Description of the offshore jurisdiction of the Seychelles (Seychelles). Seychelles - everything you need to know about the Seychelles Laws of the Seychelles in Russian

Casimir, DL2SBY will be active from Mahe Island, IOTA AF - 024, Seychelles, 20 October - 1 November 2017, as S79KB.
He will be active on 40-10m SSB, CW, RTTY.
Latest DX spots S79KB
QSL via home call sign, OQRS.
Address for QSL direct:
Kasimir Bastian, Gruenaecker Str. 39, 71069 Sindelfingen, Germany.

Praslin Island. Eden Island, Seychelles. Information.

Praslin Island (Prale Island) is the second largest island of the Seychelles.
Praslin is the only place in the world where the famous heart-shaped Coco de Mer coconut grows.
The weight of a coconut is 20 kg.
Local residents claim that Eve treated Adam not to an apple, but to a Coco de Mer coconut.
Anse Lazio Beach on Praslin Island is considered the best beach in the Seychelles and is recognized as one of the best beaches in the world.

Eden Island is a small island next to Mahe Island.

S79KB Mahe Island. Praslin Island, Seychelles. Information for radio amateurs.

DXCC Country - Seychelles.
WAC continent - Africa.
WAZ zone - 39.
ITU zone - 53.
Under the terms of the RSGB IOTA Diploma, Eden Island and Praslin Island have been assigned IOTA identification number AF-024.

Seychelles

Archipelago in the western Indian Ocean

The Seychelles Islands are located slightly south of the equator, northeast of the island of Madagascar and 1600 km from the coast of Africa. The tropical archipelago is part of an independent republic with the same name. The country includes 115 small areas of evergreen land that are scattered over more than a million square kilometers of water in the Indian Ocean; The islands are of volcanic and coral origin. The total area of ​​the island state including reefs is estimated at 455 square meters. km; There are four groups of islands: Seychelles, Amirante, Farquhar and Aldabra.

The largest islands are composed of ancient granites; they have a complex, rugged coastline and mountainous terrain. The highest point in the country is Mount Morne Seychelles on the island of Mahe (height 914 m). The central highlands of the volcanic islands retain dense, primeval jungle, while the coastline is rich in cultivated plantings. The coral islands, including the world's largest atoll, Aldabra, are flat lowlands 5-10 meters above sea level, covered with drought-resistant vegetation and thin, calcareous soils that hold moisture poorly.

A Brief History of the Republic of Seychelles

In 1502, the islands were discovered by the famous Portuguese traveler Vasco de Gama and named Admiral Islands, although there is evidence that Arab sailors visited the distant archipelago much earlier. Until the 18th century, the picturesque lands of the Indian Ocean were uninhabited and served as a temporary refuge only for sea pirates. Around 1750, the French began to explore the unfamiliar land; plantations of sugar cane, coffee, corn and expensive tropical spices - cinnamon, vanilla, cloves - appeared here. It was the French who gave the islands their final name in honor of their finance minister, Moreau de Sechelles. For hard work under the hot southern sun, Europeans brought black slaves here from Africa and Madagascar. By the beginning of the 19th century, the Seychelles were reconquered by the British: at first the islands were administratively subordinate to Mauritius, and later they were annexed to the British Indian Ocean Territory. During the years of English colonization, immigrants from India and China appeared on the archipelago, and in the 70s of the 20th century, the small state gained complete independence.

Lost Paradise - a country of sea, sun and relict plants

The archipelago is located in a hot subequatorial climate zone. During the year, the weather changes very little, and the change of seasons is almost imperceptible. In summer the average air temperature is +30 degrees Celsius, in winter +24. From December to April, hot and humid easterly and northeasterly winds blow (Norde monsoon), and from May to November the southeast Suetta monsoon blows. December and January are considered rainy months, but the precipitation rate in the wettest period does not exceed 400 mm per month.

Many species of palm trees, pandan trees, tree ferns and other vibrant tropical vegetation are common here, and the distance from the mainland coast has turned these islands into a real reserve of relict species of flora and fauna. The main local attraction is the slow-growing Seychelles palm Lodoicea (also known as Cocodemer). It grows on the islands of Praslin and Curieuse and is distinguished by its very large fruits - up to 20 kg, sometimes more. A unique tree characteristic only of Seychelles is depicted on the coat of arms of the island country. Legend has it that a huge lodoicea nut, which takes 7 or 10 years to ripen, is the “forbidden fruit” that Adam and Eve tasted in paradise. The fauna of Seychelles is no less interesting: many rare birds and marine life, including dugongs and long-lived giant turtles weighing up to 250 kg.

Eden Island Seychelles.

Seychelles today

Wonderful nature and mild climate attract numerous guests to the small islands of the Indian Ocean: avid travelers, water sports enthusiasts, enthusiastic botanists and zoologists. The main and most extensive island of the Seychelles archipelago is Mahe with an area of ​​142 square meters. km. The country's capital, Victoria, and Seychelles International Airport are located here. Mahe is home to almost 90% of the population of just 88 thousand people, and the city of Victoria is famous as the world's smallest capital. Only 33 islands are inhabited in the island state; the small atolls are uninhabited. The leading source of income for modern Seychelles is tourism; this industry employs at least one third of indigenous people. The rest of the islanders are engaged in traditional fishing and agriculture. The republic exports seafood (shrimp, tuna), fruits, coconuts and aromatic spices.

What to do on exotic islands?

