I wouldn't say they are "everywhere" but they are to be found in all the typical places anywhere in the tropics and subtropics. Between trees and plant growth, typically up pretty high, is a common place.

You will rarely find them around the resorts because the resorts have pest-control programs which take away most of the spider's food supply. So they tend to stay back in the forests. Generally, no worse than Florida.

As NoFlyZone mentioned, spiders and creepy crawlies (in general) are to be found in most every tropical area. Did we see any? Don't recall! So I guess there weren't enough to give us pause. Believe we did see one geiko, but that was it.

I am sorry to confirm that there are a lot of spiders in the Seychelles... not so much on Mahe island, but more on Praslin and La Digue...
They seem to be more present than in any other tropical country I've ever been to... (Thailand, Carribean, Bali, Mauritius, Brazil).

I hate spiders but I survived...
Ask for a room on the upper floor and avoid bungalows to avoid unexpected visitors...

To make a comparison, Mauritius had no spiders...

I agree with the above poster about avoiding bungalows. I haven't been to the Seychelles, but travel to Southeast Asia and Africa.If you don't want creepy crawlers, then either stay on a very high floor or try to stay in western-style structures if possible. Those romantic-looking open-style structures are usually bad news when it comes to creepy crawlers. I TOTALLY understand your phobia as mine is for lizards/geckos which are epidemic in Southeast Asia and Africa. Happy Travels!

Didn't see any spiders in hotel rooms on Praslin but many large webs/huge yellow and black spiders while walkiing down to Anse Lazio. Can understand your phobia -- but definitely NOT a valid reason to NOT go to one of best island destinations in world. Stop off at Cafe des Artes, if still there, on Praslin, Cote d'Or....

Why one should stop at cafe des arts?

They have a nice little art gallery at Cafe des AArts. Alas, no cafe.

This place is in need of serious fixing. I don't know when you went there but in the end of May 2004 this place looked very neglected. Not much in the gallery since a woman-painter left her photographer-husband and now he has no idea what to do. His little bed and breakfast is not recommended by anyone anymore. So sad. It use to be a nice place

Incognito: Thanks for the update/haven't seen the Turcottes in 2 years and sad to hear of the break-up. The restaurant/inn has been closed for some time but sad to hear the gallery now also down...

Incognito -- Do you know if Christine Herter, the painter/wife, is still in the islands?

From what we learned she is on Mahe but Paul doesn't waist any time. I don't know if they are officially divorced or not. He is taken care of by young 'ladies' half of his age.
Tivertonhouse, the little Inn/B&B is still open but in a terrible shape. We met a couple who stayed there last year and it was a very unpleasant experience for them.

Well Incognito it's great to see people doing there homework. But Cafe des Arts has still a great reputation. It is still manage by the same people as 10 years back but some upgrade have been done as a new service for the guest: diner in the old Cafe or on the Beach front. The Gallery from what I understand is going to be transfered to the main building and will only sell art works from Christine Harter. Turcotte is busy making movies and shooting photographs for magazines.

The large spiders that you see in the Seychelles are harmless an even used by people there to cure boils.

I am sorry to say this SpiderWeb but since you never posted on this forum before how should we know your statement is reliable. Did you come up with this name just for this post? Then who are you?
Yes, I did 'THERE' homework. I stayed on Praslin next door to Cafe des Arst in May this year and this is what we observed with our own eyes and learned more from people who have businesses near by. We returned to the area after 3 years and we observed tremendous changes. we used to like the gallery and bought some art there. This was a reason why we returned to the Cafe but it is not even close to what used to be only a few years ago.
To answer Language_buddy's question I have to agree with Joell by quoting this statement <I am sorry to confirm that there are a lot of spiders in the Seychelles... not so much on Mahe island, but more on Praslin and La Digue> This year we saw many more spiders than on our previous visit

Hello, I just came back from my honeymoon to the Seychelles (stayed 2 weeks, one on Praslin (Acajou hotel) and one on Mahé (PLantation Club)). I am sorry to say, but the website was right: there are spiders everywhere (at least for an arachnophobe like myself)... Generally the hotels and beaches are clear, but as the trees ans plants border the beaches, you are bound to see them. As my husband is not afraid of spiders, he did not even notice them half of the time, but when you have a 'sixth sense', like me , you cannot ignore them ! Anyhow, the Seychelles are worth the visite, that's for sure. You just need to try and get over it once you are there.

Incognito: Should you find contact info for Christine Herter, would appreciate.
She has a painting, then marked not for sale, of a putain on Mahe that I'd like to acquire -- if she'd now sell.

tivertonhouse, I don't have a contact right now but we could ask someone we are exchanging e-mails with. If they don't know, we will be there May/June 2005 and could ask then.

Thanks, Incognito/much appreciated.