Seychelles

Recommended Vaccinations For Seychelles

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for the Seychelles, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for the Seychelles, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers whose activities or employment may bring them into direct contact with bats (i.e. adventure travellers, veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers, etc.).

Yellow Fever Vaccine

The yellow fever vaccination is not recommended for this country. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in the Seychelles through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Recommended Medications For Seychelles

There are no recommendations for Seychelles at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Seychelles

For Most Travellers

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur in Seychelles. The risk of exposure may be higher in urban rather than rural areas.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Seychelles through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in the Seychelles.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

For Some Travellers

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

African trypanosomiasis occurs in this country. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease may occur in this country. Ticks that cause this disease are usually most active from November through April. Travellers engaging in outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and game hunting in wooded, brushy, or grassy areas may be at a higher risk.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with infected persons.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in this country through specific insect, bug or tick bites or by coming in close contact with a person or animal infected with this disease. Travellers involved in activities like hiking, camping, working with animals, and visiting farms and forested areas are at a higher risk. There are no vaccinations (or medications) to prevent Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever.

West Nile Fever

The virus is transmitted to animals, birds and humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, and skin rash.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Sporadic outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) may occur in this country. Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Seychelles, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Rabies

Rabies may be present in bats.

Safety & Security in Seychelles

Personal Safety

Seychelles maintains low crime rates compared to most countries, but you need to watch for property crime that affects visitors. Petty theft happens in tourist zones like Beau Vallon and Victoria, with bag snatching and pickpocketing being the most common issues. Break-ins target parked cars, hotels, guesthouses, and beaches. Criminals operate on both marked and unmarked walking trails. The country established a Tourist Police unit in 2023 to address tourism-related crime. Violent crime against tourists remains uncommon, though incidents occur. Drug trafficking, particularly heroin, creates an addiction crisis in Seychelles, with the country holding high per capita heroin use rates globally. You might encounter drug activity, especially after dark in areas like Mont Fleuri in Victoria. Walking at night increases risk in isolated areas and backstreets. Thieves target vehicles left with visible valuables. ATM fraud happens, so cover the keypad when entering your PIN and watch card handling carefully.

Extreme Violence

Seychelles experiences minimal terrorism risk with no recent history of attacks. The intentional homicide rate sits at 8.73 per 100,000 population based on 2018 data. Gang conflicts and domestic violence drive most violent incidents, which typically affect locals rather than visitors. Gun ownership remains low, with violent crimes more often involving knives or machetes than firearms. Armed robbery against tourists happens infrequently. Organized crime focuses on drug trafficking, particularly heroin, but rarely impacts visitors directly. However, the country’s role as an island trafficking hub means this activity exists beneath the surface. Piracy threats decreased in regional waters but persist off the Somali coast. The risk extends up to 1,000 nautical miles from Somalia and can reach into Seychelles’ Exclusive Economic Zone. Pleasure boats face restrictions to 12 nautical miles offshore in the Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Sea.

Political Unrest

Seychelles maintains strong political stability compared to most African nations. The country underwent a peaceful transfer of power in 2020 when opposition candidate Wavel Ramkalawan defeated the party that ruled for 43 years. An October 2025 presidential runoff election proceeded without major incidents, resulting in another peaceful transition. Demonstrations remain uncommon. When protests occur, they typically address economic concerns like rising living costs rather than fundamental political disputes. The country scores 0.76 on the World Bank’s Political Stability Index, well above the global average. Freedom House rates Seychelles as Free with a score of 80 out of 100. The government maintains effective civilian control over security forces. Corruption investigations target high-profile figures from previous administrations, including a case involving $50 million in allegedly missing foreign aid. Election periods may cause minor disruptions to traffic and local services, but violence remains unlikely.

Areas To Avoid

Victoria, the capital on Mahe, has sketchier zones in backstreets and side alleys that you should avoid, especially after dark. Beau Vallon and Cote d’Or beach on Praslin see higher crime rates as tourist hotspots. Mont Fleuri in Victoria has increased drug activity and warrants caution after dark. Mahe generally presents more safety concerns than other islands. Remote beaches and isolated stretches require extra vigilance, particularly when alone. Unmarked hiking trails pose risks of getting lost, with changing weather conditions adding danger. Some visitors have gotten lost on nature walks. Southern tip beaches remain dangerous for swimming at all times due to currents and conditions. Beaches lack consistent safety information and warning signs. You cannot assume any beach is safe without local knowledge. Secluded beaches late at night when few people are around increase vulnerability. The outer islands including Amirantes, Cosmoledo, and Aldabra require prior approval from the Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority before visiting.