Is Seychelles Safe? (2021 Safety Guide)

Seychelles has a reputation for tropical resort getaways, languorous days on the beach, colourful coral reefs and plenty of rare nature and lush forests. Its not just a reputation though: its 100% true.

What you dont hear much about is how sketchy this collection of islands can be. Though it might seem like a bit of a serene paradise, theres much more going on under the surface and the crime rate, of robberies, break-ins, and other petty crimes, is increasing.

Thats not just in general, but against tourists too. We decided to look into this and create this epic insiders guide into staying safe in Seychelles. It may be paradise, but problems exist even in paradise.

In it, youll find information from whether its safe to drive in these islands, to whether or not its safe to eat the local food, and even a few pointers for people who might think of living in Seychelles.

You may be a solo female traveller wondering if youll be safe here, or you may simply be asking the question: is the Seychelles safe for families? Whatever it is, our Seychelles safety guide has got you covered!

As a group of adventurers, enthusiasts and fearless travellers, it pains us to tell you this, but the fact is that most travel is currently not safe, and in many countries, not possible because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Nations across the world are fighting to contain the outbreak and flatten the infection curve an effort that every citizen and responsible traveller should be part of.

For the most up-to-date safety information and what you should be doing to help, please consult theWHOand your local government.

How Safe is Seychelles?(Our take)

Seychelles is an island nation thats pretty much a paradise of palm-fringed beaches. Cue visiting hordes of honeymooners, jet setting celebrities, as well as some independent travellers and East Africa backpackers.

That aint to say theres no trouble in paradise. In fact, there is. Violent crime, although not common, happens. So does petty theft (more common).

The weather, and nature in general, isnt always so great. In fact, it can be pretty dangerous: strong winds, downpours, monsoon season, riptides its all here.

Is Seychelles Safe to Visit? (The facts.)

Seychelles tourism has been on the rise since it got its international airportin the 1970s. The old P&O steamship on the way to India used to stop here, so its always been a known destination especially for those British colonials.

Tourism is by far one of the most important parts of the Seychelles economy, employing over 15% of the workforce on the islands and making up around 50% of its GDP.

Visitor numbers justkeep going up. They reached an all-time high in April 2019 with a total of 37,103 just in one month. So its safe to say that tourists arent exactly put off by any rumours of crime and, of course, the Seychelles government is looking out for tourists, too. But thats easily understood if you look at the incredible places in Seychelles its like stepping into paradise!

With one of the highest discrepancies between rich and poor in the world, its expected crime takes place on the islands. But nobody seems to know exact numbers; its dubious as to how trustworthy the official numbers would be, anyway.

Robberies and break-ins do happen, however.Opportunist theftoccurs and is usually non-violent. Basically, its safe to visit Seychelles as long as you dont create those opportunities for petty crime in the first place.

Is it Safe to Visit Seychelles Right Now?

In recent years the Seychelles has undergone something of a change. Previously under the control of France-Albert Ren from 1977 to 2004, Seychelles is now moving in a more democratic direction.

Presidential elections take place, which is always a good thing. With democracy comes protests, mainly peaceful. This has been happening recently, calling for new presidential elections.

There has been an increase in break-ins and robberies, specifically against expats and tourists. These range from bag-snatchings and car break-ins, to muggings usually of tourists whilst walking late at night. Our verdict? Avoidable. (We have some great tips coming up for you regarding all that!)

Another interesting but pretty scary prospect is the presence of Somali pirates. Piracy has been known to take place within hundreds of miles of the island. Not greatly important but good to be aware of it if youre into your yachts or fishing.

Nature-wise now. Nasty insects, particularly mosquitoes; strong currents and unpredictable waves; the sun and getting overheated; monsoon season. Its got two monsoons, both the Southeast (May to September) and Northeast (November to March), which means practically all year round.

However, wed say theres nothing pressing at the moment thatll keep you away; its pretty much safe to visit Seychelles right now.

Do you need Travel Insurance for your trip? Even if youre only going for a few days, thats more than enough time to get smote by wrathful angels. Have fun in Seychelles, but take it from us, overseas medical care and canceled flights can be seriously expensive insurance can, therefore, be a life-saver.

Travel mishaps can and do happen and it is well worth thinking about insurance before you leave home.

We have used World Nomads for years now and I have personally made several claims. Why not get a quote from them yourself?

Do be sure to read the terms and conditions to make sure that the policy covers your needs.

Getting an estimate from World Nomads is simple just click the button or image below, fill out the necessary info, and youre on your way!

If you want to shop around a little, then read up on competing companies and what they can offer. There are lots of insurances out there, so dont feel limited.

Seychelles is all about its beaches and clear waters a sun, sea and sand getaway if there ever was one. That said, its not a theme park there are things to look out for here. With the rise in petty crime against tourists, you really dont want to be an unsuspecting tourist here. Weve compiled a few tips to help you travel smart on your trip to Seychelles.

