Seychelles photography guide

The main airport at Mahé island is well connected with European and Middle Eastern airports.

Travelling between the islands is possible either by using small local airlines or by ferry. Flying from Mahé to Praslin is the best way between the two major islands. Getting to La Digue is possible by ferry only. 

Mahé and Praslin are best explored by renting a car - this way you are flexible with timing and destination as public transport is less than ideal for photography. On La Digue, hire a well-maintained bicycle with a basket for your camera bag. Drive on the left side of the road. Roads are well maintained but slow as speed limits are restricted to 40 km p/h in many places - keep this in mind then calculating your timings. 

The islands use 230 volts and UK 3-pin plugs. The local currency (Seychelles Rupees) can be withdrawn from an ATM but most places will accept US Dollars and Euros too.

Wifi is available at most places but usually slow. Prepaid SIM cards are a good idea, but slow and on the expensive side. 

Travelling to Seychelles does not need to break the bank. If you don't want to spend your money on fancy resorts,  local home-stays are the way to go. Finding a small room or apartment is easy and costs a fraction of the price for a hotel room. Most of the time, the local family will cook for you which can save money on restaurants. 

The Seychelles must be one of the best places in the world to photograph sandy beaches with palm trees - perfect wall prints! But the Seychelles offer so much more than that! There really is something for every kind of photographer. 

Obviously sandy beaches are the main attraction and deservingly so. The famous Anse Source d'Argent with its granite rocks is a photographer's paradise and should be at the top of any list. There are plenty of other beaches as well and you can plan photography according to the season (trade winds) and direction of the sun (sunrise/sunset). All beaches can be accessed publicly, although some require a reservation a day before. 

Hiking trails offer some different photo opportunities. Praslin's Vallée de Mai national park amazing to experience and a great place to photograph indigenous flora and, if you're lucky, birds. Mahé has several hiking trails that not only offer views but nature subjects such as Pitcher plants too. 

Diving and snorkelling can be amazing in Seychelles but you'll need to do some advance planning. Not all months are appropriate (winds, water clarity, whale sharks season...). But simple snorkelling trips can be booked year round. Even with a small underwater camera or Gopro you can get incredible photos of marine life. 

Sand, sea water and wind can be a bad combination for your camera gear. Be very careful when photographing on sandy beaches and regularly wash your tripod if it gets wet.

Flying a drone in Seychelles is perfectly legal and results are rewarding. Keep in mind basic regulations and common courtesy when flying near beaches enjoyed by tourists.