At Coverpage Media, we pride ourselves on providing the most accurate and timely insights for the global traveler. Our latest update focuses on the Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands that continues to prove its resilience and enduring appeal as a premier Indian Ocean destination.
While popular island destinations are always names like the Maldives, Bali and Phuket. This destination is highly underrated!
Seychelles Travel Update: Global Connectivity and Operational Status
Despite regional uncertainties in the Middle East, Seychelles remains fully operational and continues to welcome international visitors through a robust network of global air routes. The destination maintains strong connectivity with major hubs across Europe, Africa, and beyond. Currently, scheduled commercial flights are being operated by a diverse group of partners, including Air Seychelles, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Turkish Airlines, Aeroflot, Edelweiss, Discover Airlines, and Indigo.
The international airport on Mahé is functioning as usual, ensuring seamless transitions for leisure and business travelers. All tourism infrastructure, including hospitality establishments and local services is fully active across the islands.
If You Are Planning A Trip- This Is Important.
For those planning a trip, it is vital to use the official Seychelles Electronic Border System (SEBS) at govtas.com for travel authorizations, which carries a standard €10 fee. If your flight details change after your authorization has been approved, you must update your itinerary via the official SEBS chatbox by providing your reference number and new ticket information.
Why the Seychelles Should Be Your Next Destination?
If you are asking, “But why Seychelles?” The Seychelles is a rare example of a destination where luxury and environmental stewardship coexist. Beyond its iconic landscapes, here is why it remains a top-tier choice:
- Pristine Biodiversity: Home to the UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai, the islands host the rare coco de mer palm, which produces the world’s largest seed.
- Sustainable Excellence: Roughly 50% of the country’s land is protected, and many high-end resorts focus on conservation, such as protecting endangered green turtles and restoring coral nurseries.
- A Culinary Melting Pot: Seychellois Creole cuisine is a “grand symphony of flavours,” blending French, British, Indian, and Chinese influences with fresh local seafood and aromatic spices like lemongrass and cinnamon.
Imagine clicking pictures of the serene natural beauty of this very-much unexplored exclusive destination, your friends ask, “Oh you’ve been to Bali?” and you say, “No I’ve been to the rare and divine luxury islands called Seychelles!” Oh what joy being to places that aren’t spoken much about! There are so many reasons why Seychelles should be on the travel list of every human who loves the sound of waves crashing over the sunshine.
Seychelles is Eco-friendly!
How is Seychelles eco-friendly? Ecotourism is a vital pillar of the Seychelles’ tourism industry, as roughly 50% of the country’s land is protected. Travelers are encouraged to support these efforts by staying at certified eco-lodges, practicing a “look but no touch” approach to local ecosystems, and choosing restaurants that serve locally sourced produce.
Several luxury hotels in the Seychelles are renowned for integrating high-end hospitality with significant environmental responsibility.
Top Sustainable Luxury Hotels
- Raffles Seychelles: This resort prioritizes protecting its home archipelago by replanting endemic plant species that are often threatened by wildfires. They have collaborated with the Marine Conservation Society Seychelles to establish coral nurseries and non-destructive snorkeling trails. Additionally, they have a zero single-use plastic policy and source 98% of their fish locally.
- Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa: This beautiful space is located on Silhouette Island, this resort utilizes a “farm-to-table” dining approach with over 200 varieties of produce grown on-site. What they specialize in is harvesting water from a local waterfall (saving 180,000 plastic bottles to date) and using automatic lighting and air conditioning in villas to save 2,500 kilowatts an hour.
- North Island, Seychelles: On a remote private island, this resort is dedicated to conservation projects for endangered green turtles. What sets them apart is their sustainability program which includes beach patrols to collect debris, a comprehensive waste management and recycling scheme, and a total ban on plastic straws.
- Denis Private Islands: This resort operates with a focus on preserving natural beauty for future generations. Their green initiatives include protecting birds on the IUCN Globally Threatened list, such as the Paradise Flycatcher, and using materials from their own self-sustaining lumber mill to build guest cottages.
- Six Senses Zil Pasyon: Known for wellness and sustainability, this resort protects over 15,000 square meters of native wildlife habitat. They employ a specialized reforestation team to eradicate invasive species and manage an organic garden that provides herbs, fruits, and vegetables for guest meals.
At Coverpage Media, we understand that timing and logistics are the cornerstones of a seamless luxury getaway. Based on the latest data from the islands, here is the definitive guide to timing your visit and navigating your arrival at Mahé International Airport.
Tell Me The Best Time to Visit Seychelles
What is the right time to visit Seychelles you ask? It depends on what you want to experience. While the Seychelles enjoys a tropical climate year-round with temperatures ranging between 26°C and 32°C, certain months offer distinct advantages depending on your itinerary.
