Diving Seychelles
Coral reef diving is the main sporting attraction in the islands. Fish are unafraid of divers and spearfishing is forbidden. The waters are home to more than 900 fish species and over 100 species of coral, and visibility enables perfect underwater photography conditions. Seychelles specialty is live aboard diving, which provides opportunities to dive the many reefs around the islands.
Best time to dive
Diving is best in March, April, May, September, October, and November.
Visibility
Visibility averages 100 to 200+ feet.
Water temperatures
Water temperature averages 78 to 82 °F.
Weather and climate
Although tropical and generally warm and humid, there are two distinct seasons:
May to September: Southeast trade winds bring cooler temperatures, lower humidity (average 70%) and less rain along with gentle breezes.
November to March: Northwest monsoons bring more rain, sometimes in heavy squalls, higher humidity (average 80%) and warmer weather. The heaviest rainfall is usually during mid-December to mid-January.
The transition periods of April and October are fairly hot, with little breeze and calm seas.
Seychelles lies outside the cyclone belt and enjoys stable weather year round with a mean maximum temperature of 84 ºF and 12 hours of daylight.
Language
English and French
Passport/Visa requirements
Everyone traveling to Seychelles must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of travel. Visas are not required. A Visitor’s Permit, good for 4 weeks, is issued upon arrival at the airport. Travelers must have a return or onward ticket, pre-booked accommodations and sufficient money for their stay.
Currency
Seychelles Rupee – Get exchange rates at http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Electrical current
240 volts, 50 Hz
Capital
Victoria
General information
The Seychelles is a group of about 115 islands, which lie 990 miles off the coast of east Africa. The three central islands – Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue – are granite, while the outlying islands are coral atolls. The Seychelles has four marine national parks, and more than 150 species of tropical reef fish have been identified.
Map
Get a map of the Seychelles from WorldAtlas.com.