This section features a listing of frequently asked questions (FAQ) with regards to the SCAA and the airports in the Seychelles Islands in general.
Where is Seychelles?
Where can I change Traveller's Cheques and/or money?
What is SCAA?
Do I need a visa when to visit Seychelles?
How can I book accomodation in Seychelles?
How do I get to Seychelles?
What are the current Exchange Rates?
Is there any storage space for excess luggage at the Seychelles International Airport?
Do I need an official invitation to come to the Seychelles?
I wish to invest in and/ or start up a business in Seychelles. What are the procedures?
What is the best time to visit Seychelles?
Can I buy a property in Seychelles?
Is there GSM coverage on all of the islands?
What are the usual hours of business?
What currency should I take?
How do i get around?
What do I pack?
What is the dialling code for Seychelles?
Can I use my mobile phone in Seychelles?
Where is Seychelles?
Seychelles is a group of 115 granite and coral islands that lie between 4° and 10° south of the equator and between 480km and 1,600km from the east coast of Africa in the western Indian Ocean.
Where can I change Traveller's Cheques and/or money?
Exchanging foreign currency into Seychelles Rupees must ONLY be done at banks, authorised money dealers at the Seychelles International Airport, or with the hotel cashier.
BE WARNED! It is a criminal offence to change money with any person or business other than those authorised to do so and who are mentioned above.
For more information on money matters, please refer to the Banking Facilities section of the site
What is SCAA?
The Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) was established under the Civil Aviation Authority Act, 2005, as an independent administrative and financial body corporate to provide for the services, facilities and regulation of civil aviation activities in Seychelles with the power to do anything for the purpose of discharging or facilitating the discharge of its functions.
Do I need a visa when to visit Seychelles?
Irrespective of the nationality of a visitor and his or her familiy members, there are NO VISA requirements to enter Seychelles. However, the following documents must be shown at the Seychelles International Airport in order to obtain immigration clearance: - A passport valid on the date of entry to and exit from Seychelles
- Return or onward ticket
- Proof of accomodation
- Sufficient funds for the duration of stay
Presentation of all the above will grant you a visitors permit valid for up to one month that will be issued by immigration officials upon arrival. The visitor's permit can be extended for a period of up to three months from the date of issue and capable of further extensions for successive periods not exceeding three months at a time to a maximum period of 12 months, provided that the person still meets the criteria of a bona fide visitor. The visitor's permit is issued free of charge for the first three months after which there is a fee of SCR1,000 for extension covering each period of three months or any part thereof. For all visa exemptions and extensions and other enquiries regarding immigration issues, please contact: Department of Immigration
Independence House
PO Box 430
Victoria
Mahe
Seychelles
How can I book accomodation in Seychelles?
You can book your accommodation in Seychelles with/on:
1. Tour Operators or Travel Agents in your country of residence
2. Ground Handling Operators in Seychelles
3. The Hotels directly
4. The Seychelles Secrets website 4. The Holidays Seychelles website
How do I get to Seychelles?
There are various travel organisers who can help you arrange your holiday to Seychelles and Seychelles.travel features the majority of these travel organisers or operators.
Air Seychelles the national carrier, operates non-stop scheduled flights from UK (London/Heathrow), France (Paris/Charles de Gaulle), Italy (Rome/Fiumicino), Milan (Malpensa), Singapore, Mauritius and South Africa (Johannesburg) into Mahé International Airport. In addition, Air Seychelles has a code share agreement with Condor (DE) operating flights from Frankfurt.
Qatar Airways (QR) and Emirates (EK) provide flights to various destinations through their hubs in Dubai and Doha. Other airlines flying to Seychelles include Kenya Airways (KQ), and Air Austral (UU).
Flying times to Seychelles are relatively short: 10 hours from London, 9½ hours from Paris, 8½ hours from Rome and Milan, 6¾ hours from Singapore, 2½ hours from Mauritius, 4½ hours from Johannesburg, 5 hours from Doha, 4¼ hours from Dubai, 2¾ hours from Nairobi and 2½ hours from Reunion. Visit the airlines section for more details.
Visitors arriving in private aircraft are welcomed at Seychelles International Airport provided clearance permission is obtained from the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) prior to arrival and that all relevant formalities are in order.
There are also many Tour Operators and Travel Agents worldwide that sell holiday packages to Seychelles.
What are the current Exchange Rates?
Is there any storage space for excess luggage at the Seychelles International Airport?
Storage space is provided free of charge at the Police Station in the main terminal of the Seychelles International Airport. You may arrange for storage either individually or through your respective Ground Handling Operator.
Do I need an official invitation to come to the Seychelles?
There is no need for an official invitation regardless of your country of origin. Visit the Entry Requirements section for more details.
I wish to invest in and/ or start up a business in Seychelles. What are the procedures?
All local and foreign investments in Seychelles are handled by the Seychelles Investment Bureau. Please contact the Seychelles Investment Bureau (SIB) directly for more detailed information.
What is the best time to visit Seychelles?