Paradise island resorts offer the best opportunity for peace, quiet, solitude and pleasant idleness. A carefree life that distracts you from everyday pressing problems is the main thing that can be found in the Seychelles. Excellent infrastructure, comfortable housing, amazingly beautiful landscapes, national parks and the white sand of the coast - on the island of Mahe alone there are about 70 beautiful beaches, and, according to the laws of the republic, everyone is allowed to relax on any beach in the country completely unhindered and free of charge.

Divers explore the mysterious underwater world - hundreds of species of fish, crabs, octopuses, starfish, mollusks and other heat-loving inhabitants of the ocean depths. Hiking enthusiasts go on exciting hikes. On the island of Praslin, tourists are invited to visit a pearl factory, on the island of La Ding you can see the famous sea turtle, on the island of Desroches - colonies of rare birds, on Aldabra during low tide there is a beautiful coral reef stretched along the coast, and on the island of Silhouette, where there are not even cars - completely untouched wildlife. This piece of land with an area of ​​20 square meters. km is also called Pirate - many believe that ancient treasures of sea robbers are hidden here. The magnificent, amazing Seychelles is the cherished dream of newlyweds, the best place for a romantic honeymoon, serene days spent together at the dawn of a long family life.

Video Photo tour Seychelles

Today I am opening a new and long-awaited column about the Seychelles - a truly heavenly place on Earth and a tropical resort located off the eastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. The Seychelles is one of the prestigious destinations of beach tourism, a place that will be appreciated not only by sunbathers, but also by fans of active recreation. The unique beauty of the Seychelles resorts attracts tourists from all over the world and travelers from Russia who are happy to spend their long-awaited vacation in the Seychelles. So I’ll share everything I know about these incomparable islands: what kind of country the Seychelles is, where it is located, do you need a visa to visit, what language do they speak there, what kind of money is used, how long does it take to fly there and what are the prices? for air tickets, when is the best time to go there and what islands and hotels are in the Seychelles. In general, my article is about how best to prepare for a trip to the Seychelles and what is worth seeing there to make your holiday in the Seychelles memorable for a long time.

I will begin my story, of course, with a definition and brief description of the Seychelles, where they are located on the world map and what vacation is like there.

Seychelles is an island state (its full name is the Republic of Seychelles), located below the equator in the southern hemisphere in East Africa, in the western Indian Ocean, with a population of about 90 thousand people and a territory of only 455 km 2. According to the form of government, the country of Seychelles is a presidential republic, which gained independence from Great Britain on June 29, 1976. The flag of Seychelles has 5 colors radiating from the lower left corner and was adopted on June 18, 1996.

basic information

Judging by where the Seychelles Islands are located on the map - a little south of the equator, about 1600 km east of the African mainland, their belonging to Africa can be called very conditional, especially considering the unique fauna of these islands. However, geographically, the Seychelles are located closest to Africa, next to another famous island - Madagascar.

Seychelles on the map

Capital of Seychelles is the city of Victoria, the largest city in this country. It is located on the largest island of the Seychelles archipelago - Mahe (its area is 142 km 2). Seychelles International Airport is also located there, the runway of which is only 3 meters above sea level.

The territory of the Seychelles is formed by islands rising 4-8 meters above the ocean, which in the Seychelles are of two types: granite and coral. It is very easy to distinguish between them: people live and relax on granite (inhabited) ones, but coral ones, similar to, are mostly uninhabited and can only be visited as part of excursions.

Do you want to know how many islands there are in the Seychelles? Compared to other island states, there are not so many, only 115 islands. However, only 33 of them are inhabited. Moreover, most tourists relax in the best hotels, such as Four Seasons And Hilton Seychelles on the largest Seychelles islands - Mahe, Praslin, La Digue, Silhouette - or on small and private islands with exclusive hotels - North, Fregate, Felicite, Denis and a number of other resorts.

The flora and fauna of the Seychelles includes a large percentage of endemics - birds, reptiles and plants that are found only on this archipelago of islands and nowhere else in the world. Seychelles palm trees grow here, the fruit of which weighs up to 20 kg and is considered the largest in the plant world. Rare species of birds also live - the Seychelles small black parrot and the bulbul nightingale.

Here is an interesting overview video about Seychelles:

It is important to know: For detailed background information about the Seychelles, see Wikipedia, and I will continue to share with you practical information about this country and holidays in it.

I would compare the Seychelles with Hawaii: there are also several large islands, each unique in its own way. Therefore, when preparing trips to Seychelles the most important thing is to choose correctly which island you will vacation on. If we compare it with the Maldives, then everything will be completely different, because it is not so important (in essence they are almost all the same) how to decide whether you want to relax.

Here are three of the best hotels in Seychelles:

Four Seasons Resort Seychelles 5* - a real paradise lagoon and stunning views of the ocean. The hotel is conveniently located in the southwest of Mahe island in a separate cove of Petite Anse. From the airport it can be reached in just half an hour. Accommodation in spacious villas with expensive interiors and a swimming pool. It features two restaurants serving Creole and international cuisine, a hillside spa with panoramic views and the best yoga center in the Seychelles. Price per room – from $1000 per day. Book Four Seasons 5*

Raffles Seychelles 5*- a relatively new hotel with excellent room design, excellent sandy Takamaka beach without pebbles and an incredible level of staff. This truly fabulous place is located on the island of Praslin. It offers romantic and family villas and apartments with superb interiors and a private pool, yoga room and children's club. For the convenience of guests, there are as many as 3 restaurants on site, which often host themed evenings. An ideal holiday destination in the Seychelles. They speak Russian at the hotel and have a Russian manager. Price per room – from $1100 per day. Book Raffles Hotel 5*

Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa 5* is the only hotel on Silhouette Island. It is among the top best hotels in the Seychelles and is the wildest, which will especially appeal to nature and ocean lovers. The well-groomed hotel grounds are suitable for a romantic and family holiday or retreat in comfortable privacy. Everything is blooming all around, as if in paradise, and the birds are singing, and the convenient beach is well suited for children. Among the staff there are very competent Russian-speaking people, not everyone will tell you about the island - a real nature reserve with a pure atmosphere and beautiful landscape. Complete relaxation is guaranteed! Price per room – from $450 per day. Book Hilton 5* hotel

Seychelles on the map

Legend on the map:

• Burgundy color - airports and ferry piers of Seychelles;
• Blue color - islands in the Seychelles;
• Yellow color - the most famous beaches of Seychelles;
• Green color - Seychelles national parks.

Holidays in Seychelles

So, I told you the basic information about the Seychelles, and now let’s talk about what the Seychelles is like as the best place for a beach and romantic holiday. It is no secret that the Seychelles constantly compete with the Maldives in these two prestigious categories, and tourists choose where it is better to relax - in the Seychelles or in the Maldives. And at the same time, the Seychelles is slightly ahead of its competitor as the best wedding destination for a vacation and honeymoon in terms of overall impressions and price for two.

If you don't know what the language is in Seychelles, then keep in mind that Seychelles has three official languages ​​- Seychellois Creole, French and English. All residents speak mainly Creole, which is a variety of French. However, the staff in Seychelles hotels and the majority of those employed in the tourism sector speak English, because tourism accounts for about 30% of the country's GDP.

Why go to Seychelles

• Romantic getaway and wedding. If you want to have a wedding there with Seychellois flair and live music, spend a honeymoon in luxurious surroundings, renew your vows for a family anniversary, spend a relaxing and expensive holiday on the beach with your loved one and take lots of beautiful photos. In general, every category of romantic getaway is available in the Seychelles;
• Vacation with children . Families with children also love holidays in the Seychelles. Many hotels have children's clubs where your child will be engaged in interesting games with other little travelers, and will also be able to explore the Seychelles in an educational way with experienced mentors;
• Go diving. Since the Seychelles has many coral islands and rich underwater life, the diving here is as five-star as in the Maldives. In addition, do not forget that everything in the Seychelles is unique: there are fish, birds and animals that are not found anywhere else on Earth. It is for this reason that experienced and novice divers come to the Seychelles and go scuba diving in one of the best places on the planet for this;
• Trekking in nature and active recreation. This category works best for me. I don't like to just relax on the beach and do nothing. At least for a long time. And I definitely need to go somewhere, see the beauty of the world around me, climb higher on the mountain. So, the Seychelles are just ideal in this regard: you come and relax for a couple of days on the beach, and then you can go trekking into the jungle, visit tea plantations, study the local flora and fauna, and visit small towns and villages. And when he was tired of exploring the world, he returned to the beach again. Moreover, the beaches here are truly heavenly!
• Beach holiday. And finally, if you’re just tired of everything and want to have a great rest on secluded beaches and swim in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, and you’ve already been to the Maldives, then why not visit the Seychelles this time?

Tour to the Seychelles or a trip on your own?

There are two simple ways to relax in the Seychelles:

• Buy a ready-made tour to the Seychelles;
• Organize your own vacation.

Both are expensive. But going to the Seychelles, nevertheless, is the best gift you can give. Unlike the Maldives, where today there is a large selection, budget holidays in the Seychelles are not yet sufficiently developed. And there is no direct flight from Moscow to the Seychelles yet, even the ubiquitous one does not fly there. So you will have to get there with a transfer, but it will be much more exotic and interesting, won’t it?

• So, if you prefer to entrust your vacation to trusted travel companies and pay more for it, you can familiarize yourself with their offers and look at tours to the Seychelles for the dates you are interested in on the website.
• And if you are like me, solo traveler, then you just need to buy inexpensive air tickets (on the Aviasales website), book hotels that suit you on Booking and check out online. That's all you need to go to the Seychelles yourself!

Map of Seychelles (from seychellesbookings.com)

Direct flights to the Seychelles from Russia have not yet been opened. Therefore, the best way to fly to the Seychelles from Moscow is to buy tickets with a transfer in one of the Arab countries, for example, the UAE or Turkey. Tourists also often choose a flight from Moscow to Seychelles with a short connection in Europe (usually via Serbia).

How long is the flight to Seychelles? It all depends on the choice of airline and the number of transfers. If you take inexpensive tickets Moscow - Seychelles at a price of 500-600 dollars, then the travel time will be from 18 to 24 hours. But air tickets to the Seychelles from Russia with a short connection in Dubai will cost more, $600-800 per person, and the entire flight will take only 13 hours.

It is important to know: If you want to fly to the Seychelles, keep in mind that the time difference with Moscow is only +1 hour, which is not so much. Remember to set your watch forward after landing in the Seychelles to show the correct time in Seychelles.

