6 Things You Can Buy Only In Seychelles

In a world where almost anything you want to buy is only a few clicks away, there are certain things that can (or should) only be bought in the Seychelles. Here are 6 of the best things to look out for.

# Coco De Mer

Coco de mer, also known as sea coconuts, are certainly the most iconic thing to buy in Seychelles. You have to be really careful where you buy them from however, and ensure you have the right certification with it. Before you purchase, check for a holographic sticker on the coco de mer and an official permit – a new system which came into place in 2017 to help protect from counterfeits and illegal sales. If you get caught trying to leave the country with a coco de mer that doesn’t have proper certification you will be fined and possibly even sent to prison.

# Yi-King Essential Oils

Created by a French aromatherapist living on Mahe island, Yi-King is a brand of essential oils made from the finest Seychelles ingredients. Yi-King has created oil blends based on a person’s date of birth and the way it relates to the eight master elements recognised by Chinese medicine; sky, wind, water, mountain, earth, thunder, fire and lake. The range has now extended to include items such as traditional cold-pressed coconut oil, creams for mother and baby, as well as a range for kids.

# Kreolor Jewellery & Craft

Founded in 1990, Kreolor’s roots are in jewellery inspired by the Seychelles. Following the success of this, they expanded into making crafts using local materials. If you’re looking for tasteful jewellery – that still carries the Seychelles spirit – this is where you’ll find it. They have five stores across Mahe, Praslin and La Digue.

# Shark Chutney

Shark chutney is a traditional Seychellois dish that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s made with shark meat that has been mashed and boiled, and a tangy local fruit bilimbi, fried onion, turmeric, lime juice, salt and pepper are also added. It is usually served, like most Creole dishes, with lentils and shredded green papaya on rice. The best places to find shark chutney is at the various Creole takeaways.

# Seybrew

Seybrew is the local larger. Produced on Mahe since 1971, it’s light and easy to drink. You can buy it everywhere in Seychelles, from corner shops to five-star resorts. It comes in a bottle, and many of the local corner shops will accept the empties back to be recycled in exchange for two Seychelles rupees per bottle (that’s about £0.11). It’s a bit of an unspoken rule to leave bottles for any cleaning staff at wherever you’re staying, particularly in self-catering places.

# Takamaka Rum

The local rum is amazing, particularly the dark spiced rum. You can also get coco rum, white rum, extra dark and aged varieties. Recently Takamaka has been available on some specialty websites selling spirits from around the world, but it will always taste much better with a view of the beach in the Seychelles. You can also visit the brewery, which offers tours and has a restaurant and bar which serves amazing food and cocktails – and most drinks, as you can imagine, have a rum twist!