Seychelles

The lush, mountainous islands hold unique species of birds found nowhere else in the world. Giant tortoises nest on the soft sand beaches, and verdant jungles entice you to hike their paths. Ninety percent of the people in the Seychelles live on the main island of Mahé. You can find a few resorts spread throughout the islands, and small villages are scattered here and there. But empty islands are spread like pearls on a cobalt cloth, ready for just you and your boat.

Sailing in the Seychelles is a mix of open water crossings between island clusters and line-of-sight navigation inside island groups. Tides are moderate, and breezes are relatively constant. In narrows entering lagoons and other constrictions, currents can be strong, but they aren’t a concern through most islands.

National parks and marine preserves protect half the territory of the Seychelles. You can cruise over the inner islands for weeks and only see some of them. Starting from the Moorings Base in Mahé, the Sainte-Anne Marine National Park is a quick hop over two miles of sparkling water. Snorkel the reefs and swim with Hawksbill turtles, or look for green turtles over the expansive seagrass meadows. Saint-Anne is one of six islands in the park, all worth visiting. 

Sailing away from Mahé and the Saint-Anne park, head to Curieuse and another national park. This one includes a tortoise sanctuary, a Coco de Mer forest, and more exquisite snorkeling and beaches. Curieuse is part of a cluster of islands about twenty miles northeast of Mahé. Praslin has miles of pristine beaches, restaurants, resorts, hiking trails, and fantastic snorkeling and diving. Just to the east lies La Dique and Anse Source d’Argent, one of the most picturesque beaches in the world.

These are only a few of the inner islands, which can fill many vacations. The outer islands require longer sails and are very isolated, but you can reach them with enough time. No matter where you sail in the Seychelles, expect quiet, endless natural beauty and memories for a lifetime.

Seychelles International Airport is just five minutes from the charter base by taxi. Direct flights are available from a few European cities, but most travelers will have connections. While getting there takes time, it’s worth the effort.