Seychelles tours & holidays

It’s hard to believe Seychelles were uninhabited for centuries, except for the odd ship stopping in, as the islands were found by explorers traversing ancient trade routes in the Indian Ocean. One of the first known records of the archipelago was by Arab traders in 851 AD. The land remained without a permanent settlement for centuries until the French, having already established colonies on Mauritius and Reunion, made claim to Seychelles in 1756, ruling for nearly 50 years before the British took over during the Napoleonic Wars. The nation gained independence at the start of the twentieth century. Due to its intermingled history, you’ll find a harmonious diversity throughout Seychelles with the population largely being of African, French, Indian and Chinese descent. Catholicism is the most widely followed religion (80 per cent of the population), followed by Islam, Hinduism and a mix of local beliefs. Although the nation has a more recent history of British colonisation, Creole influences still strongly exist today – through the arts, the food and the language.

The Seychelles hold a tantalizing fusion of cuisines, mirroring the diverse cultural influences found throughout the islands. Not surprisingly, seafood is a major staple in local dishes, and you’ll find super fresh local ingredients like barracuda, tuna or octopus blended with a variety of spices. Rice, coconut milk and curry are the foundation flavours across most of the seafood, vegetarian and various meat dishes you’ll find on offer. An abundance of tropical fruit is grown locally on the islands with the most common being papaya, mangoes, bananas and the versatile breadfruit – also found in many Seychellois meals.

Must-try dishes of the Seychelles

1. Caris masala

 A typical spiced curry served with a combination of seafood or vegetables – with a mixture of cumin, fenugreek, cloves, saffron, coriander and mustard seeds. 

2. Fruit bat curry

Yep, that’s right. It’s a traditional meal that still holds a place at some of the longstanding restaurant establishments around the islands. 

3. Shark chutney

A typical dish found in the Seychelles – made with boiled shark meat that has been finely mashed and mixed with onion, pepper, salt and turmeric, with fresh lime juice squeezed over the top. 

4. Banana in coconut milk

A large ripe banana cooked in coconut milk and sugar – absolutely delicious. This is a popular local dessert and a must-try in the Seychelles. 

You can find 115 islands in the archipelago of Seychelles, located about 2,300 kilometres (1,430 miles) east of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean – part of the African continent. The three main islands attracting visitor numbers are Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. Seychelles holds a spectacularly diverse number of tropical plants, standouts being the carnivorous pitcher plant and rare species of palm known as coco de mar or ‘the sea coconut’. There are two types of islands – granitic and coralline – the latter located in the outer islands and made largely of, as the name suggests, coral reefs. The landscape is lush and full of tropical plants throughout the archipelago, with frangipanis found flowering along the white sandy coast and wild orchids lining the winding rivers deep inside the rainforest. Bird lovers are prepared: Seychelle warblers, magpie robins, species of heron and egrets, among many other species, call the Seychelles home. You can also find giant tortoises older than a century and marine national parks harbouring whale sharks, sea turtles and a variety of tropical fish species.

Seychelles is bursting with traditional souvenirs and handicrafts, with batik clothing, woven baskets, painted fabrics and all kinds of colourful jewellery found mostly in the bustling markets. Go to Sir Selwyn Clarke market in the centre of Victoria for quirky souvenirs and to see locals shopping for fresh produce. For the biggest selection of wares in Seychelles, head to the main island of Mahe where you’ll find art galleries, handmade arts and crafts, locally sourced body products and ceramic pottery. Bargaining is not part of the culture of Seychelles, and prices are generally fixed. However, if you feel the price is high for an item in the market you can try to slightly negotiate.

Semaine de la Francophonie

Taking place on the island of Mahe every year in March, this week-long festival celebrates the past and existing influences of French culture in the Seychelles. Featuring art exhibitions, French music, and a tasty array of French-inspired cuisine. 

Carnaval International de Victoria (October)

This is by far the biggest party the Seychelles has on offer. Held over three days with parades, live music, costumes and everything else that brings together a hip-shaking carnival!  

Seychelles Ocean Festival (December)

A festival dedicated to all things underwater, this event involves photography competitions, guest speakers, events and showcasing diving and snorkelling spots throughout the Seychelles. 

Creole Festival (October)

Celebrating Creole culture in the Seychelles is an important part of recognising the nation’s history and heritage. As part of the event, a traditional Seychellois wedding is held, with funky exhibitions and performances. 

The Feast of the Assumption of Mary (15 August)

A significant day of recognition throughout the islands with a dedicated public holiday held every year on 15 August. Locals travel to the main festival held on the island of La Digue, involving a church mass and parade through the streets.