Desroches Island 

Timeless and unassuming, the islands of the Seychelles archipelago lie just south of the equator. Lucky to have pleasant tropical climate all year round, temperatures rarely drop below 24 degrees celsius.

The Seychelles landscape is very diverse and from the moment you arrive there are opportunities to see and do so much to guarantee an action-packed holiday.

Famous for some of the best beaches in the world, it is a hybrid of pristine and uncrowded. Many beaches are framed and outlined by historic granite boulders while others offer sky blue waters and non-stop opportunity for swimming, snorkelling, and simple relaxation.

There are also many chances to island-hop between the 16 islands that are currently fully developed with accommodation. These include massive 5-star resorts down to rustic lodge rooms and bungalows.

National monuments, traditional Creole houses, and marine parks are an integral part of the tourist attraction market in Seychelles. There is great reward in taking in these breathtaking natural wonders and will leave for some memorable excursions.

For more structured activities, there are guided nature tours which allow you to see some of the rarest flora on earth.

There are also opportunities to go on golf and horse-riding tours.
 

Eating out in Seychelles is a culinary adventure that offers you a variety of dining experiences ranging from the refined international 5-star resorts and excellent local restaurants to delicious Creole dishes served in charming bistros.

The food of Seychelles is very rich and prepared with a mixture of French and Indian flavours in mind. The base of many meals and delicacies is coconut milk. The essence of Seychelles cuisine is influenced highly by Chinese, French, Indian, African, and English customs. The use of Breadfruit is quite common in many dishes as well to add texture.

Popular fruits in the region include papayas, mangoes, melons, golden apples, and limes. It is important to note that most of the meats with meals are chicken, octopus, lobster and fish with beef and lamb rarely used.

Top Restaurants in Seychelles

The cuisine of the Seychelles is a mixture of traditional Creole cuisine as well as international menus. You will have no trouble finding both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals as well as specialty dishes and exclusive creations.

Boathouse

This centrally located restaurant is known for its intimate atmosphere and excellence. Boathouse offers traditional creole dishes that will make your mouth water while equally celebrating the bustling area of by serving quick bites and a buffet menu.

Tea Plantation and Tavern

If in search for a great cup of tea, this small tea factory will satisfy the need. Specialising in vanilla, citronelle, and a local favourite, Lemon grass. This is the perfect place to sit and watch the world go by as you relax and have a nice cuppa.

Buffet: The Frangipani Terrace Restaurant

Located at the Plantation club, This themed buffet restaurant is one of a kind within Seychelles. Serving a variety of options daily, locals and tourist alike are attracted to the atmosphere and cuisine of this great find.

Pirate Arms

Located within the capital of Victoria, the atmosphere of this friendly and reasonably priced restaurant will allow you to linger for an hour or two soaking up the surroundings. Enjoy a beer or Fish creole as a snack or check out other ecletic elements of the menu. In addition to traditional island food, Thai Chicken and rice are also available.

SAILING

It is said that God designed the Seychelles for sailors. The islands lie outside the cyclone belt and offer sailing year round with moderate swells and gentle tides. There is no better way to enjoy these magical islands than by cruising their pristine waters at your own pace. Chartering a yacht will provide you with the finest opportunities to discover the hidden treasures of one of the finest archipelagos on earth. With so many islands to explore and all within easy sailing distance, the options for personal itineraries are endless. A fleet of professionally maintained and operated mono and multi-hulled yachts are available along with many other types of boat for scenic cruises, snorkelling trips and island hopping excursions. Call us now for details.

FISHING

Over 1.4 million square kilometres of fishing grounds offer catches of marlin, sailfish, Wahoo, jacks, giant barracuda, rainbow runner, Dorado, shark and many other fine game fish. Neither do you have to venture far from the shoreline for a record catch as is evidenced by the international sport and recreational fishermen who return each year. The Seychelles ‘Outer Islands’ are world renowned as the epicentre of saltwater fly-fishing where 5 kilogram bonefish are the norm and catches of 25 kilogram trevally frequent. Saltwater fly-fishing can be arranged on islands such as Alphonse, St Francois, Desroches, Poivre, St Joseph and Farquhar complete with professional fishing guides. Blue water fly-fishing is fast gaining popularity, offering the challenge of fighting a wide array of sport fish, sailfish in particular. Tag and release policy is widely practiced in this discipline.  Traditional bottom fishing excursions with hand lines are popular among locals fishing for snapper, grouper and emperor. Prizes often include grouper weighing in excess of 30 kilograms. For full details of the fishing experience to suit you, information and advice is readily available from the team here at Key 2 Holidays. Whatever your technique you will be rewarded with some of the finest fishing available anywhere in the world. Call now for details.

