Seychelles

Visa requirements for the Seychelles depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.

April–May and October–November are the inter-monsoon seasons — calm seas, lower winds, good for diving and island-hopping. December–March (northwest monsoon) and May–September (southeast trade winds) are rougher and better suited to different beaches. Anse Source d'Argent on La Digue (granite boulders, pink sand, turquoise water) is one of the most photographed beaches on earth.

• Beach casual throughout the islands
• Smart casual for upmarket resort restaurants
• Modest dress in Victoria's markets and churches

• The Seychelles are the world's smallest nation to have its own endemic species — including the coco de mer palm, whose double coconut is the largest seed in the plant kingdom
• Aldabra Atoll (one of the world's largest coral atolls) has 100,000+ giant tortoises — the largest giant tortoise population on earth
• The Seychellois are extremely friendly — a genuine creole culture blending African, French, British, and Asian influences
• The islands are expensive — it is primarily a luxury destination; budget accommodation exists but is limited

• LGBTQ+ same-sex relations were decriminalised in 2016 — one of the first African nations to do so; attitudes generally tolerant
• Environmental regulations are strict — no spearfishing, no coral collection
• The coco de mer can only be taken off the island with a CITES permit (purchased at the Vallée de Mai)