Fiji vs Seychelles

Cost

Both sourced, both thin, and we will say so rather than pretend to precision.

Fiji, checked 9 July 2026: an inexpensive restaurant meal FJ$12. A three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant FJ$90. A pint of domestic draught FJ$7. That comes from 176 entries by 18 contributors over twelve months — indicative rather than precise.

Seychelles, checked 16 July 2026: an inexpensive meal SCR265. The same mid-range dinner for two SCR1,305. A pint SCR110. From 130 entries by 16 contributors — the same caveat.

Neither dataset is strong enough to build a budget on, and we have no sourced accommodation rates for either. What the figures do support is that eating out is not the dominant cost in either place; the flight and the island transfers are.

Getting there

Fiji: Nadi is the hub for international arrivals, then catamaran, small plane or helicopter to the islands. Visa-exempt nationalities get a visitor permit on arrival valid up to four months, extendable by a further two on application and payment; non-exempt nationalities get a visitor visa for up to four months. It is one of the more generous entry regimes in this directory.

Seychelles: Seychelles International on Mahé, then domestic flight or ferry to Praslin and La Digue. No visa, but an Electronic Travel Authorisation must be obtained BEFORE departure — every traveller, including by sea. A Visitor's Permit follows on arrival for up to three months, extendable in three-month blocks to twelve, against a return ticket, confirmed accommodation and sufficient funds.

The beaches

No sourced beach-level data for either yet, so the useful thing to say is structural.

In both countries the beaches people travel for are not at the airport. Fiji's are in the island groups reached by catamaran or small plane; Seychelles' are on Praslin and La Digue, reached by ferry or domestic flight. The difference is that Seychelles' second leg is short and routine enough to do twice in a week, while Fiji's tends to commit you to one group.

In this directory: Fiji has 1 beach listed, 0 rated calm for swimming. Seychelles has 2, 1 calm.

In the water

Fiji's dry winter, May to October, has the best underwater visibility for diving and coincides with manta ray season — a datable reason to pick months rather than a general preference.

Seychelles is warm year-round and swimmable every month. We have no sourced month-by-month figures for either country, so this page puts no temperatures on them.

When to go

Opposed, and cleanly so.

Fiji's dry winter runs May to October: cooler, sunnier, less rain, averaging 23-24°C with most days between 19-28°C. November to April is the hot wet summer and the tropical cyclone season, with both temperature and rainfall rising.

Seychelles' inner islands are dry December to April and wet June to October.

A June trip points hard at Fiji. A February trip points at Seychelles, and is squarely inside Fiji's cyclone season.

Beyond the beach

Neither is chosen for what is behind the beach, and it would be dishonest to pretend otherwise. Fiji's range is in the water and in the spread of island types. Seychelles' is in having three genuinely different islands close enough to see in one trip, and a capital on Mahé.