Taxes in the Seychelles: what every sailor should budget for before boarding

Sailing the Seychelles aboard a catamaran involves several categories of mandatory fees to settle on top of the cruise price: the tourism environmental sustainability levy (100 SCR per person per night on board), the entrance fees for the marine parks (200 to 300 SCR per person per visit), the overnight mooring permits (250 SCR per boat per night) and the landing fees on certain islands. This article details each category so that you board at Mahe with no nasty surprises in your onboard kitty.

What is the Seychelles tourism tax and how much does it cost in 2026?

The Seychelles tourism tax, officially called the Tourism Environmental Sustainability Levy, applies to all visitors per person and per night of accommodation. Aboard a yacht or a catamaran, the amount is 100 SCR per person per night (around 6.60 euros at the June 2026 rate). The tax is collected at the base, when the cruise departs.

The reform of 1 January 2026 changed the rate for land-based accommodation, but boats remain in the large-accommodation category at 100 SCR. Here is the current rate schedule:

Type of accommodation	Tax per person per night
Yacht / catamaran / large structure (>50 rooms)	100 SCR (approx. 6.60 €)
Medium accommodation (25-50 rooms)	75 SCR (approx. 5 €)
Small accommodation (<25 rooms)	0 SCR (exempt since Jan. 2026)

Who is exempt from this tax?

Four categories of people do not pay the tourism tax: children aged 12 and under, Seychellois residents, airline crew members and yacht crews. Children therefore represent a direct saving for families who board with young children.

What are the entrance fees for the Seychelles marine parks?

The Seychelles marine parks are managed by the SPGA (Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority) and charge an entrance fee per person and per visit, which must be paid by bank card - Visa, Mastercard, AMEX or UnionPay accepted by the rangers on site. Cash is refused on the spot; only the SPGA head office in Victoria, Mahe, accepts cash payments. The parks are open every day from 8am to 5pm.

Marine park	Entrance fee per person
Curieuse	300 SCR (approx. 20 €)
Sainte-Anne	200 SCR (approx. 13 €)
Baie Ternay	200 SCR (approx. 13 €)
Port Launay	200 SCR (approx. 13 €)
Cocos Island	200 SCR (approx. 13 €)

Keep your bank card within reach: without payment, access to the park is refused. It is also possible to pay online before the visit at spga.gov.sc.

How much does overnight mooring cost in the marine parks?

Overnight mooring in any marine park managed by the SPGA requires a permit of 250 SCR per boat per night (around 16 euros). This fee applies to any stay on board between 5pm and 8am, regardless of the number of passengers - it is a fixed rate per vessel, not per person. It is added to the individual entrance fees paid during the day.

The parks concerned notably include Curieuse, Sainte-Anne, Baie Ternay, Port Launay, Cocos Island and Silhouette. Mooring is permitted only in the zones designated by the SPGA. Fishing, spearfishing and motorised sports are prohibited within the park boundaries.

What fees should you budget for landing on the islands and private beaches?

Several Seychelles islands charge a landing fee separate from the marine park entrance fees. These charges are not included in the price of your cruise and must be accounted for in your onboard kitty. The amounts are expressed in Seychellois rupees (SCR); the euro equivalents are given for guidance based on the June 2026 rate (1 SCR = approximately 0.066 EUR).

Island / Site	Landing fee per person
La Digue	100 SCR (approx. 6.50 €)
Praslin - Vallee de Mai	450 SCR (approx. 30 €)
Grande Soeur	400 SCR (approx. 26 €)
Bird Island	600 SCR (approx. 39 €)

For Silhouette island, prior authorisation must be obtained from the IDC (Island Development Company) in Victoria before landing. Your skipper can help you organise this from the Mahe base.

What entry formalities should you plan for a catamaran in the Seychelles?

Every traveller arriving in the Seychelles - including by sea - must obtain an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) before boarding. This requirement has been extended to arrivals by boat, and no exemption exists for leisure sailors. The application is made online at seychelles.govtas.com, within the 30 days preceding departure, at a cost of 10 euros per person (standard procedure, 24h processing time). French nationals are not subject to a visa.

For leisure boats, a request for prior authorisation from the port authorities is also required. The official contact is newport@health.gov.sc. Documents to prepare: a passport valid until the departure date, proof of booking, a return ticket and proof of sufficient resources. The Seychelles country file published by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (diplomatie.gouv.fr) is the reference for French nationals.

What total budget should you plan for taxes and fees on a Seychelles cruise?

For a week-long catamaran cruise in the Seychelles, an adult couple should anticipate between 300 and 330 euros of mandatory fees on top of the cruise price, depending on the islands visited and the marine parks frequented. Here is the breakdown of a simulation over 7 nights for 2 adults:

• Environmental levy: 2 people x 7 nights x 100 SCR = 1,400 SCR (around 92 euros)
• Park entrance fees (example: Curieuse + Sainte-Anne, 2 people): around 100 to 130 euros
• Overnight mooring permits (2 parks x 250 SCR): around 33 euros
• Landing fees (La Digue + Praslin Vallee de Mai, 2 people): around 73 euros
• Indicative total: between 298 and 330 euros for 2 adults over 7 nights

To this is added the ETA at 10 euros per person, that is 20 euros for a couple, to be paid before departure. Practical reminder: the marine park entrance fees can only be paid by card on site, so carry an international card in your onboard kitty.

The team at our base in Mahe in the Seychelles includes this information in the preparation documents handed over before each departure. For any question about the fees to anticipate or to obtain a quote for a catamaran cruise in the Seychelles, our team replies within 24h at charter@sailoe.com or on +33 2 97 84 61 61.

Frequently asked questions about taxes in the Seychelles

Does the Seychelles tourism tax apply on board a catamaran?

Yes. Yachts and catamarans fall into the “large accommodation” category under Seychelles regulations, and are subject to the tax of 100 SCR per person and per night since 1 August 2023. It is collected at the base when the cruise departs. Children aged 12 and under are exempt, as are the boat’s crew members.

Can the marine park entrance fees be paid in cash?

No. The marine park entrance fees can only be paid by bank card - Visa, Mastercard, AMEX or UnionPay - with the rangers on site, or online at spga.gov.sc before the visit. Only the SPGA head office in Victoria, Mahe, accepts cash. Be sure to carry an international card on board so you are not denied access to a park.

Is overnight mooring in the Seychelles marine parks subject to a fee?

Yes. An overnight mooring permit of 250 SCR per boat per night (around 16 euros) applies in all marine parks managed by the SPGA. This rate is fixed per vessel, regardless of the number of passengers. It is added to the individual entrance fees and covers the stay on board between 5pm and 8am.

Do you need a visa to travel to the Seychelles from France?

French nationals do not need a visa for the Seychelles. However, an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is mandatory for all visitors, including those arriving by boat. It is applied for online at seychelles.govtas.com within the 30 days before departure, for 10 euros per person. Standard processing time: 24 hours.