Tourists flock to the Seychelles each year to enjoy its stunning scenery and tropical climate. Many tourists also appreciate the fact that the beautiful islands contain almost no natural hazards. Travelers can stay in the Seychelles in blissful security.
Hazards such as wild animals and natural disasters abound in many other countries. However, the Seychelles remains relatively free from both of these dangers. Natural disasters such as earthquakes and cyclones rarely affect the islands. The climate is also gentle, so the Seychelles usually enjoys freedom from droughts and floods. There are also no dangerous animals on the islands, although tourists need to beware of sharks. There is also no need to worry about the risk of contracting tropical diseases when staying on the Seychelles.
Earthquakes
Earthquakes rarely affect the Seychelles because the islands lay a long way from the edge of the African tectonic plate. This distinguishes the islands from Haiti, another Creole country, which is situated near tectonic plates. Haiti often suffers from earthquakes, because of the friction between the Caribbean plate and the North and South American plates. These plates slide against each other and the friction between them can create immense earthquakes.
Even the terrifying tsunami of 2004 only had a minor effect on the Seychelles. Two people died, and the tsunami also destroyed a bridge in Victoria, the capital city. The Seychelles was extremely lucky, because the tsunami caused hundreds of thousands of deaths in several countries.
Cyclones
The Seychelles lie outside the cyclone belt. However, cyclones in the Indian Ocean can cause grey and windy weather between December and March, so this is not the best time to visit the country. It can also be affected by monsoon rains, but these are rare.
The weather usually stays warm most of the time – this is one of the reasons why the Seychelles is regarded as a tropical paradise. The temperature generally remains above 23 ℃ during the year, so tourists don’t have to worry about suffering from extremely hot or cold weather. The average temperature in the Seychelles is 29 ℃.
Dangerous Animals
Several countries have many dangerous animals. Australia, for example, abounds with crocodiles and poisonous snakes and spiders. The Seychelles, by contrast, have no crocodiles, and the only dangerous snake is the extremely rare yellow-bellied sea-snake. However, reptiles flourish on the islands, but they are a tourist attraction. The lizards, giant tortoises and marine turtles all draw nature-lovers to the Seychelles.
Giant millipedes, palm spiders and whip-scorpions can be found in the Seychelles.These are not life-threatening, but they can cause unpleasant reactions if they are handled. The islands are home to large spiders, and although the spiders can seem frightening, there is no need to be concerned!
The Seychelles is certainly blessed, because of its friendly people, warm climate, dazzling scenery, and because it enjoys freedom from most natural hazards.
Beware of bites from centipedes in the Seychelles, how ever. Bites from some of the centipedes in the Seychelles can be acutely painful. Don’t walk without shoes at night, because these centipedes live in the grass.
Tropical Diseases
The Seychelles enjoys freedom from most tropical diseases. For example, there is no need to worry about yellow fever on the islands. No vaccinations are required to visit the Seychelles. How ever, if you have traveled through a country infected with yellow fever, a certificate of immunisation is required. There is little risk of catching malaria or dengue fever.
Precautions
Although there are almost no natural hazards in the Seychelles, tourists still need to take sensible precautions, especially when swimming. Strong currents can occur during the rainy season from December to March, especially at Beau Vallon Beach. Large, unpredictable waves have been seen at Lazis Beach. Tourists shouldn’t swim alone at deserted beaches. It is also dangerous to swim at night. Beware of stepping on sharp coral, as well.
There have been a few fatal shark attacks in the Seychelles, but most beaches in the country have coral reefs that usually prevent large sharks from going near the shore. The shark attacks scared some potential tourists, but shark attacks are extremely rare in the Seychelles. After the attacks, the authorities quickly installed shark nets, and employed life guards who received extra training in Australia. Now visitors to the Seychelles can enjoy swimming and snorkelling without being concerned about sharks.
Travellers to the Seychelles should take plenty of sun cream. The islands are close to the Equator, so it is easy to get sun-burned in a short time. It is a good idea to take a high UV protection sun cream and a hat and sunglasses. If possible, visitors should avoid going out in the sun during the hottest time of the day.
It is also essential to take insect repellent to the Seychelles. Mosquitoes and ticks are prevalent. The Seychelles has sometimes been affected by diseases spread by insects. Wearing long sleeves, long pants and a hat is also advisable, because they help to protect people from the sun and insect bites.
The Seychelles is certainly blessed, because of its friendly people, warm climate, dazzling scenery, and because it enjoys freedom from most natural hazards. This combination makes the Seychelles one of the premier tourist spots in the world.