If you're traveling in 2021, check which travel insurance covers COVID-19 (test and treatment abroad).
Seychelles reopened for international tourism on August 1, 2020. If you have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and two weeks have elapsed from the last dose, you can visit from any country.
Otherwise, you can visit only if you come from a designated low-risk (Category 1) or “special status” (Category 2) country, which makes Seychelles one of the strictest countries that are open to tourists.
Travel requirements vary based on whether you have been vaccinated and whether you are coming from a Category 1 or Category 2 country. However, no matter where you’re coming from, you will need to submit a health travel authorization application online before departure and have valid travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage.

Latest Seychelles Travel Restrictions
Travelers who have been vaccinated must have an authentic certificate of vaccination and proof of a negative PCR test that was taken within less than 72 hours of travel. They must also book a stay at a certified Category 1 accommodation, but they do not need to quarantine on arrival; they will be free to explore Seychelles.
Travelers who have not been vaccinated must have proof of a negative PCR test from within 72 hours of departure (for Category 1 travelers) or 48 hours of departure (for Category 2 travelers). They must also book a stay at a certified Category 1 accommodation or at a certified Category 2 accommodation (depending on the country they are traveling from).
Upon arrival in Seychelles, unvaccinated travelers from both categories will have to self-isolate in their accommodation for the first 10 days of their trip and take a PCR test on the 6th day after their arrival. Even if that test is negative, they can only proceed with their trip on the 11th day after their arrival.
Can I travel to Seychelles right now?
Seychelles is allowing unvaccinated travelers from some countries to visit. Vaccinated travelers from any country can visit Seychelles. Below is a map of all the countries that can visit Seychelles at the moment.

Seychelles - EN
Seychelles COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements
Seychelles’ entry requirements depend on whether you have been vaccinated and whether you are traveling from a Category 1 or Category 2 country.
All travelers, regardless of their vaccination status, must complete a health travel authorization application online before departure and possess valid travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage.
Vaccinated travelers must have received both doses of the vaccine and be able to prove that two weeks have elapsed since they received their second dose. They must have an authentic certificate of vaccination and proof of a negative PCR test that was taken within less than 72 hours of travel. They also need to have a reservation at a certified Category 1 accommodation. Vaccinated travelers do not need to quarantine upon arrival.

Seychelles COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements
Category 1 travelers who have not been vaccinated must have proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure and a reservation at a certified Category 1 accommodation.
Category 2 travelers who have not been vaccinated must provide evidence of a reservation at a certified Category 2 accommodation and of a negative PCR test within 48 hours of departure.
Unvaccinated travelers (from Category 1 and Category 2) will have to stay in their accommodation for 10 days after their arrival and then take a second PCR test on the 6th day of their trip. Even if that test is negative, they will only be able to continue their trip as normal on the 11th day after their arrival.
Is PCR testing mandatory to travel to Seychelles?
Regardless of whether you have been vaccinated or are arriving from a Category 1 or Category 2 country, you must have proof of a negative PCR test result. This requirement applies to infants and children as well.
For vaccinated travelers or Category 1 travelers, the PCR test must be from within less than 72 hours of departure. For Category 2 travelers who are not vaccinated, the PCR test needs to be from within 48 hours of departure.
Both Category 1 and Category 2 travelers who are unvaccinated and are staying in Seychelles for 6 days or longer will take a second PCR test on the 6th day after their arrival.
Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Seychelles?
Unvaccinated Category 1 and Category 2 travelers must remain in their accommodation for the first 10 days of their trip. If they are staying in the country for 6 days or more, they will also have to take a PCR test on the 6th day of their trip, but even if that test is negative, they will still have to remain in their accommodation for the full 10 days. On the 11th day of their trip, if their PCR test was negative, they will be able to explore Seychelles freely.

Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Seychelles?
Unvaccinated Category 1 and 2 travelers who are staying in Seychelles for 5 days or fewer will not be subject to a second PCR test, but they will have to remain in their accommodation for the entirety of their trip.
Seychelles residents and nationals must quarantine for 14 days from their arrival.
Vaccinated travelers do not have to quarantine.
Travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Seychelles
All 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.
COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Seychelles
As COVID-19 vaccine distribution has begun in most countries around the world, the government of Seychelles has confirmed that all travelers who have been vaccinated may enter Seychelles from any country.
Travelers must have received both doses of the vaccine and two weeks must have elapsed since they received their second dose. They must also present an authentic vaccination certificate.
Unvaccinated travelers from Category 1 and Category 2 can still visit Seychelles, but entry restrictions are stricter.
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.
- Vaccinated travelers and unvaccinated Category 1 travelers must have proof of a reservation at a certified Category 1 accommodation. Unvaccinated Category 2 travelers must have proof of a reservation at a certified Category 2 accommodation.
- 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
Seychelles is kind of a mixed bag in terms of places that are open. Hotels and the airport are open, but restaurants are closed except for ones in hotels. Still, tours and excursions are operating, so at least you can explore this beautiful island country if you visit.

What’s open in Seychelles
Hotels that are open in Seychelles
Hotels in Seychelles are currently open, but if you’re a vaccinated traveler or an unvaccinated Category 1 traveler, you must stay at a certified Category 1 accommodation. If you’re an unvaccinated Category 2 traveler, you must stay at a certified Category 2 accommodation. These are the certified accommodations we recommend most:
- Maia Luxury Resort & Spa (Category 1 and 2)
- Constance Lemuria Resort (Category 1 and 2)
- Kempinski Seychelles Resort (Category 1 and 2)
- Savoy Hotel & Spa (Category 1 and 2)
- Bliss Boutique Hotel Seychelles (Category 1 and 2)
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
Only restaurants in hotels are currently open in Seychelles, and they are only open to hotel guests. All other restaurants are closed.
Guests must social distance and sanitize their hands before eating. Tables will be placed 2 meters apart.

Restaurants that are open in Seychelles
You can find more details on restaurant regulations 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.
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 tested in Seychelles, here is a list of places where you can get a PCR test.
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 Visitor Travel Advisory from Government of Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism
- Seychelles Travel Advisory Information
- List of Countries That Can Visit Seychelles
- Changes in Entry Restrictions and Quarantine Conditions for Residents
- 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
- Category 1 Certified Accommodations
- Category 2 Certified Accommodations