Upon arrival in the Seychelles, you arrive on the island of Mahe, in the center of which the Seychelles International Airport is located. Then tourists need to think about transfer to the hotel:

• Vacationers on the island of Mahe can simply order a transfer: anywhere on the island can be reached in 30-40 minutes by bus from the hotel.
• To Praslin Island You can fly from Mahe using domestic airlines - Air Seychelles or take a ferry. Many high-end five-star hotels offer private helicopter transfers from the airport directly to the hotel - usually starting from $600.
• You can get to La Digue island by ferry from Mahe; the journey takes about 3 hours. Or use a combined method: first get to Praslin (by plane or ferry), and then take a ferry to La Digue (it takes only 20 minutes). This is convenient if you choose both islands for your vacation and live on each of them in turn.
• To Silhouette Island tourists are brought exclusively by helicopter, since there are only two hotels there, one of which, Hilton, organizes this transfer.

To get to other private islands, like Providence, where Seychelles House 2 is filmed, hotel guests usually book a helicopter transfer. But some of them, for example, Fregate Island, can be reached by ferry. This is due to the fact that Fregate is an important tourist destination and is of interest to many travelers from a historical point of view.

As I said, to have a great holiday in the Seychelles, first you need to choose an island, and then a hotel and a beach on it. For the most curious travelers, I recommend visiting all three main islands, especially if the number of days on your vacation allows it.

So how are they different? islands in Seychelles?

• Mahe is the central and largest island in the Seychelles, where the international airport and the capital Victoria are located. The city of Victoria itself is a small copy of London (after all, the Seychelles used to be an English colony) and at the same time competes with for the title of the smallest capital in the world. There are amazing beaches along the shores of Mahe, there are a lot of them - about 70 in total! Despite the fact that Mahe is a busy island, its western part is very quiet, and this is where the most prestigious and expensive hotels are located. There is also a nature reserve on Mahe - the Morne Seychellois National Park, in the middle of which there is the highest mountain in the Seychelles - Morne Blance (height 907 meters) and the jungle around. Among other things, Mahe also has tea plantations - a heritage of the British. Almost an ideal island for relaxation - both beach and active, right?
• Praslin- a beautiful island that is unique for its unusual palm trees, for which a national park was even organized here. It’s not for nothing that the Seychelles was called the leader among honeymoon destinations, because the coconuts of the local palm trees look like a heart! So Praslin is the island of love in the Seychelles. The beaches here are as beautiful as those on Mahe, but on Praslin they are quieter. At the same time, in small towns you can also find nightlife - bars and discos. Divers also come to Praslin who dream of exploring the underwater world in local waters. So if you also dream of diving, be sure to include Praslin Island in your Seychelles itinerary.
• La Digue- This is the smallest among the granite islands, and at the same time it has the largest rocks. If we continue to compare the islands, and call Mahe an island-city, and Praslin a small town, then La Digue is undoubtedly a village. At the same time, the village is cozy and fantastically beautiful. This is a way to get away from everything and everyone, live among tropical beauty, relax on snow-white beaches and relax in silence. It also has its own attractions, such as Eagle's Nest Mountain and Union Estate Park. It was also on the island of La Digue that the iconic film “Goodbye Emmanuel” was once filmed, and there you can even see the preserved house of the planter from this movie. By the way, it will be important for budget travelers to know that on the island of La Digue hotel prices are significantly lower compared to other Seychelles islands, both the most expensive room categories and simpler accommodation.
• Silhouette is a wild island in the Seychelles. Yes, after a village, you can call an island with only two hotels in the middle of the jungle wild. So if even the village atmosphere is too crowded, welcome to Silhouette, where there are very few people.

Sandy and beautiful beaches in the Seychelles

All beaches in Seychelles sandy and located in small coves (you will immediately notice their names in French - anse, which means bay). That is, if the name contains the words Ans, it means a bay, and therefore a beach. Another feature of the beaches in the Seychelles is that they are all municipal. That is, everyone can come and relax, even if you are staying in a five-star hotel.

Tourists who come to the Seychelles inexpensively are quite happy with this arrangement. Since sunbeds and umbrellas on the beach are free, you can book a cheaper hotel on the second line, and go to the beach of expensive hotels and not deny yourself anything.

Helpful advice: What to do if you want to relax on a beach where there are few people? There is a solution - choose a hotel away from populated areas, then there will be no one to come to the beach except tourists.

Many beaches in the Seychelles are without waves, as the bays are surrounded by breakwaters and special fortifications. One of these beaches is the most popular and party place Beau Vallon Beach, which is located near the capital of Victoria. This means that the Seychelles is ready for the arrival of families with children and those tourists who are not very good swimmers. But there are also places with good waves for surfing and spots for diving - especially on the islands of Denis, Felicite, Alphonse and Silhouette.

Intendance Beach - the most beautiful in the Seychelles

Which beach to choose in Seychelles?

Do you need insurance in Seychelles?

Insurance in Seychelles will be needed, especially if you plan to engage in active sports. And for everyone else who just wants to relax on the beach, just in case, it’s better to take care of their health and not leave it to chance. I also recommend purchasing health insurance if you are going on vacation with children.

Compared to the total cost of a holiday in the Seychelles, insurance is not at all expensive. However, if you need to use medicine in the Seychelles, it will greatly help in saving on medical care costs.

Don’t forget, Seychelles is Africa after all! But at the same time, you do not need to do any special vaccinations before the trip.

Visa to Seychelles

For tourists visa to Seychelles not required if the period of stay in the Seychelles does not exceed 30 days (as well as).

So if you are flying for two or three weeks, feel free to take your international passport and tickets, and at Pointe Larue International Airport (Mahe Island) upon arrival you will be given an entry stamp and - welcome to the Seychelles! All you have to do is go through customs.

