Anchored off a beach where pink granite boulders tumble into water the colour of melted turquoise, with no ferry crowd in sight and the only sound the clatter of a halyard against the mast — that is the version of Seychelles you get from a boat. The archipelago of 115 islands scattered across the Indian Ocean is one of the few places where ancient granite peaks rise directly from a coral-fringed shallow shelf, giving you towering topography and reef-fringed anchorages in the same day.
The Seychelles is one of the few places where ancient granite islands rise from a coral-fringed shallow shelf in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
Most visitors see Seychelles from a resort balcony or a day-trip ferry. From the deck of a catamaran or private yacht, you see something else entirely: the quieter outer beaches of Praslin that stay empty until noon, the reef at Ste Anne Marine Park after the last day boat leaves, and Anse Source d’Argent before the first ferry arrives from Praslin. The trade-off is real — this is a premium-priced destination, and the coral reefs demand careful navigation — but for the right crew, sailing here redefines what an island holiday can be.
Sailing the Seychelles by catamaran or private yacht is the best way to reach quieter beaches, anchor in marine parks after the day boats leave, and access La Digue’s famous beach before the ferry crowds arrive. But it is not a budget trip, and navigating coral reefs requires either an experienced skipper or a hired local captain. For most groups, a crewed catamaran in the April–May or October–November shoulder season hits the sweet spot between cost, conditions, and solitude.
Experienced sailors
Families with older kids
Couples
The Inner Islands — Mahé, Praslin, La Digue, and the smaller granite outcrops around them — form a compact cruising ground where most passages are under 20 nautical miles. A well-planned week covers the classic loop, with three to four hours of sailing per day leaving afternoons free for snorkelling, beach time, or simply watching the boat swing at anchor. Here is how that week breaks down, stop by stop.
| Stop | Distance from Mahé | Highlight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ste Anne Marine Park | 5 nm | Reef snorkelling, giant tortoises on Moyenne | First-night anchorage, families |
| Praslin | 35 nm | Vallée de Mai, Anse Lazio | UNESCO site, beach lovers |
| Cousin Island | ~40 nm from Mahé | Seabird sanctuary, fairy terns | Nature enthusiasts |
| La Digue | ~40 nm from Mahé | Anse Source d’Argent, bike culture | Photographers, couples |
| Soeur Islands | ~44 nm from Mahé | Best snorkelling on the route | Snorkellers, solitude seekers |
| Silhouette Island | ~20 nm NW of Mahé | Hiking, single resort, quiet anchorage | Hikers, final-night stop |
Mahé and Ste Anne Marine Park — Provisioning and a Quiet First Night
Your journey begins at Berth Eden Island Marina, just northeast of Victoria on Mahé. This is the main charter hub for Seychelles, with secure berths, shore power, water, and the best supermarket access in the islands — critical when you are stocking up for a week at sea. Most charter companies base their fleets here, and the marina’s restaurants and bars make the first evening straightforward while your crew settles in.
The sail to Ste Anne Marine Park is barely 5 nautical miles from the marina — barely an hour under sail. Marine park fees run €10 to €15 per person per day, payable at the park authority before you anchor. The reward is a reef-fringed protected area with six islands to explore, and after the day boats motor back to Victoria around 4 p.m., you have the place largely to yourself.
Stock up at Victoria’s supermarkets before leaving Eden Island. Plan €40 to €60 per person per day for groceries and the occasional meal ashore. Pay marine park fees at the park authority office before anchoring.
The short 5 nm sail leaves the afternoon free for snorkelling the house reef off Cerf Island or visiting Moyenne Island’s private nature reserve, where giant tortoises roam freely. The best snorkelling is on the east side of Cerf.
Day-trip boats clear out by late afternoon. You’ll have the anchorage nearly to yourself — a quiet introduction to what makes sailing Seychelles different from a land-based trip.
Moyenne Island’s giant tortoises are most active in the cooler morning hours — dinghy over before 9 a.m. if you want to see them moving around the nature reserve paths.
Heading into Ste Anne Marine Park reframed the day. For anyone in your crew who has never anchored overnight in a reef-fringed bay, this first evening sets the tone: calm water, warm air, and the sense that you’ve left the resort crowds behind.
Praslin — Vallée de Mai and Anse Lazio
The passage from Ste Anne to Praslin runs about 35 nautical miles and takes five to six hours depending on wind. This is the longest open-water leg of the Inner Islands Classic route, but it delivers you to the heart of the Seychelles sailing grounds. Praslin sits at the centre of the inner islands, with good moorings at Baie Sainte Anne, a small market for fresh provisions, and dinghy access to the Vallée de Mai UNESCO site.
Anse Lazio on Praslin’s northwest tip consistently ranks among the world’s most photographed beaches, and it earns the reputation — soft white sand, granite boulder bookends, and a reef shelf that keeps the water calm for swimming. From the boat, you can anchor off the beach and dinghy in, which means you arrive before the taxi-borne crowd and leave when you choose. The inner island’s Vallée de Mai and the trails beyond it are covered in more detail in a separate guide, but for a sailing itinerary, half a day here is plenty.
