Mahé, Seychelles Hotels and City Guide

Mahé - Travel Tips

When to Go - Seasons

Being so close to the equator, there are no definitive seasons and Seychelles is always hot and humid. The rainy season is between November and March when tropical downpours are to be expected.

From April to October the temperature drops slightly and the islands enjoy approximately seven hours of sunshine a day, although there can be rain showers at any time of the year.

April and October would be the best months to visit Seychelles as these are calm months between the trade winds.

When to Go - Local Holidays

January
1 January - New Years Day

March or April
Easter Friday and Easter Sunday - usually during March or April

May
1 May - Labour Day

June
5 June - Liberation Day
18 June - National Day
23 June - Corpus Christi Day
29 June - Independence Day

August
15 August - Assumption Day

November
1 November - All Saints Day

December
8 December - Immaculate Conception
25 December - Christmas Day
26 December - Boxing Day

Local Customs & Language

Customs

Ghost stories are part of local folklore and the old people delight in telling tales of colourful characters. Voodoo beliefs existed in the last century – maybe some superstitions survive to this day.

Kreol music and dance reflects the multi-ethnic background of the Seychellois. Drums and stringed instruments feature in their music, including violins and guitars, but an old tin or a calabash can be used as a sounding box.

Colourful traditional dances include the sensuous sega, the erotic moutya, a slave dance, the kanmtole which incorporates Scottish reels, waltzes, polka and other European dances as well as the kontredance, adapted from the French court.

Nudity and the wearing of thongs on beaches are offensive to the locals. Topless sunbathing is acceptable, but remember to don a top when swimming or walking along the beach.

Language
Kreol is the main language but English and French are the official languages.

Health and Security

Health

Sun: Make sure you apply an effective factor 30+ sunblock frequently as the equatorial sun is fierce and will strip the skin off you in next to no time.

Sea: When snorkelling keep an eye out for the well-camouflaged highly poisonous stonefish hiding in the sand. If possible, remove sharp sea urchin spines as quickly as possible but seek medical help if they don’t come out easily. Jellyfish stings and stonefish poisoning must be treated as a matter of urgency by plunging the affected area into very hot water to deactivate the toxins. Do not touch deadly large cone shells. Do not break off any coral and if scratched treat the scratches with an antiseptic cream as they can turn septic.

Beaches: Sandflies are found on some beaches and can cause dreadful itchiness. Use an insect repellent for protection. Coconuts can fall unexpectedly, so avoid sitting under coconut palms.

General: There is AIDS in Seychelles. Malaria does not exist but mosquitoes can cause dengue fever.

There is an excellent hospital at Mount Fleuri on Mahé as well as several pharmacies, private doctors and dentists. Small villages on Mahé have clinics, as do villages in Praslin and La Digue.

Security

There is very little crime in Seychelles although some petty theft does occur on beaches. It is common sense to keep valuables out of sight. Major hotels have safes.

Women visitors should avoid swimming at deserted beaches and walking alone at night.

Pirates have plied their trade across the Indian Ocean for centuries. Now modern-day Somali pirates are a danger to all forms of shipping, no matter how large or small, in the southern Indian Ocean. Mariners should bear this in mind when sailing around the islands. Since 2009 US surveillance drones have been based in Seychelles in an attempt to deter hijackings in the area.

Emergency Numbers: Central Police Station, Mahé, 288000; Ambulance, Fire, Police 999; Hospital (Mount Fleuri, Mahé), 388000.

Hotels in Mahé, Seychelles