By the way, before your flight, read the list of what you cannot bring to the Seychelles and what you cannot take out, as well as how much cash you can bring and take with you to the Seychelles.

Currency in Seychelles and what money to take with you

Official currency in Seychelles is the Seychelles Rupee (SCR). There are 100 cents in 1 rupee. Banknotes in denominations of 10, 25, 50, 100, 500 rupees and coins of 1 and 5 rupees, as well as cents - 1, 5, 10 and 25 are in use.

Despite the fact that prices in the Seychelles are indicated in rupees, in the Seychelles you can officially pay with other money - American dollars and euros, which are used here on a par with the rupee. So you can take both dollars and euros with you to the Seychelles, but cash rubles must first be exchanged for foreign currency.

• The exchange rate of the Seychelles rupee to the dollar is quite stable and does not change significantly. It averages 14 rupees per 1 US dollar. 1 rupee = 4 rubles, 1 euro = 16.5 rupees.
• It is not difficult to exchange dollars for local currency. This can be done at the airport, at many exchange offices in the city, bank branches or right at your hotel.
• It is important to know that the reverse exchange of money - from rupees to dollars or euros - is possible only if you have the original currency exchange receipt. So don't throw it away unless you plan to leave with Rs. Moreover, it is generally prohibited to export more than 2 thousand rupees per person from the country.
• In hotels and restaurants it is better to pay for services by credit card. And in transport, small shops and cafes, cash is preferred - local rupees, dollars or euros.
• Tipping in Seychelles is usually 10% and is already included in the bill. Unlike and, all taxes that must be paid for accommodation are usually already immediately included in the prices shown in the hotel booking system. That is, this is the final price and there is no need to calculate anything additional and estimate how much more you will have to add.

When is the best time to fly to Seychelles - weather and seasons for holidays

Climate in Seychelles- tropical, but very soft. Temperatures fluctuate slightly between months throughout the year. We can say that the weather in the Seychelles is approximately the same all year round: the average air temperature during the day is +26..29°C, and the water temperature is +25..28°C. There are no strong winds, and rains occur much more often in winter than in summer.

Seasons in Seychelles not as pronounced as in the Maldives. This is not to say that there is a time when you shouldn’t even think about flying to the Seychelles. You just need to keep in mind that during the winter period from December to February there is more rainfall. Moreover, the rainiest month in the Seychelles is January, and in December and February there is also quite a lot of rainfall. Therefore, it is better not to travel to the Seychelles in winter. Although you can take a risk if you are not a big fan of going into the jungle or going on excursions to see nature. It rains in the mountainous regions of Mahe and Silhouette islands. In this, the Seychelles are similar to Hawaii. It may rain in the mountains, but the sun is on the beach. The rest of the year - spring, summer and autumn - the Seychelles is a great holiday!

Conventionally, the seasons in the Seychelles are usually divided into two:

• hot from December to May, with rain from December to February;
• cool - from June to November, when the air temperature is quite pleasant and there is little rain.

Thus, When is the best time to fly to Seychelles?? That's right, summer! But it is also possible in spring and autumn.

You may ask, what about the New Year holidays, and is it really not worth going to the Seychelles in winter? You can take a chance and try to go, because the weather in the Seychelles at this time is generally not bad, but if you still want to guarantee yourself a 100% sunny vacation on the beach, then it is better to choose from December to March.

Transport and car rental in Seychelles

The Seychelles is an island nation, but it is developed enough to cleverly arrange transport links between its islands.

There are several ways to travel between the Seychelles islands using different transport:

• With Air Seychelles, you can fly between the two largest islands in the Seychelles - Mahe and Praslin. In addition, this company connects Seychelles with other islands and countries in the Indian Ocean - Madagascar and Mauritius, as well as mainland Africa - Tanzania, Kenya and others.
• Public ferries They also go between the islands, and this type of transport is the cheapest in the Seychelles. In just an hour you can get from Mahe to Praslin. It will take another twenty minutes to swim between Praslin and La Digue. And in two hours you can get from Mahe to Fregate.
• Helicopter is the most convenient way to get not only to private islands or Silhouette, but also right on the territory of the most prestigious hotels on all islands, including Mahe, there are equipped helipads.

Ground transportation on the islands:

• Mahe and Praslin also have good local transport. There are clear and convenient ground transportation routes, with the option to purchase an all-day pass for as little as 5 rupees (about 40 US cents). Buses run from early morning until the evening. There are also minibuses (minibuses) that connect Mahe International Airport with the capital Victoria.
• A taxi in the Seychelles is also a great way to get to your hotel, go to the store or visit attractions, and it’s very inexpensive. Taxi pays according to the meter. Landing (or rather the first kilometer) costs 15 rupees, and then another 5 rupees are added for each subsequent one. For example, during the day you can get from the airport to the capital for only 75 rupees (at night it will be more expensive).

Car rent- this is the most convenient way to see the island of Mahe or Praslin on your own. If you are planning to see nature or go to the mountains, then it is better to immediately take a four-wheel drive vehicle and be an experienced driver. Road traffic in the Seychelles is on the left, and the roads in the mountains are narrow and in some places look like serpentines.

• To rent a car in the Seychelles, you will need an international driving license (IDP), and your driving experience must be more than 3 years.
• There are not many gas stations in the Seychelles: only 6 gas stations on the island of Mahe and 2 more on Praslin. It is better to know their location in advance so as not to be left without gasoline when you rent a car in the Seychelles.
• It is also worth remembering that the maximum permissible speed in the Seychelles is 65 km/h, and in the city it is generally only 45 km/h.

