People come to the Seychelles to enjoy the pristine nature. And here this is achieved immediately, thanks to the ideal climatic conditions, Always warm sea with wonderful snow-white sandy beaches. Located in tropical latitudes and surrounded by the emerald expanse of the Indian Ocean, this coconut paradise amazes with its riot of colors and diversity of plants, colorful underwater world and outlandish reserves, intricately rugged rocks and coral atolls, a great variety of birds and giant turtles, as well as the Creole population and its traditions combining European, African, Indian and Chinese cultures.
Each island of this fabulous archipelago, be it the capital island of Mahe or the former haven of pirates - Frigate, the island of coconut palms Praslin or the fantastic La Digue, is attractive in its own way and has magnificent natural beaches with white sand, colorful hotels that fit perfectly into the landscape and not disturbing the harmony wildlife. This country is not a victim mass tourism, preserving its amazing beauty and color.
Seychelles is tropical paradise teeming with fruit all year round: coconuts, mango fruits, bananas, papaya, psidium fruits, avocados, melons, zither fruits, breadfruit, jamalaki, caramboli, corossols, pineapples, sugar cane, oranges, lemons, grapefruits... There are at least 15 varieties of bananas and almost as many types of mangoes...
The Seychelles has a lot of endemic (found only in the Seychelles) representatives of flora and fauna. For example, only here the unique coconut palm “Sea Coconut” grows. Its famous nut - the largest and heaviest in the whole world - reaches a weight of 20 kg. The adventurer Henri de Monfreid, who saw other palm trees, did not hide his surprise: “This nut is the size of a large round pumpkin. It is double, and its two hemispheres resemble a pair of buttocks, between which nature has chosen to carefully reproduce some suggestive anatomical details.” .
Unique giant tortoises live in the Seychelles. When it stops growing, the 1.5 m long "testuda gigantea" can weigh up to 500 kg. Some specimens live for a very long time, more than 300 years.
The Seychelles also has unique species birds: black parrot on Praslin Island, song magpie on Fregate and Arid Islands, tok-tok on Cousin Island, banana bird on Mahe Island...
The Seychelles have long attracted lovers of big fish. 100 km north of Mahe Island, next to Bird Island and not far from Deniz Island (a base for fans of this type of fishing), where the depth very quickly reaches 1800 m, 6 world records were set: boats equipped with special equipment recognized The International Fishermen's Association gives the opportunity to register records.
Capital
Victoria.
Population
Population: 96,000 people. “Seychelles women have enough French to have a good figure, English to be well mannered, Asian to be exotic, and African to have a savage charm.” It’s hard to say better about a Seychellois woman than Alec Waugh did.
Language
Official languages are Creole, French, English.
Religion
The main religion on the islands is Christianity (90% of the population is Catholic), Buddhism, and Islam.
Geography
The Seychelles archipelago includes 115 large and small islands located in Indian Ocean just south of the equator and north of the island Madagascar.
It occupies an area of 459 km2.
The largest islands are Mahe, Praslin, La Digue, Silhouette- granite origin; small islands - mostly coral.
Most big Island archipelago - Mahe, length - 27 km, width - 8 km. On this island is located the capital of the state is Victoria and an international airport.
Climate
Although this paradise is very close to the equator, the climate here is more tropical than equatorial.
The regulating influence is exerted by the ocean, and the Seychelles is unfamiliar with the sweltering heat of continental areas located at the same latitude.
It is customary to distinguish between two seasons: hot (December - May) with average temperature around +29°C and relatively cool (June - November) with an average temperature of around +27°C when the monsoon winds blow. The rainy season lasts from early December to mid-January. At this time, heavy but short-term rains are possible.
Time
The time difference with Moscow is +1 hour in winter; in summer there is no time difference.
Visa
A visa to Seychelles is not required for travel. You must have a foreign passport with you, which expires no less than 6 months after the date of departure, a completed customs declaration and a return ticket. Proof of any vaccinations is not required upon entry. All arrivals are issued a so-called visitor visa valid for 1 month, which can be extended if desired.
