Shopping in Seychelles

Seychelles with its inimitable golden beaches and lovely art galleries is a consummate shopping experience. Visitors to these beautiful isles can shop for exquisite handmade items like sea shells and mother-of-pearl jewellery, batik textiles, basketware, tablemats, hats from raffia and palm, needlework & crochet, local paintings, bamboo and woodwork, and the quintessential Seychelles souvenir - the coco-de-mer or the 'nut of the sea.'

Local teas, vanilla pods and cinnamons can also be bought from the bazaars. There also are several art galleries exhibiting and selling the works of indigenous artists such as Michael Adams, along with model ships, a mainstay of Seychelles crafts.

The best place to shop in the Seychelles is Victoria. It's also a lot of fun to be, to wander the streets and the shops. There are a few outlets on Praslin but few on the other islands. Larger hotels have boutiques. Some attractions (such as the aquarium and black pearl farm on Praslin) also have gift shops that are open on weekdays and Saturday mornings.

Good bargains include men's straw hats and other straw goods, local art, spices (especially Creole curry and chilies), island tea, local music and T-shirts.

Shops are open from Mondays to Fridays, between 8 am and 5 pm, and on Saturdays from 8 am to noon. Numerous stalls and small grocery stores are open every day until late in the evening. At the Duty-free shop at the international airport, only foreign currency is accepted.