6 Tourist Scams in Seychelles

You're relaxing on Anse Volbert beach in Praslin when a charismatic man approaches with photos on his phone showing beautiful boats, snorkeling at Curieuse Island, and giant tortoises. He introduces himself and offers a full-day island-hopping trip for 100 euros per person — significantly less than the 150-200 euros most licensed operators charge. He asks for a cash deposit of 50 euros to 'secure your spot for tomorrow.' The next morning, nobody shows up. Your calls go unanswered. TripAdvisor's Praslin Island forum has a dedicated thread titled 'Just a thank you to the person who posted about the JP scam' where travelers warned each other about a specific salesman in Anse Volbert who approached tourists on the beach to sell Curieuse Island trips, collected deposits, and then provided substandard service — arriving late with an undersized boat lacking proper safety equipment, being aggressive and rude. A Facebook post from GoTravelYourWay went viral warning 'Beware: Taxi Scam in the Seychelles' with details about unlicensed operators targeting tourists. On La Digue, a similar scam involved someone charging $150 USD upfront for golf cart transport to the beach, then demanding an additional $50 upon arrival. The pattern is consistent across all three main islands: unlicensed operators approach tourists at beaches and offer below-market-rate excursions, collect advance payment, and either don't show up or provide dangerous, uninsured boats with no safety equipment.

You land at Seychelles International Airport and head to the taxi area. A man approaches saying he can take you to Beau Vallon Beach for 600 Seychellois Rupees. It sounds reasonable until you learn the official taxi fare should be around 400 SCR. But you're tired from flying and agree. Mid-journey, the driver mentions additional charges for luggage and 'airport surcharge,' pushing the total to 800 SCR — roughly 60 USD for a 30-minute drive. Facebook's GoTravelYourWay posted a viral warning about a 'Taxi Scam in the Seychelles' involving unlicensed operators approaching tourists at the airport and ferry terminals. Welcome Pickups' Mahé guide advises tourists to 'ensure your driver resets the taximeter to the base fare before beginning your journey' and warns that 'if a taxi driver isn't using a taxi meter, be sure to discuss the cost in advance.' Seychelles taxis do not universally use meters — fares are largely unregulated and negotiated, which creates an environment ripe for overcharging. Short cab rides commonly cost 50-60 USD according to traveler reports on TripAdvisor, and a beach coconut can cost 8 USD in tourist areas. The most cost-effective alternative is renting a car (from about 40-50 EUR per day) or using the SPTC public bus system on Mahé, which costs just 7 SCR per ride and covers most tourist areas.

You rent a car on Mahé from a small local agency. The car arrives with bald tires, a messy interior, and a few existing scratches. You drive it carefully for three days, return it, and head to the airport. Two days later, your credit card is charged 800 USD for 'damage' you supposedly caused — a dent or scratch that was already there when you picked it up. The agency has your credit card details from the deposit hold, and disputing the charge from home is a nightmare. One Mile at a Time travel blog documented a bad rental car experience in Seychelles, noting the poor condition of vehicles provided. Car Hire Seychelles blog dedicated a full post to 'What You Need to Know About Insurance,' warning that CDW/LDW waivers include very high excess charges — up to $5,000 for cars and $7,500 for motorhomes. CoverTrip's guide on fighting rental car damage scams notes that 'all of the rental agencies in Seychelles are franchises, not corporate owned,' making dispute resolution more difficult than with major international brands. The combination of high excess deposits, poor vehicle condition, and local franchise ownership creates a perfect environment for inflated damage claims. Travel forums consistently advise taking extensive photos and video of the vehicle at pickup and dropoff, including close-ups of every existing scratch, the tire condition, and the fuel level.

You book what looks like a charming local guesthouse through Airbnb on Mahé at a great price. The host messages you before your trip and asks you to tell immigration at the airport that you'll be staying at a specific hotel instead of their property. When you ask why, they explain their accommodation isn't officially registered with the Seychelles Tourism Department. You think it's a minor bureaucratic issue and agree. At Seychelles airport immigration, officers ask where you're staying and check accommodation records. If they discover the discrepancy, you could be required to book an expensive last-minute hotel room right at the immigration counter. One traveler documented on Fearless Female Travels receiving a message from an Airbnb host in Seychelles telling them they 'had to lie to immigration about where they would be staying.' The traveler reported that Airbnb sided with the host. Seychelles immigration requires proof of accommodation for entry, and staying at unregistered properties can technically violate visa conditions. The risk is real: if your accommodation is found to be unapproved, you may face questioning, forced last-minute hotel bookings at airport prices (200+ EUR per night), or in extreme cases, denial of entry. The Seychelles government requires all tourist accommodation to be licensed and registered. Legitimate guesthouses and vacation rentals will have a Tourism Department registration number they can provide.

You're at Beau Vallon Beach and stop at a vendor selling fresh coconuts. He cracks one open and hands it to you — 100 SCR, about 8 USD for a coconut that costs locals 15-20 SCR. You move on to the souvenir stalls where a painted coconut shell goes for 300 SCR and a simple shell necklace for 200 SCR. At the Victoria Market in town, the same shell necklace is 50 SCR. The shopkeeper at Beau Vallon doubled the price for fruits when they saw you were a tourist — travelers report being charged 'double the usual price' simply for being foreign. Seychelles is an expensive destination by any measure, but the gap between tourist prices and local prices is significant. TripAdvisor's Seychelles forum thread 'Seychelles, the most disappointing island paradise!' features multiple travelers complaining about inflated prices. Inside Seychelles' money guide notes that 'in many hotels and restaurants you can pay in Euros but this costs more' — a hidden markup that effectively penalizes tourists who don't use the local Seychellois Rupee. The Seyvillas shopping guide notes that the Victoria Market is where locals shop and prices are fairer, while beach-front vendors near Beau Vallon and other tourist beaches charge premiums of 100-300% for the same items. The key strategy is to shop where locals shop — the Victoria Market for souvenirs and spices, local supermarkets (STC or Deepam) for water and snacks, and small roadside stalls away from major beaches for fresh coconuts and fruit.

You set your bag down on the sand at Beau Vallon Beach while you wade into the water for a quick swim. When you return five minutes later, your bag is gone — along with your phone, cash, and room key. A nearby sunbather says they saw someone casually pick it up and walk away. Alternatively, at the Victoria bus station, someone bumps into you from one side while an accomplice grabs your bag from the other. Basic Planet's Seychelles safety guide notes that 'some scammers operate in groups where one member distracts tourists while others steal.' Anja on Adventure's 2026 Seychelles safety guide warns about petty theft at popular beach areas and transport hubs. While Seychelles has a relatively low crime rate, opportunity theft is the main risk for tourists. The Victoria bus station and ferry terminals are the most common locations for bag snatching because of crowds and the distraction of boarding. Beaches present a different risk — valuables left unattended while swimming disappear quickly. The Seychelles Police advise tourists to keep valuables locked in hotel safes and carry only what they need for the day. Most hotels provide in-room safes, and many beach-front hotels offer locker services.