| Tips on what to pack for a trip to Seychelles, posted by real travelers and Seychelles locals. Map |
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 Hot, hot, hot! by Saagar
0) The Seychelles, at least away from the main hotels, despite the luxury tag and rumor, isn't much of a show-off place in terms of clothing. You can really take it easy, it's very relaxed, and if people look, it certainly isn't for the clothes! Yet the place is seen as decent, not wild, so cover up the essentials if more people are present.
1) Very thin cotton material, easy to rinse out; you'll sweat!
2) Rubber & nylon sandals for reef and beach walking, or kayakers' and rafters' wetshoes to protect the feet from coral, shells and spiny critters.
3) Good sneakers for bushwalking and for the trip home.
4) surfers' shirt: thin nylon/lycra stretch shirt to protect against sun and jellyfish
5) Very dark sunglasses and a good cap, even a kayaker's hat with ear/neck cover would be sensible for the pinkies from the north. The sun is s t r o n g !
1) My lady could not find the right sun cream etc, in shops; an indication that this should be brought from home.
2) Bring waterproof band aid: you will cut yourself on coral and scratch yourself on granite if you lead an active life here!
3) A sting eazer or ointment against irritating stings from sandflies, biting flies and the few mosquitos that are around.
4) A proper sunblock
Bring your slides film with you!!! This is Velvia land, high on greenery and very bright, ideal for 50 ASA.
1) Platypus plastic water bottles were great for bringing drinking water to the beach or on a hike, they collapse as you drink.
2) A small knife was great for cutting coconuts that I found, peeling mangoes etc.
3) A bit of picnic gear was great when spending the whole day out; easy to buy food, but the cheap hardware tended to come in sets of 6 or 50.
Bring a book about coral reef fishes, didn't see such a reference book in the Seychelles. Left mine at the reception of Patatran Bunglaows, La Digue - serve yourself! Leave a Comment
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 Exactly what I mean... by Saagar
If you are really into reef discovery, bring kayaker's or rafter's wet shoes with a good outer sole. They offer even better protection and less trouble when swimming.
I did not see any of the really good sandal brands or types useful for this purpose in Victoria. Leave a Comment
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1: We brought a paring knife and a chef knife, which turned out to be very useful. We also brought some liquor that we purchased at duty-free in London, and that was a good idea, as alcohol is insanely expensive in the Seychelles. We also brought some spices we knew we'd use (good idea). Finally, we brought some Godiva chocolates and were deeply grateful for them every night as we picked out our allotted two pieces for dessert!
You can buy more or less anything in the Seychelles, but some things cost a lot, particularly European/American type foods, and others are poor quality. There are small stores all over the place, at which you can buy staple items like bread, eggs, milk, soda, beer, rice, flour, onions, garlic, butter, packaged goods, and the odd vegetable. Closer to town there are bigger stores that you can get a wider range of vegetables and fruits, and there are also roadside stands where you can get those things and fresh fish.
2: Victoria has a famous outdoor market that carries fish, vegetables, fruit, spices, herbs, and a few other things; you should go there in the first day or two and stock up. (If you buy a fish, recognize you'll have to scale and filet it!) Also in Victoria is a major supermarket near the outdoor market, where you can get a lot of other items, including cases of water, which we very much recommend you buy and haul back with a car. Finally, there is a great meat store close to the bus station (and near a good internet cafe and bakery), where you can get just about any kind of meat you might want.
We spent a lot of time planning those trips, which we enjoyed; you may find that sort of excursion less fun. But we were glad to spend a relatively small amount of money to stock our larder and have good food for a few days' meals. Leave a Comment
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Bring a back pack and/or canvas shopping bag, one per person. Both are essential if you plan to walk a lot or use the public transit system. And as every guide says, the mini mokes (little rental go-cart things) and "jeeps" (Suzuki Samurai) have no security whatsoever, so you'll carry everything with you. Finally, bring a beach bag, of course!
Obviously, short-sleeved shirts, shorts, flip-flops, and bathing suits -- it's 90F+ and humid, my friend! But also bring a long-sleeved shirt (comfy when wet if you snorkel) and some light pants; you may get too much sun and want to protect that flesh.
The vast majority of toiletries are shipped in to the islands, so if you need it, bring it. Availability in town is limited for most basics, and prices are very expensive at the resorts and tourist traps.If you're white, you MUST bring lots of high SPF sunscreen (err on the side of excess; 7 degrees south of the equator). And though we had few buggy events, they weren't fun, so bring some kind of bug repellent that isn't repellent to you and yours.