DIVING

Diving in the Seychelles opens the door to a vast world that lies between 4 degrees and 10 degrees south of the equator. It is home to a marine extravaganza as diverse and vibrant as it is unique. The Inner Islands with their excellent PADI diving facilities, rest on a shallow plateau with prolific marine life. They are renowned for diverse dives that include both coral reef and giant granite formations. There are a number of world recognized dive site including the Ennerdale wreck and Brissare rocks as well the even more spectacular sites around Marianne, the Sisiters, Aride and other islands. More distant locations are accessible on specialised, live aboard dive boats. Dive depths range from 8 to 20 metres for inshore sites and up to 40 metres for offshore dives. All dives are run as non-decompression dives. The Inner Islands reveal an abundance of marine life including butterfly fish, angelfish, soldier fish, squirrelfish and sweepers. Their reefs are a haven for octopus, spiny lobster, and a plethora of nudibranchs. Regular current flows help to support fan corals and colourful tree coral formations. While remoter sites shelter the larger fish species such as napoleon wrasse, giant grouper, reef sharks and ribbon-tailed stingrays. Most spectacular are the plankton-eating whale sharks regularly sighted around the Inner Islands between August and November. Dive centres are located on the island of Desroches, famous for its caves and canyons, and also on Alphonse with its spectacular drop off. Impressive dive sites are also located around St. Joseph Atoll in the Amirantes Group and at the remoter Outer Islands of Astove, Cosmoledo and the legendary Aldabra, famous for the thrilling drift-dive in its giant lagoon. Marine life here tends to be more prolific than around the Inner Islands with frequent sightings of many of the larger grouper species as well as grey reef, silver tip, nurse and hammerhead sharks. Dive training in the Seychelles is conducted by internationally qualified and insured instructors, most of whom are members of PADI, the world’s largest dive training organization. Various courses are available ranging from introductory to full certification. Experienced dive courses are also available up to instructor level with speciality certification for photography, wreck and night diving. Courses are available through both land and boat based operators and full details are available on request from Key 2 Holidays.

GOLF

The Reef Golf Club on Mahe has a 9 hole course while Praslins LeMuria Resort boasts a spectacular new 18 hole championship course with views that will take your breath away.

HORSE RIDING

Horse Riding is possible at La Digue's Union Estate and a guided trek along its magical shoreline where you can savour the stunning scenery of one of the most beautiful beaches is a must!

SURF, WIND AND WAVE

Seychelles has a long tradition of offering some great windsurfing opportunities for novice and expert alike, especially during the south east trade winds (May - September) when average wind speeds are 12 - 15 knots increasing to 20 - 25 knots during the peak season of July and August. Surfing is also popular but highly seasonal due to the currents.
 

There are an abundance of activities to keep you entertained in Seychelles including waterskiing, sailing, fishing, and scuba-diving. The best time to visit the island is from October to May where the underwater life is at its most amazing sight. If you want more access to the underwater life forms, travel around the time of the SUBIOS underwater festival. Over 1900 marine and fish species are on display from all parts of the world.

There are no visa requirements to enter Seychelles. Visitors require a passport valid  for more than 6 months from the date of arrival, return or onward tickets, proof of accommodation and sufficient funds for the duration of your stay. On presentation of the above visitors are provided with a visa, valid for a maximum of one month. A passenger service fee is payable on departure from the Seychelles. A coupon is available for purchase at the airport or at any Seychelles bank.

If you require more assistance please visit www.visaservice.co.uk or www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo

240 volts AC 50 Hz.  Adaptors are provided by hotels. Plugs are British standard three-pin, 13 amp.