- The “Absolute Ideal” Months: April, May, October, and November are considered the best times to visit. During these transition periods between trade winds, the sea is at its calmest and underwater visibility is excellent, making it the premier window for snorkeling and diving.
- For Adventure Seekers: If your focus is hiking or surfing, the months of June through September are preferable. This period is cooler and drier, though the southeast trade winds make the sea choppier and windier.
- The Driest Period: Travelers looking for the least amount of rainfall should target July to September.
- What to Avoid: While the islands are outside the cyclone belt, December to February are the wettest months, characterized by frequent but short tropical showers.
Navigating from the Airport to Your Destination
How do I navigate once I reach Seychelles? Don’t worry, we’ve got you! Upon arrival at the international airport on Mahé, you have several options to reach your resort or transition to other islands.
1. Private Car Rentals (Highly Recommended): Renting a car is widely considered the most efficient way to explore Mahé and Praslin.
- Cost: Rates are reasonable for a remote destination, and they typically range from $30 to $85 per day. (This value might change)
- Logistics: As a precaution, it is best to book in advance during peak seasons to ensure availability.
- Driving Conditions: Be mindful that vehicles drive on the left side of the road. Roads can be narrow with sharp turns and steep drop-offs, which may be challenging for those unused to island terrain.
2. Taxis and Shuttles: While taxis are readily available at the airport, they are categorized as extremely expensive. A single trip from the airport to a hotel can sometimes exceed the cost of a full day’s car rental. Some luxury establishments, such as the Kempinski Seychelles Resort, are located on the south end of Mahé and are relatively close to the airport, though a drive to the capital, Victoria, still takes approximately 40 minutes.
3. Public Transportation: Public buses (SPTC) are an affordable alternative, but they run infrequently and do not reach many of the more secluded beaches or luxury enclaves.
4. Inter-Island Transfers: If your final “place” is Praslin or La Digue:
- Ferries: The Cat Cocos ferry to Praslin takes about one hour, with a further 15-minute connection available to La Digue.
- Flights: For those prone to seasickness, Air Seychelles operates 15-minute domestic flights between Mahé and Praslin.
Pro Tip for Arrivals: Ensure you have completed your mandatory travel authorization through the official Seychelles Electronic Border System (SEBS) at govtas.com before landing to avoid delays or extra fees at the border.
A Curated One-Week Island-Hopping Itinerary
What can I do when I visit Seychelles?
There’s a lot to do, and you can find many curated or general tours to suit what you are looking for. Each tour defines the kind of experience you come back with.
While the archipelago can be explored at a slower pace, this seven-day route captures the essential highlights of the “inner islands.”
Days 1–2: Mahé – Cultural Hub and Dramatic Coasts Begin in Victoria, one of the world’s smallest capitals, to visit the local market and the iconic Little Ben clock tower. Spend your second day exploring the southern coast, specifically Petite Anse for its turquoise waters and Takamaka Beach, which is widely considered an ideal spot for sunset viewing.
Days 3–5: Praslin – Ancient Forests and Postcard Beaches Take the one-hour ferry to Praslin. Dedicate a morning to the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve to see the coco de mer in its natural habitat. Spend your afternoons at Anse Lazio, frequently ranked among the most beautiful beaches globally, featuring white sand framed by massive granite boulders.
Days 6–7: La Digue – The Car-Free Escape A quick 15-minute ferry brings you to La Digue, where the primary mode of transport is the bicycle. Cycle through L’Union Estate to reach Anse Source d’Argent, arguably the most photographed beach in the world. For a quieter experience, hike the three-beach trail from Grand Anse to the secluded Anse Cocos.
Little-Known Facts About the Seychelles
- Ancient Origins: The granitic islands of the Seychelles are the oldest oceanic islands on Earth and the only ones in the middle of an ocean that are not of volcanic origin.
- Giant Inhabitants: The Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to the world’s largest population of giant tortoises—roughly 150,000 in total.
- Hidden Treasure: It is believed that the treasure of the notorious pirate Olivier le Vasseur, valued at approximately $160 million, remains buried somewhere in North Mahé.
- Miniature Wonders: In contrast to its giant tortoises, the islands are also home to one of the tiniest frogs in the world, which measures only 1 cm at maturity.
Just a reminder!
Updates can be made via the official Start your trip to Seychelles | Seychelles Electronic Border System – Official Government Website (govtas.com) chatbot by entering the reference number and uploading the new flight tickets.
For additional information, travelers may consult the official Destination social media pages or the Tourism Department’s official WhatsApp channel https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbCdlGm3AzNMChQtBd44
At Coverpage Media, we pride ourselves on providing the timely insights for the global traveler. If you want to be up-to-date with the world of travel, Coverpage Media is your one-stop destination.