Film is expensive, so bring more than what you think you'll need; if you're like us you'll use every roll. We were very glad we brought an underwater disposable camera, too.
Bring lots of beach gear:suits, snorkel equipment, flip flops, a beach hat, sunglasses. Bring it or suffer the fashion consequences (see photo).
I'll say more in another section, but you should bring the food items and cooking utensils that you will want/need if you're going to be in a self-catering chalet or cabin. For example, we brought some spices, two good knives, coffee, tea, and (thank you Andrea!) a box of Godiva chocolate, two items from which became our nightly splurge. Leave a Comment
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 by shellseeker
It is a tropical country with all its related features: bring 100% cotton clothing, good trekking shoes, beach wear (for the beach only) and some smart clothes for going out to night clubs or fancy restaurants.
Take everything with you as the supply of toiletries is limited and VERY expensive. A sun screen with high SPF (25+) is strongly recommended. Even on days with overcast skies... An insect repellent is sometimes useful but you don't have to worry about tropical diseases because there aren't any!
For photography in the broad daylight you might use filters to get back some of the colours... It never looks so good on pictures as the real thing!
Be careful about the warnings at some beaches. Listen to the locals. Strong under-currents are quite dangerous at some beaches. Leave a Comment
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Depends - if you're going to one of the hotels, take a suitcase. If you're planning to travel or hike (although be warned you CANNOT CAMP in Seychelles), take a trekking rucksack.
Obviously take shorts, t-shirts etc. - I recommend long sleeves and light long trousers for the evening to keep the mosquitoes away! Oh, and take a hat!
Don't take an anorak/pac-a-mac: it might rain, but you'll be much too hot in a plastic coat!
SUN-BLOCK!!! and INSECT REPELLANT!!
There's no malaria in Seychelles (hooray!), but there are plenty of biting insects...
Take all the batteries and film or disposable cameras you need. Take a waterproof disposable camera if you'd like to take pics underwater. Remember that you might get sand in your camera!
It's forbidden to camp in Seychelles.
Take good hiking boots if you're going to climb the mountains (even though the locals climb bare foot!)
Oh, and sandals you can wear in the water incase you step on coral (but please don't! it's damaged enough already!)
Take a couple of books to read - it gets dark at 6 and there's not a lot to do on the smaller islands once it's dark... Leave a Comment
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 by kenHuocj
Sunglasses,
UV filter for Real Cameras,
Panaoramic lenses,
Beach tongs, sunhats===SCUBA fear
There'll be plenty idyllic beaches and coves for all round tanning Leave a Comment
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Not important for getting there, but for the beach it is always good to have a bag with a zipper so that you avoid getting sand in it. Also a slightly water proof bag is helpful when the tide suddenly (!) hits the calm beach and you are sleeping with a hat over your head!
Sandals! Make sure they are really good, because your feet will be warm and sore from the heat of the sand. Also there are some amazing places to be discovered if you walk on small paths in the forest. Such as hidden beaches! And you can wear sandals, yes - there are no dangerous snakes on the Seychelles. In fact there are absoloutely no dangers at all!!
Sun protection. DO NOT FORGET - and use a high factor. I got tiny blisters on my arms even with a 20 one day. Stay out of the sun mid day. And I am not exaggerating.. Drink water, water, water. Coca Cola de-hydrates you. They also have these wonderful fruit drinks!
Get a polaroid filter for your camera! With the sea, sand and sun there is so much light in the 'air' that you will need it to get the bright blue and turqouise colours.
As mentioned - good sandals for walking
A hat!
A large towel to lie on - the sand gets to you after a while, especially if it's windy. With a large one (maybe even a bed cover) you will be better off. Leave a Comment
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be aware that if you travel via airplane from Mahe to smaller islands luggage allowance is greatly reduced because of the small planes...there is a secure place for luggage on Mahe at the airport, but this is not as secure as you would think because our bags we placed here followed us to Pralin on a later flight!
Dont take much you wont need it...nights are not much cooler than days.
Nobody dresses up.
Toiletries and painkillers were in short supply the first year we travelled so be aware that at any one time the islands may have shortages of things...so bring any toiletries and drugs with you, dont rely on being able to get them once in Sez.
Most hotels supply beach towels so all you need is swim wear.
Shorts and tshirt and walking shoes for interior of islands. Leave a Comment
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 rent your snorkel equipment by wadekorzanLeave a Comment
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