The Republic of Seychelles comprises 115 islands occupying a land area of 455 km² and an Exclusive Economic Zone of 1.4 km² in the western Indian Ocean. It represents an archipelago of legendary beauty that extends from between 4 and 10 degrees south of the equator and which lies between 480km and 1,600km from the east coast of Africa. Of these 115 islands, 41 constitute the oldest mid-oceanic granite islands on earth while a further 74 form the low-lying coral atolls and reef islands of the Outer Islands.

The granitic islands of the Seychelles archipelago cluster around the main island of Mahé, home to the international airport and the capital, Victoria, and its satellites Praslin and La Digue. Together, these Inner Islands form the cultural and economic hub of the nation and contain the majority of Seychelles’ tourism facilities as well as its most stunning beaches.

When to go:
Scattered just below the equator, the islands of the Seychelles generally have warm, beach-perfect weather all year round. The hottest months are December to April and the wettest are January and February – although it generally rains in short tropical downpours after which the sun comes out again.The question of when to go to the Seychelles often comes down to the seasonal trade winds that wash seaweed up onto some of the islands' beaches. From May to October some beaches on the southern coasts of Mahé and Praslin Island are affected, and while a seaweed-free stretch of sand is never far away (and hotels will even drive you there in their complimentary shuttle), if you’re seeking those postcard-perfect views on your Seychelles holiday then we'd advise chatting to one of our Africa Safari Experts to find out where to go and which months to avoid.Diving is excellent all year round but if you dream of crystal-clear conditions - and visibility up to a staggering 30 metres! - then the best time to visit the Seychelles is in the months of April to May and October to November.

Local Transport:
SPTC buses run daily around Mahe and Praslin from 05:20 to 21:30. There are a number of 18-seater coaches available for airport transfers and excursions.
Traffic drives on the left. There are paved roads only on La Digue, Mahe and Praslin. Elsewhere you will find dirt tracks. Visitors should be aware that Mahe is mountainous with narrow, winding roads without safety barriers. There are many cars or mini mokes for hire on Mahe and a limited number on Praslin. It is advisable to make reservations in advance, especially in peak season. The minimum age for driving is 21 years old and there is a speed limit of 65kph on the open road, decreasing to 40kph in built-up areas. Your driving licence from your home country is valid here for up to three months.
There are about 300 independent taxis operating on Mahe and Praslin, with a small number on La Digue. There is a surcharge for taxi fares on Praslin between 22:00 and 06:00.