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Yachting in Paradise
Seychelles is a group of islands and a nation in the western Indian Ocean, situated about 1,600 km from Africa’s coast to Madagascar’s north-east. They are surrounded by Mauritius and Reunion to the south, Comoros and the Maldives to the southwest. Only listening to the surrounding islands’ names is enough to make you dream of beautiful beaches, palm trees, turquoise bays, and dream of cruising on a yacht there.
Discover the beauty of Seychelles with the locals
Choose from catamarans, sailboats, or motor yachts to explore the islands of Mahé, La Digue, Praslin, Denis, or Alphonse. Each of them has a unique value and an idyllic landscape with the most beautiful beaches globally, such as Beau Vallon Beach at Mahe or Anse Source d’Argent at La Digue, which many of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Don’t just dream of visiting Seychelles with Yachtco. You can make it possible in only a few clicks.
Rent a boat in Seychelles with or without a skipper
Seychelles is the perfect paradise in the middle of the Indian Ocean. It is an archipelago of 115 islands, diverse in nature, with unspoiled sand and beaches. Seychelles should undoubtedly be on your radar if you’re looking for discovery and adventure. Located off the eastern coast of Africa, natural beauty and unique wildlife can make everyone immediately fall in love with Seychelles.
How much costs to charter a boat to Seychelles?
When it comes to renting a boat in Seychelles, there is a wide variety of boats available at various price points. If you intend to charter a yacht in Seychelles, expect to pay about €300 / day for a sailboat and € 500 / day for a catamaran. The broad range will allow you to find the most appropriate boat for your needs, either for a day or a whole week. If you are renting a boat in Seychelles, bear in mind that there is a possibility to rent a boat with a skipper so that you can enjoy a stress-free holiday in the middle of the ocean without thinking about driving a boat.
Availability of vessels in Seychelles
Due to the excellent climate in the area, a wide range of boats is available. Since Seychelles are beyond the hurricane line, sailing is possible all year round. From May to October, you’re going to have south-easterly winds with winds getting stronger to August. From December to the end of March, you’re going to have winds from the north-east that are much calmer, but you’re also going to have rain concentrated in December, January, and February.
Do I need a yacht charter license in Seychelles?
It would help if you had a valid license and an SRC to charter a boat in Seychelles. You will also need to present a nautical CV describing your past sailing experience with the seas you’ve sailed and the types of boats you’ve sailed.
If you don’t have a valid boating license or don’t feel comfortable renting a bareboat in Seychelles, you can easily hire a boat with a skipper. A skipper has local knowledge of the area, and you’re sure to see all the hidden gems of the site.
Practical details about sailing in Seychelles
Seychelles is typically divided into two parts, depending on your planned travel period. The first part of the islands, which are the 43 main islands, is the most visited. With yacht charter, the remaining outlying islands are easily reached and provide a lush, remote landscape.
The larger of the islands that people usually visit, for a good reason, is Mahé Island. As described earlier, these islands are begging to be explored. On Mahé Island, you will find spectacular waterfalls and trails through the mountain ranges that will leave you in awe.
The activity of ‘beach hopping’ currently occurs in Mahé. The island boasts over 60 different beaches, all with their distinctive personality and visually spectacular aesthetics.
After you have taken advantage of the events on the island of Mahé and its capital, Victoria, sail to the outer islands. With a few to choose from, we’re proposing to head to La Digue. With a tiny population of about 2,000 and hardly any transport facilities, the island is on the smaller side of Seychelles. When you get to your catamaran, you’ll be swept away immediately. The beaches of La Digue are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The most charming of these is the Anse Source D’Argent. With its abundance of boulders and white sand, it is no wonder that it is the most photographed beach globally.
Near and around Seychelles, you’re going to have different islands that are different and special in their way. For example, the famous island of Reunion is directly south of Seychelles. Globally known, the yacht charter in Reunion is a sailor’s dream. Madagascar is another perfect destination to hire a cruise nearby. Both of these islands would undoubtedly have an exotic holiday for your family or friends.
Seychelles are very quickly reached by taking a plane and landing on the island of Mahé. If you’re going to visit the other smaller islands, there’s a chance to take a small plane or boat to the other island areas.
Three reasons for chartering a yacht in Seychelles
2. Predictable sailing conditions
The preparation of your yacht charter in Seychelles is easy, as the sailing conditions are very predictable. Wind patterns are classified into two groups: north-west and south-east. Sailors can encounter northwesterly trade winds between December and March, with an average wind speed of 5-10 knots. From May to September, south-easterly winds blow at an average of 10-15 knots. Enjoy the tropical climate and warm waters all year round. There is not much variation in the season’s temperature, as the average temperature is between 25C and 32C daily.
The archipelago is often classified into two different categories: the inner islands and the outer islands. The internal group consists of 41 islands, while the external group has 74 islands. Sailing conditions are better in the inner islands with glorious seas and new ports to dock. Navigating the outer classes is more dangerous since there are low lying coral reefs and less sheltered. It is therefore suggested to continue exploring the inner islands of Mahe, La Digue, and Praslin!
