Sailing in Seychelles, an ultimate adventure

Summer is on its way out in the Northern Hemisphere, but don’t worry if you didn’t soak up enough sunshine. It’s always summer somewhere. Take the Seychelles, for example, an archipelago of 115 idyllic islands. Sailing in the Seychelles will offer you the opportunity to explore unspoiled coves and stunning beaches.

The archipelago includes two main groups of islands, the Inner Islands and the Outer Islands. The former includes the three most populous islands in the Seychelles: Praslin, La Digue and Mahé, home to Victoria, the country’s capital.

Explore the Inner and Outer Seychelles

Sailing in the Seychelles Inner Islands is the safest option. You’ll find modern marinas here and plenty of sheltered mooring spots. You will also have the opportunity to visit the coral islands of Denis Island and Bird Island. Mooring is not allowed there to protect the fragile ecosystem but it’s worth sailing past.

For something a bit more adventurous, explore the Outer Islands. Scattered between their Inner sisters and the Eastern coast of Africa, these 72 coral islands are scarcely populated. Discover coves, atolls and grottoes of unparalleled beauty, as well as anchorage spots to spend the night.

However, sailing in these waters can be treacherous. If you opt for a bareboat charter, beware of currents and coral reefs. You may find yourself hundreds of miles away from the next port of call, so make sure that you have enough supplies.

Regulations on sailing in the Seychelles

Bareboat yachting in islands located at least 60 miles away from Mahé is only permitted during the day and after consulting the local authorities. If you want to visit one of the several marine parks, you can anchor in the designated zones. Some of the best marine parks to explore include Aride, Curieuse Marine National Park, St Anne Marine National Park, Port Launay Marine Park, Ile Coco Marine National Park and St Pierre.

Some islands, such as Bird, Cousine and Felicite, are privately-owned. Permission is needed to dock there and to visit them.

Winds and currents in the Seychelles

Sailing in the Seychelles is not particularly challenging, as the archipelago is out of the Indian Ocean’s cyclone belt. The waters are therefore relatively calm. The speed of local currents ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 knots on average. The prevailing winds in the region are north-westerly from winter to early spring. In late spring and summer, south-easterly winds take over. The best period to sail in the Seychelles is April and November when the trade winds change direction. Winds tend to be stronger in the summer in the Outer Islands. In the Inner Islands, winds are stronger during the winter.