Logistics · Country Guide
Granite islands, coral atolls, and warm-water adventures in one Indian Ocean country
Use this travel brief to set arrival flow, local transit, and gear movement before you lock your itinerary.
Most trips enter through Seychelles International Airport on Mahe, then branch outward. Mahe is the easiest first-night base because it connects to domestic flights to Praslin, fast ferries to Praslin and La Digue, and resort or charter departures for the Outer Islands. For an Inner-Islands trip, arrive on Mahe, recover from the long-haul, then continue by Air Seychelles domestic hop or fast ferry the next day if needed.
Seychelles International Airport
SEZ • FSIA
11 km • About 11 km by road to Victoria; west-coast resorts are farther
Main gateway for Mahe stays, domestic onward travel, and resort or charter departures deeper into the archipelago.
Transport: Airport taxis, Pre-booked hotel transfers, Car rentals, Selected bus links on main roads
Praslin Airport
PRI • FSPP
Within Praslin's main visitor zone • Short taxi transfers to most island stays and the La Digue ferry link
Domestic gateway for Praslin, Curieuse day-boat departures, and easy onward connection toward La Digue.
Transport: Airport taxis, Hotel transfers, Rental cars
Rental cars make the most sense on Mahe and can also work on Praslin. Public SPTC buses cover Mahe and Praslin well enough for budget-conscious travelers with light luggage, while La Digue is famously bike-friendly. For inter-island movement, time your hotel, jetty, and airport transfers conservatively rather than assuming every ferry connection will feel seamless on a windy day.
Seychelles does not require a visa for ordinary short tourist stays, but all travelers must obtain Travel Authorisation before departure. Standard processing is priced from EUR 10.90, and the application requires passport details, a selfie, contact and trip information, airline booking confirmation, accommodation confirmation, and payment details. A visitor's permit is issued on arrival for the intended stay length. A yellow fever certificate is required only if you have resided in, visited, or transited for more than 12 hours through a yellow-fever-risk country.
Rental scuba gear is easy to arrange on Mahe and Praslin, but specific freedive equipment, custom camera parts, unusual boot sizes, or hard-to-replace electronics should come with you. Keep mask, computer, medication, and at least one change of clothes in carry-on during island hops. Soft-sided luggage is easier than large hard cases when you are mixing flights, ferries, and smaller transfer vehicles.
Seychelles Rupee (SCR)
Cards are widely accepted at hotels, larger restaurants, car-hire desks, and many dive operators on Mahe and Praslin. Carry some SCR for buses, takeaway food, modest tips, small shop purchases, and the occasional low-friction cash payment on La Digue or at jetties.
ATMs are available at SEZ and across the main Inner-Island population centers. Once you move into remote lodges or yacht-style programs, do not assume there will be another reliable ATM later in the trip.
240V • 50Hz • G
Type G is the standard plug on land. Many boats offer limited charging points, so a compact USB charger or small travel strip helps if you are carrying cameras, torches, and power banks.
Communications
Local mobile connectivity is easy to sort on arrival at the airport, where both Airtel and Cable and Wireless services are represented. Main-island hotels usually have workable Wi-Fi, but speeds and resilience drop once you move into smaller properties or remote Outer-Island programs. Download maps, tickets, and dive paperwork before you leave Mahe if the next legs matter.
Language
Seychelles uses three official languages: Seychellois Creole, English, and French. In practice, English works smoothly across tourism, transport, and dive operations, while hearing Creole in daily life is part of the country feel.
Insurance
Buy travel insurance that explicitly covers scuba or freediving if you will do either, and make sure evacuation between islands is included. For the Outer Islands, evacuation logistics matter at least as much as chamber coverage. Camera cover can also be worth adding because salt, small boats, and repeated transfers are hard on gear.
Packing list
A 3mm suit, shorty, or light full suit is enough for most people, backed up by a rash guard for sun and extra warmth on longer boat days. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, seasickness medication if you will take ferries, a dry bag for inter-island transfers, and your own mask if fit matters. Freedivers should not count on replacing niche accessories once they leave Mahe.