Climate
The islands enjoy a pleasant tropical climate year-round and, as it is situated outside the cyclone belt, there are no extremes of weather. The temperature seldom drops below 24°C or rises above 33°C. Globally changing climatic conditions make it difficult to predict exact weather patterns. From October to March the islands are affected by the northwest trade winds. This is when the sea is generally calm with warm tropical water. From May to September, the weather is generally drier and cooler, with choppy seas, particularly on the south-eastern coast, which is when the southeast trade winds occur. The wettest months are December and January.
Dress Code
Conservative/casual clothing is acceptable in the bigger towns in Seychelles, however on the beaches at the coast, it is perfectly fine to wear shorts and shirts or beach wear. Generally speaking, light layers of clothing are the best items to bring with you, as well as a warmer jacket or fleece for the cooler evenings. A hat is also a must have!
What to Pack
Preparation and packing for any holiday is important but never more so than when you visit remote areas in Africa. Once on safari you will find it very hard to pick up that odd item you thought your partner had packed! What follows is by no means an exhaustive list but is designed to point you in the right direction.
• Layers - long and short sleeve shirts and trousers
• A warm fleece or jumper
• A lightweight waterproof jacket
• Comfortable but sturdy shoes
• Flip-flops
• Swimming costume (Bathing suit)
• A hat or baseball cap
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen – a must!
• Toiletries – most accommodations will provide shampoo, shower gel and soap
• A small torch
• Spare batteries, plug adaptors and charging equipment
• A good pair of Binoculars (8x40/8x42 is recommended)
• Dive card and log book (if applicable)
• Books or a fully loaded Kindle / iPad for siesta time
Most camps and lodges will have a small medical and first aid kit, but we recommend bringing your own supply of essentials - cough medicine, plasters, vitamins, aspirin and paracetamol, and anything else you use on a regular basis.
Camera Equipment (for the enthusiasts)
• A telephoto lens (200/300mm)
• Flash and fast film (400 ASA) for night photography
• Lots of film (64,100,200,400 ASA) if using an SLR camera
• Spare memory cards for digital cameras
• Camera cleaning equipment and a good dust proof bag
• Bring spare batteries as although you may recharge your batteries at the camps, charging capacity can be limited
Luggage
Please check with your airlines for the specific luggage restrictions relevant to your flight schedule. Many international airlines have a baggage allowance of 20kgs or more per person and commercial airlines generally permit two (2) pieces of checked luggage per person. The carry-on bag must be of such dimensions and weight as set by the airlines.
Electricity
Electrical appliances run on 220V/240V. The Seychelles uses the British standard square 3-pin 13
amp plug. You can use your electric appliances in Seychelles, if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 - 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa). If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 100 V - 127 V (as is in the US, Canada and most South American countries), you will need a voltage converter in Seychelles.