Tourists are always interested in what time it is in the country where they go. Seychelles in this sense is very convenient for Russians who live in the time zone of Moscow or close to it. All Seychelles' territory belongs to the same time zone, i.e. the time in the Seychelles is now the same everywhere. From November to March, the time difference with the Seychelles relative to Moscow is one hour ahead, from April to October there is no difference with Moscow at all.
To the delight of tourists, there are no predators dangerous for people in the Seychelles, even sharks do not come close to the shores of the islands. Fatal cases of shark and barracuda attacks on vacationers were not noticed. Creole mothers have to scare children with feral cats, because, perhaps, no one more terrible can be found in the local tropics.
Snakes and black scorpions inhabiting Praslin are not poisonous, tropical diseases are not tolerated by mosquitoes, but for more comfort it is a good idea to bring insect creams and fumigators with you.
Only a stone-fish can become fatally dangerous if you step on it, walking through the puddles formed after low tide, or during diving. When a poisonous spinal spine of this fish enters a human blood vessel, it has no chance of survival. Near coral reefs there is a danger of getting burned by polyps, worms and molluscs, it is also undesirable to stumble upon zebra fish.
Swimming during high tide should be avoided as a strong underwater current can carry you out to sea. This is how the governor of the Seychelles, Sir John Thorpe, and his secretary, who were excellent swimmers, drowned in 1961.
Driving in Seychelles must be done with caution due to the twistiness mountain roads and the unusual left-hand traffic to us. The number of cars on the roads is insignificant, local traffic police officers are usually in the district office, promptly arriving at the accident scene on call.
Unfortunately, russian tourists have established themselves as problem guests due to their propensity to poaching. The Seychelles environmental agency is very zealous in fulfilling its responsibilities, so, say, about illegal spearfishing, you just need to forget.
Due to the fact that the country lacks currency, tourists have to pay for everything in dollars or euros (more precisely, in Seychelles rupees, but exchanged at the official rate). And this is completely unprofitable for travelers. Firstly, in many cash offices the official exchange rates of the dollar and the euro are equalized, which hits the pocket of those who have the euro with them. Secondly, you will most likely have to change the currency at an undervalued rate. It turns out to be more profitable to exchange currency for rupees and buy some things on your own in stores than to order them at a hotel, where you will be calculated at the official rate.
People come to the Seychelles to enjoy the pristine nature. And here it is achieved immediately, thanks to ideal climatic conditions, always warm sea with wonderful snow-white sandy beaches... Located in tropical latitudes and surrounded by emerald smooth surface Indian Ocean, this coconut paradise, strikes the imagination with a riot of colors and a variety of plants, a colorful underwater world and outlandish reserves, intricately carved rocks and coral atolls, a great variety of birds and giant turtles, as well as the Creole population and its traditions combining European, African, Indian and Chinese culture.
Each island of this fabulous archipelago, whether it is the capital of Mahe or the former haven of pirates - Frigate, the island of coconut trees Praslin or the fantastic La Digue, is attractive in its own way and has magnificent natural beaches with white sand, picturesque hotels that fit perfectly into the landscape and not disturbing the harmony wildlife... This country did not fall victim mass tourism, retaining its amazing beauty and flavor.
Seychelles is a tropical paradise full of fruits all year round: coconuts, mango fruits, bananas, papayas, psidium fruits, avocados, melons, zither fruits, breadfruit, jamalaki, caramboli, cossols, pineapples, sugarcane, oranges, lemons, grapefruits ... There are at least 15 varieties of bananas and almost as many types of mango fruits ...
In the Seychelles, there are a lot of endemic (found only in the Seychelles) representatives of flora and fauna. For example, the unique coconut palm "Sea Coconut" grows only here. Its famous nut - the largest and heaviest in the world - reaches a weight of 20 kg. Adventurer Henri de Montfreud, who saw other palm trees, did not hide his surprise: "This nut is the size of a large round pumpkin. It is double, and its two hemispheres resemble a pair of buttocks, between which nature wanted to carefully reproduce some anatomical details that are suggestive." ...
