BOAT-COMPARATOR Guide
Cruising the Seychelles: Mahé, Praslin and La Digue under sail
Pink granite, turquoise lagoons and easy passages: why the Seychelles are one of the world's best cruising grounds for a first catamaran charter.
The Seychelles tick every box of the dream cruise: short distances, warm water all year round, spectacular anchorages between pink granite boulders and coconut palms. The charter bases: Mahé (Victoria and Eden Island) and Praslin.
The magic triangle
Mahé → Praslin → La Digue is the heart of Seychelles cruising: 15 to 25 miles between islands, three to four hours of relaxed sailing each. On the menu: Anse Lazio on Praslin (regularly ranked among the world's finest beaches), the Vallée de Mai reserve, the sculpted rocks of Anse Source d'Argent on La Digue, and the islets of Curieuse, Cousin and St-Pierre for snorkelling.
When to go
The Seychelles sail all year round — their great luxury. Two gentle trade-wind regimes alternate: the south-easterly from May to October (cooler, slightly more sea), the north-westerly from November to March (warmer, occasional squalls). The transition months (April, October-November) bring glassy seas ideal for novice crews.
Budget and boats
The catamaran rules these waters (shallow draft to approach the beaches). Expect €4,000 to €8,000 per week depending on size and season, with a local skipper strongly recommended for the coral passes. Prices vary markedly between platforms: a compared search often saves several hundred euros.
Before you book
Moorings in the marine parks are paid (mandatory buoys in places to protect the coral), water and provisioning cost more than in the Mediterranean, and fish is caught trolling between islands. Allow time ashore: the Vallée de Mai and the giant tortoises of Curieuse deserve better than a rushed stop.