VACATIONS

B & B package, Seychelles region

Basic yachting infrastructure in the Seychelles

Most of the sailing is centred around the main island of Mahé, where the international airport and the base of most charter boats are located. On the island, you'll find the luxurious Eden Island Marina, where you can rent the perfect boat. The marina is located on a man-made island between the airport and the capital city of Victoria with the boats easily reachable by taxi across the bridge. The marina infrastructure meets all the standards we are used to.

Luxury Eden Island Marina on Mahé Island

Before you set sail, supplies can be purchased directly from the marketplace on the pier or, alternatively, you can take a taxi to the cheap STC supermarket. Expect to be able to buy no more than sundries on the voyage itself, as there are only smaller, less well-stocked shops on the other islands. Our Catamaran is Sunsail 424/4/4 2022 year. Catamarans are ideal for cruising in the Seychelles as they offer greater comfort, plus the shallow draft allows you to get closer to the coral atolls and beaches than on a monohull.

Where to sail in the Seychelles?

Most sailors visit the area of the so-called inner islands bordered by the private Bird Island to the north, Mahé to the south, Silhouette Island to the west and Grande Soeur to the east. The other islands of the archipelago are too far away and are only accessible with a special permit and a local captain on board. But the inner islands themselves will keep you happily occupied for several weeks.

The island of Mahé alone (28 km long) offers enough to keep you occupied for a week. It has one of the most beautiful beaches, Beau Vallon, which you won't feel like leaving. If you do want to explore the whole of the inner islands, expect to cover some 250–300 nautical miles (the farthest Bird Island is 54 NM from Mahé, the popular Praslin about 20 NM). If you want to enjoy leisurely sailing without much stress and enough time to discover all the beauty there, go for a fortnight's holiday instead.

Another option is to divide your holiday in paradise into two separate parts — boat and land — and dedicate a week to each. Trust us, you'll never get bored. See below for our tips on how to make the most of a week at sea in the Seychelles.

Seychelles: week-long sailing route between Mahé and Praslin

The most famous islands of Mahé and Praslin certainly have plenty to offer their visitors. Come with us as we depart on a 7-day sailing adventure that really makes the most of this piece of paradise.

Day 1: Mahé Island, Eden Marina — St. Anne Marine Park

Day 2: St. Anne Marine Park — Praslin Island, Anse Lazio

Day 3: Anse Lazio — Curieuse Island, Anse Volbert

Day 4: Anse Volbert — Baie St. Anne

Day 5: Baie St. Anne — La Digue Island, La Passe Harbour

Day 6: La Passe — Mahé Island, Beau Vallon

Day 7: Beau Vallon — Eden Marina

Our voyage starts in the Eden marina on the main island of Mahé. From there we sail along the southwest coast of the island to the islands that make up St. Anne National Park. The park is open daily from 8.30 am to 5 pm and there is an admission fee, including a boat charge for overnight moorings. Keep on the lookout, as giant petrels like to hang around St. Anne's National Park.

The following day we sail northwards to Anse Lazio Bay on the northwest side of Praslin Island. Turquoise waters and white sand make Anse Lazio one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Be sure not to leave your snorkelling gear on board the boat — if you're lucky you'll be able to swim with the sea turtles that feed among the rocks at the edge of the beach.

After a night in the bay, we head east to the town of Anse Volbert with a stop at Curieuse Island. If you have time, head ashore and visit a turtle farm with over a hundred wild specimens. On the fourth day, the voyage will take us to the picturesque bay of Baie Sainte Anne and the town of the same name with its numerous inviting restaurants and bars.

On the fifth day we leave Praslin Island and sail through the Indian Ocean towards the island of La Digue. Here you can anchor in the local harbour. Anchoring here is a bit more complicated here — first drop the bow anchor and then, using a dinghy, you bring the rope ashore. Remember that the harbour is often full and reservations are not possible, so don't arrive too late. There are several restaurants in La Passe as well as a grocery store for restocking. If you're sporty, rent a bike from one of the local bike rental shops and take a ride along the empty roads of La Digue. These lead to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, such as Grande Anse or Anse Source d'Argent, where Bacardi and Raffaello commercials were filmed. From Grande Anse, walk (about 45 minutes) to the deserted paradise bay of Anse Cocos. But we'll save the most stunning beach for the last day — sailing back to Mahé Island to Beau Vallon beach to bid farewell to our voyage of the Seychelles.

Grande Anse Beach, La Digue Island, Seychelles

Snorkelling with turtles

In addition to its breathtaking beaches, the Seychelles is teeming with natural beauty and culinary delights. The delicious Creole cuisine, which consists primarily of rice and fish, is worth sampling and you'll discover fascinating fauna and flora both above and below the water's surface. Inland, you can visit rainforests and waterfalls and observe some of the many species of turtles that live on the island. On land, you'll even encounter giant tortoises.

Aldabra giant tortoise on the beach near Praslin

Whilst scuba-diving and snorkelling, you may come across a hawksbill or big leatherback sea turtle, which has a shell length of around 2 metres. And such an encounter underwater is a magical experience! In addition to turtles, you'll see hundreds of species of marine animals, including the majestic stingrays, beautifully coloured corals as well as ancient shipwrecks.

And by far the best snorkelling is from the deck of your own boat. So why not ditch the usual destinations for something a little more exotic and try out yachting in the Seychelles?

The price includes: boat rental, final cleaning, captain's services, flight ticket, transfer from/to the airport in Mahe