Bicycle rental will be most useful on La Digue Island. But on other islands you can also try to travel by bike, if you have experience and desire.

Diving, surfing - what to do in the Seychelles

- this is interesting not only for those who already master this skill, but also for beginners who just want to try scuba diving. The Indian Ocean is a very beautiful place for scuba diving. In addition, near the Seychelles there are various unique fish and giant Aldabra turtles.

• Visibility in the water near the Seychelles is up to 30 meters;
• The best time for diving in the Seychelles is from September to October and April to May.

The best places for snorkeling are along the coast of the islands (the boat ride takes about 10-40 minutes). Don't miss the UNESCO-protected Aldabra Island and the site of the English tanker Ennerdale Rocks, where turtles and a variety of deep-sea fish now live. Other recommended dive spots are Mammel Island and Tropheus Rocks.

Surfing It is also popular in the Seychelles, especially on the islands of Mahe and Praslin.

Where to surf in Seychelles:

• On the island of Mahe, the best beaches are Grand Anse, Beau Vallon and Anse Bougueville. In the west of the island the waves are more unpredictable, while in the east they are calmer;
• On the island of Praslin, Anse Lazio beach is ideal;
• On the island of Silhouette - Anse Lascar.

Beaches in the Seychelles for surfing by skill level:

• Beaches for beginners in surfing: Beau Vallon and Carana (Mahe);
• Beaches only for pros: Anse Bougainville, Anse Royale, Barbaron and Misfit Bay (Mahe);
• Beaches for people of all skill levels: Anse Goulette (La Digue), Bel Ombre and Anse Intendance (Mahe).

Brief history and culture of Seychelles

History of the Seychelles closely related to European discoveries. There is practically no information left about the time that existed before the Europeans first landed in the Seychelles. Except that the Arab pirates used some islands (Silhouette, Frigate) for their base. Also, the Malays from Borneo could replenish their supplies of water and provisions in the Seychelles on their way to Madagascar.

But as for the written history of the Seychelles, it begins from the moment when the great navigator Vasco da Gama sailed past them at the very beginning of the 16th century (in 1502) on his way to India. For some time these were no man's lands, but the British first declared their territory of the Seychelles when, following in the footsteps of Vasco da Gama more than a century later (in 1609), they sailed to India and were caught in a storm. Seeing the land, the British landed in the Seychelles and immediately decided that this piece of paradise was now in the possession of the English crown. However, since resort islands were not in fashion then, it was not entirely clear how these lands in the middle of the ocean could be useful. And the British left them alone, but first they described them in detail.

Then, a little more than a century later, the French became interested in the islands and founded the first settlements there. They arrived in the Seychelles in 1756, looked around, and decided that, together with Mauritius, the Seychelles would make an excellent base for them (Mauritius is a source of sugar cane). Then they brought people here from Madagascar and East Africa, turning them into slaves. The name Seychelles did not appear immediately. The Seychelles Islands began to be called this way in the second half of the 18th century in honor of the French Minister of Finance, Jean Moreau de Sechelles.

During the wars with Napoleon, which took place not only on land, but also at sea (many remember Nelson’s victory), battles also took place in the distant Indian Ocean. In 1794, Britain drove the French out of the Seychelles and began cultivating huge coconut palm plantations there with the help of slaves.

In 1814, the Seychelles became a colony of England under the Treaty of Paris. Life became better under the British. At least in the sense that in 1835 they finally abolished slavery. But at the same time, they began to encourage the import of hired workers - Arabs and Indians. It was necessary to work, and someone also had to conduct trade.

The independence of the Seychelles was declared quite late (compared to India), only in 1976, when the Seychelles became a Republic ruled by a president.

Interesting facts about Seychelles:

The history of the Seychelles is quite short compared to world history. Nevertheless, a tangle of events has formed an unusual historical cocktail here.

• Despite the fact that most of the time the islands were owned by the British, the name of the country itself and all its objects is French.
• The brought slaves mastered French culture. Now it is called Creole - that is, African and French, born from mixed marriages and a common household. Now here the language is Creole, that is, it seems to be similar to French, but not quite, the cuisine is Creole, the religion is Creole: all are Catholics, but with their own African flavor.
• The fact that the British brought Arabs and Indians did not greatly affect the situation. Hindus, Arabs and other peoples in the Seychelles are in the minority. Their culture is officially recognized, but does not greatly influence the general state of affairs; Creoles still remain the absolute majority.

Attractions in Seychelles

The main attraction of the Seychelles is their fantastic nature, which is definitely worth watching. Since most tourists come here for a beach holiday, the picturesque beaches on the islands are the best thing in the Seychelles for them. In general, the beaches here are also important attractions, and they are all different - rocky or sandy, with white or pink sand, with calm seas or high waves suitable for surfing. In general, if you have time and desire, you can personally visit many Seychelles beaches and see their unique diversity.

