Off to Seychelles for a holiday – Sailing holiday with sailwithus.

Learn more about the Seychelles sailing holiday.

Arrival

Your Seychelles sailing trip starts on the island of Mahé, at Eden Island Marina. The well-maintained yacht facility is about ten to fifteen minutes by car from the international airport on the Seychelles (SEZ), which is located near the capital, Victoria, with 26,500 inhabitants. The fastest way to reach Eden Island Marina is by taxi. Detailed information about the yacht facilities will be provided to you in the week before your trip starts in the sailing area between Mahé and Praslin.

Seychelles – a few facts and figures to get you started:

The Earth’s Space: Geographically, the Seychelles belong to Africa. The island group is located south, close to the equator, just a few hundred kilometers from Tanzania on the east coast of Africa.

The Time: The time zone is UTC-4. During daylight saving time, the time difference is only plus two hours, and in wintertime, it is three hours.

Nature: According to the constitution, 58.61% of the land is protected. Due to this ecological diversity, the island paradise is known worldwide. Additionally, the Seychelles is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Vallée de Mai (Praslin) with the Coco-de-Mer nuts, and Aldabra, which hosts the world’s largest coral atoll.

History: The Seychelles still drive on the left, a legacy of British colonial rule. Since 1976, the Seychelles has been a republic. Its economic sectors include fishing, the export of coconuts/coconut oil, and tourism.

Sailing: For charter sailing, the distinction between the Inner and Outer Islands is important, as sailing in the Seychelles is only allowed around the Inner Islands (Seychelles Bank). 41 islands belong to the Seychelles Bank, which is primarily centered around the main island, Mahé.

The Aldabra Atoll and the animals of the Seychelles

Some lovingly call Aldabra the living natural history museum or a natural wonder – and rightly so! The 100-kilometer-long atoll, made up of four islands (Picard, Plymnie, Malabar, Grand Terre), is home to very few people. Therefore, there is no tourism here, and land excursions are only possible under strict regulations. Aldabra Atoll is home to rare birds like flamingos, the faggot or nectar bird, the palm thief, and the Aldabra giant tortoise of the Seychelles. Underwater, you’ll find blacktip sharks, dolphins, the rare fork-tailed sea cows, and the mushroom corals. As the name Atoll al Chadra (meaning “Green Island” in German) suggests, it also features a unique flora, including dense mangrove forests.

On Mahé, there are also numerous rare animals and plants to discover, best explored on a hike into the mountains. You may spot the carnivorous pitcher plant with its glossy leaves and vase-shaped, burgundy-red pitchers that can grow up to 34 centimeters long. What makes it special: Unlike other carnivorous plants, it catches its prey simply by means of the pitchers. Or you might encounter a land crab. After all, there are 26 species of land crabs living on the Seychelles.

Seychelles holiday – ideal for sun lovers and nature enthusiasts.

There’s a reason why film and advertising have discovered the snow-white beaches with their granite rocks and coconut palms. At Anse Source d’Argent in the southwest of La Digue, adventure films like “Crusoe” and “Cast Away – Lost” as well as “Emmanuelle” and the “Bacardi” commercial were filmed in the 90s. Ferrero Raffaelo even found the Seychelles island of Silhouette simply irresistible. No wonder this beach is one of the most photographed beaches in the world. Couples also organize their dream weddings and honeymoons here. This mix of calm seas and a paradisiacal beach setting borders on perfection, making the Seychelles a must-have holiday, especially for sun lovers and nature enthusiasts. Sailing, snorkeling, relaxing on the beach, and shore excursions are perfectly combined in this sailing area. Special experience or knowledge in sailing is not required, as the area is suitable for both sailing enthusiasts and beginners. What makes it particularly attractive is, of course, that there is no mass tourism in the Seychelles. There are only a few marinas. As a result, the charter yacht with a skipper often anchors alone in dreamy coves.

