Sailing the Seychelles: Mahé, Praslin and La Digue

Few places look less real than the Seychelles. The Inner Islands are ancient granite outcrops in the middle of the Indian Ocean, their beaches guarded by house-sized boulders worn smooth over millions of years, the water an improbable glass-clear turquoise. For a sailor it's an extraordinary cruising ground: short, sheltered hops between three main islands, warm seas all year, and some of the best snorkelling anywhere. This guide covers where you sail, how you get around, and what to expect on the water.

The short answer

Charter out of Mahé (or often the marina at Eden Island), sail the compact triangle of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, and you have a relaxed, warm, low-mileage week among the granite Inner Islands. Distances are short, the water is calm inside the island group, and a catamaran is the boat of choice for stability and shallow draft. The Seychelles sail beautifully year-round, with the season shaped by two monsoons rather than any hurricane risk — the islands sit outside the cyclone belt.

The Inner Islands: your cruising triangle

Almost every bareboat and crewed charter stays among the Inner Islands, a granitic cluster within easy sailing distance of one another.

• Mahé — the main island and charter hub, home to the capital Victoria and the marina at Eden Island. Most trips start and end here.
• Praslin — about 25 nautical miles from Mahé, famous for the Vallée de Mai UNESCO reserve (home of the coco de mer palm) and the beach at Anse Lazio.
• La Digue — a short hop from Praslin, car-free and best explored by bicycle. Anse Source d'Argent, with its pink-tinged sand and sculpted granite, is one of the most photographed beaches on earth.
• Curieuse, Cousin and St Pierre — tiny islets near Praslin for giant tortoises, protected reefs and postcard snorkelling anchorages.

Distances are gentle — most legs are two to four hours — so a standard week gives you plenty of time to swim, snorkel and go ashore rather than grind out miles.

Why catamarans dominate here

The Seychelles fleet is overwhelmingly catamaran, and for good reason:

• Shallow draft lets you tuck into the shelving granite bays and reef-fringed anchorages the reefs demand.
• Stability at anchor matters when you're swimming off the back every afternoon.
• Deck space and shade suit the year-round warmth far better than a heeling monohull.

Monohulls exist, but if you want the classic Seychelles experience, a Seychelles catamaran charter is the natural fit.

Snorkelling and marine life

This is a warm-water paradise. Sea temperatures hover around 27–29°C all year, so you're in and out of the water constantly.

• Reefs and marine parks — Ste Anne Marine Park off Mahé, the reefs around Curieuse and Cousin, and the drop-offs near Praslin all teem with parrotfish, rays and turtles.
• Turtles — hawksbill and green turtles nest on many Inner Island beaches; you'll often snorkel alongside them.
• Whale sharks pass through, most reliably in the transitional months of the monsoon.

Bring reef-safe sunscreen and expect visibility that regularly tops 20 metres in the calmer windows.

Getting there and around

Most sailors fly into Mahé (Seychelles International, SEZ), a short transfer from the Eden Island marina. Provisioning is straightforward in Victoria, though prices reflect the remoteness — stock up before you leave the dock. Between islands you'll mostly anchor or pick up moorings in bays rather than use marinas; several anchorages sit within national marine parks, where a modest park fee applies.

Because the islands are close together and navigation is largely line-of-sight, the Seychelles suit confident intermediate crews and reward those who want a slower, swim-and-explore rhythm over big passage-making.

When to go

The Seychelles have no true off-season for warmth, but the wind swaps direction with the monsoon:

• Southeast monsoon (May–September) — steadier, cooler, drier breezes; better for sailing but choppier on exposed south-facing coasts.
• Northwest monsoon (December–March) — warmer, more humid, lighter and more variable winds with occasional heavy showers.
• April–May and October–November — the calm transitions between monsoons, often the flattest, clearest water of the year.

For a fuller breakdown, see our guide to the best time to sail the Seychelles.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do I need in the Seychelles? A standard week comfortably covers the Mahé–Praslin–La Digue triangle at a relaxed pace. Ten days lets you linger longer at the outlying islets.

Do I need catamaran experience? It helps but isn't essential. The short hops and sheltered water make the Inner Islands manageable for confident intermediate crews; crewed charters are available if you'd rather relax.

Is it expensive? The Seychelles are a premium, remote destination — flights, provisioning and park fees add up. But the calm, year-round sailing and unmatched scenery justify it for many.

---

Ready to explore? Browse live Seychelles charters, compare catamarans, or open the full fleet map.