Unique giant turtles live in the Seychelles. At the moment of cessation of growth, "testuda gigantea" 1.5 m long can weigh up to 500 kg. Some specimens live for a very long time, more than 300 years.
There are also unique bird species in the Seychelles: the black parrot on Praslin island, the song magpie on the Frigate and Arid islands, tok-tok on Cousin island, banana bird on Mahe island ...
Seychelles has long attracted lovers of big fish. 100 km north of Mahe Island, near Bird Island and not far from Deniz Island (the base of lovers of this type of fishing), where the depth very quickly reaches 1800 m, 6 world records were set: boats equipped with special equipment, recognized The International Anglers Association, give the opportunity to register records.
Capital
Victoria.
Population
Population - 96,000 people. "Seychelles women have enough French to have a good figure, English to be well-mannered, Asian to be exotic, and African to have a savage charm." It's hard to say better about a Seychelles woman than Alec Vogue did.
Tongue
Official languages \u200b\u200b- Creole, French, English.
Religion
The main religion on the islands is Christianity (90% of the population are Catholics), Buddhism, Islam.
Geography
The Seychelles archipelago includes 115 large and small islands located in the Indian Ocean just south of the equator and north of the island Madagascar.
Covers an area of \u200b\u200b459 km 2.
Most large islands - Mahe, Praslin, La Digue, Silhouette - granite origin; small islands are mostly coral.
Most big Island archipelago - Mahé, length - 27 km, width - 8 km. This island has state capital - Victoria and an international airport.
Climate
Although this paradise is very close to the equator, the climate is tropical rather than equatorial.
The ocean has a regulatory effect, and the Seychelles are unfamiliar with the debilitating heat of continental regions located at the same latitude.
It is customary to distinguish between two seasons: hot (December - May) with an average temperature of about + 29 ° С and relatively cool (June - November) with an average temperature of about + 27 ° С when monsoon winds blow. The rainy season lasts from early December to mid-January. During this time, strong, but short-term rains are possible.
Time
The time difference with Moscow is +1 hour in winter, in summer there is no time difference.
Visa
Seychelles visa is not required to travel. You must have a foreign passport, which expires at least 6 months after the date of departure, a completed customs declaration and a return ticket. No vaccination certificates are required upon entry. All arrivals are issued a so-called visitor visa valid for 1 month, which can be extended if desired.
Currency
The national currency is the Seychelles Rupee (SCR).
1 $ \u003d 14 rupees.
There are banknotes in denominations of 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 rupees, coins in denominations of 1 and 5 rupees, as well as 1, 5, 10 and 25 cents. Sometimes you can also find silver and gold coins in use.
Visa, Master Card and American Express credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. Banks in the Seychelles are open from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm Monday through Friday, Saturday from 8:30 am to 11:00 am.
Tip
Tipping is optional as usually the service cost is included in the bill. However, the service staff in the hotel and restaurant are always happy to add extra rupees.
Transport
Air traffic
Local airlines "AIR SEYCHELLES". The planes of this airline make regular flights between the islands of the Seychelles archipelago. Telephone for information on airline flights: 438 40 00.
Car rental
The country has left-hand traffic and rather narrow roads. You can take a car at the hotel (as a rule, each hotel has a car rental department) or AVIS - tel. 422 45 11, Mahe Сars - tel. 437 35 27.
Gas stations
150 km. road network The Mahe Islands are served by six Shell petrol stations.
Other modes of transport
Taxi - There are about 200 taxis operating on Mahe Island. All cars are equipped with meters. The tariff is the same at any time of the day. The taxi rank is open around the clock.
Buses - run every quarter of an hour on main routes. The buses of the Indian brand "TATA" run from 5:30 to 19:00.
Ferries - from the port of Victoria daily to Praslin Island there is a high-speed ferry "Cat Cocos", travel time 1 hour.