Currency
The national currency is the Seychelles rupee (SCR).
1$=14 rupees.
There are banknotes in denominations of 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 rupees, coins in denominations of 1 and 5 rupees, as well as 1, 5, 10 and 25 cents. You can also sometimes find silver and gold coins in circulation.
Credit cards Visa, Master Card and American Express are accepted almost everywhere. Banks in Seychelles are open from 8:30 to 14:30 from Monday to Friday, on Saturday from 8:30 to 11:00.
Tips
It is not necessary to tip, because... Usually the cost of service is included in the bill. However, hotel and restaurant staff are always happy to receive extra rupees.
Transport
Air traffic
Local airlines "AIR SEYCHELLES". The planes of this airline make regular flights between the islands of the Seychelles archipelago. Phone number for information about airline flights: 438 40 00.
Car rental
The country drives on the left and the roads are quite narrow. You can rent a car at the hotel (as a rule, every hotel has car rental offices) or AVIS - tel. 422 45 11, Mahe Cars – tel. 437 35 27.
Gas stations
150 km. Mahe Island's road network is served by six Shell gas stations.
Other modes of transport
Taxis – There are about 200 taxis operating on Mahe Island. All cars are equipped with meters. The tariff is the same at any time of the day. The taxi rank is open 24 hours a day.
Buses – run every quarter of an hour on main routes. Buses of the Indian brand "TATA" run from 5:30 to 19:00.
Ferries – the high-speed ferry “Cat Cocos” departs from the port of Victoria daily to Praslin Island, travel time is 1 hour.
Flights from Monday to Saturday - from 7:30 to 16:00. On Sunday – from 10:30 to 16:30.
Cloth
It is best to wear light cotton clothing, comfortable shoes (sandals or sandals), and a hat. We recommend using special sunscreens, and also bring sunglasses with you. If you are going to visit the highlands of the country, you should take a sweater and trousers with you (as in the evening the temperature can drop to +14°C).
Electricity
Voltage 240V, 50 Hz. Square sockets with three holes. An international standard adapter is used, which can be taken at the reception.
Connection
To call to Moscow 007 (Russian code) + 495 (Moscow code) + subscriber number. A phone call from the Seychelles is expensive: a $40 phone card allows you to talk to Europe for only 8 minutes. Cost 1 min. conversation with Moscow from a pay phone – $4.
For questions regarding use mobile communications, please clarify all questions with your provider!
Useful phones
Police, fire service, ambulance: 999
Russian Embassy in Seychelles: The Embassy of the Russian Federation in The Republic of Seychelles
P.O. Box 632, Le Niol.
Phone: (8-10-248) 426 65 90 (24 hours a day), 422 15 90, 4266122, 426 66 53,
Mail: [email protected]
Victoria House. P.O. Box 3566, Victoria
There is no embassy of the Seychelles in Russia.
Fishing
The Seychelles Islands are famous for their fantastic fishing. Only here is it possible to combine fishing with open ocean, in sandy shallows and near coral reefs.
Fishing on boats specially equipped with the necessary equipment for trophy fishing: an installed trolling row of spinning rods with marine baitcasting reels, hooks, live and artificial baits, stationary outriggers.
Big game fishing– trolling from large, specially equipped boats; Bottom fishing– spinning fishing with poppers and jig baits; Flats fishing– fishing with light spinning and fly fishing.
Venue: Mahe Island, Praslin, Silhouette, Frigate, Bird, Denis, Desroches, Alphonse, Coetivie and other islands.
Diving
Scuba divers in these waters will find a wide variety of underwater world, including the unsurpassed beauty of colorful coral reefs. Besides Amazing whale sharks visit here from October to April, and anyone who is looking for a way to make their blood run faster through their veins will certainly not miss their chance to swim in the waters of the Indian Ocean next to the giants, the largest fish on the planet.
Restrictions
- Those arriving in the Seychelles are allowed to carry 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco, 2 liters. alcohol, 125 ml. perfume or 250 ml. toilet water and other goods costing no more than 3,000 Seychelles rupees ($550).