The southeast trade wind season (June to August) can make the exposed passage from Mahé to Praslin choppy. If your crew is nervous in swell, consider departing Mahé at first light when winds are typically lighter, or schedule this leg during the April–May or October–November shoulder seasons.
Cousin Island and Curieuse — Wildlife You Can Only Reach by Boat
From Praslin, a short morning sail brings you to Cousin Island, a strict nature reserve and bird sanctuary that requires a pre-arranged guided tour. The birdlife here is extraordinary: fairy terns, tropicbirds, and one of the densest concentrations of breeding seabirds in the region. Landing is controlled, so book ahead through the reserve’s website or ask your charter operator to arrange it.
Curieuse Island lies a few nautical miles west of Cousin and offers a different kind of wildlife encounter: a giant tortoise sanctuary and mangrove boardwalks that let you walk through one of the healthiest coastal ecosystems in the inner islands. The anchorage off Curieuse is well-protected, and the shallow water makes for easy dinghy landings. For families with younger kids, the tortoise sanctuary is a highlight — the tortoises are approachable, the walk is flat, and the mangroves provide shade.
Cousin Island tours must be arranged in advance — you cannot just dinghy ashore. Ask your charter company to book it before you leave Mahé, or contact the reserve directly at least 48 hours ahead. Tours typically run in the morning and last about two hours.
La Digue — Anse Source d’Argent Before the Crowds
La Digue is 5 nautical miles east of Praslin — barely 30 minutes under power. The island is small enough that ox carts still outnumber cars, and bicycles are the main form of transport. Anchor in the bay north of the main jetty, take the dinghy ashore, and rent bikes for the day.
Anse Source d’Argent is a 20-minute bicycle ride across the island, and those pink granite boulders and shallow turquoise water are among the most recognisable beach images in the world. The key is timing: arrive before 9 a.m. if you want the beach largely to yourself. From a boat, this is straightforward — you are already anchored offshore and can be on the sand before the first ferry from Praslin arrives. Most yachts treat La Digue as a half-day stop rather than an overnight, especially during the southeast monsoon when the anchorage can be rolly.
If you have time, the scramble to Anse Marron on the island’s south coast is a rewarding detour for more active crews — a 45-minute walk over granite boulders to a wild beach with no development at all.
Grande Soeur and Petite Soeur — The Best Snorkelling on the Route
The Soeur Islands, about 4 nautical miles northeast of La Digue, are where the Inner Islands route delivers its best underwater payoff. Anchor off the northeast tip of Grande Soeur for the best reef access. The coral here is healthy, the fish life is dense, and day-trip boats from Praslin rarely stay past mid-afternoon, which means you can have the reef to yourself for the late afternoon snorkel session.
Coco Island, a speck of granite with two boulders and superb snorkelling, lies nearby and is worth a stop if conditions are calm. The visibility during the October–November transition months is particularly good — often the clearest of the year — making this stretch of the route ideal for anyone keen on underwater photography. For a deeper dive into the best snorkelling and diving sites across the archipelago, the Seychelles underwater world guide covers the full picture.
The reef at Grande Soeur comes up fast. Approach slowly and post a lookout on the bow. Catamarans with their shallower draft have a clear advantage here — monohulls drawing more than 2 metres should stay within marked channels.
Silhouette Island — A Quiet Return Leg
If your itinerary allows, the return to Mahé via Silhouette Island adds one more memorable stop. Silhouette is a granite island about 20 nautical miles northwest of Mahé, with a single resort and excellent hiking trails through coastal forest. The anchorage is quiet, and the island’s protected status means development is minimal. Anchor overnight here and make the final 10 nautical miles back to Mahé the following morning.
Silhouette works well as a decompression stop before check-out — a chance for one last snorkel, a hike up to the viewpoint, or simply a quiet evening on deck. The island’s family-friendly trails and nature experiences are worth exploring if you have a half-day to spare before the final sail to Eden Island Marina.
Practical Section — Charter Costs, Skipper Decisions, and Seasonality
Getting the logistics right matters more here than in most sailing destinations. The Seychelles is not a budget bareboat playground — it is a premium cruising ground where the right preparation separates a trip you’ll remember fondly from one you’ll remember expensively.
| Yacht type | Low season (per week) | High season (per week) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monohull 40–45 ft | €2,500–€4,000 | €4,000–€6,500 | 4–6 people, experienced sailors |
| Catamaran 42–46 ft | €4,500–€7,000 | €7,000–€12,000 | 6–10 people, families, first-timers |
| Skipper add-on | €200–€250 per day | Any group | |
The base charter fee covers the boat, standard safety equipment, and basic domestic equipment. Everything else is extra. The Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) typically runs 30 to 35% of the charter fee and covers fuel, marina fees, and provisioning. Marine park fees add €10 to €15 per person per day. For a group of six on a catamaran in shoulder season, a realistic all-in budget is €12,000 to €15,000 for the week, before flights.
