Seychelles reopened for international tourism on August 1, 2020. Travelers from almost any country can currently travel to Seychelles, making it one of the most open countries for tourism.

All travelers, even if they are vaccinated, must have a medical certificate for a negative PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours before departure. They must also submit a health travel authorization application online before departure.

International travelers must have valid travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage and a reservation at a certified accommodation.

Unvaccinated citizens and residents of Seychelles must quarantine for 7 days from their arrival and take a second PCR test on day 5 of their quarantine period. Citizens and residents of Seychelles who are vaccinated do not have to quarantine on arrival.

Can I travel to Seychelles right now?

Seychelles is allowing travelers from most countries to enter right now. Below is a map of all the countries that can visit Seychelles at the moment.

Seychelles COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements

Seychelles’ entry requirements depend on whether you are an international traveler.

All travelers must complete a health travel authorization application online before departure and have a medical certificate for a negative PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours before departure, even if they are vaccinated.

International travelers must stay at certified accommodations and have valid travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage. International travelers are encouraged to get fully vaccinated before traveling, but they do not have to be fully vaccinated in order to enter Seychelles, unless they are traveling from Bangladesh, India, or Pakistan.

Vaccination status does matter for citizens and residents of Seychelles. Vaccinated citizens and residents of Seychelles do not have to quarantine on arrival. Unvaccinated citizens and residents must quarantine for 7 days from their arrival and take a PCR test on day 5 of their quarantine period. If that test is negative, they can end their quarantine.

COVID-19 Vaccine to travel to Seychelles

Travelers from most countries can enter Seychelles regardless of their vaccination status, but international travelers are strongly encouraged to get fully vaccinated before they travel. Being vaccinated does not exempt travelers from the PCR entry requirement.

Travelers from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan cannot enter Seychelles without proof of vaccination, which should be uploaded as part of completing their health travel authorization application. In order to be considered fully vaccinated, they must have received their last dose at least 2 weeks before travel to Seychelles.

Citizens and residents of Seychelles who are fully vaccinated (their last dose was received at least 2 weeks prior to travel) do not have to quarantine on arrival in Seychelles.

Is PCR testing mandatory to travel to Seychelles?

Regardless of whether you have been vaccinated, you must have proof of a negative PCR test result. This requirement applies to infants and children as well.

The PCR test result must have been obtained within 72 hours before departure.

Unvaccinated citizens and residents of Seychelles will take a second PCR test on day 5 of their 7-day quarantine period. If that test is negative, they will be allowed to end their quarantine.

Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Seychelles?

International travelers, regardless of their vaccination status, do not have to quarantine on arrival in Seychelles. However, if they test positive for COVID-19 or come in close contact with someone who tests positive, they will have to quarantine.

Unvaccinated citizens and residents of Seychelles must quarantine for 7 days from their arrival in Seychelles. They must then take a PCR test on day 5 of their quarantine period. If that test is negative, they can end their quarantine. Vaccinated citizens and residents of Seychelles do not have to quarantine or take a second PCR test.

Travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Seychelles

All international travelers must have valid travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage for the duration of their stay in order to enter Seychelles.

If you’re looking for travel insurance, I recommend Heymondo. When we compared travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage, Heymondo came out on top because of their policies’ extensive coverage for COVID-19 testing and treatment abroad at an affordable price.

Other travel restrictions for Seychelles during COVID-19

Seychelles has implemented a few other travel restrictions for visitors:

• All travelers must submit a health travel authorization application online before their departure.

• All international travelers may only stay at certified accommodations.

• All travelers will undergo temperature checks and health screenings upon arrival in Seychelles.

• Face masks are required in all public areas.

• Social distancing rules must be observed.

• You may need a tourist visa to visit Seychelles. Check if you need one below.

What’s open in Seychelles

There is plenty to do and see in Seychelles right now. Hotels and the airport are open, restaurants are starting to reopen, and tours and excursions are operating, so you’ll be able to experience much of what this beautiful island country has to offer if you visit.

Hotels that are open in Seychelles

Hotels in Seychelles are currently open, but if you’re an international traveler, you must stay at certified accommodations. These are the certified accommodations we recommend most:

• Constance Lemuria Resort
• Kempinski Seychelles Resort
• Savoy Hotel & Spa
• Bliss Boutique Hotel Seychelles

Guests will be advised of accommodations’ health and hygiene practices when they check in. Their details will be collected for contact tracing purposes. Guests must wear masks and social distance in public areas. Common areas and surfaces will be disinfected frequently.

More details on hotel regulations can be found here.

Tours and excursions that are running in Seychelles right now

Tours and excursions are currently operating in Seychelles, but visitors must take tours and excursions with certified tour operators. Our favorite certified tours and excursions are as follows:

• Curieuse St Pierre & Anse La Farine Snorkeling Trip
• Mahe Island Shared Day Tour
• From Praslin: Cocos, Felicite & La Digue Islands Tour
• Reef Safari at St Anne Marine National Park
• Vallée de Mai and Anse Lazio Beach Full-day Tour

Guests will have their details taken for contact tracing purposes. They must carry hand sanitizer and sanitize their hands before and after the tour. They must also social distance.

A list of all certified tour operators is available here, here, and here. A list of certified nature reserves is available here. More information on tour regulations can be found here.

Restaurants that are open in Seychelles

Restaurants in Seychelles are starting to reopen, but before they do so, they must be evaluated by public health officials, so you can rest assured that any open restaurants conform to strict health and safety standards.

Guests must social distance and sanitize their hands before eating. Tables will be placed 2 meters apart.

You can find more details on restaurant regulations here. A list of certified restaurants is available here.

Airports that are open in Seychelles

Seychelles International Airport is currently open.

All travelers must wear masks and keep a distance of at least one meter away from those who are not in their household. Travelers will also be subject to temperature checks and health screenings upon their arrival in Seychelles.

Curfew in Seychelles

There is currently a nightly curfew from 11 PM to 4 AM in Seychelles.

Where to get a PCR test in Seychelles

Your country may require you to take a PCR test in order to fly back home. If you need to get a PCR test in Seychelles, you can find more information on getting tested here and here.

Seychelles reopening its borders to tourists – F.A.Q.

Check out these FAQs related to Seychelles reopening for tourists and let us know if you have any other questions in the comments below.

Sources

We will update this guide on Seychelles reopening to tourism with any new developments. If you need more information on travel to Seychelles, you can check these official sources:

• US Embassy Updates on COVID-19 in Seychelles
• CDC Travel Recommendations for Seychelles
• General Seychelles Travel Advisory
• Seychelles Travel Advisory Information
• Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism COVID-19 Guidelines
• Seychelles Ministry of Health COVID-19 Guidelines
• Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism List of COVID-19 Certified Tourism Businesses
• List of Certified Accommodations
• Health Travel Authorization
• Entry and Stay Conditions for Travelers
• Travel Measures for Travelers from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh