Interview: Catch a glimpse of Tahiti
Sailing the Amirantes: A catamaran adventure with The Moorings
The Seychelles is one of my all-time favorite destinations. This year, however, we decided to take it one step further and sail beyond the well-known Inner Islands to the remote Amirante Islands, aboard a Moorings 5000 sailing catamaran.
If you’ve never been to the Seychelles before, I wouldn’t recommend visiting the Amirantes on your first trip – the Inner Islands already have so much to offer. But if you’ve explored Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue and are looking for a true off-the-grid adventure, then keep reading or save this article in your whish list.
Planning the Trip
Sailing to the Amirante Islands requires some advance planning. You must inform the base beforehand, and landing fees need to be paid in advance for certain islands such as Desroches, Remire, and Poivre. A local skipper is also mandatory, as the crossing takes around 18 hours offshore.
Depending on weather conditions, the route usually starts at African Banks and continues south toward Desroches before heading back to Mahé – or the reverse, which is the route we chose.
There are no shops and no mobile phone reception anywhere in the Amirantes. This means careful provisioning is essential, and a satellite phone is required in case of emergencies. On the bright side: if you enjoy fishing, you’re in for a treat. We caught multiple dinners during the crossings and between islands. From personal experience, trolling works best in depths of 50-80 meters. Insider tip: the Cedar Plug was by far the most productive lure on our trip. Bonito are almost guaranteed, but Wahoo, Kingfish, Sailfish, or Yellowfin Tuna are all real possibilities.
Desroches
Our first stop after the overnight crossing was Desroches Island. We departed Eden Island Marina around 14:00 and arrived early the next morning. The beach was one of the most pristine and beautiful I’ve ever seen – and almost completely deserted. Throughout the entire day, we counted just five people on the beach.
Desroches is home to a secluded luxury resort, with bungalows hidden among the palm trees. From our anchorage, the island looked incredibly lush and untouched.
Poivre & D’Arros
After a peaceful night at anchor, we sailed to Poivre Island. A small group of people live here, dedicated to maintaining the island and protecting its marine ecosystem. After a short visit and a walk around the island, we lifted anchor and continued on to D’Arros.
The waters between Poivre and D’Arros offer excellent fishing grounds. Upon arrival at the privately owned island of D’Arros, we were welcomed by a group of five manta rays – an unforgettable moment.
Saint Joseph Atoll
We spent the night on a Moorings buoy at D’Arros before heading to nearby Saint Joseph Atoll. Almost immediately, we were surrounded by sea turtles and an abundance of marine life.
Access to the atoll is only possible by dinghy during high tide, and even then, there are shallow areas where you’ll need to get out and walk – the water can be as shallow as 30 cm. When we reached the main island, we spotted several sea turtle nests. What made this place truly special was the complete absence of human footprints. It felt like stepping into a world untouched by time.
Remire & African Banks
Although overnight anchoring is possible at Saint Joseph, we chose to return to the Moorings buoy at D’Arros, just 15 minutes away. Early the next morning, we set course north toward African Banks, our final stop before returning to Mahé.
On the way, we stopped at Remire Island. A few locals live here, caring for the island and its ecosystem, and there’s a small cottage with an apartment available for rent. Seeing people living such a simple, isolated life was a stark contrast to the fast-paced world most of us are used to.
Our final destination was African Banks – the smallest island we visited, surrounded by an extensive reef system. This is where local knowledge becomes essential, as large rocks lie scattered across the seabed, making navigation by sight crucial. Once again, we were completely alone, able to soak in the silence and serenity.
Overnight Sail Back to Mahé
We left African Banks in the early afternoon, planning an overnight sail back to Mahé. With everyone taking watch shifts, the passage was relaxed and effortless.
Early the next morning, we arrived off Beau Vallon on the north side of Mahé. After breakfast and a quick stop at a grocery store, we enjoyed one final short sail back to Eden Island Marina.
Final Thoughts
In my opinion, the Amirante Islands are among the most beautiful places I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. That said, this kind of trip isn’t for everyone. There’s no internet, no restaurants, and no shops.
But catching our own fish almost daily – taking only what we needed – added an extra dimension to the experience. It doesn’t get fresher than that. For those seeking true remoteness, raw nature, and unforgettable sailing, the Amirantes are nothing short of magical.
About the Author
Raphael Moons represents Sunsail and The Moorings Yacht Ownership as a Sales Agent for the German and Dutch markets. With eight years of experience in the industry, he specializes in yacht sales and yacht ownership programs.
For more information about yacht ownership with Sunsail and The Moorings, or to learn more about sailing in destinations such as the Seychelles, feel free to get in touch with Raphael.
