🏥 Healthcare Overview

System: Public healthcare is free for citizens and subsidized for visitors. Seychelles Victoria Hospital is the main facility. Private options are limited on a small island nation. Good basic care for the region. Trilingual (English, French, Seychellois Creole).

Quality: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Healthcare is reasonably good for a small island nation. Victoria Hospital on Mahé is well-equipped for basic and moderate conditions. English-speaking doctors and nurses. For complex surgeries or specialized care, patients travel to South Africa, India, or Mauritius. Outer islands (Praslin, La Digue) have clinics but limited capacity.

💡 Medical Tourism

Seychelles is not a medical tourism destination. It is a luxury beach tourism destination with adequate healthcare for visitors.

🏨 Hospitals & Clinics Near Tourist Areas

Recommended facilities for travelers — English-speaking staff available at most listed locations.

Seychelles Hospital (Victoria Hospital) 🗣️ English spoken

📍 Near: Victoria, Mahé

📞 +248-4-388-000

Main hospital. Well-equipped for a small island nation. 24/7 emergency department. English, French, and Creole-speaking staff.

Anse Royale Hospital 🗣️ English spoken

📍 Near: Southern Mahé beaches

📞 +248-4-371-555

District hospital on the south side of Mahé. Closer to many beach resorts. Basic emergency care.

Baie Ste Anne Clinic 🗣️ English spoken

📍 Near: Praslin island

📞 +248-4-232-333

Health clinic on Praslin. Handles basic medical needs. Serious cases transferred to Mahé by boat or helicopter.

Logan Hospital (La Digue) 🗣️ English spoken

📍 Near: La Digue island

📞 +248-4-234-255

Small hospital on La Digue. Basic care only. Serious emergencies require transfer to Mahé.

💊 Pharmacy Guide

Access: moderate

Hours: Pharmacies in Victoria open 8:30am-5pm weekdays, 8:30am-12pm Saturdays. Hospital pharmacy open extended hours. Very limited pharmacy access on Praslin and La Digue.

Prescription rules: Prescription system exists and is generally enforced. Pharmacists can assist with minor ailments and recommend OTC treatments. Antibiotics require a prescription.

Available Over-the-Counter

  • paracetamol
  • ibuprofen
  • antihistamines
  • oral rehydration salts
  • sunscreen
  • insect repellent
  • anti-diarrheals
  • seasickness medication

🗣️ Useful Pharmacy Phrases

💡 Handy phrases at the pharmacy

  • I need headache medicine: Mon bezwen medikaman pour douler latet (Mon bez-wen meh-dee-kah-mahn poor doo-lair lah-tet (Seychellois Creole))
  • I have a stomachache: Mon ganny douler vant (Mon gah-nee doo-lair vahnt (Seychellois Creole))
  • I have allergies: Mon ganny allerzi (Mon gah-nee ah-lair-zee (Seychellois Creole))
  • Where is the nearest pharmacy?: Kot farmasi pli pros? (Kot far-mah-see plee proh? (Seychellois Creole))
  • I need a doctor: Mon bezwen en dokter (Mon bez-wen en dok-tair (Seychellois Creole))

💡 Tips

Pharmacies are reasonably stocked with European and Indian medications. Pharmacists speak English, French, and Creole. Bring specialized medications from home as selection is limited on a small island. Behram's Pharmacy in Victoria is the most established.

🏪 Pharmacy Chains You’ll See

Look for these storefronts:

  • Behram's Pharmacy — Behram's signage. Victoria, Mahé
  • George Pharmacy — George Pharmacy signage. Victoria, Mahé
  • Hospital Pharmacy — Inside Seychelles Hospital. Victoria, Mahé

💊 Common OTC Medications by Local Brand

Knowing the local brand name makes asking for common over-the-counter medications much easier.

  • paracetamol/acetaminophen → Paracetamol / Panadol / Doliprane
    Widely available. Both English and French brand names used.
  • ibuprofen → Ibuprofen / Nurofen / Brufen
    Available at pharmacies on Mahé.
  • loperamide (anti-diarrheal) → Imodium / Loperamide
    Available at pharmacies. Useful to carry when island-hopping.

💉 Medications & Restrictions

Carry a doctor's letter listing all medications. English documentation is accepted (English is an official language). Keep medications in original packaging. Seychelles has strict drug laws — proper documentation is important.