- It is prohibited to import flammable materials, weapons, including those for spearfishing, narcotic substances and medications without a prescription.
- A special permit is required to import pets.
- It is prohibited to transport vegetables, fruits, plants, meat and meat products, and canned food.
- Bans have been established on the export of coconuts, shells, corals, and turtle products.
- A maximum of 1000 rupees, or $200, can be taken out of the country,
There are no restrictions on the import and export of foreign currency.
Flight rules, passport control, meeting, seeing off
Departure from Moscow
You're flying out of international airport"Domodedovo", 1st floor, departure hall
customs control
Required documents:
- customs declaration (in case of transporting more than $3,000 or valuables);
- international passport;
– round-trip air ticket (don't lose!).
All luggage must be presented, including hand luggage.Registration
Required documents:
– air ticket;
- international passport.
At check-in, baggage is checked in and issued boarding pass on the plane. A purchased air ticket without a boarding pass does not guarantee a seat on the plane.Passport control
Required documents:
- boarding pass;
- international passport.
When boarding the plane, you only need your boarding pass.
Arrival in Mahe
When booking the Fast Track service, tourists will be greeted in the arrival hall with a sign (where the names of tourists are indicated).
A representative of the host company will help you quickly go through passport control, customs, and get your luggage.
Passport control
Required documents:
- international passport;
– immigration card (issued on the plane shortly before boarding).
After passing through passport control, you are left with the stub from your immigration card.Receipt of baggage
customs control
To pass customs control, you must present all items for inspection to customs officers.
After passing customs inspection, you need to approach a representative of the receiving company with a sign and hand over the voucher, after which the representative will take you to the transfer.
Airport emergency: 00248 2 51 53 10
Russian speaking representative: 00248 2 52 01 49 (Valentina Payette)
Travel packages and tours
about country
Seychelles - amazing world, full of bright colors and spicy aromas, enchanting sounds of unusual music and the sound of the surf, ancient legends and amazing stories about pirate treasures. 
Seychelles is a unique corner, lost in the vast expanses of the ocean, which many often call “Paradise on Earth” or “Eden”. Seychelles has many amazingly beautiful islands, each of them is interesting in its own way. The most popular among travelers are, and.
Holidays in the Seychelles mean countless beaches with silver-white sand, which are rightfully considered one of the best in the world, exotic nature, the like of which cannot be found anywhere else on the planet, as well as local cuisine and excellent service. Seychelles attracts travelers from all over the world and leaves their mark unforgettable experience.
Holidays in the Seychelles are ideal for both romantics and those who are keen extreme species sports Here nature itself has created ideal conditions for surfing, windsurfing, scuba diving, spearfishing, water skiing or canoeing and much more.
Nature and geography
The Seychelles Islands are located in the western Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar, 1,500 km east of Kenya. Seychelles is located between the fourth and fifth degrees south of the equator.
The country is an isolated archipelago of incredible beauty, consisting of 115 islands. Approximately 35 of them form the "Inner Island Group" and have a granitic structure. As a rule, these are islands with many mountains and hills and a narrow coastal strip; the remaining islands are coral atolls. The largest of them, Aldabra, is also a national park, which is under the auspices of UNESCO. 
Seychelles is one of the smallest countries, its area is only 455.3 square meters. km. Largest islands– Mahe, Praslin and La Digue.
The capital of the Seychelles is the city of Victoria, located on the island of Mahe.
Time in Seychelles. The time difference with Moscow is 1 hour in winter; in summer there is no time difference.
Seychelles is a republic, its status is enshrined in the Constitution of June 18, 1993, since then this day has been celebrated as a national holiday. The islands were first noticed by Arab sailors 1000 years ago, but not only were they attracted by the convenient location of the archipelago - Phoenicians also often appeared here and Indonesians. Almost 500 years ago, the islands were discovered by the famous Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama. The Seychelles was both a British and French colony. On June 29, 1976, the Seychelles declared independence and became a republic.
