The best Seychelles Islands to sail around
If your holiday is a time for you to treat yourself and do nothing more than soak up the sun and see new places, sailing is a great way to explore some of the most beautiful parts of the world. A yacht charter in the Indian Ocean is one perfect example and will allow you to discover the Seychelles.
The Seychelles Islands are made up of 115 landmasses that cover an area of 455 sq km, so you will certainly be spoilt for choice when deciding which ones to explore by boat. Of the 115 isles, 74 form low-lying coral atolls and reef islands, while 41 are older and made from granite. As such, each one varies from the other, making a getaway to this part of the Indian Ocean a varied and interesting break.
So, if you had to pick a handful of islands, which ones should you put on your sailing itinerary? Below you will find a guide to the best ones to explore by yacht.
Mahe
The main Seychelles Island is Mahe and despite its cultural and tourism importance, measures just 28 km by 8 km and has a population of around 72,000. This means it still feels small, welcoming and exotic. You will probably fly into the international airport here, and, as your plane descends, you will spot the 1,000 m granite peaks that form an eye-catching backdrop to Mahe.
You can't help but relax as soon as you step onboard your yacht in the glorious Seychelles sunshine, although you might want to carefully choose which time of the year you visit, depending on the type of sailing conditions you would prefer.
April and May boast the most sunshine but have 80 per cent humidity and lots of rain. May to October might be more suitable if you want to avoid downpours, as the skies are much clearer during these months. However, whatever time of the year you come, you need to remember that the abundance of coral reefs means only a skipper with experience should take to the helm to tackle the challenging sailing conditions, especially during monsoon months.
Your sailing adventure will no doubt begin on Mahe, which has lots of beaches to choose from. The clear waters are perfect for swimming and snorkelling, two activities you will no doubt get the chance to do lots of during your Seychelles holiday. Don't forget to sample the local Seybrew beer, as well as a large dish of tasty Creole cuisine.
Praslin
Praslin is the second-largest island of the Seychelles, but enjoys a population of around 6,500 people and takes just two hours to explore by car. It may be small, but it is certainly well worth putting on your sailing agenda as it is simply stunning.
The Seychelles black parrot lives on the island within the Vallee de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is often described as the Garden of Eden. The bird is one of the rarest in the world, while tree frogs, fruit bats, geckos also call the palm forest home. What attracts the black parrot to this part of the Seychelles is the rare Coco de Mer palm tree, which produces the planet's largest seed and can grow as tall as 30 m.
La Digue
Another one of the best Seychelles Islands to sail around in the Indian Ocean is La Digue. You will need to head to La Passe harbour to anchor, as no moorings are available here. Head to L'Union Estate Park to be in with a chance of spotting giant tortoises, while the huge granite boulder at Anse L'Union is a big draw for visitors, as it's shape as been created solely by the natural elements.
If you want to indulge in a spot of sunbathing as you lap up your glorious surroundings, make your way to the quieter Anse Source d'Argent beach, which is viewed as one of the best in the entire Seychelles thanks to its rocky seascape, palm trees and dazzling white sand. As you can see, a yacht charter around this corner of the world really will allow you to enjoy a luxurious break filled with plenty of sun, sea, sand, Creole cuisine, amazing flora and fauna and lots of friendly welcomes.
