Seychelles

Granite. That is what distinguishes the Seychelles from every other Indian Ocean archipelago. While neighbouring island groups are built on coral and sand — low, flat, and vulnerable — the inner Seychelles rise from billion-year-old rock, the remnants of Gondwana’s break-up. The result is an archipelago of forested peaks, boulder-framed coves, and beaches that look sculpted rather than deposited. For a charter yacht, this geological drama translates into anchorages with genuine shelter, varied topography ashore, and a visual landscape that changes with every headland.

Granite islands in a warm sea — landforms old enough to predate most life on Earth, surrounded by water full of it.

The Inner Islands

The west coast of Mahe holds the best anchorages: Baie Ternay and Port Launay are marine parks with mooring buoys, clear water over sandy bottoms, and reef snorkelling within swimming distance of the yacht. The southeast coast is more exposed but rewards with empty beaches and stronger currents that attract larger fish.

The Outer Islands and Aldabra

Beyond the inner granitic group, the Seychelles extends across 1.4 million square kilometres of ocean to include low-lying coralline islands and atolls. The most significant is Aldabra, a raised coral atoll 1,100 kilometres southwest of Mahe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. Aldabra supports the world’s largest population of giant tortoises — roughly 100,000 — and its lagoon, which empties and fills with the tide through four main channels, hosts significant populations of green turtles, manta rays, and reef sharks.

Reaching Aldabra requires a dedicated expedition charter of at least two weeks, with passages across open ocean. The reward is one of the most ecologically intact environments remaining on the planet, managed by the Seychelles Islands Foundation with strict visitor protocols.

A Typical Charter Week

A seven-day inner islands itinerary typically follows this rhythm:

Transit distances in the inner islands are short — rarely more than 20 nautical miles between stops — leaving most of each day available for shore excursions, diving, and water sports.

Season and Conditions

The Seychelles lies outside the cyclone belt, making it a year-round charter destination with important seasonal variations. The northwest monsoon (November to March) brings warmer, calmer conditions — air temperatures around 30C, lighter winds, and the best underwater visibility (up to 30 metres). This is peak season.

The southeast trades (May to September) are cooler (25-27C), windier (15-25 knots), and the sea on exposed southern coasts can build. However, this is also when whale sharks appear around Mahe and Praslin, drawn by the plankton-rich currents. The western coasts remain sheltered during this period, and many experienced charterers prefer the southeast season for its sailing conditions and reduced traffic.

The transition months (April and October-November) are the calmest overall — light winds, flat seas, warm water — and represent the best windows for reaching the outer islands or diving exposed sites that are uncomfortable in either monsoon.

Cuisine and Character

Seychellois cuisine reflects the islands’ position at a crossroads of African, Indian, Chinese, and French influences. Grilled fish with chilli-lime sauce, octopus curry in coconut milk, breadfruit chips, and ladob (a dessert of plantain and sweet potato cooked in coconut cream) are staples. Local restaurants on Mahe and Praslin range from beachside grills to refined Creole kitchens. A good charter chef will source from the Victoria market and adapt the local repertoire for on-board dining — expect fresh-caught tuna seared with local vanilla, and fruit you may not have encountered before.