It depends on what you’re looking for; even though conditions for visiting Seychelles are generally good all year, there are certain times, which are slightly more advantageous for certain activities.
Scuba divers will find April, May, October and November have the highest visibility and calmest seas. Anglers will find that the southeast trade winds: from May to September are better for Big Game though the seas can sometimes be rough; from November to February the northwest bring calmer seas for bottom fishing. October and April are perhaps the most enjoyable with calm seas.
For birdwatchers, April heralds the new breeding season and Bird Island will find to be overrun with seabirds from May through September, migration periods are from September to December. Hiking and walking is best from May to September because of the dry conditions, lower temperatures and lower humidity.
For those who longs for a really hot sun, where you can admire your tan in a matter of seconds, March and April are the best months. It is also during that period that you can enjoy a wide range of local fruits including those that grows in Seychelles only.
Can I buy a property in Seychelles?
Foreigners are allowed to buy residential property, to be used only by the buyer and his family, in Seychelles upon approval from the Government. Also, the Immovable Property (Transfer Restriction) Act prohibits the lease of immovable property owned by a non-Seychellois.
Government Sanction is required before purchasing. For the application, it is advisable to hire the services of a notary.
Is there GSM coverage on all of the islands?
There is GSM coverage on Mah?, Praslin and La Digue and most of the Inner Islands. On more remote islands such as Alphonse or Denis there might not be any coverage or it may be poor. However there are landlines at all hotels, which you may request to use.
What are the usual hours of business?
Seychelles office hours are Monday to Friday 0800hrs-1600hrs.Most government offices and some private businesses close on Saturdays and remain closed on Sundays and also on public holidays.
What currency should I take?
The local currency is the Seychelles Rupee (SCR) which is divided into 100 cents. Coins come in 5, 10, 25 cents, and 1 and 5 Rupee denominations. Notes come in 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 Rupee denominations.rnrnBanking hours are generally Monday-Friday 0800hrs-1400hrs, and Saturday 0800hrs-1100hrs. All banks process traveller?s cheques and foreign exchange transactions. Passports are required for visitors? transactions and nominal commissions may be charged. ATM facilities exist at major banks on Mah?, Praslin and La Digue and at the airport on Mah? and Praslin. PLEASE NOTE: that these provide cash in local currency. NO foreign currency can be drawn from the Banks.
How do i get around?
Consult a detailed bus schedule, which can be obtained from the bus depot, for exact departure and arrival times.
Independently operated taxis are available on Mahé and Praslin, and a handful on La Digue. You can hail one from the street, at designated taxi stands or by simply phoning a driver directly. It is advisable to request a metered ride, or if a particular taxi is not equipped with a meter, quotes should be negotiated and agreed prior to the trip. Many drivers will take clients on sightseeing tours for a set tariff.
You can also discover the islands by bicycle, readily available for hire on La Digue and Praslin, where they are a popular mode of transport.
Island hopping is made possible through a regular network of air and sea transport primarily operating out of the principal island, Mahé.
Air Seychelles operates a shuttle service between Mahé and Praslin. They also operate other inter-island flights, usually on the request of hotels to Bird, Denis, Desroches and Alphonse Islands.
Also part of the air network is Helicopter Seychelles, which is a helicopter charter company specialising in island transfers, excursions and chartered scenic flights throughout Seychelles.
Two types of sea ferry operate in Seychelles: the traditional and the modern. The traditional, sail-assisted schooner-type ferry chiefly operates from the Inter-Island Quay of Victoria on Mahé to Baie Ste. Anne Jetty on Praslin (2½hrs duration), or to La Passe Jetty on La Digue (3hrs duration).
The modern mode is the Cat Cocos service, a fast and modern catamaran that operates transfers between the Inter-Island Quay of Victoria and the Baie Ste. Anne Jetty on Praslin (less than 1hour duration).
What do I pack?
Light clothing suitable for Seychelles' warm tropical climate is recommended and visitors should prepare themselves for the relatively hot, humid atmosphere. Also, for plenty of sun.rnrnBring hats, sunglasses and adequate UV protection - SPF30+ is advisable. It is important to remember that even on an overcast day the tropical sun is still strong and able to cause unpleasant sunburn. Wearing a t-shirt for the first swim or snorkel is a good idea.rnrnA camera is an absolute must! Please bring a stock of film (particularly for non-standard cameras and video cameras) together with a supply of batteries.rnrnCasual eveningwear (long trousers for men), together with appropriate footwear, is necessary for dining out and for gaining entrance to casinos and most hotels.rnSturdy walking shoes are recommended if you intend to take guided walk and trail excursions.rnrnVisitors suffering from a specific medical condition should be sure to bring an adequate stock of the appropriate medication along as well as their preferred brand of sun cream, mosquito repellent etc.
What is the dialling code for Seychelles?
The international dialling code for Seychelles is 248
Can I use my mobile phone in Seychelles?
At present, there are two GSM networks in operation, Cable & Wireless and Airtel, with special pakage for visitors. Payphones are available in most districts on the Inner Islands.
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