CURRENCY: Sri Lankan Rupee is divided into 100 cents. ₨ is generally used, but the official currency code “LKR” is used to distinguish it from Indian and other rupees.

VISA: The ETA is initially limited to 30 days validity from the date of arrival although it may be extended for up to six (06) months. You can apply online or use the assistance of iVisa service.

Sri Lanka has ruled out shipbreaking as an industry going against the trend in the region. Its neighbour, India, scraps over 50% of doomed cruise ships.

LANGUAGE: Sinhala and Tamil are the official languages of Sri Lanka.

TRAVEL ADVICE: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sri-lanka

CURRENCY: Rupee, the same name as used in India and other Indian Ocean countries, but they each have their own Rupee. The Mauritian rupee is the currency of Mauritius. One rupee is subdivided into 100 cents. Visa, MasterCard, Diners and American Express debit and credit cards and the US Dollar are widely accepted in most places. 2021 there are nearly 60 rupees to a GB pound.

VISA: None. Passports stamped on entry allow 60 days stay.

LANGUAGE: English. There is a local french creole used. Like Bonzour for hello.

TRAVEL ADVICE: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mauritius

WARNINGS: Drug possession carries a severe penalty.

The official flag is the French flag, the unofficial flag, or the local flag uses the colours other Indian Ocean islands use.

CURRENCY: Euro. VISA and other cards are widely accepted.

LANGUAGE: French.

VISA: Reunion is part of the EU. British Citizen passport, you don’t need a visa to enter Réunion for stays of up to three months.

TRAVEL ADVICE: Controlled by what is said in Paris, France. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/reunion

Crime levels are low, and it is relatively trouble free.

Note the colours that repeat in most Indian Ocean Islands.

CURRENCY: Anything goes except in local markets, local bars and nightclubs where local currency is king. They have their own Rupee, SCR or Seychelles Rupee. Also called roupi and roupie in French. One rupee is subdivided into 100 cents. Visa, MasterCard, Diners and American Express debit and credit cards and the US Dollar are widely accepted in most places. (2021 17.5 rupees is roughly equivalent to 1 GB Pound)

VISA: No visa required.

LANGUAGE: local Seychellois Creole language and French, as well as English in commercial places.

TRAVEL ADVICE: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/seychelles

WARNINGS: Most travel is trouble-free, but there is a problem with drugs in Seychelles, in particular heroin. Crime levels have risen as a result, and certain areas are avoided at night.

400 miles off the coast of Mozambique, forming a channel in the Indian ocean.

CURRENCY: Euro. US dollars and GBP are easily changed at banks. Or local cash from ATM.

VISA: You can buy a 30, 60 or 90-day tourist visa on arrival at the airport in cash using US$, Euros, or Malagasy Ariary

LANGUAGE: Malagasy is the common language, but French is spoken among the educated population.

TRAVEL ADVICE: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/madagascar

It’s complicated. The archipelago of four islands is now split. In a vote on independence, Mayotte voted to be a French territory and use the Euro. The other three islands are the Union of Comoros. Not only does that make money different but travel regulations become complicated when France shuts down as it did with COVID.

CURRENCY: The Comorian franc (KMF) is pegged to the euro at an effective rate of about 492 KMF to 1 EUR. One franc is divided into 100 centimes, but you won’t find a centime – they’ve never been issued.

VISA: Visas are available at your points of entry.

LANGUAGE: Official languages are Comorian, French and Arabic.

TRAVEL ADVICE: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/comoros