Essentials
- City
- Anse Royale, District of Anse Royale, Mahé, Seychelles
- Population
- Approx. 4,500
- Internet Speed
- Average 30-50 Mbps (Fiber available via Cable & Wireless)
- Currency & Banking
- Seychellois Rupee (SCR), 1 USD ≈ 13.50 SCR, 1 EUR ≈ 14.60 SCR
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink, but most expats prefer bottled or filtered water due to high chlorine
- Power
- 240V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (British standard)
- SIM Card
- Cable & Wireless or Airtel; 10GB data pack approx. 499 SCR ($37)
- Banking for Expats
- MCB Seychelles, ABSA, and Al Salam Bank; Visa/Mastercard widely accepted
- Accommodation
- Self-catering villas, guesthouses, and Airbnb (e.g., Fleur de Sel, Au Fond de Mer View)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes in supermarkets and hotels; cash preferred in small roadside stalls
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com; prices range from $80 to $250 per night
- Budget Accommodation
- Le Relax Hotel or various licensed self-catering apartments ($75-$110/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Fairyland Beach area (northern end of the bay) for snorkeling and swimming
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Sweet Escapes or upper Anse Royale hills for better views and quieter work environments
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No dedicated coworking; 'The Station Seychelles' (Sans Souci) is the closest professional hub (25 min drive)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Kafe Kreol (Beachfront, good Wi-Fi, power outlets available on request)
- Networking Events
- Seychelles Chamber of Commerce (SCCI) events in Victoria; Informal expat meetups at Surfers Beach Restaurant
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats in Seychelles Facebook Group; weekend gatherings at Anse Royale beach park
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- SeyTaxi or Bouzay (Local apps); Standard fare Anse Royale to Airport approx. 500-700 SCR
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Okap Rentals; Bicycles approx. 150-200 SCR per day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Anse Royale (Fairyland) - famous for shallow turquoise waters and snorkeling
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Seychelles (Flights to Praslin, Mauritius, Johannesburg)
- Top International Airline
- Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines
- Highway Access
- South East Island Highway connects to Victoria and the International Airport
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Anse Royale Bus Terminal (Hub for SPTC buses serving the South of Mahé)
- Public Transport Passes
- SPTC Travel Card (12 SCR per trip); Cash is no longer accepted on buses
- Regional Travel
- Cat Cocos Ferry (Victoria to Praslin/La Digue) or SPTC Bus (Route 5, 9, 13)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Anse Royale Health Centre (Public); Euro Medical Center (Private, Providence - 15 mins away)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga by the Sea (Private sessions at various villas); Wellness Spa at Mango House (10 min drive)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Animal Kingdom Gym (Anse Royale) - approx. 100 SCR per walkthrough
- Laundry Services
- Most self-catering units provide machines; 'Quick Clean' in Victoria for professional service
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Pti-Shop (Grocery delivery); GrabIT Seychelles (Restaurant delivery)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Grilled Red Snapper with Creole Sauce or Octopus Curry
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Wildflour Cafe (Victoria); Local fruit stalls and 'The Tea House' offer plant-based snacks
- Best Dessert Spots
- La Belle Tortue (Pattiseries); Island Style ice cream from roadside vendors
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Anse Royale Market (Fresh fish/veg); STC Supermarket (Fixed prices)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Doubleclick Seychelles (Electronics); Vero (General retail)
- Grocery Delivery
- STC Online or BuyDirect Seychelles
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Barrel Night Club (Victoria - 30 min away); Anse Royale is quiet, mostly hotel bars
- Local Brewery
- SeyBrew (Seychelles Breweries Ltd) - Try the classic SeyBrew Lager
- Wine Bars
- The Wine Ship (Providence); specialized wine retail and tasting
- Street Food Stalls
- Anse Royale Night Market (select evenings); Chili-cakes and Samosas near the bus station
- Popular International Cuisine
- Les Dauphins Heureux (Italian influence); Kafe Kreol (Pizza/International)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Le Jardin Du Roi Spice Garden (Hills of Anse Royale)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Michael Adams Art Studio (Anse Aux Poules Bleues - 10 min drive)
- Historical Sites
- Domaine de Val des Près (Craft Village) - 10 mins away
- Religious Sites
- Notre Dame de l’Assomption Church (Stunning colonial architecture)
- Annual Events
- Festival Kreol (October); Seychelles Ocean Festival (November)
- Cultural Districts
- Victoria Cultural District (30 mins drive from Anse Royale)
- Theater Venues
- International Conference Centre (ICCS) Victoria
- Local Markets
- Anse Royale Farmers Market (Saturdays)
- Music Scene
- Moutya drumming sessions (UNESCO Intangible Heritage) on the beach during festivals
- Street Art
- Murals at the University of Seychelles campus
- Cooking Classes
- Creole cooking workshops at Le Jardin Du Roi
- Art Galleries
- Tom Bowers Sculpture Studio (Santa Maria)
- Historic Buildings
- The old Seminary building (now part of UniSey)
- Local Heritage
- Creole Language and Coco-de-Mer symbolism
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Enchanted Way Trail or the hike to Anse Capucins
- National Parks Nearby
- Morne Seychellois National Park (15-20 min drive to trailheads)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Coastal road toward Anse Forbans (quiet for early morning runs)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Viewpoint at Chemin Montagne Posée
- Birdwatching Locations
- Aride Island excursions (from Praslin) or spotting Seychelles Bulbul in spice gardens
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Not officially permitted on beaches without local authorization; usually private villa fire pits
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Seychelles Post Office (Anse Royale branch); DHL (Victoria)
- Tech Repair Services
- VCS (Victoria Commercial Sales) - Authorized Apple and Dell support
- Table Tennis Spots
- University of Seychelles (UniSey) common rooms
- Language Classes
- Alliance Française (Victoria) for French/Creole basics
- Libraries & Study Spots
- University of Seychelles Library (Anse Royale)
- Community Centers
- Anse Royale District Administration Community Hall
- Gaming Lounges
- Small gaming centers in Victoria; none specifically in Anse Royale
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Club Liberté Casino (Anse Soleil - 15 mins away)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,800 per m² ($192,000 for 40 m²; Note: Foreigners restricted to specific 'SDR' zones)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,500 per m² ($140,000 for 40 m²)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,500 per m² ($270,000 for 60 m²)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,200 per m² ($192,000 for 60 m²)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,200 per m² ($336,000 for 80 m²)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,000 per m² ($240,000 for 80 m²)
- Corporate Tax
- 15% on first 1,000,000 SCR; 25% on remainder
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Territorial/Source-based; Income earned outside Seychelles is generally not taxed
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 15% (Flat rate for most employees/residents)
- VAT
- 15% (Goods and Services Tax / GST)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No strict CFC rules currently in place
- Property Tax
- 0.25% of market value (for foreign owners only)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 5% Stamp Duty + 11.5% Sanction Fee for foreigners
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Seychelles Workcation Visa (12 months); 0% local income tax for digital nomads on foreign income