Where are the Seychelles

Where are the Seychelles

Seychelles Beach image:  pixabay.com

There are 115 islands in the Seychelles archipelago, which is located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa. It is home to various beaches, coral reefs, and nature preserves, as well as unusual wildlife such as huge Aldabra tortoises, which are found nowhere else on the planet. The capital of Mahé is Victoria, and the island serves as a jumping-off point for visitors to the neighboring islands. It also contains beaches such as Beau Vallon and Anse Takamaka, as well as the mountain rainforests of Morne Seychellois National Park and the Morne Seychellois National Park.

Video by:  Dragan Nikolic

General Information

  • Languages spoken in the country: The French language is referred to as Seychellois throughout the region.

  • The capital city: Victoria is located on Mahe Island.

  • The currency in use was the Seychellois rupee (SCR)

  • The population is 97,625 people.

What Is the Location of the Seychelles Islands?

So, where exactly are Seychelles? These tropical islands are located off the coast of East Africa in the warm Indian Ocean, north of Madagascar and Mauritius, and almost parallel to sections of Kenya. They are a popular tourist destination. Located between the latitudes of 4° and 11° S and the longitudes of 46° and 56° E, it is a tropical island.

 

The capital of the country in Victoria, which is located on the major island of Mahe.

So, whose country does the island chain of Seychelles belong to? Seychelles is a separate country from the rest of the world! In the case of Seychelles, Africa would be the most likely continent to take the islands. And, certainly, it is one of the most beautiful spots in Africa to visit!

There are 115 islands, but the three most popular with tourists are Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue. There are 115 islands, but the three most popular with tourists are Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue. In my opinion, Seychelles doesn't require many words to be adequately described, so let me start with a handful of photographs to get things started.

Needless to say, the coastlines are immaculate, while the inland forests appear to be (and are) completely unpopulated. If you walk on the white sand seen in these photographs, it feels like you are walking on clouds. We discovered that the white sand is actually the excrement of the plentiful and gorgeous parrotfish, who gorge themselves on the abundance of coral in the area.

The weather is ideal for a tropical vacation in this area, with an average annual temperature of approximately 84 degrees Fahrenheit. The exclusivity of Seychelles, on the other hand, is what distinguishes it as one of the world's most exquisite destinations. Seychelles is not a budget destination; instead, the resorts here cater to honeymooners, celebrities, and other members of the upper crust.

It is possible to have an entire remote beach to yourself while you are here. Although it is possible to visit Seychelles on a more modest financial basis, we shall discuss this in more detail later on.

The best airport to fly into Seychelles

Seychelles International Airport
Image:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seychelles_International_Airport

The Seychelles International Airport (SEZ), which is located in the city of Victoria on the island of Mahe, is the destination for the majority of flights from the United States to the country. You can rent a car or take a bus to tour the rest of Mahe island from here. You can get to other islands by taking domestic flights or taking a ferry ride.

 

The Food in the Seychelles

Coconut Parfait
Image:  commons.m.wikimedia.org

 

The first and most important thing is eating! In Seychelles, you will not be faced with the prospect of going hungry. The islands are home to a dazzling variety of fresh, tropical fruits that are available at reasonable prices. Mangoes, bananas, coconuts, and starfruits are all popular tropical snacks. A wide variety of fresh fruits may be purchased at numerous roadside stands near popular beaches, and any resort will have a plentiful supply of fresh fruits.

One may locate fried chicken outlets close to any grocery store where one can purchase main dishes - this seems to be the most local and affordable alternative on the island. For approximately 40 Rupees, you will be able to enjoy a generous serving of fried chicken and chips.

Fresh red snapper and spicy curry are available practically everywhere on the island, and both are served in eateries around the island. Samosas are readily available at small convenience stores for anyone in need of a fast bite to eat.

Red Snapper
Image:  commons.wikimedia.org

 

The people of Seychelles take tremendous pride in their native brew, and I can't say that I blame them for that sentiment. It's the national beverage of choice, and it's excellent for sipping while lying on a deserted beach with your feet up. The price of a bottle of water in a supermarket store is 25 rupees per gallon.

Takamaka Rum, produced in the area, is another must-try. Purchasing rum at a local market and preparing your own cocktails will be significantly more cost-effective than purchasing mixed drinks at a hotel or resort.

Accommodation

Accomodations on the beach
Image:  commons.wikimedia.org

 

Having established the geographic location of Seychelles, it is crucial to emphasize that the country is not a backpacker or budget travel destination in the traditional sense. Resorts are distributed throughout Mahe, and then become few and far between on the more exclusive islands of La Digue and Praslin, where they become scarce.

However, there is no such thing as a cheap resort in Seychelles. A few nights at a resort, if it is within your financial means, is a worthwhile experience, especially when on a special trip and you want to live the high life in an idyllic setting for a few nights.

While private guesthouses and Airbnb rentals are also available in Seychelles, at $75-$100 per night, they are not nearly at the same price point as private rentals in other parts of the world. However, you are in the Seychelles, where it is really pricey, so you may have to buck up and suffer it in order to see one of the most gorgeous places on the planet.

Not to mention the fact that Seychelles is not a location where you can just turn up and expect to get by. In order to admit you into the country, customs officials will require confirmations of your plans to stay somewhere during your visit, as well as the addresses of your accommodations.

Wildlife and the Environment

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Image: PxHere

Due to the fact that you are technically in Africa at this point, there is a good probability that you may see some wildlife. We came across Aldabross tortoises all throughout Mahe, which are enormous creatures that are native to Seychelles and we were fascinated by them.

