"Saagar's Seychelles" Top 5 Page for this destination Seychelles by Saagar

Seychelles Travel Guide: 901 reviews and 2,153 photos

Better than the postcards!

Normally, the postcards picture a place prettier than it is. However, with the Seychelles this is not possible. There isn't much to complain about in the Seychelles, as long as you adjust to the fact that the price level is high (for me as that at home), and that there are some peculiar immigration and currency regulations that you have to observe.
I have been there twice, first time in December 1996, and now in February. Give me the money: I am ready to go again!
This time I had company, The Lady, and we had studied our options well by means of internet beforehand. Based on this we could choose hotel, itinerary and negotiate with our local (Oslo) travel agent for improved options. Travel cost (airfare+local travel) and hotel cost (B&B) came to about equal amounts for 15 days. This time as my past experience; it is hard for any tropical destination to beat La Digue island. We also went to Praslin (day trip) and Mahe.

If you are looking for calm, quiet and beauty...

Calm, quiet and beautiful: sunset at La Digue

... the Seychelles should be your place. This is not a tropical party place, but a fairly simple place where sophistication is in nature, and perhaps indoors; your hotel if you go upmarket.
Politics has been though here, too, but nevertheless people here enjoy a life standard way beyond that of the African mainland. There is an air of sophistication around people, too, something that comes out of pride, education and self-confidence and the knowledge that a better place to live (hadn't it been for the low income) is hard to beat. While the history of slavery rumbles in the past, the social sophistication here looks beyond race and looks and origin for leads. While you will hear that there is not general contentment, these factors nevetheless contribute strongly - for me, anyway -to make the Seychelles such a pleasure to visit.

When to go?

The Wave, Seychelles style.

Anytime!
Even the rainy season can be fine, and it won't rain every day, all the time. Just be a little prepared. Get your bearings and expectations right.
The equatorial monsoon climate keeps the trade winds going. So you will have wind for most of the part, but in this still equatorial parts (3 degrees south or so) never any cyclones or heavy storms to worry about.
The trade winds shift twice a year, and around those times, the sea will be at the calmest (end of September into October, and April). Outside those times you should check the aspect of your hotel and the advertised hotel beach - it may be impossible to swim due to crashing waves! Finding a hotel on the calm side could be useful..
But waves can be fun, too if you are in control and the bottom is not rocky.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Fantastic nature and climate, excellent food, the Seychellois enjoy a good life quality.
Cons:Expensive, difficult to avoid fairly high-cost accomodation. Not a singles' place or a big-party place.
In a nutshell:People and nature - diversity and beauty

Last visit to Seychelles: Feb 2004
Intro Updated Feb 21, 2005
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (70)

Day tripping cheaply to La Digue from... Things to Do (15)

The case for yiourins the boat(s): If you want to do a day trip to la Digue on the cheap, go by the first catamaran in... more travel advice

Lagoon life Things to Do (15)

Inside the reefs there will be quite a lot of fish and other aquatic life during high tide. Most of the fish tend to go... more travel advice

Underwater studies Things to Do (15)

There are lots of fun things to do under water, much interesting stuff to study for those who are keen. more travel advice

Free activity on the Seychelles - Seychelles

Make it cheaper.... Favorites (1)

It is costly to travel to the Seychelles, and the price level is high. For USD 2000 per person you can do what I did in... more travel advice

Transportation (11)
See All Getting to the Seychelles
Warnings and Dangers (11)
See All Weather and surf forecast for the...
Shopping (8)
See All A very good book on the Seychelles
Restaurants (7)
See All Local flavour and pizza on Beau Vallon
Hotels (4)
See All Stagepost for arriving and departing...
Sports & Outdoors (2)
See All Snorkelling

Off The Beaten Path (2)
See All Trekking the Seychelles
What to Pack (4)
See All Tools of the trade - picnic
Tourist Traps (3)
See All Money - what is the cost of visiting...
Local Customs (1)
Bread fruit
Nightlife (1)
Beach romance
Been to Seychelles?
Share your travels with the world!

Travelogues (3)

1 - 3 of 3

Comments (26)

Reply
- Report abuse
Kitty82 Feb 11, 2012 at 1:08 PM

Looks amazing - cant wait to travel here one day :-)
Reply
- Report abuse
taigaa001 May 24, 2011 at 12:20 AM

I haven't realized until recently Seycelles as an African islands. Nevertheless. It seems to be very nice. Thanks for your nice work.
Reply
- Report abuse
hunterV Dec 6, 2009 at 2:48 AM

Thanx for your splendid page, Olav! I see it is a great place for relaxation.....
Reply
- Report abuse
sagex Mar 31, 2009 at 2:56 PM

great tip Thanks !!!!Michele
Reply
- Report abuse
Geisha_Girl Jun 19, 2008 at 9:27 PM

Olav, this is an absolutely gorgeous page on the Seychelles. Comprehensive and extremely helpful! It looks like a combination of all the beautiful tropical isles I've visited---Exotic romanticism all in one island. Thanks! (Helps with the planning!)
Reply
- Report abuse
brewjohnson Oct 5, 2007 at 4:17 PM

Fantastic pages, my friend. Great information and photos!
Reply
- Report abuse
Praslin Mar 18, 2007 at 1:03 PM

Mr. saagar thanks for at least saying things right. . have you been to seychelles laterly. It's seem things are worst. planning a souvenir shop on internet your advise please and a monthly magazine in which news, activities etc.. ideas.Thanks Den
Reply
- Report abuse
nora_south_africa Oct 8, 2006 at 1:45 AM

Hi thanx for all this info, a really wonderful and useful page.. hope I get there one day..............nora
Reply
- Report abuse
xuessium Aug 2, 2006 at 5:55 AM

From your floral shots: 5th flower - The Periwinkle, 7th flower - The Yellow Allamanda & the last flower - The Peacock Flower
Reply
- Report abuse
sirenna Jul 28, 2006 at 7:08 AM

Great photos and tips. Ever though about visiting the philippines?