Everything you need
to know before you go.
Entry requirements, weather and useful travel information for the Maldives, Seychelles and Mauritius — all in one place.
Maldives
Tourist visa on arrival
Tourist visas are granted on arrival in the Maldives and do not require pre-approval. Travellers must meet the relevant entry requirements to receive immigration clearance on arrival.
CHECK OFFICIAL REQUIREMENTS →Complete IMUGA before arrival
All foreign travellers must submit the Maldives Traveller Declaration within 96 hours before arrival. It is free and must be completed individually for every traveller, including children.
COMPLETE IMUGA →When to travel
The Maldives is warm and tropical throughout the year. The northeast monsoon is the drier season and generally runs from January to March. The southwest monsoon, typically from mid-May to November, brings a greater chance of rain and unsettled weather. April and December are transitional months.
Tropical showers can still occur in the drier months, while wetter-season travel can include long spells of sunshine.
Getting to your resort
Your resort transfers will be arranged as part of your booking and may be by speedboat, seaplane or domestic flight followed by speedboat, depending on the island. Seaplane transfers operate during daylight hours and are coordinated around your international flight timings.
Seychelles
Check before you travel
Visitors should complete the Seychelles Travel Authorisation before departure. Entry requirements can vary according to nationality and recent travel history, so travellers should review the latest official requirements before travelling.
CHECK OFFICIAL REQUIREMENTS →Apply before departure
The Travel Authorisation application requires the following:
- valid passport
- traveller photo
- contact and trip information
- flight confirmation
- accommodation confirmation (for each place you will stay)
A standard application currently carries a fee. Apply in good time before travel and do not leave it until the airport.
OFFICIAL TRAVEL AUTHORISATION →Keep your travel documents together
A valid passport is required and your confirmed flight and accommodation details are used as part of the Travel Authorisation process.
A Yellow Fever certificate may be required if you have recently been in, or spent more than 12 hours transiting through, a country where Yellow Fever is endemic.
Weather & best time to travel
Seychelles has a warm tropical climate year-round, generally between 24°C and 32°C.
December to March tends to be warmer and more humid under the north-west trade winds, with January and February traditionally the wettest months.
May to September is generally cooler, drier and breezier under the south-east trade winds, although seas can be rougher on some exposed coasts.
April, May, October and November are transitional months and are often particularly pleasant, with lighter winds and calmer sea conditions.
Tropical showers can occur at any time of year, but they are often short-lived and conditions can vary considerably between islands and even different sides of the same island.
Getting around
Mahé, Praslin and La Digue can be combined using domestic flights and ferries. Private-island resorts and more remote islands may require a scheduled domestic flight, helicopter or boat transfer.
Currency & local time
The local currency is the Seychelles Rupee (SCR). Major hotels and resorts commonly accept international cards.
Seychelles operates on UTC+4 year-round.
Mauritius
Visa & entry requirements
For many travellers, no visa application is required before travel to Mauritius and entry is granted on arrival, subject to immigration requirements. Visa requirements do vary by nationality, so travellers should check the official requirements for their passport before departure.
CHECK OFFICIAL REQUIREMENTS →Complete before you travel
All passengers travelling to Mauritius by air must complete the All-in-One Travel Form before boarding their flight. We recommend completing it in advance rather than leaving it until the day of travel.
COMPLETE TRAVEL FORM →Warm summer, cooler dry winter
Mauritius has a warm, humid summer from November to April and a relatively cooler, drier winter from June to September. May and October are transition months.
Weather can vary noticeably around the island, with the central plateau generally cooler and wetter than many coastal areas.
Currency, time & transfers
The local currency is the Mauritian Rupee (MUR). Major hotels and resorts commonly accept international cards.
Mauritius operates on UTC+4 year-round. Most resort transfers are by private or shared vehicle from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport.
A quick note before you travel
Entry requirements, government fees and travel regulations can change at short notice and may differ according to nationality, age, routing and individual circumstances. This page is intended as a useful travel guide. Travellers should always check the linked official government requirements before departure.