A guide to visiting the Seychelles
When it comes to paradise-like destinations, I think nowhere compares to the Seychelles. This archipelago looks every inch the part, with scenery that measures up to all those impossible-looking pictures you see in travel magazines. So, I’ve decided to dedicate this post to the Seychelles – you can find out all you ever wanted to know about the country below.
The lowdown on the Seychelles
Let’s begin with the basics. Comprising 115 islands, the Seychelles is located in the Indian Ocean and has a year-round mild climate – typically between 24 and 30 degrees C across the year. In terms of languages, three main tongues are spoken here: Creole, French and English.
The currency, meanwhile, is the Seychelles Rupee and the time difference is + 4 hours from GMT. From the UK, flights to the Seychelles takes approximately 12 hours, and the country’s main airport is located on Mahe, which is home to the nation’s capital, as well as being the largest island in the archipelago.
Using the weather to decide when to travel
When deciding when to book a holiday for, one of the main things I consider is what the weather will be like in my chosen destination – and I think most people do the same thing. As I mentioned above, the Seychelles has a pretty mild climate and there isn’t really a bad time of the year to visit; but, certain months are better for some activities than others. So, if you know what you want to do, the weather can definitely help you select your travel dates.
For instance, if all you have on your mind is sunbathing, then you can pretty much visit whenever you please. Alternatively, if you’re coming to the Seychelles to sail, I suggest you travel between May and September, since this is when the south-easterly trade winds blow, typically reaching between 10 and 20 knots.
One of the main reasons people come to the Seychelles, though, is to scuba dive. If this is what you’ve got your heart set on, book your break for April, May, October or November, since this is when the waters are at their most balmy. Plus, visibility at these times can reach more than 30 m.
The main islands
While there are lots of islands in the Seychelles, many are tiny and/or uninhabited. There are three main islands, so I thought I’d give you a brief rundown of each.
Mahe
Mahe is the largest of all the Seychelles’ islands, as well as the most developed. As mentioned above, it is home to the nation’s capital city, Victoria, and is known for its incredible landscapes. It’s also where a lot of the main tourist accommodation is, which you can find out more about through companies like Wanderforth.
While Mahe is a great place to hit the beach (there are more than 65 here, with each one seeming more idyllic than the next), it’s also an amazing island for things like hiking. You see, it’s home to Morne Seychellois National Park, where you’ll find mountains and coastal mangrove forests crisscrossed with hiking trails.
Praslin
The second largest island in the Seychelles, Praslin was once believed to be the original site of the Garden of Eden – and if that doesn’t give you a good idea of how gorgeous it is, nothing will. It’s a lovely place to get back to nature, and it is indeed its natural attractions that it’s most famous for. The Vallee de Mai is the absolute must-see here, as it’s in this extraordinary location that you’ll see the rare coco de mer palms, which produce the largest seeds of any plant in the world.
La Digue
In my opinion, La Digue is the ultimate place to relax. Not only is it home to some of the Seychelles’ most stunning beaches, but it’s also renowned for its laidback pace of life – something that’s particularly evident in the fact that ox carts and bikes are still the main form of transport.