Flights from Monday to Saturday from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. Sunday - 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.
clothing
It is best to wear light cotton clothes, comfortable shoes (sandals or sandals), a hat. We recommend using special sunscreenand also bring your sunglasses. If you are going to visit the highland part of the country, you should take a sweater with trousers with you (as in the evening the temperature can drop to + 14 ° С).
Electricity
Voltage 240V, 50 Hz. Square rosettes with three holes. An international standard adapter is used, which can be taken at the reception.
Communication
To call Moscow 007 (Russia code) + 495 (Moscow code) + subscriber number. A phone call from the Seychelles is expensive: a $ 40 phone card allows you to talk to Europe in just 8 minutes. Cost of 1 min. a conversation with Moscow from a pay phone - $ 4.
Regarding the use of mobile communications, please check with your provider!
Useful phone numbers
Police, fire department, ambulance: 999
Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Seychelles: The Embassy of the Russian Federation in The Republic of Seychelles
P.O. Box 632, Le Niol.
Phone: (8-10-248) 426 65 90 (round the clock), 422 15 90, 4266122, 426 66 53,
Mail: [email protected]
Victoria House. P.O. Box 3566, Victoria
There is no Seychelles embassy in Russia.
Fishing
Seychelles is famous for its fantastic fishing. Only here there is an opportunity to combine fishing in the open ocean, in shallow sandy waters and near coral reefs.
Fishing on boats specially equipped with the necessary equipment for trophy fishing: an installed trolling row of spinning rods with sea multiplier reels, hooks, live and artificial baits, stationary outriggers.
Big game fishing - fishing by trolling from large, specially equipped boats; Bottom fishing - fishing with a spinning rod with poppers and jig lures; Flats fishing - fishing with light spinning and fly fishing.
Venue: Mae Island, Praslin, Silhouette, Frigate, Bird, Denis, Desroche, Alphonse, Coetivi and other islands.
Diving
A wide variety of underwater world awaits scuba divers in the waters here, including the unrivaled beauty of the colorful coral reefs. Also from October to April amazing whale sharks visit hereand anyone looking for a way to make their blood run through their veins will surely not miss their chance to swim in the waters of the Indian Ocean next to the giants, the largest fish on the planet.
Limitations
- Those arriving in Seychelles are allowed to carry 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, 2 liters. alcohol, 125 ml. perfume or 250 ml. toilet water and other goods worth not more than 3000 Seychelles rupees (550 $).
- It is forbidden to import flammable materials, weapons, including those for spearfishing, drugs and medicines without a prescription.
- A special permit is required to import pets.
- It is forbidden to transport vegetables, fruits, plants, meat and meat products, canned food.
- There are bans on the export of coconuts, shells, corals, and turtle products.
- A maximum of 1000 rupees, or $ 200, can be exported from the country,
there are no restrictions on the import and export of foreign currency.
Flight rules, passport control, meeting, seeing off
Departure from Moscow
You fly out international airport Domodedovo, 1st floor, departure hall
customs control
Required documents:
- customs declaration (in the case of transporting more than $ 3000 or valuables);
- international passport;
- round-trip air ticket (don't lose!).
All baggage must be shown, including carry-on baggage.registration
Required documents:
- air ticket;
- international passport.
At check-in, baggage is dropped off and a boarding pass is issued. A purchased ticket without a boarding pass is not a guarantee of a seat on the plane.Passport control
Required documents:
- boarding pass;
- international passport.
When boarding a plane, you only need a boarding pass.
Arrival to Mahe
When booking Fast Track service - tourists will be met in the arrival hall with a sign (where the names of tourists are indicated).
A representative of the host company will help you quickly go through passport control, customs, and receive your luggage.
Passport control
Required documents:
- international passport;
- immigration card (issued on the plane shortly before landing).
After passing through passport control, you still have a stub from your immigration card ..Receipt of baggage
customs control
For passing customs control it is necessary to present all things for inspection to customs officers.
After passing through customs, you need to go to the representative of the receiving company with a sign and hand over the voucher, after which the representative will take you to the transfer.
Airport emergency: 00248 2 51 53 10
Russian speaking representative: 00248 2 52 01 49 (Valentina Payette)
