Drone Laws in the Seychelles

Seychelles Drone Regulations

 

According to the Seychelles’ national aviation authority, the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), flying a drone is legal in the Seychelles, but we recommend being aware of and compliant with the drone regulations listed below before doing so.

If you’d like to contact the SCAA directly before you travel with any questions you might have, here is their contact information: secretariat@scaa.sc / +248 4384000

Why fly a drone in the Seychelles? To get great aerial shots like these!

General Rules for Flying a Drone in the Seychelles

Based on our research and interpretation of the laws, here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in the Seychelles.

• Drones cannot fly within 15 kilometers (9 miles) of any airport or airfield or 5 kilometers (3 miles) of any airport or airfield. Given the relatively small size of the Seychelles, this means that flying is prohibited in most areas of the country.
• Drone pilots must maintain direct visual line of sight with their drone while flying.
• Drones cannot be flown at night.
• Drones should not be operated at altitudes higher than surrounding buildings, infrastructure, or trees in the immediate vicinity.
• Land your drone immediately if an airplane or helicopter is spotted operating in the vicinity of your drone.
• Do not fly your drone in the approach and departure paths of airports and heliports.
• Do not fly your drone over towns, congested areas, groups of people in public areas or public events unless you have the authorization to do so from the appropriate local authorities, including SCAA.
• Do not fly your drone over private properties, industrial areas or take photographs of any kind which may constitute a breach of privacy, where this is considered an offense under the laws of Seychelles.
• Do not fly your drone near telecommunication infrastructure, power lines, fuel storage facilities, over security-sensitive areas, such as the State House, prisons, and military infrastructure including restricted airspace as published by SCAA.
• Drone insurance is required to fly a drone in Seychelles.
• Drones weighing 7 kilograms (15.5 pounds) or less may be flown without special SCAA approval. For drones weighing more than 7 kilograms (15.5 pounds), approval from the SCAA is required.

For more information on the Seychelles’ drone laws, see this document issued by the SCAA.

Know something we don’t about drone laws in the Seychelles? Send us an email at support@uavcoach.com. We are not international aviation attorneys and do our best to keep this page up-to-date for drone pilots, but the reality is that given the pace of the small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) industry and how governments are responding, drone regulations in the Seychelles can change throughout the year, and those changes can be hard to track. If we missed something, please reach out to let us know.

Want to get a feel for the kind of footage you could get flying a drone in the Seychelles? Here you go: