Getting Around the Seychelles Islands |
Arriving in Seychelles The Seychelles International Airport on Mahé Island is the international gateway to the Seychelles, 10 hours on a direct flight from Europe. All international flights arrive and depart here. Once you have cleared Immigration and collected your baggage, you may: From the Seychelles International Airport 1. Take a taxi to your hotel or Victoria's Inter Island Quay for the ferry to Praslin. Taxis are widely available just infront of the International flight Arrivals Hall. Taxi costs depend on location of the hotel, number of persons and pieces of luggage. Connections to Praslin by sea are on the Cat Cocos reservations@catcocos.com fast ferry or Praslin Express (praslinexpress@email.sc) depating the Inter Island Quay Victoria which is approx 20 minutes drive from the Airport. Cat Cocos reservations@catcocos.com is a 36 meter catamaran with a capacity of 350 passengers operating between Mahé and Praslin in less than 1 hour, arriving at Baie Ste Anne Jetty Praslin. There are three runs daily except Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday when there are just 2. Please contact Cat Cocos directly to confirm schedule as there are often changes. Cat Cocos Schedule updated on 29 July 2010 is subject to change without notice. Free Schuttle is available only on Mahe and on request from/to Airport and operates in accordance with the boats timetable. 2. Short walking distance to the Domestic Airport just next door for conencting flights by Air Seychelles flights@airseychelles.com light aircraft or Helicopter Seychelles to the other Islands. Air Seychelles flights to Praslin every 15 minutes throughout the day. It is recommended to pre-book as flights are often full especially off International Flight arrivals. La Digue Island does not have an airstrip. As such it is ncessary to sail to Praslin first and then connect by ferry to La Digue. La Digue does have a helipad. Note that there are baggage restrictions on inter-island flights. There are left luggage facilities at the Seychelles International Airport. It is recommended where possible that you route directly to La Digue or Praslin if you are spending night/s there and then finish off your stay on Mahé as this saves additional transfers, time and money. More importantly if you are connecting to an early morning departure flight. |
 Map of island hopping by air or sea |
From the Ile des Palmes Airport | |
The fast ferry Cat Rose is operated by William Rose (about 15 mins) OR the locales schooner (about 30 mins) from Baie Ste Anne Praslin to/ from La Passe La Digue. You can buy your tickets on the day of your trip at Baie Ste Anne or at La Passe La Digue, for groups tickets can be pre booked by fax + 248 232 374 (FAO Mme Rose) Schedule of William Rose Ferry Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday : 07H00, 09H00, 10H00, 11H45, 14H30, 16H00 17H15 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday : 07h30, 09h30, 10h30, 12h15, 15h30, 16h30, 17h45
Bird Island is a 30 minute flight by light craft from Mahe International Airport. Flights are booked with the hotel when booking accommodation. Flights between Mahe and Bird do not operate everyday. It may be necessary for you to adjust the number of nights at Bird Island according to the inter-island flight schedules. | |
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Air Seychelles light aircraft (twin otter) and Cat Cocos fast ferry for transfers to Praslin Island | William Rose schooner operating between Praslin-La Digue |
Travel in Seychelles | |
1.Car hire is the best way to explore the island of Mahe and Praslin at your own pace. It is recommended to pre-book 2. Take a bus except from the airport as the bus drivers may not allow luggage onboard particularly in busy periods. The bus service is good and cheap but seldom extends beyond 19h00 on Mahe and 17h30 on Praslin. On Mahe all bus routes run to Victoria Bus Terminal and from here it is possible to connect to other parts of the island. If you are unsure of where to stop, ask help from the bus driver. Taking the bus is an authentic experience of the Seychellois life, but not recommended for the faint hearted! 3. Taxis are based at the Airport and Port and most major hotels on Mahe and Praslin, and in Victoria on Mahe. Taxis are widely available though significantly expensive than the buses. Visitors, who do not feel adventurous enough to rent a car, can do a tour of the island by taxi. Drivers are generally friendly and informative. Prices should be agreed before leaving and taxis can be booked by your hotel/ guesthouse. Taxis must be pre-booked for morning departures, particularly on Sundays. 4. Bicycles can be hired on Praslin and La Digue. | |
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Car rental is the best to explore Mahe at your own pace. | Bicycles are the mian form of transport on La Dgue |