Customs regulations. Those arriving in the Seychelles are allowed to carry 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco, 2 liters of alcohol, 125 ml of perfume or 250 ml of eau de toilette and other goods worth no more than 3,000 Seychelles rupees (US$ 550). It is prohibited to import flammable materials, weapons, including those for spearfishing, narcotic substances and medications without a prescription. A special permit is required to import pets. It is prohibited to transport vegetables, fruits, plants, meat and meat products, and canned food. Installed export bans coconuts, shells, corals, turtle products.
Currency of the Seychelles. 1 rupee contains 100 cents. 5 rupees is equal to 1USD. There are banknotes in denominations of 10, 25, 50 and 100 rupees, coins in denominations of 1 and 5 rupees, as well as 1, 5, 10 and 25 cents. You can also sometimes find silver and gold coins in circulation. Visa and American Express credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, except in very small settlements.
Currency exchange. Currency can be exchanged at hotels or local banks. A maximum of 1,000 rupees, or $200, can be taken out of the country; there are no restrictions on the import and export of foreign currency. It is recommended to bring American dollars or traveler's checks in this currency to the Seychelles, since rupees cannot be used by tourists to pay for rent, excursions, or in restaurants. It is recommended to exchange a small amount of money immediately upon arrival at Victoria Airport, located on the island of Mahe.
Banks in Seychelles open from 8.30 to 14.30 from Monday to Friday, on Saturday from 8.30 to 11.00.
Tips for tourists
Holidays.January 1 – New Year
Holy Friday - no fixed date
Easter – no fixed date
May 1 – Labor Day
June 5 – Liberation Day
June 18 – National Day
June 29 – Independence Day
November 1 – All Saints Day
December 25 – Christmas
Also in April, an annual festival dedicated to water world Seychelles.
In September, a water regatta takes place on the island of La Digue.
The Creole Festival is celebrated in October.
An annual fishing competition is held in November. 
The shops. Those wishing to purchase souvenirs can recommend beautiful handicrafts made from sea shells and pearls, wicker baskets, paintings by local artists, including batik painting, mats, beautiful carvings made of wood or bamboo and, of course, the quintessence of Seychelles souvenirs - coco del -mer. Local tea, of which there are a great variety on the islands, can also be purchased as a souvenir. It must be borne in mind that products made from tortoise shells will necessarily be confiscated at customs. the best place for shopping in the Seychelles is located in Victoria. Here you can wander the streets and do some shopping. There are also several shops on Praslin, but there are not so many on the other islands. Large hotels usually have boutiques. Shops are open during the week and on Saturday mornings.
Tips, as a rule, range from 5% to 10% and are already included in the cost of service.
Transport in Seychelles. The islands have an international airport (in Victoria), several seaports and several local airports. You can travel between the islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue by river buses or high-speed catamarans. Travelers should note that flights between Mahe and Praslin are frequently canceled due to technical issues. It is very convenient to explore the local beauty and attractions from a helicopter or a private plane, but renting one is expensive, but renting a bicycle or a car is available to everyone, especially since this is the most successful way to get around the island. You can also travel by taxi, the parking lot of which is located on Albert Street in Victoria and operates around the clock.
Car rental. If you want to take a car, you must have a driver's license (Russian license is also valid) and you must be at least 22 years old. Driving in the Seychelles is on the left, like in Britain, the quality of the roads is not bad. The maximum driving speed in the city is 45 km/h, outside settlements– 65 km/h. The cost of 1 liter of gasoline is just over a dollar; there are six gas stations on Mahe Island and two on Praslin. The gas station in Victoria is open from 5am to 11pm.
Electricity - 240 volts, 50 Hz
Postal services. Telephone services. Internet. The central post office is located in Victoria and is open from 8.00 to 16.00 from Monday to Friday, on Saturday from 8.00 to noon. You can send letters directly from the hotel. You can also use the telephone in most hotels. The country code is 248. There are several internet cafes on Mahe and at least one on Praslin.
Medical service. The climate in the Seychelles is very healthy and there are no known tropical diseases common in, for example, Kenya or. There is a small risk of contracting hepatitis A, so vaccination is recommended before travel.
