A Solo Traveller's Guide To Seychelles

For a country renowned for being one of the top honeymoon spots in the world, Seychelles seems like an unusual choice for a solo traveller. However, there are plenty of experiences the country offers to visitors whether on a romantic getaway or a solo expedition; here are some tips for a successful and pleasant trip to Seychelles.

Entry

There are no visa requirements to enter Seychelles. There are a few things necessary to get through customs though:

A valid passport
A return or onward ticket
Proof of accommodation*
Enough funds for duration of stay

*Accommodations must be booked before entering the country.

There are certain items tourists are not allowed to bring into the country as well, so watch out for that.

Love Yourself

It doesn’t have to be all about the couples, Seychelles can be the perfect place to connect and take part in some self-care. With so many unmissable activities in Seychelles—including relaxing on the beach, getting pampered at a world-class spa, or going on a hike—there is no reason to ever feel bored.

It’s not all about couples. Spoil yourself at a world class spa like this at Six Senses.

Get Around

Whether between islands or on the island, transport in Seychelles is pretty necessary. Those not using a tour operator will need to organise this.

Between islands

Helicopter: obviously this is the highest end of inter-island travel. Charter a helicopter arrival to many different islands. The helicopter (and private plane) operator in Seychelles is Zil Air.

Plane: a few of the islands have runways for inter-island flights including Mahé, Praslin, Bird Island, Fregate Island, and Dennis Island. Air Seychelles operates the inter-island service.

Boat: the Cat Cocos Ferry travel between Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue Islands. Charter boats also travel to other islands, and most accommodations will recommend a good boat charter company close to them.

Zil Air, Mahé Island, Seychelles, +248 4 375 100

Air Seychelles Head Office, Mahé Island, Seychelles, +248 4 391 000

Pier Cat Cocos, Praslin, Seychelles, +248 4 324 843

On-island transport

Car hire: there are multiple car hire companies available in Seychelles, all charging pretty much the same.

Bus: taking the bus is rather unglamorous, but it’s an experience all its own. Costing just 10scr (€.64; $.74) for any journey (whether to the next stop or across the island) it’s certainly friendly on the pocket. They are often very busy, so seats aren’t always available. Bus services stop at around 6 pm

Taxi: multiple taxis run, and the accommodations will recommend and arrange rides for their guests.

Safety first!

Crime in Seychelles is low compared to many other countries in the world. The biggest thing to look out for is petty theft, particularly on beaches. Without a doubt, this is the worst on Mahé. Keep an eye on belongings and there should be no problem. Of course, having travel insurance in case the worst happens provides peace of mind.

Pick up local SIM cards for very cheap in most local stores. In fact, visitors to the island are often given them for free in arrival packs. There’s good 3G and 4G coverage across Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue.

Seychelles is free of malaria, yellow fever, and Zika. There are no venomous snakes or spiders to worry about either—although centipedes will give a nasty bite if stood upon; this is not a common occurrence though.

There are hospitals on Mahé and Praslin and a small hospital on La Digue. There are also health centres in pretty much every district in Seychelles. More serious injuries will be dealt with on Mahé and plane/helicopters will be chartered to Victoria Hospital if needed.

Emergency numbers

Police and Fire Departments: 999

Hospital: 151

Victoria Hospital, Mahé Island, Seychelles, +248 4 388 000

Logan Hospital, La Digue Island, Seychelles, +248 4 234 255

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