Africa

Mother Nature was unbelievably generous with the Seychelles, a fabled paradise whose islands lie scattered across the Indian Ocean. Spellbinding beaches are the main attraction, and what beaches! Exquisite ribbons of sand lapped by turquoise waters and backed by lush hills, palm trees and Dali-esque boulders. Beyond the beach, diving and snorkelling are brilliant in the warm waters amid abundant marine life, while few places on the planet do ocean-side luxury quite like the Seychelles. Mahé is the largest island and entry point to the Seychelles, with some fabulous resorts, restaurants and beaches, not to mention the small capital city of Victoria. But it’s also the busiest island, with glorious Praslin and La Digue. Even further out, there are real lost-world islands to be found.

The Seychelles’ charm lies in its isolation. The archipelago’s 115 idyllic islands are scattered all over the Indian Ocean. They’re 500 miles from their closest neighbour, Madagascar, and 900 miles from the shores of the African mainland. Thanks to this seclusion, its beaches and forests are virtually untouched and rarely crowded.

Mahé – by far the largest and most developed of the Seychelles islands, Mahé is home to the country’s capital, Victoria, and to about 90% of the Seychelles’ population. As such it’s both as busy as the Seychelles gets, and home to the largest selection of resorts and activities, from the hiking possibilities across the rugged interior of Morne Seychellois National Park to diving pristine sites and snorkelling within sight of whale sharks in or just beyond the glorious bays caressed by gorgeously multihued waters. The west coast, from top to bottom, is one long string of stunning beaches and outstanding accommodation, but there are plenty of secret gems elsewhere. And wherever you’re based, paradise lies close at hand.

Morne Seychellois National Park – while the dazzling coastline of Mahé is undoubtedly the island’s main attraction, its mountainous interior is a dramatic landscape that’s wonderful to explore. The splendid Morne Seychellois National Park encompasses an impressive 20% of the land area of Mahé and contains a wide variety of habitats, from coastal mangrove forests up to the country’s highest peak, the Morne Seychellois (905m). Choked in thick forest, the enigmatic central part of the park is virtually deserted and can only be reached by walking trails; the trailheads are mostly accessible by road. Up here, you don’t have to go very far before the outside world starts to feel a long, long way away.

La Digue – a marvel. A simple word but one that conveys so many aspects of the Seychelles’ third-most inhabited island. The coastline, one bewitching bay after another, is studded with heart-palpitations gorgeous beaches. The hilly interior is cloaked with tangled jungle, tall trees and wild hiking trails. Yet, miraculously, the vast majority of it is untouched by development. You don’t have to look further than Anse Marron – it’s one of the planet’s most beautiful beaches but accessible by foot only. And even where infrastructure exists – around the sleepy tropical port in La Passe and La Réunion – everything is so laid-back that visiting feels like a step back in time. One of the most charming elements is that the preferred method of transport here, the old-fashioned bicycle.

Praslin – a wicked seductress, Praslin has lots of temptations: stylish lodgings, tangled velvet jungle that’s ripe for exploration, curving hills dropping down to gin-clear seas, gorgeous stretches of silky sand edged with palm trees and a slow-motion ambience. No, you’re not dreaming – this is the Seychelles you dreamed of when you first imagined this tropical archipelago.

Victoria – Welcome to one of the world’s smallest capital cities. Victoria may be the country’s main economic, political and commercial hub, and it may be home to about a third of the Seychelles’ population, but it retains the air of a provincial town. While it may not fulfil all fantasies about tropical paradise, the city still has a little charm and a little promise when you scratch beneath the surface. There’s a bustling market, a terrific new history museum, manicured botanical gardens and a fistful of old colonial buildings sidling up alongside modern structures and shops. It’s also a good place to grab last-minute gifts before heading home.

WEATHER

Average temperatures in the Seychelles are warm all year round at between 26ºC and 28ºC. The best time to visit for sailing the Seychelles is during the season transition in April – November when the water visibility is optimal at 28 meters – perfect for swimming, snorkeling and diving.

Come and join on a 7-day sailing adventure that will allow you to make the most of this piece of paradise.

PASSAGE

Week no 1

1.   Mahé, Eden Marina to Vallee de Mai in Baie Ste Anne
2.   Baie Ste Anne to St. Pierre islet
3.   St. Pierre islet to Cousin Island and Baie Ste Anne (night)
4.   Baie Ste Anne to La Dingue (anchor in Petite or Grande Anse)
5.   Sail around isles of Marrianne and Felicite – Curieuse (Laraie Bay – night) or Baie Ste Anne (supplies)
6.   Grande Soeur to  Baie Ste Anne
7.   Baie Ste Anne to Eden Marina

Week no 2

1.   Mahé, Eden Marina to Vallee de Mai in Baie Ste Anne
2.   Baie Ste Anne to La Dingue Island
3.   Sail around isles of Marrianne and Felicite  – Curieuse
4.   Curieuse to St. Pierre islet
5.   St. Pierre islet to Aride Island – Curieuse (Laraie Bay – night)
6.   Curieuse to Cousin Island
7.   Cousin Island to Eden Marina

Week no 3 

1.       Mahé, Eden Marina to Vallee de Mai in Baie Ste Anne
2.       Baie Ste Anne to Praslin Island, Anse Lazio
3.       Anse Lazio to Curieuse (Anse Volbert)
4.       Curieuse (Anse Volbert) to Baie St. Anne (supplies)
5.       Baie St. Anne to La Digue Island, port La Passe
6.       La Passe to Mahé (Beau Vallon)
7.       Beau Vallon – Eden Marina

DATES

14 Oct – 20 Oct 2024 

21 Oct – 27 Oct 2024

COSTS

£1200 pp + €250 contribution (food on board, fuel, marina fees, etc).

PASSPORT AND VISAS

Please note, your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry to Seychelles. For the most up-to-date passport and visa info, visit

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/seychelles

Visas

British passport holders do not need a visa for tourist visits. However, it is mandatory for visitors to apply for a digital Travel Authorisation, which determines a person’s travel eligibility to Seychelles. On arrival, you’ll be issued with a visitor’s permit provided that you meet the entry requirements of Seychelles authority.