Low season corresponds broadly to the southeast trade wind period (May to September). High season peaks in December and January. The shoulder months of April–May and October–November offer the best balance: calmer seas, lower prices, and fewer boats at the best anchorages.
Catamaran vs. Monohull
For most groups sailing Seychelles, a catamaran is the right call. The shallower draft lets you nose into reef-fringed anchorages that a deep-keeled monohull cannot reach. The wide deck space is genuinely useful in tropical heat — everyone gets room to spread out. And stability at anchor means better sleep and less seasickness for guests who are not regular sailors. A monohull makes sense for experienced sailors who prioritise sailing performance, or for a couple or small group of four who do not need the extra living space.
Do You Need a Skipper?
Most people chartering in Seychelles book a skippered yacht, and the research backs this up. Bareboat charter requires an International Certificate of Competence plus documented offshore experience, and many operators ask for proof of completed offshore passages. Coral reefs demand careful chart work, and squalls can build in under 30 minutes to 25 or 30 knots during the trade wind season. A local skipper knows which side of an island to anchor on, which passages to avoid in certain wind directions, and which beach restaurants are worth the dinghy trip. For a group of six to eight, splitting the skipper cost of €200 to €250 per day works out to €30 to €40 per person — reasonable for the value added.
If you are considering bareboat, be honest with the charter company about your experience level. The consequences of a grounding in a remote location are serious — there are no quick tow services in the outer anchorages. Go through the application process with logbook evidence ready.
Best Time to Sail
April to May and October to November are the sweet spots. These transition months fall between the two main monsoon seasons, bringing lighter winds (10 to 15 knots, often variable), calmer seas, and lower charter prices than the peak December–January period. Water visibility for snorkelling peaks during October–November. The southeast trade wind season (June to August) is reliable but can be choppy on exposed passages — experienced bareboaters handle it fine, but it is not the right introduction for nervous crews. November to April offers mild northwest winds suitable for all experience levels, which is why December and January command peak prices.
Before You Go — Seychelles Sailing
Do I need a sailing licence to charter a boat here?
Yes for bareboat — you need a valid sailing licence and a nautical CV summarising your experience. No for crewed charter — the skipper holds the necessary qualifications, and you do not need any licence.
How many days do I need for a sailing trip?
Seven days comfortably covers the Inner Islands loop of Mahé, Praslin, La Digue, and the smaller stops. Ten days opens detours to Silhouette or more remote anchorages. Five days is tight but possible if you skip one or two stops.
What is the single biggest cost I might underestimate?
The Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) at 30 to 35% of the charter fee catches many first-timers off guard. On a €7,000 catamaran charter, that is an extra €2,100 to €2,450 before you add marine park fees, skipper tips, and eating ashore.
Is sailing in Seychelles safe for a family with younger kids?
Yes, during the November to April wind window in the Inner Islands, where passages are short and anchorages are well-protected. Choose a catamaran for stability at anchor, keep crossings under two hours, and book a skipper who knows the local anchorages. The May to October window and any Outer Islands route is better saved for when the kids are older.
Should I start from Mahé or Praslin?
Mahé is the only option with a full international airport and provisioning infrastructure — start here if you are flying in and doing a full week. Praslin is better for shorter trips because it puts you closer to La Digue and the Soeur islands from day one, but you will need to fly or ferry there first.
Closing
What stays with you after a week sailing the Seychelles is not any single beach or anchorage — it is the rhythm of moving under sail between islands that feel genuinely different from one another, each with its own character, its own light, and its own pace. From the deck of a boat, the archipelago reveals itself not as a collection of postcard stops but as a connected world where the journey between them is the best part. And after the anchor is up and the last line is stowed, the night sky over the Indian Ocean — free from any resort lights — is its own kind of farewell. The Southern Hemisphere constellations visible from a quiet anchorage are a fitting end to a trip that rewards those who go a little farther from shore.
References
SailingClick. “Yacht Charter Seychelles – Complete Guide 2026.” SailingClick, 2025. ↗
CharterClick. “Seychelles Sailing Itinerary – Island Routes for Yacht Travel.” CharterClick, 2025. ↗
CharterClick. “Sailing in Seychelles – Routes, Seasons, and Charter Options.” CharterClick, 2025. ↗
SamBoat. “The Ultimate Guide to Sailing in Seychelles.” SamBoat Blog, 2025. ↗
If you are still building your Seychelles itinerary, a few other guides on IslandHopper might help fill in the gaps. The Creole culture and flavours guide is a good companion if you want to know what to look for in the Victoria market or the beachside restaurants you’ll reach by dinghy. For anyone extending their trip ashore after the charter ends, the hidden beaches and Creole culture on Mahé article points to quieter corners of the main island that most visitors miss. And if you are travelling on a tighter budget, the budget-friendly Seychelles guide covers how to stretch your rupee further once you step off the boat.
Explore Places to Stay in Seychelles
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