Fire and rescue services
Call 999.
Medical emergencies
Call 999 or go directly to a hospital.
Police
Call 999 or visit the nearest police station.
We advise:
Exercise normal safety precautions in the Seychelles.
Call 999.
Call 999 or go directly to a hospital.
Call 999 or visit the nearest police station.
We advise:
Exercise normal safety precautions in the Seychelles.
Exercise normal safety precautions in the Seychelles.
Exercise normal safety precautions in the Seychelles.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Crime levels in the Seychelles are low. But petty crime occurs, and includes:
Theft and robberies generally occur in tourist locations, for example, Victoria and Beau Vallon on Mahé and Cote D'Or beach on Praslin Island.
Violent crime, sometimes with knives, is less common but still happens, including on beaches and walking trails.
To protect yourself from crime:
You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.
Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.
More information:
Rallies and demonstrations occur sometimes.
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
To protect yourself during periods of unrest:
More information:
The Seychelles experiences strong ocean currents around the islands at different times of the year. This includes the popular Beau Vallon beach when the sea is rough.
Travellers have died swimming at popular beaches in the Seychelles.
Generally, beaches on the west coast can be dangerous for swimming during the northwest monsoon (December to March), and those on the east coast can be affected during the southeast trade winds (May to September). Beaches at the southern tip of Mahé are not recommended for swimming at any time.
There's usually no safety information displayed at beaches.
To protect yourself at the beach:
Tour operators don't always follow safety and maintenance standards. This includes adventure activities like diving and swimming with dolphins.
If you plan to do a tour or an adventure activity:
If proper safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.
The Seychelles can experience severe weather, especially during the northwest monsoon season (December to March). This includes:
To protect yourself if a natural disaster occurs:
If you plan to travel during the wet season or after a natural disaster, contact your tour operator. Ask if tourist services have been affected in the areas you want to visit.
The Seychelles isn't normally affected by cyclones. However, the wet season from December to March can bring:
Call Seychelles Meteorological Services (+248) 4384 358 for weather updates.
For updates, monitor the weather through the media or via:
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave.
Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
You must have insurance to cover COVID-19 treatment. If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
If you have immediate concerns for your welfare, or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre in Australia on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or controlled substances, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in the Seychelles. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
Insect-borne diseases
Outbreaks of dengue and chikungunya occur in the Seychelles.
To protect yourself from insect-borne disease:
Get medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, a rash or a bad headache.
Other diseases
The following diseases may be present in the Seychelles:
HIV/AIDS prevalence is increasing, especially linked to intravenous drug use.
More information:
Medical facilities in the Seychelles are limited, especially on the remote islands where doctors are often not available.
The island of Mahé has several clinics and a state-run hospital. The hospital in Victoria, Mahé can deal with accidents and emergencies.
There are two decompression chambers on Mahé: one in Victoria Hospital (Victoria) and one in the Seychelles Family Hospital (De Quincy).
There's no healthcare agreement between Australia and the Seychelles. Tourists must pay for treatment.
If you become seriously ill or injured, you'll need to be evacuated. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.
Make sure your travel insurance includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that appear harsh by Australian standards. Check local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Drug use, possession and trafficking are serious offences. Punishments can be severe.
More information:
Same-sex relationships are legal in the Seychelles.
More information:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Seychellois are generally very conservative. They don't tolerate topless sunbathing on public beaches. Nudism is not acceptable. Some LGBTI travellers have reported discrimination.
All travellers, regardless of gender or sexuality, should avoid public displays of affection.
Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering.
You don't need a visa to enter the Seychelles as a tourist. You'll receive a visitor's permit on arrival. The visitor’s permit may be granted for a period of up to three months. It can be extended for successive periods not exceeding three months at a time to a maximum period of 12 months.
More information:
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
You must apply for a Digital Travel Authorisation before travelling to the Seychelles. You'll have to pay a fee. It may take up to 24 hours to receive approval.
Be prepared to show evidence of proof of funds, confirmed accommodation and valid onward travel tickets at Immigration Control on arrival.
For arrivals by sea, visit the Seychelles Immigration & Civil Status Office website.
More information:
You need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter the Seychelles if you're coming from a country that has yellow fever. If you are transiting through an airport of a yellow fever endemic region for less than 12 hours, you don't need yellow fever vaccination.
More information:
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.
More information:
The currency of the Seychelles is the Seychellois Rupee (SCR).
ATMs are available at the airport and major tourist destinations but can be difficult to find in remote areas. ATMs only dispense SCR.
Most hotel and tourist services accept debit and credit cards, but you should check with your hotel or guesthouse if you will be able to pay using your card. Some guesthouses and hotels may accept euros or US dollars.
You can change money at:
Contact your bank to make sure your cards will work in the Seychelles.
You can drive in the Seychelles with either:
You must get your IDP before leaving Australia.
The minimum driving age is 18 years old for private cars and 16 for motorcycles.
If you plan on driving in the Seychelles:
While you are on the road:
You can only drive on Mahé and Praslin.
You are more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident in the Seychelles than in Australia.
Common hazards include:
Make sure your travel insurance policy covers you for riding a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.
Always wear a helmet.
More information:
Use registered taxis and limousines, preferably arranged through your hotel.
Taxis aren't metered. Research what taxi fares to expect on trips. Agree the fare with the driver before you leave.
Buses on Mahé operate from early morning to early evening. Services are limited on some routes.
More information:
Boat travel may be dangerous.
A number of ferries and rivercraft operate in the Seychelles. These may be overloaded, poorly maintained and lack life-saving equipment. A lack of navigation skills and unexpected storms can also contribute to boating accidents.
To stay safe on the water:
Piracy can occur in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Seychelles. Reduce the risk of piracy by adjusting your route if required and monitoring piracy reports from the International Maritime Bureau.
More information:
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check the Seychelles' air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call +248 432 3242 (Hotline) or +248 428 9950
Call 151 or go directly to a hospital.
Seychelles Hospital: +248 438 8000
Call 999, 133 (Police Hotline) or visit the nearest police station.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your travel insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Tourism
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
Australia doesn't have a High Commission or consulate in the Seychelles. For full consular and passport services while in the Seychelles, contact the Australian High Commission (based in Mauritius) via email (see contact details below).
Australian High Commission, Mauritius
2nd Floor, Rogers House
5 President John Kennedy Street
Port Louis, Mauritius
Phone: +230 202 0160
General Enquiries email: ahc.portlouis@dfat.gov.au
Consular Enquiries email: consular.portlouis@dfat.gov.au
Passport enquiries: passports.portlouis@dfat.gov.au
Website: mauritius.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros
Twitter: @AusHC_MU
The website will provide details about opening hours, any temporary closures and services offered.
24-hour Consular Emergency Centre
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact the High Commission, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
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