Mauritius and the Seychelles from Algeria: formalities, season, where to stay

"Mauritius visa for Algerians", "Seychelles visa for Algerians", "where to stay in Mauritius": Mauritius and the Seychelles are drawing more and more travellers from Algeria, for a honeymoon or a couple's trip. Less familiar to Algerians than the Maldives or Zanzibar, these two Indian Ocean destinations raise plenty of practical questions. Here are the essentials, island by island: formalities, season and where to stay.

Mauritius or the Seychelles: two styles

Mauritius is a single island: you can mix beach, hiking and day trips without changing hotel. The Seychelles are an archipelago: travellers often move from one island to another, by boat or on a short flight, to discover beaches lined with granite boulders. To compare both with the Maldives and Zanzibar month by month, read our four-island honeymoon comparison.

Mauritius: formalities, in principle

In principle, travellers holding an Algerian passport are issued a visa on arrival at Mauritius's international airport, on presentation of, among other things, a valid passport and a return or onward ticket. The length of stay granted and the other documents requested (hotel booking, sufficient funds, online form) may vary: check the current requirements with the Mauritian immigration services or the embassy before you travel. We do not sell any visa service.

Mauritius: when to go

The island has only two main seasons. From November to April it is the southern-hemisphere summer: hot and humid, with February generally the wettest month; it is also cyclone season. From June to September it is winter: cooler and drier, with trade winds blowing mostly on the east and south coasts. May and October are transition months, and October is generally the driest month.

For a summer honeymoon, Mauritius is therefore a pleasant option. In the middle of the Algerian winter, the Maldives are generally a safer bet for the weather.

Mauritius: where to stay

• The north, around Grand Baie: the liveliest area, with many hotels and guesthouses, restaurants and boat trips.
• The west, around Flic en Flac: a sheltered, drier coast with accommodation of every size.
• The east, around Belle Mare: a calm lagoon protected by the reef and large beach hotels, a coast popular with honeymooners; it is windier in winter.
• The south-west, at the foot of Le Morne Brabant: a UNESCO World Heritage landscape, hiking trails and a lagoon popular for kitesurfing.

In the southern winter, the west and north, more sheltered from the wind, are good for swimming; in summer, every coast is warm.

Seychelles: formalities, in principle

In principle, the Seychelles do not require a visa from any nationality. Before departure, however, every traveller must obtain a paid travel authorisation online, which can be requested no earlier than 30 days before arrival. You must be able to show a return or onward ticket, confirmed accommodation and sufficient funds for your stay; a visitor's permit is then issued on arrival. Check the current requirements on the official website of the Seychelles authorities before you travel. We do not sell any visa service, but your hotel voucher serves as proof of accommodation.

Seychelles: when to go

It is warm all year round, and the winds set the seasons. From May to September, the south-east trade winds bring drier weather and a steady breeze; the sea can be choppy on some beaches. From December to March, the north-west monsoon is wetter, especially in December and January, with little wind and strong heat. April is generally the calmest month. The main islands lie outside the cyclone belt.

Seychelles: which island to choose

• Mahé: the largest island, with the international airport and the capital, Victoria. Handy for the first and last nights.
• Praslin: home to the Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage site where the coco de mer grows. It is reached from Mahé by boat or on a short flight.
• La Digue: very few cars, so people get around by bike or on foot; it is about fifteen minutes by boat from Praslin.

For a honeymoon, it is easy to combine two islands, for example Praslin and La Digue. In high season, book early to keep a choice of hotels.

Meals, religion and daily life

In Mauritius, about one in six inhabitants is Muslim. In both Mauritius and the Seychelles, the availability of halal meals depends on the hotel: ask our team before you book. For a Muslim environment from start to finish, the Maldives and Zanzibar remain the simplest choices.

Book your hotel in Mauritius or the Seychelles

Send us your dates, the island and the type of hotel you want: our team checks availability and prices with the hotels, then gets back to you. From Algeria, you pay in dinars: BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our agency in Telemly, Algiers. Living abroad? You can also pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you once payment is made.

To compare with other destinations, read honeymoon from Algeria: which destination? and see our hotels in the Maldives and hotels in Zanzibar.

Ask for a hotel in Mauritius or the Seychelles

Nreservi, online travel agency — 1st floor, 116 boulevard Colonel Krim Belkacem (Telemly), Algiers Centre — +213 540 28 40 40.