So there you have it. Not only are there humans to be aware of in Seychelles,but mother nature, too! Its not exactly a warzone or an inhospitable place though its more that you need to be aware of the risks and avoid them. The sort of crime thats likely to take place on Seychelles is easily avoidable if you travel smart, and only you will put yourself into trouble with the sea or hike-able terrain here!

Keeping your money safe in Seychelles

Probably one of the most common annoyances that could happen to pretty much any independent traveller or backpacker, as theyre travelling the world, is losing money. It can honestly cut a trip short.

In Seychelles, theres a little bit of worry about being robbed or having stuff stolen. But we know a simple trick to make sure youve always got a little bit of cash to fall back on whatever happens. And thats a money belt.

Money belts are a very simple, very effective way to keep your money safe wherever you are in the world. You stop stuff getting stolen from you if youve got nothing to steal!

Theres a ton of choice, of course, but our favourite, hands-down, has got to be the Active Roots Security Belt.

We definitely recommend this one. Its super simple for one thing, which we absolutely love, and on top of it, it looks like a belt, with a zip pocket for your cash. There arent loads of pockets to contend with, uncomfortable strap systems, places where the compartments are going to show up under your shirt really obviously. You can read our in-depth review here.

Stash some cash and be thankful for it if the worst happens!

If you need a little more room for your passport and other travel valuables, have a look at afull-size money beltthat tucks under your clothes instead.

If neither of those options appeals to your refined fashion sense, dont compromise! Opt for aninfinity scarfwith a hidden zipper pocket.

Youre thinking of going to Seychelles alone? Thats great, solo travel is awesome. Its a great way to challenge yourself and actually better yourself as a person. Not only that but its a great excuse to be selfish and do what you want exactly when you want.

However, its not always awesome. It can get boring being by yourself, you can start to feel isolated and get more than a little bit out of touch with reality. Not to worry, though. To keep you safe and sound, whilst having a great time, here are our best tips for solo travellers.

When it comes to solo travel in Seychelles, the most important thing like travelling alone anywhere in the world is to not put yourself in danger. With no one else to look out for you, therell be no one to tell you if what youre about to do seems like a bad idea. Plus youll be more of a target by yourself in some areas. So keep our tips in mind, take it easy, and use your common sense!

Be prepared for what life throws at you on the road. Pick up an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure.

Is Seychelles safe for solo female travellers?

You might think Seychelles is going to be super expensive, and mainly for couples, not backpackers or solo travellers. But that doesnt have to be the case. In fact, were going to say Seychelles and its paradise beaches are perfectly safe for you solo female travellers.

You dont need a boyfriend or a partner. You just need yourself and some common sense. Of course, the island as weve said already isnt always the paradise youd like it to be, so here are some tips to help solo female travellers make their Seychelles trip go smoothly.

Dont lose your money to a pickpocket!

There are tons of ways to store valuables and goods while traveling but a travel scarf has to be the least obtrusive and the most classy.

TheActive Roots Zipper Scarfis your run-of-the-mill infinity scarf but with a hidden pocket thats big and sturdy enough for a nights cash, your phone, a passport and (hell with it) some snacks too!

Yes, Seychelles is a very beautiful place, but it canbe a little bit dangerous too. So make sure to keep our tips for solo female travellers in mind when you make your way to this part of the world. Most of the time, its going to be aboutnot jeopardising your own safety.

As opposed to males, females might find themselves having a more comfortable and less anxious time at a resort or some other accommodation where other people are staying. This isnt the sort of place where isolation is nice, or even safe, so theres that to consider.

We recommend getting in touch with some like-minded female travellers. Things like Facebook group Girls LOVE Travelare great places to meet other ladies who may even be in Seychelles the same time as you, or who can offer their own advice. Were all for it.

Is Seychelles safe to travel for families?

Of course, Seychelles is safe for families! You and your children are going to have an awesome time in this island paradise. Youre honestly in for a family dream holiday.

Though you may think of Seychelles as an adults-only place with exclusive resorts and couples everywhere, and to some extent it is, there are plenty of family-friendly places to stay on the island.

Most of the time, youre going to be absolutely safe. Chances are youll be staying in a resort, which is the safest thing you could do. The only thing we would say is to keep your doors and windows locked just in case. Once again, better to be safe than sorry.

Most hotels offer babysitting services and kids clubs. Theres even stuff thats going to keep teenagers (just about) entertained.

Finding food and products for babies, like nappies and medication, can be tricky outside the capital ofVictoria, so pack enough supplies.

Probably the most unsafe thing about Seychelles, for a family visit anyway, is its beaches, notably the currents. These can be seriously strong and even confident swimmers will struggle, meaning they are extra dangerous for children. Keep an eye on your little ones at all times as lifeguards arent exactly par for the course in Seychelles.

However, the best thing about the beaches is that the water is often shallow till far out, which makes it perfect for a paddle.

