Social ConventionsThe people live a simple and unsophisticated island life and tourism is carefully controlled to protect the unspoilt charm of the islands. Before the international airport opened in 1971, the islands could be reached only by sea, and since they are miles from anywhere, visitors were few and far between and the people were little influenced by the outside world. They developed their own language and culture which – like so many things on the islands – are unique. Shaking hands is the customary form of greeting. The Seychellois are very hospitable and welcome
guests into their homes. When visiting someone’s home, a gift is acceptable. A mixture of imperial and metric systems operates. For example, petrol is dispensed in liters, whilst bars sell bottled and draught beer in half-pint measures. Casual wear is essential and formal clothes are only worn by churchgoers. Swimwear should only be worn on the beaches.
International Travel:Getting There by AirThe national airline is
Air Seychelles (HM) (website:
www.airseychelles.co.uk).
Departure TaxNone.
Main AirportsMahé Island (SEZ) (Seychelles International) is 10km (6 miles) southeast from Victoria (journey time – 20 minutes).
To/from the airport: Some coach services are provided by agents and taxis are available.
Facilities: Duty-free shop, banking and currency exchange facilities, car hire and restaurant/bar.
Getting There by WaterCruise and cargo ships call at
Mahé but there are no scheduled passenger services.
OverviewThe following items may be imported into the Seychelles by persons of 18 years or older without incurring customs duty:
400 cigarettes or 500g of tobacco; 2
l of spirits or 2l of wine;
200ml of perfume or eau de toilette;
other items not exceeding SCR3000;
one video camera and one camera;
musical instrument;
portable electronic or electric equipment;
sports requisites and other leisure equipment.
The import of non-prescribed drugs and all firearms, including air pistols, air rifles and spearfishing guns, and plants and plant products, animals and animal products, radioactive substances and apparatus, dangerous drugs, biological specimens, fireworks and explosives, medicines and poisons are prohibited, unless prior authorization has been granted. Video tapes must be declared and may be retained for security reasons. The import of animals and food and other agricultural produce is strictly controlled and subject to licensing.
Shells, unprocessed coco-de-mer, processed or live fish and live tortoises may not be exported.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirAir Seychelles provides an efficient network of scheduled and chartered services from Mahé to Alphonse, Bird, Denis, Desroches Islands, Frégate and Praslin.
Helicopter (Seychelles) Ltd (tel: 385 858; website:
www.helicopterseychelles.com) provides an inter-island shuttle service and scenic flights. Charter flights can be arranged from any heli-stop.
Getting Around by WaterPrivately owned schooners provide regular inter-island connections between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Boats can be chartered privately to get to the other islands.
Getting Around by RoadTraffic drives on the left. There are paved roads only on La Digue, Mahé and Praslin; elsewhere the roads are sandy tracks. Visitors should be aware that Mahé is mountainous with narrow, winding roads, rarely with safety barriers.
Bus: SPTC
buses run on a regular basis on Mahé and Praslin from 0520-2130 (Mon-Sun). There are a number of 18-seater coaches for airport transfers and excursions. Prices for buses and coaches are very reasonable.
Taxi: There are about 300 independently operated taxis on Mahé and Praslin, with a handful on La Digue, with Government-controlled rates. There is a surcharge for taxi fares on Praslin between 2200-0600.
Car hire: There are over 550 cars or
Mini Mokes for hire on Mahé, and a limited number on Praslin. It is advisable to make advance reservations, especially in the high season. Conditions of hire and insurance should be carefully checked. Hire is on an unlimited mileage basis and the price includes Third Party insurance and tax. Minimum age is 21. Petrol is approximately a third more expensive than in Europe.
Bicycles may be hired on La Digue and Praslin.
Traffic regulations: There is a speed limit of 65kph (40mph) on the open road, decreasing to 40kph (25mph) in built-up areas and throughout Praslin.
Documentation: A national driving license is sufficient, for up to three months.
Journey TimesThe following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from
Mahé to other islands in the Seychelles.
| Air | Sea |
| Praslin | 0.15 | 2.30 |
| La Digue | - | 3.15 |
| Bird Is. | 0.30 | 7.00 |
| Denis Is. | 0.30 | 6.00 |
NoteNoteThe ferry from Praslin to La Digue takes approximately 30 minutes.
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