Tourist Scams in Seychelles — Safety Guide 2026

Taxis at Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on Mahé operate on a fixed-zone fare system, but many unofficial and even licensed drivers quote two to three times the correct rate to arriving passengers. The legitimate fare from SEZ to Beau Vallon beach is SCR 350–500 (roughly $25–37 USD); to Victoria it is SCR 200–300. Drivers exploit the fact that new arrivals have no local price reference and often feel pressured after a long flight.

How to avoid: Use only official taxis displaying a yellow taxi sign and a rate card issued by the Seychelles Licensing Authority. Ask the driver to show the official zone fare card before getting in. Alternatively, ask your hotel to arrange airport pickup at a quoted rate confirmed in writing.

Touts operating near the Eden Island marina and along the Victoria waterfront approach tourists offering discounted island-hopping packages to Praslin and La Digue. These individuals are not licensed tour operators and either collect deposits that are never refunded or sell seats on overcrowded, uninsured pirogues at prices far above the legitimate Cat Cocos or Zoodio ferry tickets. The official Cat Cocos return ferry from Mahé to Praslin costs approximately SCR 700–800 (around $50 USD) and departs from the Inter-Island Ferry Terminal near Victoria.

How to avoid: Book inter-island ferries only through the official Cat Cocos ticket office at the Inter-Island Ferry Terminal on the Victoria waterfront, or through your hotel. Never pay cash deposits to street touts for any island package. Verify the operator holds a Seychelles Tourism Board licence.

Watersports operators along Beau Vallon beach on Mahé's northwest coast regularly quote one price to attract customers and then add undisclosed charges for equipment rental, fuel surcharges, or "guide fees" at the end of a jet ski ride, snorkeling trip, or diving session. Price boards are sometimes absent or only displayed in Seychellois Rupees while the operator collects in euros or dollars at a disadvantageous exchange rate. Disputes at the beach can turn confrontational.

How to avoid: Agree on the total price in writing or photograph the rate board before any activity begins. Confirm whether the quoted price is per person or per boat, and whether fuel and equipment are included. Pay only after the activity is complete if possible, or use operators recommended directly by your hotel.

The coco de mer palm nut is Seychelles' most iconic souvenir, legally harvested only in Praslin and La Digue and sold with a government-issued certificate. Street vendors on Mahé, particularly near Victoria Market and along Independence Avenue, sell small coco de mer items, carved shells, and "locally sourced" gemstones that are either fake, mass-produced imports, or coco de mer products without the mandatory export certificate — which means they will be confiscated at Seychelles customs on departure. "Seychellois garnet" sold by unlicensed vendors is frequently synthetic or sourced from outside the islands.

How to avoid: Purchase coco de mer products only from the Seychelles Marketing Board outlet or licensed souvenir shops that provide an official government export certificate with each nut. Reject any vendor who cannot produce this certificate on request.

Restaurants along the Victoria waterfront and tourist-facing establishments at Beau Vallon frequently add a 10–15% service charge, a per-person cover charge, and sometimes a "table reservation fee" that are printed in small type on menus or not disclosed until the bill arrives. In some cases, the menu price list shown at the entrance differs from the one brought to the table. This practice is not illegal but is deliberately opaque. Bills totaling SCR 200–400 more than expected per person are common.

How to avoid: Ask for the full menu with prices before sitting down, and confirm whether a service charge or cover charge applies. Check whether the menu at the table matches the one displayed outside. Review the itemized bill carefully before paying and query any unlisted additions.

A cluster of third-party websites and social media pages advertise luxury private villas on Mahé at rates well below the actual market, collecting deposits of 20–50% of the total stay value before the booking is confirmed. Upon arrival, guests discover the property does not match the photos, is double-booked, or does not exist at the advertised address. Seychelles' villa rental market commands high prices (USD 300–2,000+ per night for premium properties), making discounted listings appear attractive to budget-conscious luxury travelers.

How to avoid: Book only through the Seychelles Tourism Board's registered accommodation list, established platforms such as Airbnb or Booking.com with verified reviews, or directly with properties whose contact details you have independently verified. Wire-transfer deposits to unfamiliar accounts are a strong warning sign.

Private boat charter operators — particularly those advertising catamaran day trips to uninhabited islands or snorkeling spots around Mahé — advertise inclusive packages (lunch, equipment, guide) and then arrive with a smaller or poorly maintained vessel substituted for the pictured catamaran, absent or broken snorkeling gear, and a "catering supplement" demanded in cash on the day. Some operators simply cancel on the morning of departure and offer a partial refund, having already held the deposit for weeks.

How to avoid: Book charters only with operators holding a current Seychelles Licensing Authority maritime licence. Request the vessel registration number before paying a deposit. Pay the balance on the day of departure after inspecting the boat, and ensure all inclusions are itemized in writing on a receipt or booking confirmation.

Informal money changers operating near Sir Selwyn Clarke Market in Victoria and around the Beau Vallon beach hotels offer slightly better exchange rates than banks, then shortchange tourists through sleight of hand when counting out Seychellois Rupees. The high face value of SCR notes (SCR 500 and SCR 1,000 denominations) makes miscounting easy to miss, particularly for visitors unfamiliar with the currency.

How to avoid: Exchange currency only at licensed bureau de change offices, Seychelles commercial bank branches (Nouvobanq, MCB, Barclays) in Victoria, or hotel front desks. Count notes carefully before leaving the counter and never exchange money on the street.