Fly Fishing In The Seychelles

• Lightweight long-sleeve shirts and long pants that can be zipped off are recommended.
• Soft natural colours are best, as bright colours will alert the fish.
• Sunscreen with a minimum protection factor of at least 30 SPF is required for any exposed skin areas, and a lip block would be helpful.
• A buff and a bandana are of great importance for sun protection of your face, whilst polarised sunglasses is a must. We recommend Costa Del Mar’s 580 amber and blue mirror lenses.
• Sun gloves will help protect your hands, and a hat or cap will offer further protection to your face.
• Lastly, please ensure that you have thick-soled flats wading boots with good ankle support, as neoprene booties do not offer adequate protection.

Additional items that would be helpful are:

• Cycling or lycra shorts for wearing under your flats shorts to prevent chafing.
• Gravel guards, stripping gloves, and a waterproof backpack.
• A headlamp/torch.
• Soft tissue for drying and cleaning lenses.
• A waterproof fly box to prevent flies from rusting.
• Pliers for removing hooks and squashing barbs.

The Seychelles is typically hot and somewhat humid, with the midday temperature hovering at 35 degrees celsius. Evenings are also invariably warm, with the exception of the first and last few weeks of the season, when there may be a strong, cooling breeze.

Due to its proximity to the equator, there is no real twilight in the Seychelles. The sun rises quickly at around 6:15 a.m. and sets with equal swiftness at about 6:30 p.m. This varies by only minutes throughout the year, giving nearly a full 12 hours of daylight for 365 days a year.

• Alphonse Island: The northwest season runs from early October to the end of May, with 12 rods and the southeast season runs from June to September with 6 rods.
• Cosmoledo Atoll: The season at Cosmoledo has shifted slightly to avoid any influences from the infamous red crabs. Starting at the end of November and running through to the end of April.
• Farquhar Atoll: The season on Farquhar is split in two: the first being from October – early December and then February – late April.
• Providence Atoll: The season on Providence is split in two: the first being from October – early December and then January – mid-April.
• Astove Atoll: The season at Astove is short and over the very best time to be there in terms of weather and fishing. Running from mid-January to the end of March, be sure to not miss out on the best time to be there.
• Amirante Islands: The season runs from October through to April, and is subject to Quo Vadis Availability.
• Platte Island: The season during the Northwest season from October through to April.

All our destinations have fully kitted tackle shops that can provide you with most of the tackle you will need for your trip. There is also a full range of flies that are custom-tied for our fisheries.

Rod and reel rental service: Each of our destinations offer a 9, 10, 11 and 12 weight rod and reel rental service on a complimentary basis. All the outfits consist of a top-quality fly Thomas and Thomas rods and Shilton reels, loaded with 300 yards of braided backing. Fly lines are to be supplied by the angler or can be purchased on location.

Rod replacement fee: Should one of these rods be broken, there is a fee of either USD 100, USD 150 or USD 250, which is dependent on the brand. It’s important that anglers pre-book the rod rentals as well as tackle to ensure that we have sufficient stock.

All shared fishing packages are two anglers per guide and skiff. We rotate our guides, providing different skill sets and experiences daily.

Anglers will have the ability to upgrade to a single skiff and guide pairing at an additional cost and subject to availability (limited to 2 single skiffs per day).

Each guide is a qualified skipper, has first aid experience, speaks English and is extremely experienced.

Check-in luggage is strictly limited to 15 kg or 33 pounds per person, and 5 kg or 11 pounds carry-on luggage.

Blue Safari does provide secure luggage storage in Mahe should it be required. Bags to be supplied to our representative when checking in in Mahe.

Please adhere to the specified limits. It is not possible to load extra luggage beyond your limit. We suggest that you use lighter soft-shell luggage.

All our destinations have complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity in communal areas. Alphonse is the exception with connectivity in each of the accommodation offerings.

Satellite phone services are available at all of our destinations. These come at an additional charge.

• All guests are required to obtain “From Scene of Accident Medivac Insurance”. Details will be requested prior to arrival on the Island. Alphonse Fishing Co. and agents cannot assume any financial responsibility for consequences incurred if this has not been obtained.
• All guests are required to obtain travel insurance that will cover any costs incurred due to flight delays for any reason.
• All guests are required to sign an indemnity form once on location.
• There is a desalination plant on Alphonse, Astove and Cosmoledo, so water from the faucets is safe to drink. We do not stock mineral water and will only supply it when specifically requested prior to arrival.
• No inoculations are legally required for entry. However, you may want to check with your local immunisation and inoculation clinic for their recommendations on health precautions for travel to the Seychelles. Some travellers elect to protect themselves against hepatitis A with an immunoglobulin injection (short-­term protection) or the longer-lasting vaccine. Other inoculations may be required if you are planning a trip extension to parts of Africa.

There is a compulsory Conservation Donation of USD 210 per week (USD 30 per night), which is payable with your trip fees. All packages exclude this Conservation Donation and these funds are given to the Alphonse Foundation and Island Conservation Society for the preservation of nature in the Seychelles.

The Seychelles government introduced a Tourism Environmental Sustainability levy in August 2023. This levy of $ 8 is charged by all establishments on a nightly basis and goes towards improving tourism and sustainability in the Seychelles.

You do not need to change your Euros or US Dollars into the local currency of Seychelles Rupees. All our destinations accept both currencies. We accept both cash and offer credit card facilities at all of our destinations.

Tipping is never mandatory. Should you wish to show your appreciation to the staff, the below amounts are a guideline. Tips are to be left at reception upon departure for equal distribution.

• Lodge or Boat Staff: Approximately $400 per person per week or $60 per day as a guideline.
  Fly Fishing Guides: Approximately $700 per angler per week or $100 per day, to be given to the fishing manager at the end of the week. The guides work on a rotational basis, so your tip will be shared equally.
• Game Fishing & Bluewater Fly Fishing: Approximately $250 per full day charter and $200 for a half day charter
  Diving Staff: Approximately $30 per person per dive, divided among the dive team and skippers.
• Activity Centre Team: Approximately $20 per person per day for the activity team if you participate in any activities.

Cancellation Policy:

• A 10% fee shall be levied if cancellation is made more than 180 days prior to arrival OR if the reservation is moved to an alternative date within the same year.
• A 50% fee shall be levied if cancellation is between 180 and 90 days prior to arrival.
• A 100% fee shall be levied if cancellation is 90 days or less prior to arrival.
• Private island bookings require a 50% non-refundable deposit with final payment 90 days prior to travel.
• All cancellations and provisional bookings must be confirmed in writing. Bank fees associated with refunds are for the client’s account.

VAT:

• Tariffs are quoted inclusive of VAT in US Dollars