Yacht Charter Seychelles

Yacht Charter in the Seychelles

The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands located in the western Indian Ocean northeast of Madagascar, and it is one of the most biologically diverse and visually extraordinary places on Earth. The islands fall into two main groups: the Inner Islands, a cluster of 41 granitic islands centred on the main island of Mahe; and the Outer Islands, a scattering of low coralline atolls and reef islands extending southwest to the Aldabra atoll, one of the world's largest raised coral atolls and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For yacht charter, the Seychelles offers sailing through a landscape of almost surreal beauty: massive rounded pink granite boulders, lush tropical vegetation, beaches of talcum-powder white sand, and water of an impossibly vivid turquoise.

Mahe and the Inner Islands

Mahe, the largest island in the Seychelles, is the main arrival point and charter base. Victoria, the world's smallest capital city, has a charming indoor market, a botanical garden, and a small but excellent natural history museum. The island's mountainous interior — rising to 905 metres at the Morne Seychellois — is covered in primeval forest, and the coastal scenery is spectacular. The best beaches on Mahe include Beau Vallon on the northwest coast — the most accessible and popular — and the more remote southern beaches of Petite Anse and Anse Intendance, accessible by 4WD or by boat.

Praslin and La Digue

Praslin, the second-largest island, is home to the Vallee de Mai — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of only two places in the world where the coco de mer palm grows in its natural state. The coco de mer produces the largest seed of any plant in the world, weighing up to 25 kilograms. The island's main beach, Anse Lazio, is consistently rated among the finest in the world: a crescent of white sand backed by granite boulders and takamaka trees, with turquoise water and excellent snorkelling on the reef. La Digue, a 20-minute boat ride from Praslin, is the most atmospheric of the inner islands — cars are rare, and bicycles are the main form of transport. Its beach, Anse Source d'Argent, is one of the most photographed in the world.

Wildlife and Nature

The Seychelles has invested heavily in conservation, and the results are visible throughout the archipelago. Aldabra, accessible on extended charters, is home to the world's largest population of giant Aldabra tortoises — over 100,000 animals. Bird Island and Aride Island are major seabird breeding colonies. Curieuse Island, near Praslin, has a programme for rehabilitating Aldabra tortoises and a mangrove system that is a nursery for reef fish. The underwater world is equally rich: hawksbill turtles nest on many beaches, whale sharks are present year-round, and the coral reefs — despite some bleaching from warm water events — still support extraordinary biodiversity.

Sailing Season and Conditions

The Seychelles charter season runs in two phases: April and May (between the monsoons), and October and November (the inter-monsoon period). These months offer calm winds, clear skies, and flat seas ideal for sailing between islands. December through March brings the northwest monsoon with gentle breezes and the best diving visibility; May through September brings the southeast trade winds that can make some passages more challenging but create excellent conditions for experienced sailors. Water temperatures remain above 26 degrees Celsius throughout the year.