The Travel Guide to Seychelles: How to plan a trip from Dubai

Seychelles, an incredible archipelago of 115 pristine islands, lies within the Indian Ocean. It is one of the world’s smallest countries, located east of Kenya. The country is well-known for its cuisine, wildlife, beaches, and amazing diving spots. It draws visitors looking for a relaxing beach vacation away from the crowds. So, if you’re thinking about travelling from the UAE to Seychelles, this article has everything you need to know about travelling to The Seychelles..

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Seychelles is between April and May, or October and November; the ideal temperature in Seychelles during this period is 27°C, accommodation and flight costs are low, and the water temperature is ideal for swimming. In May, the weather in Seychelles is ideal for water sports and sightseeing.

From November to March, the northwest trade wind blows; from May to September, the southeast trade wind blows. These winds cause seaweed to accumulate on some beaches, so keep this in mind when selecting hotel locations at different times of the year.

Flights from Dubai to Seychelles
The duration of a direct flight from Dubai to Seychelles ranges from 4 to 5 hours. Direct flights from Dubai to Seychelles are currently served by Qantas, Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways, Oman Air, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, Egypt Air and Flynas all fly non-stop to Seychelles.

The Visa Requirements

Seychelles is a visa-free country, which means that no visa is required for anyone who wishes to travel there. Although other passport holders are not required to obtain a visa to enter Seychelles, visitors must have a valid passport or other travel documents recognised by the Seychelles government to gain entry. The passport must be valid for the duration of the intended stay until the holder’s return to his or her country of origin or residence. Visitors arriving in Seychelles for a vacation, business, or visiting friends or family are issued a visitor’s permit.

Passengers will obtain a “Visitor’s Permit” upon arrival for a maximum stay of three months. They must have the following:

Proof of a return ticket
Bank statements showing that you have enough funds to cover your vacation.
Proof of accommodation for the duration of stay.

An extension of stay is possible for an additional three months, with a maximum stay of 12 months. Visitors, who wish to stay longer than the authorised time, should apply for an extension at least one week before the expiry date. Visitor permits are not renewable after 12 months.

Covid-19 Regulations

Foreigners are permitted to travel to the Seychelles. Travellers, who present a valid certificate for complete COVID-19 vaccination, are exempted from pre-departure testing. The final dose must have been given no more than 6 months before departure. Following that, the vaccine certificate must show that a vaccine booster was administered.

Travellers must show proof of health insurance that covers all COVID-19 treatment costs.

Mandatory travel authorisation form

All travellers, regardless of age, must apply and present an online travel authorisation between 5 days and 12 hours before departure. During the application process, travellers must provide copies of their health documents, passport, and hotel reservations and pay the application fee.

Important things to know before travelling to Seychelles

Money: The Seychellois rupee is the country’s official currency (SR). The economy is primarily cash-based outside of resorts and ATMs can be found at the airport and major tourist attractions. You can pay in rupees or US dollars for goods and services. It is illegal to exchange foreign currencies at rates that differ from the official rate. Currency exchange is permitted in banks, casinos, hotels, and international airports.

Clothing: This is one of the important things to keep in mind while visiting Seychelles. When going to church, you should avoid wearing anything that is revealing and you should try to dress casually, or formally. Only when you visit a beach or spend the day at the pool can you wear modern clothes or swimwear. When you wear revealing clothing, the locals may take offence or perceive you as a threat. Although the crime rate in the Seychelles is quite low, one must be cautious as to not provoke.

Be careful with your documents and money: One thing to avoid in the Seychelles is carrying anything that is of value or important documents such as your passports. Carry a photocopy of your passport and store the original passport in the hotel’s vault. It is also not advisable to take these documents to the beaches or the markets. Leave them in your rented car or on display in your hotel room. Carrying large sums of money in your hand is not recommended because pickpocketing is on the rise in the country, and it is primarily targeted at the tourists.