In the meantime, I will briefly tell you about the most interesting sights of the Seychelles:

• Source d'Argent is the most photographed beach in the Seychelles. To be more precise, this is the most photographed beach in the whole world! It is located on the island of La Digue and is famous for its granite boulders. You've probably seen this photo on the Internet. It was precisely because of this photo that I learned about the Seychelles and wanted to go there.
• Aldabra Island is one of the most famous outer Seychelles islands, which is located in a UNESCO protected region. It does not consist of granite, but coral, and is located geographically closer to Africa, next to the Comoros. The peculiarity of this island, in addition to its extraordinary lagoon where divers come to dive, is that Seychelles giant turtles live there - unique marine inhabitants. All in all, it's worth paying a pretty penny to see them in their natural habitat and get to know them.
• Bird Island, which is a half-hour flight from Mahe, is especially popular from May to September. From the name it is immediately clear that this island is the habitat of birds, black terns. In the summer (winter for the Southern Hemisphere) there are so many of them that you can become deaf from their conversations.
• Curious Island, part of a national park in the Seychelles, is also home to giant tortoises. But, as far as I understand, they were transported there from Aldabra.
• Cousin Island near Praslin is home to some endangered animals. The Seychelles is a unique place, and the animals here are endemic. And some of them, unfortunately, are on the verge of extinction.
• Vallee de Mai is another Seychelles national park on the island of Praslin where you can admire sea palms and their coco de mer nuts. I love all palm trees very much and always find time to visit such unique places as the garden of Californian palm trees in Joshua Tree Park. I’ll definitely set aside an hour or two for sea palms in the Seychelles.
• Victoria is the largest city and capital of Seychelles. Compared to world capitals, this town is quite small, but here you can see in detail how the British settled on an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, far from rainy London.

Here's what else you can do in the Seychelles, besides sightseeing:

• Diving
• Surfing
• Fishing
• Island tours
• Trekking on Mahe and Silhouette. Why not?
• Beaching is undoubtedly the most important point of the vacation program
• Getting to know the local cuisine.

Holidays

Seychelles is a Catholic country. Therefore, the main holidays here are also Catholic, and their celebration is not much different from the usual European holidays.

Generally, holidays in Seychelles can be divided into two types:

1. Religious
2. Related to the independence of the Seychelles Republic from Great Britain (all of them fall in June).

Here are the days declared public holidays (national holidays) in the Seychelles:

• New Year (January 1-2)
• Good Friday
• Easter
• Labor Day (May 1)
• Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (June 3)
• Liberation Day (June 5)
• national day(June 18) is the main holiday in Seychelles.
• Independence Day (June 29)
• Assumption of the Virgin Mary (August 15)
• All Saints Day (November 1)
• Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary (December 8)
• Christmas (December 25)

Cuisine and restaurants

The cuisine in the Seychelles is special - Creole. What does it mean? Creole cuisine in the Seychelles took its island location and traditions as a basis, added European culinary delights (mostly French) on top and mixed it all with Indian spices. The result is an original tropical mix that all tourists should definitely try.

The basis of Creole cuisine is, of course, seafood. Rice, curry and coconuts are also constantly used. What do you think is the most common dish in Seychelles? Of course, rice with fish. Not just, but with spices and coconut sauce.

And since there is quite a lot of fish caught in the Seychelles, there is also an abundance of fish dishes here. Anyone who loves seafood will not get bored in the Seychelles either - octopus, crabs, lobsters and so on. In addition, expensive hotels always have European or other Asian restaurants. So it’s impossible to stay without pizza and sushi.

As for inexpensive food, the Indians always come to the rescue. If you want something local and colorful, you can always go to an Indian restaurant or buy food right on the street. It's inexpensive and adds interesting variety to your diet.

As for drinks, locals like different types of fermented coconuts, sugar cane, and mint infusions. And of course, they bring in wines - French and South African.

Tours to Seychelles and prices

Trip to Seychelles tour– this is a rather expensive pleasure, but almost every tourist can go there. The price of the tour depends on the cost of the flight, the luxury of the hotel and the distance of the island from the airport (transfer fee), as well as on your special preferences. Since there are practically no experienced tour operators in the Seychelles, it will take a very long time to book a trip to the Seychelles with them. It is much more convenient to organize your trip yourself, especially since it is not at all difficult. In this case Seychelles tour for two will cost much less since you will not pay a large commission to the travel agent.

Tour price to Seychelles strongly depends on the season (in the summer from June to August - high season and the highest prices, and on New Year it can be very expensive), as well as on your ability to save and desire to understand the features of a holiday in the Seychelles before starting your trip. Because you can immediately book the most expensive hotel and quickly spend all the money in a few days on expensive entertainment, as in the Heads and Tails Seychelles program. But it would be much more rational to calculate in advance the approximate budget for a tour to the Seychelles, taking into account your own wishes, choose a good hotel on the beach or in nature, plan a cultural program and sightseeing in order to see the maximum possible.

As an example, I will provide information about Seychelles price for two— the cost of air tickets and double rooms in hotels, if you book a room yourself on the website Booking.com:

But how much do ready-made tours to the Seychelles cost with a flight from Moscow - the price for two, taking into account fuel surcharges and all surcharges (without meals, only breakfast or all inclusive):

What else you need to know about the Seychelles

The best hotels in the Seychelles, where Russians most often go, are the following:

• On the island of Mahe - Kempinski Seychelles 5* and also Savoy Seychelles 5*
• On the island of Praslin – Raffles Seychelles 5*
• On the island of La Digue – Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort & Spa 4*
• On Silhouette Island - Hilton Seychelles 5*

In general, Russians are not often found in the Seychelles, but some rich people here have their own villa, registered in a Seychelles offshore. A few years ago, when local authorities did not disclose information about company owners, many preferred to buy property in the Seychelles in order to optimize the payment of their taxes. However, now that all data has become open, keeping money in the Seychelles has ceased to be as profitable as it was before.

