Essentials
- City
- Grand Anse, Praslin Island, Seychelles
- Population
- Approximately 3,800
- Internet Speed
- Average 20-40 Mbps via Cable & Wireless or Airtel fiber/4G
- Currency & Banking
- Seychellois Rupee (SCR). 1 USD ≈ 13.50 SCR, 1 EUR ≈ 14.60 SCR
- Tap Water
- Technically drinkable but chlorinated; locals and expats prefer bottled or filtered water
- Power
- 240V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (British style) sockets
- SIM Card
- Airtel Seychelles or Cable & Wireless; approx. 500 SCR ($37) for 10GB data
- Banking for Expats
- MCB Seychelles, ABSA Bank; Revolut/Wise work for ATM withdrawals
- Accommodation
- Guesthouses and self-catering villas like Villas de Mer or Le Grand Bleu
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate; hotels and large restaurants accept cards, but small shops/markets require cash
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local sites like Seychelles.travel; prices range $80-$200/night
- Budget Accommodation
- Varuni Guesthouse (approx. $75/night) or Moonlight Beach Villa
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Near Grand Anse Beach for sunsets and proximity to the airport
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Amitié or St. Sauveur for quieter residential settings with better Wi-Fi stability
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No dedicated coworking spaces; Digital Nomads use business centers at Raffles Praslin or Constance Lemuria
- Best Cafe for Work
- Village Takeaway & Cafe (reliable Wi-Fi and good coffee)
- Networking Events
- Informal meetups at island beach bars; check 'Expats in Seychelles' Facebook group
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday night gatherings at Tapas Lounge Bar in Côte d'Or (15 min drive)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; use local taxi stands or call +248 251 0041 (Praslin Taxi Service)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Available at many guesthouses; approx. 150-200 SCR ($11-$15) per day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Anse Kerlan or the main Grand Anse beach for long walks
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Seychelles (Domestic flights từ Mahe to Praslin)
- Top International Airline
- Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines (via Mahe)
- Highway Access
- Consists of one main coastal road and one cross-island road through Vallée de Mai
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Praslin Island Airport (PRI) for air; Baie Ste Anne Jetty for ferries
- Public Transport Passes
- Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC); 12-15 SCR per trip; rechargeable cards recommended
- Regional Travel
- Cat Cocos Ferry to Mahe (approx. €60) or La Digue (approx. €15)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Praslin Hospital (Baie Ste Anne); for emergencies, Mahe General Hospital via medivac
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Spa at Dhevatara Beach Hotel (Yoga sessions on request)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Eve Island Gym (near the jetty, approx. 100 SCR per session)
- Laundry Services
- Most self-catering units include machines; local serviced laundry at Baie Ste Anne
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None available; direct phone orders to local takeaways like Island Pizzeria
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Grilled Bourgeois (Red Snapper) with creole sauce
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- The Whole Foods cafeteria/store (Amitié) offers plant-based groceries and salads
- Best Dessert Spots
- Gelateria de Luca (located in Côte d'Or, short drive away)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- STC Supermarket (Seychelles Trading Company) for standardized prices
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Doubleclick Seychelles (primarily for tech/electronics)
- Grocery Delivery
- Not standard; most nomads use local 'corner shops' or STC
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Chill Out Bar (Côte d'Or) is the main nightlife hub for the island
- Local Brewery
- SeyBrew (Seychelles Breweries Ltd) - try the classic Lager
- Wine Bars
- Le Rocher Restaurant has an extensive wine cellar
- Street Food Stalls
- Grand Anse Takeaway for Octopus Curry (approx. 75-100 SCR)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Dhevatara Beach Hotel Restaurant (Fusion/Fine Dining)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Vallée de Mai UNESCO World Heritage Site (Coco de Mer palms)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Praslin Museum (near Côte d'Or) showcasing local traditions
- Historical Sites
- The old colonial cemetery near Grand Anse
- Religious Sites
- St. Matthew's Anglican Church
- Annual Events
- Seychelles Arts Festival (October); Praslin Culinary & Arts Fiesta
- Cultural Districts
- Baie Ste Anne village center
- Theater Venues
- No formal theaters; cultural shows are hosted at major resorts
- Local Markets
- Grand Anse roadside fruit and fish stalls (mornings)
- Music Scene
- Moutya traditional dance performances at local festivals
- Street Art
- Limited; mostly local craft shops featuring hand-painted sarongs
- Cooking Classes
- Dhevatara or local guesthouses offer Creole cooking lessons on request
- Art Galleries
- George Camille Art Gallery (at Café des Arts, Côte d'Or)
- Historic Buildings
- Traditional wooden creole houses scattered in the Amitié area
- Local Heritage
- The Coco de Mer nut, a symbol of Seychellois identity
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve (cheaper/larger than Vallée de Mai)
- National Parks Nearby
- Praslin National Park
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The coastal road from Grand Anse to Anse Kerlan
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Zimbabwe point (highest point on Praslin) for 360-degree island views
- Birdwatching Locations
- Vallée de Mai for the rare Seychelles Black Parrot
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly regulated; only allowed with permits at specific resort private beaches
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Seychelles Post (Grand Anse branch); DHL available via Mahe
- Tech Repair Services
- PC Computers Seychelles (Baie Ste Anne)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Community centers in Grand Anse village
- Language Classes
- Private Seychellois Creole tutors found via local Facebook boards
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Praslin Public Library (Grand Anse)
- Community Centers
- Grand Anse District Administration Center
- Gaming Lounges
- None available; localized mobile gaming is popular
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino des Iles (located in Côte d'Or)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $180,000) - Note: Foreigners need a Sanction Permit
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $128,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $252,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $180,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $320,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $224,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 15% on first 1M SCR, 25% on the remainder
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% (non-residents)
- Tax System
- Territorial tax system (income sourced outside Seychelles is generally not taxed)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 30% for high earners (> 10,000 SCR/month is the threshold for starting 15%)
- VAT
- 15% (Value Added Tax)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No strict CFC rules currently applied
- Property Tax
- 0.25% of the market value (introduced for foreign owners in 2020)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 5% Stamp Duty + 11-17% Sanction Duty for foreigners
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Seychelles Workcation Program allows 0% tax for up to 1 year for remote workers