Seychelles
Chasing the picture postcard holiday
There has never been a time when we’ve been more ready for a beach break. The dream of an icing sugar beach and a swaying palm has been a mirage in a never-ending desert of lockdowns, quarantine and social distancing. But the dream is now there for the taking. The stunning Seychelles has been sitting in splendid isolation in the Indian Ocean while the pandemic has raged and following a successful vaccine roll-out, the tiny population of just 100,000 is now ready to - safely - welcome back holidaymakers.
Often synonymous with honeymooners, the islands are also perfect for a family break. Think friendly locals, soft sand, crystal clear seas, plenty of resorts with kids clubs and heaps of fresh air activities to burn off all that pent up lockdown energy.
Intact nature, pristine beaches and a unique biodiversity make it a fascinating holiday destination. If you’re looking for somewhere that will boost your feelings of wellness, Seychelles should be at the top of your list.
Family holidays are enhanced by hotels offering heaps for littlies, including fun activities and kids’ clubs. In addition many resorts are within an easy walk from an idyllic beach.
Depending on the time of year that you’re visiting, a stay can include conservation activities, such as returning sea turtles to the ocean. The country indeed fosters a strong conservation culture, with more than half of the landmass protected. Beaches are clean and quiet and the Seychelles has never promoted mass tourism.
There is no ‘best time of year to go’ as the country benefits from warm summer temperatures all year round. Between May and September the south-east trade winds provide a refreshing breeze on the beaches and if you’re looking to dive, the best visibility is in April and May or the last three months of the year.
As an island nation with a tiny population, Seychelles has been able to contain the effects of Covid-19. The government has navigated a canny course through the pandemic and is now inviting holidaymakers back to its sandy shores needing nothing more than a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel.
The Ministry of Health and tourism stakeholders have worked closely to ensure that health and safety protocols are tight and properly rolled out. All hotels and resorts have a set of regulations that they must adhere to. Many have also set out their own hygiene protocols, so check what will be expected of you before you book.
Because Seychelles has now achieved herd immunity (scientists believe around 70% of a resident population needs to have been vaccinated to achieve this) it believes itself safe from the pandemic, as long as visitors enter properly tested.
There is no quarantine regulation or restriction on movement and no minimum stay requirement. However, visitors must abide by certain public health measures, including wearing a face mask, social distancing and regular hand washing.
Holidaymakers will have access to all communal areas of their hotel or resort, including pools, spas and kids’ clubs.
The reopening announcement was made by Sylvestre Radegonde, minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, at a joint press briefing with Seychelles Tourism Board earlier this year.
“The vaccination campaign has been quite successful,” said Radegonde. “The government has done everything in its power to make sure the population is protected. We have now arrived at a point where opening our borders further is the next step to allow for our economic recovery.”
He added that the new measures announced “reflect broadly the recommendation of our tourism partners and have been done in full consultation with and the endorsement of our health authorities.”
The Seychelles said it will continuously review the new measures to ensure the health and safety of its residents and visitors are not compromised.
THINK FRIENDLY LOCALS, SOFT SAND, CRYSTAL CLEAR SEAS, PLENTY OF RESORTS WITH KIDS CLUBS AND HEAPS OF FRESH AIR ACTIVITIES TO BURN OFF ALL THAT PENT UP LOCKDOWN ENERGY
THERE IS NO BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT, THE SEYCHELLES ARE WARM AND BEACH-FRIENDLY ALL YEAR ROUND