As for the local water, in general it is quite suitable for drinking, but it is better to use either boiled or bottled water. It is preferable to eat in cafes or restaurants, since the variety of cuisine allows you to choose dishes to suit every taste. A lot of food is sold from stalls, but it is better to refrain from eating it.
The central hospital is located in Victoria on Mahe Island (tel. 224400). Doctors speak English and/or French. There are also other clinics, including private ones, on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. Medical care is free and provided by the state.
Emergency phone number Seychelles - 999.
Since the climate on the islands is tropical, which means quite humid and hot, recommended to wear light clothes made from natural materials, for women - light dresses, shorts or pareos during the day and long skirts in the evening, for men - shorts and a T-shirt. The most suitable shoes are flip flops or sandals. Swimwear It is customary to wear it only on the beach. 
The Seychelles has excellent conditions for sports lovers. Here you can surf, windsurf, paragliding, sailing and water skiing, canoeing or hang gliding. On their own, or using the services of an experienced instructor, those interested can engage in underwater hunting and fishing. However, it would not be entirely correct to say that the Seychelles are ideal only for water sports.
Mahe has an excellent golf course just south of Victoria International Airport. The golf course on Praslin Island is considered one of the best in the world. Most hotels have tennis courts. On the islands there is also the opportunity to engage in horse riding. 
Popular walking tours various levels of difficulty on the islands of Mahe, Praslin, La Digue and some others, which give travelers great opportunity explore their beauty and get acquainted with the local exotic flora and fauna. As a rule, information about them can be obtained from hotels.
Many hotels on the islands have cinemas and discos, and barbecues with folk songs and dances are often held there. It is interesting to watch or take part in local entertainment, listen to music unusual for Europeans called “kamtolet”, which is a mixture of waltz, polka and quadrille, see how they dance “mautia”, an African dance to the sounds of drums and tom-toms, or an equally famous dance "now."
Victoria is home to cinemas and theaters, which often feature theater productions in English, French and Creole. There are casinos in downtown Victoria, as well as the Beau Vallon Bay Hotel and the Plantation Club. Praslin is also home to the magnificent Casino des Iles.
Those who plan to see clock tower, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and the Emmanuel estate, go underwater sports on, climb the Nid d'Aigle mountain (from a height of more than 300 m a breathtaking panorama of the island of La Digue opens; you can ride a bicycle to the foot, after which a 30-minute ride will await active tourists rise), go to the Craft Village and national park Vallee de Mai, spending time on the Grand Anse beach, visiting the cinnamon plantations growing there, walking along Marquette Street, the orchid garden and the Mont Fleury Botanical Garden, is invariably interested in the question: “How long is the flight from?”
How many hours does it take to fly from Moscow to Seychelles?
If you need to get to the Seychelles not only in winter, but also in other months, then you can use the services of Emirates Airlines (flying through will take approximately 13 hours) or Qatar Airways (flying via connecting will take at least 40 minutes). The latter option will be cheaper, and Qatar Airways flies to Seychelles every day, except Mondays. Those interested in flying through European cities (Amsterdam, Paris, London) will spend about 20 hours on the road, and besides, such a trip will cost several times more.
Flight Moscow – Praslin
Despite the fact that Moscow and Praslin are separated by 6,889 km (the minimum price of air tickets is 26,800-49,600 rubles), due to the lack of direct flights, you will have to make transfers: a flight through Paris and Mahe will take 21 hours, through Dubai and Mahe - 23 hours, through and Mahe - 16.5 hours, through and Mahe - 19 hours. Upon arrival at Praslin Island Airport, travelers will find a recreation area, a currency exchange office, and a cafe.
Flight Moscow – Victoria
For those who want to make a direct flight to Moscow (8305 km between them), in winter it makes sense to resort to the services of the carrier Air Seychelles, which operates flights lasting 9 hours, once every 10 days. As for air tickets, their prices have a wide range: for example, in August they are sold at a price of 29,700 rubles, and in December – at 246,000 rubles. Those who made a stop in Abu Dhabi will find themselves in after at least 12 hours, in - after 23-26 hours, in - after at least 21 hours, in - after at least 16 hours, in Frankfurt am Main - after 15.5 hours, in Doha and Abu Dhabi - after 17 hours, in Doha and Mumbai - after 18 hours, in and Dubai - after 17.5 hours, in and Dubai - after more than 19.5 hours, in and Dubai - after 17 hours 15 minutes, in and Dubai - after 18.5 hours, in and Frankfurt am Main - after 18 hours 15 minutes.
Seychelles International Airport equipped with: ATMs, currency exchange offices and bank branches; VIP lounge (where guests will find TVs, wireless Internet access, massage chairs, a bar with snacks and soft drinks); Internet terminals and public telephones; duty-free shops (they sell souvenirs and national goods of the islands at attractive prices) and car rental shops (you will be asked to pay 45 euros/day for a budget small car); restaurants and bars.
To get to the center of Victoria (the trip lasts no more than 20 minutes), it is advisable to take a bus, the stop of which is located opposite the airport. But you should take into account that buses run from 6 am to 5-6 pm, so if the plane lands on Seychelles soil after this time, you will have to hire a taxi.
Since there are no hotels on site at the airport (everyone over 12 years old is charged a $40 departure fee when leaving), it will take approximately 1 hour to get to the nearest accommodation.
The Seychelles is an incredibly picturesque and fabulous place, which is considered one of the most wonderful on earth. Here you can enjoy bright and exciting excursions, see giant land turtles, and walk through the forest. But the main way to actively spend time on the islands is diving.
Near the shores there is a huge coral reef with thousands of different inhabitants of the deep sea. Beautiful corals are an important calling card of Seychelles, just like its paradise landscapes. Some beaches boast excellent high waves, from which even spoiled surfers will be wildly delighted.
Another interesting destination among lovers of active pastime is air travel. You will receive more information about holidays in the Seychelles by following the link https://miroved.com/countries/seishely.
Diving
Scuba diving in the Seychelles is special - most of the islands here come from coral reefs. The bottom of the coastal waters is covered with corals of the most different forms created by the hands of nature. The underwater world near Seychelles is amazingly diverse. Clams, shells, spiny lobsters, various fish and tiger sharks live there.
Trompeuse Rocks is one of the top diving spots, with huge numbers of fish, giant granite boulders and a depth of 20 meters. Near the island of Le Mamel you can see the British tanker, which sank here in the 70s of the last century. The ship was immediately populated by marine fauna.
On the island of Mahe near Beau Vallon beach you can admire amazing underwater cliffs up to 45 meters high. They create fascinating underwater labyrinths that have become a haven for large fish - barracudas and even huge whale sharks.
North of the main island of Seychelles there is another place loved by divers from all over the world - Brissare Rocks. You will have to dive to a depth of 40 meters. In return, at the bottom you will see fire corals, many exotic fish, and if you’re lucky, a real reef shark. Several sunken ships are located in a northeast direction from Mahe.
Snorkeling and fishing
Snorkeling is a test for lovers of new sensations. We are talking about diving without special equipment. You breathe through a tube, descending several meters. The completely clear water and fabulous world of the deep sea at Fairyland Beach is an ideal place for snorkeling. Another a good option– Anse Patat.
Do you like fishing? In this case, an unforgettable experience awaits you. Go on a fishing excursion and catch a giant tuna or other fish in person. Whether you can pull out the prey or not depends only on your skills, because sometimes you get a record catch. Contact the professionals here to take you on an adventure.
Surfing
Surfing is also popular in the Seychelles. Only coral reefs prevent the formation of high waves, so you won’t be able to ride the waves everywhere. As a rule, surfing is practiced on the islands of Mahe and Praslin. But there are no particularly high waves here, so the conditions are more suitable for beginners in this sport.
Yacht cruise
To enjoy the beauty and splendor of the local nature, we recommend going on a yacht cruise. There are a large number of yacht clubs on the islands, which will be happy to show you the habitat of huge turtles and much more.
And finally, it’s worth mentioning the pleasure that you can get from a simple bike ride along the paths of any of the local islands. Have a nice trip!
