With thanks to L'Escale Resort Marina & Spa, SEAL Superyachts Seychelles, Seychelles Shipping Agency & Brokerage and Seychelles Tourism
The Seychelles is a charming set of islands that has a fascinating cultural mélange in the Indian Ocean, with beaches fit for a film set and many unique species of plant and animal. It’s not just the Galapagos that have giant tortoises: Seychelles have them too - and five times more!
Located some 1,000 miles to the north-east of Kenya, the Seychelles consist of 115 small islands in the Indian Ocean. The four main islands are Mahé, Praslin, Le Digue and Silhouette.
As one superyacht skipper memorably described it, “Imagine the Virgin Islands, double the size, cancel the hurricanes, take out the crowds and you have the Seychelles.” Need we say more?
There really is no better way to explore the archipelago than by luxury yacht, so we’ll help you work out the best time of year to visit, the best marinas to berth in and what you can do whilst there.
Stretching from 4° south of the equator to 10° south, the Seychelles does not suffer from tropical cyclones. The seasons are split mainly by wind direction, with south-easterly winds running from May until September before north-westerly winds take over from December until March. There are periods in March/April and October/November which can be almost windless at times, accompanied by calm seas and clear waters.
The geographical position of the islands and climate makes a twelve-month season perfectly feasible.
No visas are required to enter the Seychelles, but the only official port of entry and exit is Port Victoria in Mahe and all vessels visiting the Seychelles must call there to carry out Health, Port, Security, Immigration and Customs formalities upon initial entry into Seychelles, or upon ultimate departure for a foreign port.
You can then cruise the full 1,100km from Mahé to the Aldabra Atoll (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), whilst popping up in the other 114 islands without having to go through another immigration check.
Mahé, the largest island (27km x 8km) in the Seychelles, is home to the international airport and the capital Victoria. Mahé’s beauty cascades from 905-metre-high granite peaks through lush forests down to more than 60 beaches. North Mahé, in particular Beau Vallon, the hub of the island’s tourism, offers excellent moorings and tends to be busier than other areas, while pastoral South Mahé enjoys a pace of life all of its own.
Colourful Victoria, only minutes from the main port and the only official/exit point, can be walked in half a day, leaving time for a visit to the colourful market, some shopping or a taste of the delicious Creole cuisine. Mahé’s picturesque coastline allows easy access to secret coves, silver beaches and beachside restaurants, and also offers good moorings in the Marine Parks of Port Launay, Baie Ternay and Ste Anne.
Praslin, the Seychelles’ second largest island, has a population of only 6,200 people and a truly enviable pace of life. Home to the breath-taking Vallée de Mai where the legendary Coco-de-mer grows high on ancient palms, Praslin stands at the forefront of the country’s hospitality industry. It brags stunning beaches, such as Côte D’or and Anse Lazio that are counted among the world’s best, and a fine range of hotels, guesthouses and restaurants.
There are excellent moorings at Côte d’Or, Grand Anse and Baie Ste Anne where a range of shops and services can also be found. Praslin is an ideal base for trips to the nearby islands of Curieuse, St. Pierre, Aride, Marianne, Round and La Digue.
La Digue has a reputation of being the island in the Seychelles where time stands still. The fourth largest island after Silhouette, tradition rules here in the form of ox-carts, bicycles and a gentle pace of life. The main mooring is at the quaint jetty at La Passe, only a stone’s throw from the shops and a string of hotels and restaurants that are either within walking distance or just a short bike ride away. La Digue boasts some of the Seychelles’ most prized beaches, such as Anse Source d’Argent with its striking granite formations. It’s also home to the ‘Vev” Special Reserve and the attractions of L’Union Estate where you can encounter the giant tortoise. The charm of surrounding islands such as the Sisters (Grand Soeur and Petite Soeur), Félicité, Coco and Marianne make La Digue a worthwhile inclusion in any itinerary.
Memorable sailing to the more remote Inner Islands such as Bird and Denis, 100km to the north of Mahé, and Frégate Island 55km to the east, is matched only by the adventure of setting sail for the very different world of the Outer Islands beyond the Seychelles Bank. The islands of the Amirantes, such as Desroches, d’Arros and Poivre, 250km to the south west, offer incredible sailing in virgin waters where only a small number of people have sailed before.
Further afield still, the Southern Coral, Alphonse, Farquhar and Aldabra Groups are where the natural beauty of virgin islands still await the visit of those sailors seeking adventure. The prospect of untouched islands, sun-drenched beaches and turquoise lagoons are the ultimate prize for superyacht visitors craving a taste of timeless beauty amid calm, uncrowded waters.
Eden Island Marina was created in the 2000s using funding and a dredger supplied by Dubai, as a project to encourage foreign investment and property investment. Linked to the main island of Mahé by a 300-metre bridge, Eden Island Marina is centred around residential investment properties, a shopping centre, casino and banks, restaurants and cocktail bars.
It opened in 2013 offering 180 metres of stern-to berthing for superyachts up to 115 metres (377 feet) LOA with a max draft of 5.1 metres in the approach channel. Yachts docking here benefit from a complete service package including power, water, club cars and 24-hour security.
L’Escale Resort, Marina & Spa is almost directly opposite, both geographically and philosophically. Opened in 2021 and designed by world-renowned superyacht interior expert Andrew Winch, L’Escale Resort, Marina & Spa is the only member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World family with a marina and has an emphasis on high-class service, privacy, relaxation and comfort.
It features just one finger pier for superyachts (plus another for smaller vessels) to a maximum of 115 metres (377 feet) LOA and draft in-berth of 10m. Only two superyachts of this size can be accommodated at any one time. Superyachts that have already discovered this new marina include Lana, Lionheart, Savannah, Nirvana and Hermitage.
Like the idea of film-set beaches, gorgeous weather and ideal sailing? Start planning your trip to the Seychelles aboard a superyacht by contacting yacht charter companies and yacht agents who can assist you in developing a tailored itinerary.
Discover other key superyacht cruising locations in our other Destination Guides.
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