Phone & Internet in the Seychelles

For visitors there is little to choose between them. On Mahé, Praslin and La Digue both providers have broad coverage. Reports on reception on the smaller islands vary. For Silhouette and Cerf, Airtel is the network most often mentioned. Before booking a remote place to stay, ask which network works better there.

In May 2012 the Seychelles-East-Africa-System cable (SEAS), which connects the archipelago to the worldwide fibre-optic data network, landed on the west coast of Mahé at Beau Vallon. It went into operation in August 2012. This project, run by the government and the two local telecom companies, gave a clear boost to the service sector and to other parts of the Seychelles economy. Internet availability rose, while costs fell sharply compared with the previous satellite-based system.

SEAS is operated by the Seychelles Cable Systems Company, in which the government, C&W and Airtel hold shares. Both networks therefore use the same infrastructure, so the quality of the connection is the same. There is now also a second international submarine cable link, the PEACE cable.

SIM cards are sold in most districts of the main islands, in the Indian shops, at the airport or directly from the providers. The airport is the most convenient option: Airtel and C&W each have a kiosk behind baggage reclaim, and you must show your passport. The card itself costs about 50 to 100 SCR, with the data package on top (as of November 2026).

If you plan to buy a SIM card in the Seychelles so that you can also use data and the internet, a prepaid Airtel SIM is a good choice. Top up 500 SCR and receive 750 SCR of credit. Then dial *121# on your smartphone and choose 4 for "mobile broadband" in the menu. Next choose 2 for "data packs". Now book the 3 GB data allowance for 499 SCR and use the remaining 251 SCR for calls. Ask when you buy whether the top-up bonus still applies, as promotions change.

Buy a prepaid SIM card, for example in an Indian shop, then choose the "data 3000" package under "Boosters" in the online shop of Cable & Wireless to get 3 GB. Alternatively, simply pay the exact sum of 549 SCR in the Indian shop.

Airtel's small advantage over Cable & Wireless is the little bit of call credit you get when you top up a flat 500 SCR, instead of paying 499 SCR purely for data.

An eSIM works on both networks. You can set it up before you fly and be online the moment you land. Travel eSIMs from international providers mostly run on the Airtel network. Check beforehand that your smartphone supports eSIM and is not locked to your home provider. If you are staying a long time or need a local number, a prepaid card bought on the spot is the better choice.

Internet service providers, internet cafés, post offices and courier services can be found in and around Victoria. Internet cafés are now becoming more common around Beau Vallon on Mahé too, as well as on Praslin and La Digue. For most travellers, a data package on the phone has now replaced the internet café. Accommodation usually provides wifi, and the speed depends on location and connection. If you want to work from a villa or holiday home, ask about the connection in advance.

The Seychelles has international roaming agreements with most countries. However, the Seychelles is not part of the EU, so your home provider's EU roaming rules do not apply there. Check the rates before you leave, and otherwise switch data roaming off. A local SIM card or eSIM is almost always cheaper.

The international dialling code for the Seychelles is +248. To call Germany from the Seychelles, dial +49 followed by the number without the first zero. You will find emergency numbers and clinics on the page Clinics & emergency numbers in the Seychelles.

The main post office of Seychelles Postal Services is in Victoria on Independence Avenue, in Liberty House, telephone +248 428 85 55. Postal address: PO Box 60, Victoria, Mahé. Opening hours are given differently in different places. From Monday to Friday the office generally opens from about 8.00am to 3.45pm. It is best to phone ahead to find out whether it opens on Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays and public holidays.

On Praslin there are post offices in Baie Sainte Anne and Grand Anse. On La Digue the post office was reportedly closed because of a planned demolition of the building. Ask locally where you can post cards and letters. Up-to-date information is available on seychelles-post.com.

Not necessarily. It is worth having for navigation, messaging and photos on the go, because roaming is usually more expensive. In your accommodation, the wifi is often enough.

Not at the airport, where a passport is required. The same applies in the shops in town. For information on entry documents, see Entry requirements.

Yes, mainly in Victoria and Beau Vallon on Mahé. Check when you buy whether your prepaid plan includes 5G. Outside Mahé, expect 4G.

At the kiosk and in the shops, mostly in cash in Seychelles rupees. For tips on cash and cards, see Money & banks.

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