Africa
Seychelles
SCAA — Unmanned Aircraft/Drone Operation Safety Guidelines (Rev. 5)
Seychelles regulates drones through the SCAA: registration mandatory above 200 g, and numerous specific no-fly zones (airports, populated areas, government sites).
Mandatory for drones weighing 200 g or more, through the 'SCAA Drones Database'.
No separate pilot certificate appears; the guidelines do require keeping the drone within visual line of sight and generally not higher than surrounding buildings/trees (no fixed numeric ceiling stated).
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Forbidden near Seychelles International Airport, Praslin Airport and La Digue heliport and their approach/departure paths (SCAA approval needed). Forbidden to fly over towns, congested areas or gatherings without authorization. Forbidden near State House, prisons, military infrastructure, telecom infrastructure, power lines and fuel storage. Night flying forbidden, as is flying under the influence of drugs/alcohol. Dropping items or hazardous substances forbidden.
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
A numeric maximum altitude (120 m cited by secondary sources) is not confirmed in the official document consulted: left out rather than inferred.
Last checked: 2026-08
Go deeper
Why registration exists
Operator registration exists for accountability: if a drone causes an incident or enters a restricted zone, the authority needs to be able to trace it back to whoever was flying it. You usually get an identification number (operator ID) to physically attach to the drone, valid for every drone the same person owns. The cost is often minimal or free, and it applies to visiting tourists too, not just residents. For Seychelles, the official reference remains SCAA — Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority. Mandatory for drones weighing 200 g or more, through the 'SCAA Drones Database'.
How this usually works
Even where an exam isn't formally required, most aviation authorities still recommend a basic safety course: rules change often, and flying without the basics is a real risk even without a legal obligation. The exam and certificate are handled by SCAA — Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority. No separate pilot certificate appears; the guidelines do require keeping the drone within visual line of sight and generally not higher than surrounding buildings/trees (no fixed numeric ceiling stated).
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.