Controlled / Restricted Substances

🚫 Watch out for these

  • 🚫 Cannabis/CBD products — Strictly illegal. Seychelles has strict drug laws with severe penalties.
  • ⚠️ Narcotic medications — Carry a doctor's letter and original prescription. Strict drug enforcement.
  • ⚠️ Psychotropic medications — Carry documentation. Original packaging required.

🦷 Dental Care

Availability: Limited but available on Mahé. Victoria Hospital has a dental department. A few private dentists.

Typical cost range: $30-120

Dental care is available for basic procedures on Mahé. Limited options on Praslin and La Digue. Quality is reasonable.

🦷 Dental emergency?

For dental emergencies, Victoria Hospital has a dental department. Hotels can recommend private dentists on Mahé.

🛡️ Travel Insurance

⚠️ Strongly recommended

Average cost: $25-50/week

💡 Tip

Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is important. While basic care is good, complex conditions require evacuation to South Africa or India. Ensure coverage for water sports and diving activities. DAN insurance recommended for divers.

📋 How to File an Insurance Claim

Victoria Hospital and private clinics provide English-language receipts. Pay at point of service and claim reimbursement. Some hotels can assist with insurance coordination. Keep all receipts and medical documentation.

💵 Typical Out-of-Pocket Costs

Estimated cash prices (USD):

  • Doctor visit (private clinic): $30-60
  • ER visit (no admission): $50-150
  • Overnight hospital stay: $80-300
  • Ambulance call-out: $20-50

Estimated typical out-of-pocket costs. Payment in Seychellois rupee. Public hospital charges reduced fees. Seychelles is an expensive destination overall.

🚁 Medical Evacuation

Medical evacuation needed for complex surgeries, major trauma, or specialized care. AMREF Flying Doctors operates in the Indian Ocean region. Evacuation from outer islands to Mahé first, then international.

Primary destination: Nairobi, Kenya or Johannesburg, South Africa

Secondary destination: Mumbai or New Delhi, India

Typical cost band: $20,000-55,000

Common providers: Global Rescue, MedJet, International SOS, AMREF Flying Doctors — compare current quotes and policy terms before relying on any single provider.

💉 Vaccinations

Required

  • 🔴 Yellow Fever (required if arriving from an endemic country)

Recommended

  • 🟡 Hepatitis A
  • 🟡 Hepatitis B
  • 🟡 Typhoid
  • 🟡 Routine vaccinations (measles, diphtheria, tetanus, polio)

Yellow Fever certificate required if arriving from an endemic country. Seychelles is malaria-free. No special tropical disease risks. Standard travel vaccines recommended.

🚰 Water & Food Safety

⚠️ Use caution — bottled water recommended in some areas

Tap water on Mahé is treated and generally considered safe, but bottled water is recommended for visitors. Water on Praslin and La Digue may be less reliably treated. Bottled water is widely available at hotels and shops.

Food Safety Tips

Food safety standards are generally good, especially at hotels and restaurants. Fresh seafood is a highlight — eat at reputable restaurants. Creole cuisine is freshly prepared. Exercise normal caution with street food and raw shellfish.

🧠 Mental Health Resources

🆘 Crisis Line: No dedicated mental health crisis line

International crisis support: +1-202-461-4357 (SAMHSA International)

English-speaking therapists: Very limited. Some counselors available through the hospital.

Mental health services are limited on a small island nation. English-speaking counselors available but scarce. Hotels may be able to assist with referrals. Telehealth from your home country is the best option.

♿ Accessibility

Accessibility is limited. Many paths and beaches are not wheelchair-accessible. Newer luxury resorts tend to have better accessibility.

Hospital accessibility: Victoria Hospital has basic wheelchair access.

Accessible transport: Public buses are not wheelchair-accessible. Taxis and hotel transfers are the best option.

💡 Accessibility tips

Contact resorts in advance about accessibility needs. Some luxury resorts offer accessible rooms and facilities. Beach access is generally challenging. La Digue (mostly bicycles and ox-carts) is particularly difficult for mobility-impaired travelers.

🫁 COVID & Respiratory Illness

Entry requirements: No COVID testing or vaccination requirements for entry as of 2026.

Mask policy: No mask mandates in place.

Testing availability: COVID testing available at Victoria Hospital.

Seychelles was one of the first countries to achieve high vaccination rates. All restrictions lifted. Tourism is fully operational.

🚨 Emergency Contacts

🆘 Emergency: 999 (general emergency), 151 (fire), 141 (coast guard)

📚 Sources & References

Data compiled from official government health sources, WHO, and traveler-reported information.

⚠️ This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before traveling and verify current entry requirements with official sources.