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| Surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing are extremely popular and can be done almost anywhere in the Seychelles. |
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| The Seychelles is an island nation in the western Indian Ocean, located about 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) east of Kenya. It comprises 115 islands occupying a total land area of 455 sq. km. (175 sq. mi.), and is known for its legendary beauty. 45 of these islands constitute the oldest mid-oceanic granite islands on earth, while the remaining 74 islands form the low-lying coral atolls and reef islands of the Outer Islands. With a population of 82,000, the Seychelles has the smallest population of any state in Africa. |
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The granite islands of the Seychelles, the Inner Islands, cluster around the main island called Mahe, home to the international airport and the capital, Victoria (sometimes called Port Victoria), with a population of 25,000. Mahe and its satellites Praslin and La Digue form the cultural and economic center of the nation and contain the majority of Seychelles' tourism facilities as well as its most stunning beaches.
The most important thing to do in the Seychelles is to visit the beaches. Many of the beaches are untouched by man's influence and are refreshingly uncrowded. They offer blue skies and crystal-clear waters. Surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing are extremely popular and can be done almost anywhere in the Seychelles. Sailing is also an activity that is very popular. Visit the Aldabra Atoll one of the world's largest atolls, stretching some 22 km. (14 mi.) east to west and enclosing a huge tidal lagoon, which is sometimes home to tiger sharks and manta rays. Aldabra is the original habitat of the giant land tortoise and there are about 200,000 of the tortoise on the atoll.
The Seychelles provide visitors with a wide choice in their selection of holiday accommodation. A wide range new and refurbished hotels, self-caterings, Creole guesthouses and bungalows, together with 5-star hotels and exclusive island retreats are among the options. 16 out of the 115 Seychelles islands currently offer accommodation, with more islands expected to develop hotel facilities in the future. Most accommodations are relatively expensive and some islands have only one hotel. Your best bet for a budget bed is renting an apartment or a bungalow. Hotel prices greatly increase and accommodation can be hard to find during peak seasons from December to January and July to August.
The only international airport is Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) near Victoria. There are direct flights to and from several destinations in Europe, Asia and Africa. To enter the Seychelles all foreigners must have a passport valid for at least 6 months, and must have proof of accommodation bookings before arrival. There are no visa requirements for any nationalities. Air Seychelles operates scheduled flights between the more important islands, alternatively you can use Helicopter Seychelles' shuttle flights between Mahe, Praslin and La Digue and charter flights to/from most of the inner islands.
The Seychelles have a hot and humid climate, with an average yearly temperature of 29C (84F), and an average sea temperature of 27C (81F). The heat is though usually mitigated by refreshing sea breezes, especially by the beaches. |
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Map of Africa |
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