From exclusive to luxurious: Holiday on North Island, Seychelles.

When sailing the Seychelles, you can experience the island world of the Indian Ocean from a particularly unique perspective: with a holiday on North Island, Seychelles – located about 32 kilometers northwest of Mahé. This tiny private island, measuring only two and a half square kilometers, is accessible only by helicopter or speedboat. It is considered one of the most luxurious accommodations in the Seychelles. In the 1970s, island broker Farhad Vladi reportedly sold it for 1.5 million marks to a contractor. On this private island, there is only the famous North Island Hotel with eleven luxury lodges, each with its own beach, along with a few dozen giant tortoises. It’s tropical idyll and pure luxury. The perfect destination for newlywed honeymooners! Each villa (the smallest of which is 450 square meters) is nestled among the palms and features an open-air living room on several levels, a fully glassed-in bedroom, as well as a pool and sunbathing area. This exclusive retreat has already been chosen by Prince William and Duchess Kate, as well as George Clooney and Amal for their extended honeymoons, just to name a few celebrities. As you can imagine, a night at this resort comes at a corresponding price.

What are the best sailing experiences in the Seychelles?

If you’re not part of the jet set, sailing in the area between the islands of Mahé and Praslin is highly recommended. The so-called Inner Islands stretch over about 65 nautical miles, with plenty of small islands that are easily reachable within short distances. This is Seychelles island hopping! A week full of variety! Because each individual island has paradisiacal beaches and dreamy coves. Even inland, you’ll often find a true Garden of Eden. At higher altitudes, tea and cinnamon plantations are not uncommon. Papayas, coconuts, and mangos grow abundantly. So, shore excursions are definitely worthwhile. On Praslin, for example, you can explore unique tropical vegetation and waterfalls. The UNESCO World Heritage site Vallée de Mai on Praslin even offers the chance to walk through a primeval palm forest. Some of the coconuts growing there weigh up to 45 kilograms! On the island of Curieuse, you can experience over a hundred free-roaming giant tortoises up close at a tortoise farm. And let’s not forget the mist forests on the island of Silhouette, which will amaze you with their biodiversity – from the diverse bird species to the flying foxes.

Wind and weather during a Seychelles sailing holiday

It is certain: Summer-like warm weather with constant temperatures between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius and rather light winds from February to April, which ensure clear seas, delight the sailor’s heart. Sailing in the Seychelles is therefore suitable for sailors of all experience levels because it doesn’t present any major challenges. Only the wind and waves determine the best anchorage for an overnight stay. What could be better than enjoying a sundowner in a dreamy, secluded bay? Or waking up directly on the beach in the morning?

The Seychelles has a tropical climate influenced by the monsoon. Unlike other long-haul destinations, the rainy season is moderate. The sun rises at 6 AM and sets at 6 PM year-round. On average, five to eight hours of sunshine per day is typical. When it does rain, it is usually brief. These stable weather conditions for sailing in the Seychelles make the area so popular. The only thing to get used to is the humidity around 80 percent. However, after a day or two, you’ll quickly acclimatize.

Multicultural: Life of the Seychelles inhabitants

Only eight islands of the Seychelles are permanently inhabited: About 90,000 people live on the islands, with around a quarter of them in Victoria on Mahé, as well as on Praslin and La Digue, to name the largest and most important. 90 percent of the population are descendants of settlers from the French colonial areas – known as Creoles – and 10 percent are of European descent. The overall population is made up of people from all over the world, primarily from France, Africa, India, the UK, China, and the Arab world. The three official languages are Creole, English, and French.

Each culture has left its mark on the Seychelles, making the country and life here exceptionally multi-ethnic. Although most of the population, about 80 percent, are Catholic Christians, superstition and magic also have their place. It is common for people to visit a “tonton,” which means a wizard or fortune teller, when facing illness or personal problems. There is no rush in the Seychelles. Guests are welcomed with helpfulness, friendliness, and courtesy.