Hidden Gems: Seychelles

Hidden Gems: Seychelles – With its jaw-dropping scenery, beautiful white beaches and rich endowment of wildlife, we’re adding Seychelles to our Hidden Gems destination list. 

An island republic of 115 tropical islands in the western Indian Ocean, Seychelles is world renowned for its lush vegetation, stunning beaches, and exquisitely rare wildlife. A melting pot of many cultures which have commingled and coexisted since the first settlement of the islands in 1770, Seychelle’s three main inhabited islands are Mahé (housing the capital Victoria), Praslin and La Digue and the official languages are English, French and Seychellois Creole. This beautiful destination offers visitors a wide suite of services and amenities. Visitors can appreciate a remarkably diverse array of marine, mammal, and bird life, relax on one of the many pristine beaches, island hop, enjoy a range of watersports, or simply soak up the breathtaking views.  

“The Seychelles was once a pirate hideout; legend has it that famous pirate Olivier Levasseur hid treasure worth more than $160,000 there that remains unfound to this day.” 

The location 

The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean, about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) east of Kenya and about 700 miles (1,100 km) northeast of Madagascar.   

The people 

The Seychelles population is 107,400. Known as Seychellois, they are a unique blend of Créole, Indian, Chinese, French and British heritage.  

The climate  

The climate is tropical oceanic, with little temperature variation during the year. Daily temperatures rise to the mid-80s F (low 30s C) in the afternoon and fall to the low 70s F (low 20s C) at night. 

Tourism   

After the opening of an international airport on Mahé in 1971, the Seychelles’ tourism industry grew rapidly. It quickly became the place to be seen, a playground for film stars and the international jet set. It remains an exclusive such-after destination for international visitors.  

Best time to visit 

October and November and April and May) are the best times to visit the Seychelles as the temperatures are good, rainfall is limited, and the winds are not too strong.  

What makes Seychelles unique  

The biodiversity of the Seychelles makes it unique and is protected within two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Vallee de Mai in Praslin and Aldabra) as well as several impressive Nature Reserves and National Parks. 

What to do in Seychelles 

• Anse Intendance, Mahé 
• Anse Lazio, Praslin 
• Baie Lazare, Mahé 
• La Digue Island 
• Curieuse Island 
• Morne Seychellois National Park 
• Ste Anne National Marine Park 
• Beau Vallon Beach 
• Anse Volbert 
• Vallée de Mai National Park, Praslin 

Flying private to Seychelles   

Chartering a private jet for your trip to Seychelles will guarantee a seamless and stress-free experience. Customize your trip to your exact requirements and tailor your itinerary to reflect your personal preferences.  

Entry airport 

Victoria Seychelles International Airport 

• IATA: SEZ 
• ICAO: FSIA 
• Elevation: 3 meters  
• Coordinates: 4.6709° S, 55.5115° E 

Operational information 

• Operating hours are 24/7 except on Mondays due to a runway closure commencing at 2215LT until 0645LT 
• This is an airport of entry 
• Aircraft parking is available 
• Fuel is available 
• Ground handling equipment such as GPU, ASU, ACU, etc. are available 
• Visas are not required 
• Handling notification is 24 hours before the operation 
• The fire category is 10 
• Customs and Immigration is available on flight schedule 

Landing permit requirements 

• Private flights are still required to submit an application for entry into FSIA to the Public Health Authority 
• All flights are subject to the Public Health Authority’s approval 
• The applications for entry must be done for each passenger and private flight crew through the online portal here 
• It is the aircraft operator’s duty to submit the form to the authorities 
• All fields must be completed, and the approval must be received before the Landing Permit Application may be processed 
• Any further requirements will be communicated by the Public Health Authority when the application for entry is submitted 

Commercial flights 

Direct flights to Seychelles are available from many major airports. The majority of connecting flights originate from Doha, Dubai, or Nairobi. 

Immigration  

• There are no visa requirements for any persons wishing to travel except for passport holder from Kosovo   
• Visitors should have a valid passport or other travel documents recognized by the government of Seychelles 
• For more information, visit the official government website here

Health screening   

There are no vaccination or PCR requirements for visitors to Seychelles  

Visitor tips  

• As 80% of what is consumed on the islands is imported making it an expensive trip  
• Although you will be spoiled for choice at the luxury resorts, be sure to sample some of the delicious local Creole cuisine  
• Enjoy tasting the famously fresh and abundant fruit  
• Be prepared to see bats pretty much everywhere in Seychelles – don’t worry they are harmless 

To create your ultimate Seychelles travel experience, contact UAS Charter or UAS Executive Travel. 

For more Hidden Gems, visit the UAS Blog