2.The Nature Enthusiast Playground
Pack your snorkeling equipment onboard your charter yacht and cruise to the first underwater protected area in the Indian Ocean, the St. Anne Marine National Park. Located 5 km from the coast of Mahe, this marine reserve consists of six islands full of tropical wildlife. Clearwater, an abundance of coral reefs, and rare aquatic species make it an ideal hot spot for snorkeling. Water sports and fishing are prohibited in this region, so make the most of the rare tranquility. Come and marvel at the extraordinary experience of seeing the sea turtle nest on Cousin Island in broad daylight. Cousin Island is a nature sanctuary for the critically endangered hawksbill turtle and Seychelles warblers, a real wonder for nature enthusiasts. Located a mile from Praslin Island, it’s just a short boat ride away.
3. Creole Kitchen
Just as island culture is a combination of various backgrounds, so is its cuisine. Surrounded by fish, you’re likely to enjoy some of the freshest seafood you’ve ever eaten. Spend the morning fishing on your yacht charter in Seychelles for your next lunch or anchor to try one of the many top Creole restaurants. Many of the regular dishes often involve curry and rice mixed with meat or fish. Why don’t you try anything new while there? Fruit Bat is a famous local delicacy and is mostly eaten in curry or grilled.
Mahe’s Day
Mahe is the most populated and largest island in Seychelles. Its inhabitants make up 90 % of the population of the archipelago. Start your holiday by flying to the international airport located just 11 km from the capital city and where your boat rental is waiting for you at the local port—traveling to this island on a Saturday night? Stop at the Victoria market and accept the culture of the island. Explore the many lively stalls and stock your yacht charter with locally produced food and spices for a week! After that, take a walk through the streets of Victoria and find the Clock Tower, a famous landmark.
Visit the Botanical Garden to walk through rare species of plants and animals. This oasis has to be seen during your nautical journey! A long day of touring is a treat! Treat yourself to some tasty island bites and stop at one of the many top-notch restaurants on the island. Eat new seafood while watching the sunset over Eden’s restaurant. This place is renowned for its fantastic atmosphere and service. Are you looking for some local Cajun and Creole cuisine? Stop by Marie Antoinette, and you’ll immediately fall in love with every meal.
On Mahe, Port Victoria is the only official port to come and go to this perfect piece of paradise. Launch your nautical expedition right from the heart of where it all happens. Then fly to explore the unspoiled beauty that the rest of the archipelago has to bring!
How to get in there
Travel directly to Seychelles International Airport, which provides non-stop flights from 16 cities with over 140 international flights a week. This busy airport is just 11 km south-east of the capital Victoria, enabling guests to hire a boat within minutes. Skip security lines when you’re trying to fly from island to island and embark on a yacht charter in Seychelles – the fastest and most beautiful way to go!
Seychelles yacht charter
Standing 1,000 miles off the east coast of Africa, between 240 and 600 miles north of the equator in the Indian Ocean, the 115 islands that make up the Republic of Seychelles are among the most remote in the world. Arab merchants sailed about 800 A.D. to Seychelles. Phoenician, Polynesian, Chinese, and European explorers quickly followed, but it was not until the 1700s that the French colonizers settled on the larger islands. Today, the entire country’s population is just 84,000 and reflects a rich mix of French, British, Indian, Middle Eastern, and African culture. French influence remains prominent; Creole is widely spoken in English.
Coral atolls make up most of the Outer Islands. Still, the majority of the Inner Islands, the largest of which are Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue, are geological wonders of twisted granite, mountainous and lush tropical forests that sustain bird species found nowhere else on Earth. Giant turtles inhabit some of Seychelles, nestling on fine, white-sand beaches lined with exquisitely stunning coral reefs and azure seas that make a Seychelles yacht charter holiday memorable and enriching.
Seychelles is located in a balmy, relatively calm swath of the Indian Ocean, covering about 150,000 square miles. However, the Seychelles charter holidays concentrate on the central Inner Islands, all of which are close together, making it easy to get between them. In this part of the world, the annual monsoon affects the directions of weather and wind. The north-west monsoon starts in November, with more northwesterly winds and more rain than usual from May to October when the winds move south-easterly from April. No matter the season, the wind speeds vary from 10 to 20 knots on average, and the temperature ranges from 82 ° F to 86 ° F.
Wind-driven currents travel in the direction of seasonal winds and are usually just over one knot. However, in some areas, such as in narrow channels between islands, the current can be much healthier. The tidal range is between 4.5 and 5.9 feet. Like wind-driven currents, tidal currents can be rapid in narrow channels. Seychelles cruise vacation is well within the scope of captains who are confident in simple coastal navigation.
The Seychelles yacht charter unfolds in an exotic, less-traveled part of the world, which is what makes a trip to Seychelles so enticing. Tiny, secluded coves lined with magnificent palms set back from pristine white sandy beaches in several of the islands, and just off the coast are coral reefs resplendent in shades of brown, orange, green, and blue. Half of Seychelles is set aside as a natural reserve to protect endangered birds – the Seychelles bulbulbul, black parrot, and fruit pigeon, to name a few – and giant tortoises that live nowhere else except in the Pacific Islands of Galapagos. The natural wonders are enough to make a trip to Seychelles unforgettable. Seaside resorts, boutiques, and fine restaurants located on some of the Inner Islands add a touch of luxury to Seychelles’ experience.
You don’t need a sailing license to spend a carefree holiday on a gulet. These boats are always equipped with a crew that allows you to relax and take in the sights.
Sailing yachts and catamarans are often rented as bareboat, but there is always the possibility of chartering them with a local skipper for those who wish.
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