Seychelles dream holiday on the cards? With the Seychelles’ sapphire-blue seas and emerald mountain landscapes, there’s certainly a paradisiacal experience awaiting you. That can help forge absolutely perfect memories – if you get the right travel preparation in place.
2026 marks 50 years of Seychelles’ independence from the UK. Despite the picture postcard imagery that has probably drawn you in and compelled you to book a dream vacation to these islands, remember this. The Seychelles is an East African destination and it comes with some of the issues that you might find on the mainland. A Seychelles dream holiday is more than possible, if you plan around the risks.
Risks to note to ensure a Seychelles dream holiday
The risks primarily revolve around theft and break-ins, whether the robberies are from the person, accommodation, cars or boats. Take simple precautions to stay free from trouble, such as not walking in quiet areas at night, not wearing valuables and putting them on public show, and not carrying large amounts of cash. Use the hotel safe for the reason it is provided and make use of window grilles by night, if you have them.
Sea safety
Do take particular care around the sea too. Beaches can vary in how safe they are according to the time of year. Those on the west coast become unsafe in the NW Monsoon season, which runs from December to March. On the east coast, the perils increase during the south east winds season, between May and September. If you find yourself on the south coast, be cautious all year round, as sea swimming is not advised at all. Lifeguards in the Seychelles can be hard to find, so be extremely careful and learn all of the rules about beach safety and sea swimming. Ask for advice at your hotel, or from trusted locals, and do not do anything they wouldn’t.
Driving in the Seychelles
The same degree of caution needs to be exercised if you plan to drive in this country, as part of your Seychelles dream holiday. In the mountainous areas, hairpin bends can come without any safety barriers. Storm drains are often uncovered and they, and huge potholes, can lead other motorists to veer sharply and unexpectedly. Drink driving can also be an issue here, so other motorists can become real hazards. The best advice is probably to stick to local transport or taxis. Just negotiate a fare before you set off.
Sporting activities during your Seychelles dream holiday
The Seychelles can be a pleasure palace for activities such as sailing, hiking and diving. Activities can also include swimming alongside turtles, or heading into jungle terrain to see the endangered coco de mer palm tree in the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve on Praslin island. You might be tempted to hike in search of wild vanilla or blue pigeons. Whatever it is you do, make sure that you check that your travel insurance policy will cover it, during your Seychelles dream holiday. After all, turning your ankle in a remote spot might require more than just medical assistance and full medical repatriation. With that coming at a huge cost, you need to stay on the right side of your travel insurance policy terms.
Do not invalidate your travel insurance policy
Other things to do across the islands may be less energetic, as you explore chapels, cinnamon plantations, family cemeteries, Creole villages and estate residences.
In the Seychelles’ capital of Victoria, you can pootle around botanical gardens or artists’ studios, or maybe visit a family-run rum distillery. Just go easy on the tipples, as your travel insurance probably will not cover anything that happens to you whilst inebriated! Check all your travel insurance policy terms before setting off from your UK or European home.
Seychelles islands to explore
With the Seychelles comprising 115 Indian Ocean islands, island-hopping may well be part of your itinerary. The three main islands are Mahé, where Victoria is found, Praslin (known for its magnificent white sand beaches) and Silhouette Island, where coral reef snorkellers find their fix. There is also the fourth largest island, La Digue, going at a slower pace and very much a place to explore by bicycle. Just avoid the ox carts!
Mahé explodes with colour around its bustling port, whilst Victoria exudes life around every turn of a corner, whether you are strolling into a packed market or discovering yet another nook within the city.
Praslin is home to one of the most attractive beaches in the whole of the Seychelles, so may well be part of your Seychelles dream holiday plans. Anse Lazio beach has had many admirers, (some deem it the most beautiful beach on earth) and a visit to its sandy shore is definitely something to tick off your bucket list.
Discovering local wildlife in the Seychelles
You can reach Praslin from Mahé via a 15-minute Air Seychelles domestic flight. This will open up a world of island hopping, should you wish to explore Cousin, Chauve Souris, Curieuse, St Pierre, La Digue or the last habitat of the black parrot, the Aride Island Nature Reserve. At Curieuse, you could visit the breeding site of the hawksbill turtle, whilst at Aride the bird population includes the lesser noddy, the roseate tern and the tropical shearwater. It is also the last habitat of the black parrot.
If wildlife is your passion, then Denis Island may be a huge draw, being home to some of the oldest creatures on the planet – giant tortoises. Do not overlook La Digue’s Veuve Special Reserve though, where you can discover two rare species of terrapin and also the rare black paradise flycatcher.
Trekking in the Seychelles
One word of caution, if your plan is to trek in the Morne Seychellois National Park and reach the very summit (2970 feet, 905 metres). Whilst Europesure’s travel insurance policy will automatically cover your hiking trips to this height, other policies may not. It pays to check on this and all other intended sporting activities. As we said at the start, a Seychelles dream holiday is absolutely within reach, but you should always get the travel preparation right.
Seychelles wedding preparation
Of course, your Seychelles dream holiday may be wrapped up with an overseas wedding by the azure sea. If that is the case, do a little bit more preparation and ask a few ‘what if?’ questions with regard to components of the wedding. Check out our Europesure travel insurance add-on for wedding cover and assess whether it makes perfect sense to say ‘I do’ to that.
Healthcare for tourists and holidaymakers in the Seychelles
Finally, whilst the Seychelles has a good healthcare system, much of it is increasingly delivered through private facilities and clinics. As a tourist, you must do as locals do and pay for your medical treatment and medications. Should you fall ill and require medical assistance, there is always a risk that you might need to access this in another country, such as Kenya or South Africa. That would require medical repatriation, which could cost up to £26,000 for a Kenyan service and between £20,000 and £60,000, if you needed to be taken to South Africa. Without a travel insurance policy that could pick up this cost and make all necessary arrangements for you and travelling companions, you might have to not only try to fund this cost yourself, but also that of any further medical treatment and your return home.
When focusing on your dream Seychelles holiday, bear this in mind and do not leave your UK or European home without Europesure’s comprehensive travel insurance protection. Otherwise, the dream holiday could turn into something else altogether.