Cable and Wireless and Airtel operate competing GSM networks, with full international roaming agreements with most countries. Payphones are available in most districts on the inner islands. Internet service providers, internet cafes, postal and courier services are located in central Victoria with postal services also provided on Praslin and La Digue.

Seychelles is a safe destination but it is advisable to be cautious. To avoid attracting unwelcome attention you are advised not to flaunt large sums of money or other high value items. Rather make use of your room or the hotel safes.

Seychelles enjoys a pleasant year round tropical climate. The islands lie outside the cyclone belt and there are no extremes of weather. Normal temperature range is between 24º and 32º Celsius.

The north-west trade winds blow between November and February when the sea is generally calm and the weather hot and humid. This is the best time for diving.

The southeast trade winds blow between May and September and the weather is generally drier and cooler, but with rougher seas. Beaches on the southeast coast particularly suffer from more seaweed at this time. eg Coco De Mer, Indian Ocean Lodge. Access to another beach can be arranged if need be.
Short-lived downpours can, however, occur at any time of the year, nothing can be guaranteed with regards to climate, the above is a guideline only.
 

AVERAGE CLIMATE IN THE SEYCHELLES

The above table is a guideline and W&O Travel cannot assume responsibility for the statistical information

Air Seychelles, the national airline operates scheduled flights from the UK to Seychelles. The flying time from the UK is 10 hours on this direct service. Other airlines with whom we offer services to Seychelles are Air Mauritius, Qatar Airlines and Emirates.

Seychelles has three official languages: English, French and Creole.

We suggest that all our customers review foreign office advice for the Seychelles before travelling. Please use the following link: www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo for the latest information.

All foreign nationals visiting the Seychelles are being advised that they are now obliged to pay for food and beverages consumed in any restaurant located outside a hotel in foreign exchange. All services such as car hire, excursions, board and lodgings and all services provided by hotels and entrance fees must also be paid in foreign exchange. Euros are the most acceptable cash payment .

Credit Cards

Visa, AMEX and Mastercard are widely accepted. ATM facilities exist at major banks.

Foreign Exchange Regulations

Visitors must, by law, pay for all excursions, board and lodging and all other services provided by hotels, guesthouses and self-catering establishments in major international currency notes or by credit card. We suggest you take Euro's or US$.

Other services payable in foreign exchange include:

• Car hire
• Diving
• Boat charter, air or ferry transportation
• Excursions
• Entrance fees (reserves, marine parks)

Exchanging foreign currency into Seychelles rupees must only be done at banks, authorized money dealers at Seychelles International Airport or with hotel cashiers. It is a criminal offence to change money with any person or business other than those authorized and mentioned above. If you require rupees it is advisable to change only what you need on a daily basis. To re-exchange rupees on departure into a foreign currency you must produce the official receipt from your initial authorized dealer to the bank. Your money will not be re-converted into foreign currency without this receipt.
 

Seychelles is 4 hours ahead of GMT.

Creole Travel Services: Tel - 00248 297 000
24 hour emergency number: 00248 520 999
 

Flying Around the Seychelles

Mahe/Alphonse/Mahe: 1 hour
Mahe/Bird/Mahe: 30 mins
Mahe/Denis/Mahe: 30 mins
Mahe/Praslin/Denis/Mahe: 30 mins
Mahe/Desroches/Mahe: 1 Hour
Mahe/Praslin/Mahe: 15 mins
Operates daily at regular intervals between 07.00 - 13.00 and 14.30 - 19.00

Aircraft type:

Services are operated by: Twin Otter/Islander/Shorts

Check-in:

For all flights excluding Alphonse Island: 30 minutes before departure
For Alphonse Island: 1 hour before departure

Baggage allowance:

Soft luggage is compulsory for all flights to/from Denis, Desroches, Alphonse. All guests visiting islands are requested to pack a ‘week-end bag’ separate from their main luggage as space is limited in the aircraft. Excess baggage may not be permitted on the flights. Secure left luggage facilities are available at the International Airport for locked luggage.

Ferry Services

Mahe-Praslin on Cat Cocos

Note: It is recommended that passengers are at the Inter-Island Quay at least 15 minutes prior to departure time for boarding

Praslin-La Digue