Visitors from South Africa meeting the above criteria may, whilst they are in Seychelles, stay in any certified tourism establishments with no minimum length of stay in first establishment. Seychelles does not require visitors to produce a negative PCR test result in order the exit the country – however, this may be a requirement for your airline or next destination.

Visitors that have been in Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Nepal and/or Pakistan in 14 days preceding travel to Seychelles will still not be permitted entry into the coutnry, as these countries remain on the Restricted List.

The Indian Ocean islands’ tourism authorities have welcomed the news, with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde, professing his delight at the reopening of the market and “the opportunities that this important market offers, primarily for the fly-fishing niche, and beyond that to the South American market. With over 71% of our population fully vaccinated and the vaccination of adolescents 12 -18 years well under way, Seychelles is doing what is necessary to keep both its population and its visitors safe.”

Seychelles is a sought-after destination for South Africans, with the destination recording over 14,355 arrivals in 2017. Whilst addicted to beaches and swimming pools, South African travellers are generally very adventurous, and like to venture on nature trails, hiking, snorkelling, diving, sailing, are keen to meet the local population and participate in cultural activities whilst on holiday.

David Germain, the Tourism Seychelles Regional Director for Africa & the Americas, who is based in Cape Town, greeted the announcement with enthusiasm. “This is wonderful news, the arrival of the South African travellers back to our shores is long overdue. Travellers want to stay safe in a pure environment whilst on holiday and what better place than the Seychelles at this time of uncertainty. Tourism operators and their staff have all been trained to minimise and mitigate risk posed by COVID-19, developing standard operating protocols in collaboration with the health authorities, earning COVID-safe certification. In South Africa itself, mass vaccination of the South African public has already begun and is taking place nationwide in the country, and this is instilling confidence in travel,” he said.