Visa rules for every passport visiting the Seychelles: visa-free stays, eVisas, visas on arrival and documents to bring.
News
Latest travel news about the Seychelles
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Frequently asked questions about the Seychelles
What do I need to travel to the Seychelles?
How long must my passport be valid for the Seychelles?
Where is the Seychelles?
What is the Seychelles known for?
What is the capital of the Seychelles?
What language is spoken in the Seychelles?
What currency does the Seychelles use?
What is the calling code of the Seychelles?
Does the Seychelles have land borders?
How strong is the Seychellois passport?
What is the speed limit in the Seychelles?
Is the Seychelles safe to visit?
When is the best time to visit the Seychelles?
What plug type does the Seychelles use?
How many airports does the Seychelles have?
Sources: CIA World Factbook (public domain); World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0); names, languages and currencies: mledoze/countries (ODbL); flag: flag-icons (MIT); coat of arms: Wikimedia Commons (file page); exchange rates: Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0); airports: OurAirports.