Official name: Republic of Seychelles
Capital – Victoria
Population – approx. 88,000
Total area – 455 km²
Official languages: English, French and Seychelles
National currency – Seychelles rupee

Economic Freedom Index – 117th place
World Bank Ease of Doing Business Rating – 80th place
Global Competitiveness Index – 80th place
Corruption Perception Index – 47th place

Seychelles is an East African island country located in the Indian Ocean. The state consists of 115 islands, of which only 33 are inhabited. The first settlers of the islands were the French, who gave the archipelago its name in honor of the French Minister of Finance Jean Moreau de Sechelles. Subsequently, the Seychelles Islands were a British colony for a long time and gained independence in 1976. Currently, the Seychelles is a presidential republic, with the president being both the head of state and government. Legislative power belongs to a unicameral parliament.

Today, Seychelles is one of the most popular jurisdictions for registering an offshore company. Being a classic offshore, Seychelles offers international business owners a number of advantages:

• quick registration of companies;
• low level of government duties and fees;
• ensuring complete confidentiality;
• no taxation;
• no requirement to submit financial and other reports
• possibility of registering companies with special licenses

Thus, the Seychelles represents an attractive tool for tax optimization and international tax planning, and is also a convenient jurisdiction for building efficient and competitive business structures.

Economy of Seychelles

The main industry of the Seychelles economy is tourism. However, the government, in an effort to reduce the country's dependence on tourism, is focused on creating a favorable environment for foreign investment: the offshore sector is developing rapidly and the corresponding banking and legal instruments are being formed.

The economic policy of Seychelles is aimed at transforming the country into a major international financial center. In particular, the Seychelles provides financial instruments such as mutual funds, trusts, enhanced investment incentive programs, an international trade zone, as well as international business companies and offshore banks. In this regard, it is also interesting to note the positive assessments by the world community of the reforms of the legislative and trade regime that are being carried out in the Seychelles as part of negotiations on the country’s accession to the World Trade Organization.

Seychelles is a politically stable state with good air and sea connections and modern telecommunications. In addition, the state is on the so-called OECD “white list”, which allows Seychelles companies to gain access to international markets.

Seychelles Company Law

The basis of Seychelles legislation is British common law and French civil law. The main law governing the registration of offshore companies is the International Business Companies Act of 1994.

Most offshore companies in Seychelles are registered as international business companies (IBC). There are a number of restrictions for companies of this type. In particular, the following companies:

• cannot conduct business operations in Seychelles;
• own shares in real estate located in the Seychelles; and
• carry out certain types of activities (banking, insurance, etc.) without an appropriate license.

In 2011, amendments were adopted to the corporate legislation of Seychelles, obliging Seychelles companies to properly maintain accounting documents, as well as registers of shareholders and directors. Such documents must be kept at the registered office of the company or at such other address as may be notified to the registered agent. However, there is no requirement to submit financial or other reports to a government agency, or to undergo an audit.

Taxation of Seychelles companies

The Seychelles tax system provides separate rules for offshore companies that do not conduct business activities in Seychelles. Such companies are exempt from tax obligations and pay only a fixed annual fee, the amount of which is determined depending on the size of the company's authorized capital.

The following are installed Deadlines for paying the annual fee:

Being a classic offshore, the Seychelles nevertheless has 26 existing double tax treaties:

And 9 agreements on the exchange of information on tax matters:

The government believes that such agreements will be an important part in the development of Seychelles as the largest financial center in the Indian Ocean, and is committed to expanding the network of agreements. In addition, in 2010 the first tax information exchange agreement was signed with the Netherlands. Similar agreements have also been concluded with Denmark, Guernsey, Norway, Sweden and a number of other countries.

Thus, Seychelles currently offers some of the best conditions for registering a foreign company.

Registration and maintenance of companies in Seychelles

A company in Seychelles can be purchased:

• by registering “from scratch”, i.e. choosing a name, company structure, etc.
• selection from a list of existing registered companies (“shelf” companies, shelf companies)

Company name requirements
It is prohibited to use names that are identical or similar to the names of already registered companies, as well as words denoting certain types of activities (for example, Cooperative, Insurance, Trust, etc.) or words with a similar meaning. In addition, it is mandatory to indicate the legal form of the company, and Seychelles legislation provides a very large selection of options for ending names, for example: Ltd., Corp., Inc., GmBH, Oy, etc.

Requirements for company structure
The company must have at least one director and one shareholder, who can be both individuals and legal entities of any residence. The register of directors and shareholders in Seychelles is closed, which ensures a high level of confidentiality. There is no requirement in the legislation to hold meetings of directors and shareholders in the Seychelles. Such meetings may be held by telephone or other means of electronic communication. The company must have a registered office and a registered agent in the Seychelles.

Registration procedure
To register a new company (or to purchase a ready-made one), you must:

• provide options for the company name (or choose from a list of ready-made companies);
• provide a copy of the beneficiary’s foreign and general passport with a registration mark, as well as a bank certificate confirming the existence of an account,
• provide information about directors and shareholders in the absence of nominee service;
• identify special requirements for corporate documents and the company seal, if any.

On average, registering a new company takes up to three weeks (including sending documents). When purchasing a ready-made company, the period for receiving documents is about one week.

The package of documents for a registered Seychelles company includes stitching of notarized copies of the main constituent documents of the company under an apostille, a general power of attorney and the necessary resolutions (in the case of a nominee service), a share certificate, and a company seal.

You can find out about the cost of services for registering companies in Seychelles and annual fees on our website in the section or from the specialists of our company. We are ready to provide all the necessary clarifications on registration and servicing of Seychelles companies.