Information only. Not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies — consult a qualified attorney for your jurisdiction before acting.
What's Illegal inSeychelles?
Seychelles catches more travelers off guard than its reputation suggests. Of the 23 common items and activities tracked here, 6 are outright illegal and 8 are restricted or conditional. The strictest area for Seychelles is serious offenses, so it is worth reading that section closely.
Indian Ocean archipelago. Drug penalties moderate. Same-sex relations decriminalized 2016. Reef-safe sunscreen encouraged. Drone use needs permit. Marine reserves heavily protected.
DO NOT BRING
Drug trafficking · Coral / coco-de-mer export without permit · Marine-park violations
What to know before you go to Seychelles
The single thing worth knowing first: Indian Ocean archipelago. Drug penalties moderate. Same-sex relations decriminalized 2016. Reef-safe sunscreen encouraged. Drone use needs permit. Marine reserves heavily protected. It is the kind of rule that looks minor at home and becomes a serious problem at the border or in public, which is exactly why it tops this page.
Within serious offenses, Seychelles treats Drug trafficking, Coral / coco-de-mer export without permit, and Marine-park violations as off-limits. Carrying or doing any of these can mean confiscation, fines, or detention depending on the case — and a foreign prescription, habit, or "I didn't know" rarely helps once you are stopped. Each entry below links to the official source it is checked against, with the verified ones marked.
Two things travelers regularly get wrong about Seychelles: Marine parks (Sainte Anne, Cousin) have entry fees and conduct rules — verify before snorkeling; and Visa-free entry for most nationalities for stays up to 90 days. Assumptions like these are how otherwise careful visitors end up in trouble, so it is worth checking the specifics rather than guessing.
One important caveat: Coco-de-mer (the world's largest seed) has strict export rules — only certified specimens with paperwork. Laws and their enforcement can shift between regions and over time, so treat this page as a sourced starting point and confirm anything borderline against the official links before you rely on it.
BEFORE YOU GO TO SEYCHELLES — 3 STEPS
Confirm the rule with an official Seychelles source
Laws change. Before you pack, verify anything borderline against Seychelles Revenue Commission — the official source we cite for Seychelles.
Open Seychelles Revenue Commission →Carry proof for anything restricted
If you're bringing prescription medication or a regulated device into Seychelles, carry the prescription, original packaging, and a doctor's note. For controlled medicines, check whether an import permit is required.
Have a backup if something gets held at the border
Know who to call and keep your travel insurance and embassy details handy in case an item is seized or questioned at customs in Seychelles.
General guidance, not legal advice. How we verify.
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
- Marine parks (Sainte Anne, Cousin) have entry fees and conduct rules — verify before snorkeling.
- Visa-free entry for most nationalities for stays up to 90 days.
JURISDICTION NOTES
- Coco-de-mer (the world's largest seed) has strict export rules — only certified specimens with paperwork.
- Same-sex relations were decriminalized in 2016.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
IN-DEPTH GUIDES
Information only. Not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies — consult a qualified attorney for your jurisdiction before acting.