The sun and the heat can get to children and they can feel the effects worse than adults sometimes. So sunhats at the ready, plenty of sunscreens, drinking water, and make sure theyre in the shade when the suns at its hottest. Daytime temperatures are around 30 degrees C, pretty much all year round. The shade isnt common on the beaches in Seychelles. Getting shade under a coconut tree can be super dangerous, however, as coconuts can literally fall without warning and those things are deadly.

Also, mosquitoes can carry the chikungunya virus. Cover your children up at dusk from these nasty critters, use repellent with DEET in it, and burn coils in your room.

Other than that, youll be completely fine in Seychelles. Its been a resort destination for couples and families for a long time now!

Is it safe to drive in Seychelles?

Driving in Seychelles is actually a very convenient way to get around. Its only available on the island of MahandPraslin, however.

Surprisingly, a lot of people choose to rent a car when theyre in Seychelles to get around. Its not like driving in a busy city and its fairly safe.However, there is obviously something to watch out for since it wont be the normal sort of driving that youre used to.

Speed limits are low (in general, 25 to 40mph) and theres not a lot of traffic, so theres not a lot to stress you out.

However, on Mahthe roads can be quite mountainous, narrow and winding, with hairpin bends not all of them with safety barriers either. Take care of these sorts of roads and go slow.

There is one big ring road that runs aroundMah,which is pretty good for practising; near Victoria, theres a dual-carriageway to get to grips with.

OnPraslin, the roads are sealed for the most part and often easier to drive than their counterparts on the mountainous Mah.There is one good mountain road on Praslin,which is pretty straightforward to drive on.

When it comes to actual car hire do know that a lot of the cars on offer arent in great shape, so make sure you arm yourself with solid rental car insurance. Even so, you should be booking way ahead of time since a lot of people will want to hire them.

Theres one big hazard: drink-driving locals. If someone is driving erratically and veering all over the road, or going too slow even, give them space and keep well away.

Locals will probably overtake you, so will buses. Stay calm and in control and let them do their thing, and dont do like them.

Its probably not worth driving after dark, so make sure you plan well enough so that youre back at your accommodation before the sun starts going down. And keep an eye on the weather, too: it can make some roadspretty scary.

When it does come to parking, dont leave any valuables on display, take everything out. Anything, even a map, will show potential thieves this is a tourists car and tourists will probably have something else to steal in there.

That said, driving in Seychelles is pretty safe and tonsof people do it. You wont be able to get to half the amazing beaches on the island without your own wheels. So if youre up for an adventure, theres a whole lot of amazing coastline to explore in Seychelles.

Is Uber safe in Seychelles?

There isnt any Uber in Seychelles.

Youll have to rely on local taxis, which are a whole other story

Sleep safe! Choose yourhotel,hostelorAirbnbahead of time so youre not last-minute booking a less-secure place.

Read ourNeighborhood Guidefor our favorite accommodations in Seychelles by area.

Are taxis safe in Seychelles?

Taxis are another option for exploring the islands aside from self-driving especially if you dont drive, or youre not keen on driving.

There isnt one official taxi company in Seychelles. Its more of a collection of independent drivers and a few companies that are more geared towards tours.

Taxis, however, are available only on the islands of Mah, PraslinandLa Digue.

Theyre generally convenient and taxi drivers are generally friendly, and most likely will be up for a chat. Theyll probably be able to give you a bit of knowledge about the islands as they drive you around if you ask, that is.

When it comes to hailing taxis, youll most likely be able to do this only around Victoria so if you stumble across a driver you like, take note of their phone number or take a business card. You might be able to use them at a later date for a tour or general transport.

The taxis themselves (we mean the cars) are of a fairly good standard. However, if youre not happy about the state of the vehicle youre about to hop into, its ok to refuse and wait for another taxi to come along. Alternatively, you can have your accommodation call you a reputable tourist taxi with good reviews;no doubt they will have one to recommend you should use.

Taxis in Seychelles dont usually have meters. Youll have to agree on a fare before you set off on a journey. Its typically around 19 SCR (Seychellois rupees) for the first kilometre, then 6 SCR for each subsequent kilometre.

To sum up, taxis are generally safe in Seychelles. Theyre free from hassle and awkward negotiations for the most part. If you do have to haggle, make sure you read our guide on how to haggle like a pro!

Is public transportation in Seychelles safe?

Public transport in Seychelles isnt non-existent, though its also not very comprehensive, either.

Buses are the main mode of public transport and theyre pretty affordable. They also dont run much longer after dark, either.

On Mah,theres a relatively extensive bus service. You can see where the bus is going because the destination is marked on the front of the bus.

Bus stops are easy to spot because they have a) signs and b) shelters and are c) marked on the road surface, too.

If you go to the capital ofVictoriatheres abus terminuswhere you can pick up a timetable for bus routes around the island, which is a handy thing to have take it from us.

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Is Seychelles Safe? (2021 Safety Guide)