Seychelles Inter-Island Ferry operates catamarans between Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue. The Cat Cocos service runs multiple daily departures, with the Mahé-Praslin crossing taking approximately one hour. The Praslin-La Digue route takes fifteen minutes. Schedules change seasonally, and rough seas during the southeast monsoon from May to September can cause cancellations or delays. Advance booking is required during peak periods from December to January and July to August. Foreigners pay higher fares than residents, with one-way Mahé-Praslin tickets typically priced between 50 and 60 euros.
Air Seychelles operates domestic flights between Mahé and Praslin on Twin Otter aircraft. Flight time is fifteen minutes. The domestic terminal at Seychelles International Airport on Mahé handles these flights separately from international arrivals. Weight restrictions apply, with checked baggage limited to fifteen kilograms per passenger. Flights serve as weather-independent alternatives to ferries, particularly valuable during rough sea conditions, but cost approximately three times ferry fares.
Private helicopters serve Mahé, Praslin, La Digue, Bird Island, Denis Island, Desroches Island, and Silhouette Island. Zil Air operates scheduled and charter services. The flight from Mahé to Praslin takes seven minutes, to La Digue ten minutes, and to Silhouette Island five minutes. Baggage restrictions are strict, typically limited to ten kilograms per passenger. The service costs several hundred euros per person one-way, positioning it as transportation for luxury resorts and time-constrained travelers.
On Mahé, the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation operates public buses serving all major settlements and beaches. Routes radiate from Victoria to destinations including Beau Vallon, Anse Royale, Takamaka, and Cascade. Fares operate on a flat-rate system at seven Seychellois rupees (approximately 0.50 euros) per journey regardless of distance. Buses run from morning until early evening, with reduced frequency on Sundays. No buses operate late evening. Route numbers are displayed on the front, with Route 22 to Beau Vallon and Route 10 to Anse Royale among the most frequent for visitors.
Taxis on Mahé and Praslin do not use meters. Fares are negotiated before departure or follow informal fixed rates between common destinations. A taxi from Seychelles International Airport to Beau Vallon costs approximately 300-400 Seychellois rupees (20-28 euros). A full-day taxi hire on Mahé ranges from 800 to 1,200 rupees (55-85 euros). Taxis wait at the airport, Victoria taxi stand, and major hotels. Ride-hailing applications do not operate in Seychelles.
Car rental agencies operate on Mahé and Praslin. International driving permits are not required for stays under three months; valid national licenses from most countries suffice. Drivers must be at least twenty-one years old, with some agencies requiring age twenty-three for certain vehicles. Seychelles drives on the left. Daily rental rates for small vehicles begin around 40-50 euros. Petrol costs approximately 1.50 euros per liter. Roads on Mahé include steep mountain passes, particularly crossing between the east and west coasts near Morne Seychellois. Road conditions vary from well-maintained coastal roads to narrow mountain routes with sharp curves and limited guardrails.
On La Digue, bicycles serve as primary transport. The island has limited motorized vehicles and no car rental for tourists. Bicycle rental shops cluster near the ferry pier at La Passe. Daily rental costs 100-150 Seychellois rupees (7-10 euros) for basic single-speed bikes. The island's main road network is mostly flat except for the route toward Anse Source d'Argent and the southwestern portion. Electric bikes are available at higher rates. Some accommodations provide bicycles without charge. Ox-carts still operate for tourist transportation and freight, though in declining numbers compared to two decades ago.
Glass-bottom boat tours, kayak rentals, and diving boat transfers operate between islands and to smaller islets including Curieuse Island, Félicité Island, and the islands within Sainte Anne Marine National Park. These services typically arrange pickup from accommodation piers or public beaches. Half-day boat excursions to Curieuse from Praslin cost approximately 70-90 euros per person including park fees. Marine park access fees apply separately from boat hire when visiting Sainte Anne, Curieuse, and other protected areas.
The Outer Islands including Aldabra Atoll, the Amirantes Group, and the Farquhar Group lack scheduled public transportation. Access requires chartered vessels or flights to islands with private lodges. Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, restricts visitors severely, with access typically limited to organized cruise expeditions or scientific missions. Desroches Island in the Amirantes Group operates a resort with weekly flights from Mahé. Bird Island and Denis Island maintain airstrips served by chartered flights.