There are more Aldabra giant tortoises running free on Aldabra island for more tortoise fun than there are people living on the island, which is more than the entire population of Seychelles! Fruit bats, monkeys, and a variety of brightly colored Seychelles birds are among the other regular sightings. While the marine life beneath the water's surface is abundant, we were particularly pleased when we discovered stingrays and parrotfish on the ocean floor.

The forestry in this area is nothing short of spectacular. Everything is incredibly lush and green because the islands receive an abundance of rainfall. It is quite breathtaking! The great bulk of the islands is covered in a variety of vegetation and animals. Any Google search for "Seychelles" will return a plethora of results, all of which include massive boulders perched perfectly in the Indian Ocean. It turns out that these rocks are actually granite, which is made up of remnants of Gondwana, a supercontinent that broke apart 75 million years ago.

Things to do in the Seychelles

Snorkeling
Image:  Getyourguide.com

 

If spending the entire day on a pristine beach does not appeal to you, there are a variety of outdoor activities to keep you entertained instead. Hiking in the jungle was one of our favorite things to do in Seychelles, and we considered it to be one of the top things to do in Seychelles. While the vistas are very stunning, the work is well worth it, and there is always something spectacular to be discovered just around the bend.

Another wonderful way to get your adrenaline pumping in Seychelles is to go ziplining at SMAC Adventures. The Constance Ephelia resort is located on the island of Mahe, and the people in charge of the show here are entertaining, dynamic, and can zip line through the jungle-like monkeys.

Many resorts will provide bodyboards, stand-up paddleboards, snorkel gear, and other water sports to keep everyone entertained and active while at the beach. On some of the more popular beaches, such as Beau Vallon and Anse Royale, if you are not staying at a resort, you can rent snorkeling and diving equipment. If you are staying somewhere that does not include snorkeling equipment, I would recommend taking some from home or purchasing it at a supermarket while there.

 

People of the Seychelles

Seychelles native shopping
Image:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/unwomen/35862093452

 

The people that live here are friendly and trustworthy.. It's difficult to be a cranky liar when you're living in paradise, to be honest. It goes without saying that we discovered that practically everyone had a smile on their face. Because the islands are so exclusive and cater to a different type of vacationer than the mainland, it appeared that people were content with their home country having just the appropriate amount of tourism capacity. The majority of the population speaks Seychellois Creole, but English and French are also commonly spoken.

Travel Suggestions

Arrive with a reservation or with proof of onward travel, but not without a reservation. At customs, you will be required to provide both of these items.

Having a lot of cash on you at all times in order to prove to customs that you can afford your stay seems to be required.

Traveling about Mahe without having to deal with the bus is strongly recommended if you want to see as much as possible. We rented a comfortable compact car from Maki Car Rentals for €35 per day, which was a good deal. Petrol is also very reasonably priced in Seychelles. Driving at night in this area is not recommended for the faint of heart. Crime isn't a big issue here, but the lack of streetlights, rugged terrain and hordes of people strolling around are. The entire island of Mahe can be covered in a couple of hours by car. Here's where you can find our post on rental car tips.

Is it safe to travel to Seychelles? Because they are located directly off the coast of East Africa, this is a legitimate question. Seychelles has extremely minimal crime, and we felt safer visiting here than we did in many other regions of the world, including the United States, Europe, and even portions of Australia.

Seychelles beach
Image:  piqsels.com

Despite the fact that the Seychellois rupee is the country's official currency, the Euro is commonly accepted as a form of money.

On Mahe, there are numerous little supermarkets to choose from. The same can be said for a massive hypermarket located south of Victoria, where we discovered everything we could possibly need.

The main airport is small, and we had no trouble getting through security. Our arrival was 55 minutes before our planned flight departed, at which point we were questioned and threatened with losing our flight because we had not arrived one hour before. So please don't do that...

Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue are the three most popular islands for tourists to visit in the region. Cat Coco's ships transport people between all of the islands.

Although the tap water in Seychelles is perfectly safe to drink, we went the additional mile and made sure we only drank water from our Lifestraw Go bottles to be on the safe side at all times.

Citizens of the United States are permitted to travel to Seychelles without a visa for up to 30 days. Visitors can then seek a visa extension for a period of up to three months after that.

When is the best time to visit Seychelles?

Between April and May, or between October and November, is the most pleasant time to visit Seychelles since these are the calmer periods between the two trade winds that blow across the island each year. From November to March, the northwest trade wind blows, and from May to September, the southeast trade wind blows.

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Seychelles Weather

It is warm and hot all year round in the Seychelles, which has a tropical climate. The northwest monsoon brings a wet and steamy season from November to March, whereas the southeast trade winds bring a dry and slightly cooler season from June to September, when the southwest trade winds prevail. Typically, tropical rains manifest themselves in the form of heavy downpours or thunderstorms. In Seychelles, tropical rains occur most frequently in the afternoon during the hot and rainy season, and at night during the driest season (when they are fairly frequent but of short duration).

The average daily temperature is roughly 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit) in July and August, 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit) in January, and 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit) in March, April, and May, which are the warmest months. The temperature, on the other hand, fluctuates little both between night and day and between seasons: it rarely rises beyond 33 degrees Celsius (91 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day or falls below 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit) at night.

Seychelles weather
Image:  http://hikersbay.com/best-time-to-visit/seychelles?lang=en

Resorts in the Seychelles

The Seychelles boasts some of the world's most magnificent beaches and scenery, and the country is known for its luxury and elegance as well as its natural beauty. The resorts in this region provide wonderful services and lodgings to tourists from all over the world who have high standards of taste and sophistication. Because of the large number of beaches, it is an excellent destination for people who prefer water activities or simply relaxing on the sand during their holiday.

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