Do not litter around: The Seychelles is an environmental-friendly nation. Visitors should take extra care as to not to leave the places they visit littered. If there aren’t any trash cans nearby, you can bring your trash back to the hotel and dispose it there. The local police have the authority to fine you heavily if they catch you littering. Try to be more responsible, avoid leaving trash lying around and look for trash cans to use instead.

Communication: The country code of Seychelles is +248.

Swimming: Strong currents and riptides in coastal waters make them potentially dangerous, especially close to the well-known tourist beach in Beau Vallon, where several drownings happen every year. There are some beaches where a lifeguard is not always on duty. The waters off Seychelles contain sharks as well. You must speak with local authorities to determine which beaches are safer for swimming and you must also carefully consider their instructions and warnings.

Refrain from collecting sea shells: Collecting sea shells from the Seychelles’ beaches, nature reserves, marine parks, and reserves are prohibited because the shells serve as a habitat for hermit crabs. Tourists may be intrigued by these beautiful sea shells, but they should refrain from collecting them. If visitors intend to bring anything back with them, they must obtain a certificate as well as an official export permit from the authorities.

The top places to visit in the Seychelles

The island paradise has a variety of places to explore, ensuring a wonderful vacation in this exotic destination.

Mahe Island

Mahé, the largest island in the archipelago and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Seychelles, has 65 beaches with diverse flora and fauna. It also has lush woods and the islands’ tallest mountain range. The island is well-known for its numerous tourist attractions, which include Victoria City, one of the world’s smallest capital cities, the spectacular Beau Vallon Beach, and the Seychellois National Park. Bird watching, sightseeing, photography, sunbathing, and snorkelling are all popular activities on the island.

Praslin Island

Praslin is the second-largest island and home to two of the world’s most beautiful beaches: Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette. This is one of the most beautiful islands in the Seychelles. Praslin is ideal for nature lovers who want to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Praslin National Park, which is home to Vallée de Mai, which is home to a very rare species of black parrot. Whenever you are on Praslin Island, don’t forget to stop by Coco de Mer to see the world’s largest coconuts. This island has a number of resorts and hotels that provide an unforgettable stay.

Bird Island

Bird Island is ideal for bird watchers as it is located on the northernmost island in the Seychelles archipelago. The coral island is known for its birdlife, with over a million migratory birds passing through from May to November. This island is home to many fairy terns, sooty terns, noddy terns, saunders’ terns, cardinals, ground doves, crested terns, plovers, and giant land tortoises. It is now a private resort with seven chalet-villas, as well as a small weather station and the Bird Island Airport, which connects the island to Mahe.

Moyenne Island

Moyenne Island is a tiny island off the north coast of Mahé, Seychelles, in the Sainte Anne Marine National Park. The island is best known for its free-roaming giant tortoises, historic ruins, and pirate tombs. The island is rich in flora and fauna, with over 16,000 trees such as mahogany, mango, palm, and numerous others, and the underwater life is equally impressive, featuring sharks and rays. Moyenne is one of the top snorkelling spots in the Seychelles.

Silhouette Island

Silhouette Island is the third-largest granite island in the world and is ideal for peace and quiet. It is located near the north island. The hilly island is known for its beautiful natural settings, diverse wildlife, and Mount Dauban. Visitors can explore the caverns, swim or snorkel, and see a wide range of birds, eckos, chameleons, turtles, and skinks. This island also contains a turtle breeding facility. If you want to stay for a few days, there are no cars available, so you will have to roam around the island on foot.

Seychelles Natural History Museum

The Seychelles Natural History Museum is one of the major tourist attractions in Seychelles. It offers a wealth of educational materials such as images, documents, animal models and historical artefacts. The museum’s goal is to raise awareness of significant environmental issues. They also want to promote a good attitude towards preserving the country’s natural heritage.

This vacation, book your tickets to experience the island paradise where you can unwind on the beautiful white sandy beaches of the Seychelles.