Seychelles

You're at risk of theft, both targeted and opportunistic.

Most thefts happen in tourist hubs, such as Beau Vallon beach and the capital, Victoria. Robberies and other attacks also occur at Cote D'Or beach on Praslin Island.

Thieves sometimes use knives.

Thieves also target parked cars.

Violent crime is less common but happens, including on beaches and walking trails.

To protect yourself from crime:

• be alert to your surroundings
• keep an eye on your belongings
• leave valuables, including your passport, in a safe place
• don't leave money or other valuables out of sight at the beach
• always lock the doors and windows of your accommodation
• keep vehicle doors locked, windows up and valuables out of sight

To avoid being a victim of crime, try to avoid:

• the back streets of Beau Vallon and Victoria, especially after dark
• the Beau Vallon beach and its foreshore after dark, particularly if you're alone

Demonstrations and protests

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

To protect yourself during periods of unrest:

• avoid all demonstrations and large public gatherings
• monitor the media for news of planned or possible unrest
• follow advice from local authorities

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorism

There are often strong currents in the Seychelles. Drownings occur at popular tourist beaches.

Safety information is often not provided at beaches.

The popular beach of Beau Vallon is prone to rip currents when the sea is rough.

To protect yourself at the beach:

• get local advice before swimming
• be alert to changes in sea conditions, including rips
• swim within your ability

Tours and adventure activities

Local tour companies don't always follow safety and maintenance standards. This includes for adventure activities, such as:

• diving
• swimming with dolphins
• ocean sports

If you plan to do an adventure activity:

• check if your travel insurance policy covers it
• for ocean-based activities, make sure the operator can contact the coast guard if needed
• ask about and insist on minimum safety requirements
• always use available safety gear, such as life jackets or seatbelts

If proper safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.

The Seychelles can experience tsunamis and severe weather, including:

• strong winds, rough seas and torrential rain during wet season
• earthquakes and tsunamis

To protect yourself if a natural disaster occurs:

• keep your passport in a safe, waterproof place
• monitor local media and the World Meteorological Organization Severe Weather Information Centre
• check the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• follow the advice of local authorities
• keep in touch with friends and family

If you're travelling 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.

Wet season

The Seychelles isn't normally affected by cyclones. However, the wet season from December to February can bring:

• severe weather
• strong winds
• rough seas
• torrential rain

Call Seychelles Meteorological Services (+248) 4384 358 for weather updates.

For updates, monitor the weather through the media or via:

• World Meteorological Organization
• Meteo France–Reunion
• NOAA National Weather Centre

Earthquakes and tsunamis

The Seychelles is prone to tsunamis.

To receive tsunami alerts, register with the Global Disaster Alert and Co-ordination System.

Follow the advice of local or regional authorities.

Move immediately to high ground if you:

• experience a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up
• feel a weak, rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more
• see a sudden rise or fall in sea level
• hear loud and unusual noises from the sea

Don't wait for official warnings. Once on high ground, monitor local media.

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.

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 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

More information:

• General health advice
• International travel and health

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in the Seychelles:

• visit the Seychelles Revenue Commission website
• contact the commission's Customs Division

Take enough legal medication for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medications are
• how much you'll take
• that it's for personal use

More information:

• Medication

Insect-borne diseases

Outbreaks of dengue and chikungunya occur often in the Seychelles.

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

Get medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, a rash or a severe headache.

More information:

• Infectious diseases

Medical facilities

Medical facilities in the Seychelles are limited, especially on the more-remote islands. Doctors are often not available.

The island of Mahé has several clinics and a state-run hospital. The Mahé hospital can deal with accidents and emergencies.

The main hospital, including accident and emergency services, is in Victoria. Call (+248) 438 8000.

If you become very ill or badly injured, you'll need to be evacuated to a place with better facilities. This could be Mauritius, South Africa or India. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling, especially for an extended stay.

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.

Drugs

Drug taking and smuggling are serious offences. Punishments can be severe.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Other laws

Same-sex relationships are legal in the Seychelles.

More information:

• Advice for LGBTI travellers

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Seychelles recognises dual nationality.

More information:

• Dual nationals
• High Commission of the Republic of Seychelles

The people of the Seychelles can be conservative. They don't tolerate topless sunbathing on public beaches. Nudism is not acceptable.

Avoid public displays of affection.

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders.

Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can't help you.

You won't need a visa to enter the Seychelles as a tourist. You will receive a visitor's permit on arrival which can be extended to a maximum period of 6 months.

You may need to provide proof of your hotel booking when you arrive.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Other formalities

Yellow fever vaccination

You need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter the Seychelles if you're coming from a country with yellow fever.

More information:

• Countries with a risk of yellow fever

Validity

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.

Lost or stolen 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:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

The currency of the Seychelles is the Seychellois Rupee (SCR).

Most tourist services, including hotels, accept euros.

You can change money at:

• banks
• the international airport
• licensed operators
• hotels and resorts

Hotels and resorts will usually change euros or US dollars for guests.

You may not find ATMs beyond the major tourist areas of Mahé, Praslin or La Digue. There are ATMs at the international airport.

ATMs only dispense SCR.

Most hotels, resorts and tourist services accept credit cards.

Contact your bank to make sure your cards will work in Seychelles.

Driving permit

You can drive in the Seychelles with either:

• a valid Australian driver's licence; or
• an International Driving Permit (IDP)

Get your IDP before leaving Australia.

The minimum driving age is 18 years old.

Road travel

Driving in the Seychelles is only practical on the islands of Mahé and Praslin.

Roads on both islands are mountainous, narrow and winding.

Roads are often bordered by sheer drops and have sharp bends. Safety barriers are rare.

Drink-driving is a problem in the Seychelles. Some road users behave erratically. 

You are 3 times more likely to be killed in a motor vehicle accident in the Seychelles than in Australia.

To protect yourself while driving:

• get to know local traffic laws and practices before driving
• be aware of potential dangers on the roads
• avoid remote roads, particularly at night
• don't drink and drive

Check your insurance cover before setting out.

More information:

• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Check with your travel insurer whether your policy covers you when using a motorbike or similar vehicle. Your policy may not cover you for accidents that happen on these vehicles.

Always wear a helmet.

Taxis

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.

Public transport

Buses on Mahé operate from early morning to early evening. Services are limited on some routes.

More information:

• Transport and getting around safely

Boat travel

Boat travel may be dangerous.

Boats can be overloaded. They can lack necessary lifesaving gear.

Always wear a life jacket, even if others don't.

Piracy is a threat in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Attacks have occurred as far as 1000 nautical miles (1852km) from the coast of Somalia.

There have also been attacks in the Seychelles' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Sailing boats are particularly exposed.

Read the piracy reports from the International Maritime Bureau.

Avoid travelling by yacht or leisure craft more than 12 nautical miles (22km) from the shore. This includes activities within Seychelles' EEZ beyond 12 nautical miles (22km) of the inner granitic islands.

Air travel

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Seychelles' air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

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.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your travel insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.

Check the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in Seychelles. Contact the Australian High Commission in Mauritius for consular help.

Australian High Commission, Port Louis

2nd Floor, Rogers House
5 President John Kennedy Street
Port Louis, Mauritius
Phone: +230 202 0160
Fax: +230 208 8878
Website: mauritius.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros
Twitter: @AusHC_MU

Check the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia