Yacht Charter Seychelles — Inner Islands by Sail or Power

The Seychelles does not need explaining once you have seen the granite boulders at Anse Source d'Argent, the long sandbars at Curieuse, or the empty crescent of Bonhomme Bay on North Island. What it does need explaining is how, exactly, a yacht changes the trip — because the Inner Islands are small, close together, and serviced by a few of the most discreet lodges in the world. The yacht doesn't replace the lodges; it lets you spend the right hours on the water and the right hours on shore.

The shape of an Inner Islands week

A reasonable seven-night plan:

• Day 1: Board at Eden Island, Mahé; afternoon run across to St. Anne marine park.
• Day 2–3: Praslin — anchor off Anse Lazio, day ashore at Vallée de Mai (UNESCO; coco de mer endemic).
• Day 4: La Digue — bicycles from the boat tender, slow afternoon at Anse Source d'Argent. Avoid mid-day in season.
• Day 5: Curieuse — giant tortoises ashore, beach lunch on a sandbar.
• Day 6: Cousine or Aride for birdlife (Cousine is private, limited access — we arrange).
• Day 7: Slow run back via Île aux Cerfs.

North Island and Frégate are options for guests willing to tender a longer distance — both worth the extra time.

Sail or power — and why it matters here

The Inner Islands are short hops, the trades are reliable in season, and the cats sail flat. For most guests we recommend a sailing catamaran in the 25–35m range — Sunreef, Lagoon Seventy 7, or the larger custom builds. Two reasons:

• Shallow draft. You anchor closer in than a deep-V motor yacht.
• Stability at anchor. The cat sits flat through the night; light sleepers feel the difference.

A motor yacht is the right choice if you want to extend out to the Amirantes or down to Aldabra. Those are open-water runs of 150 to 600 nautical miles and need a 40m+ vessel with proper range and a serious tender deck.

When to go

The Seychelles has two trade-wind seasons. The simple version:

• May to September (SE trades) — steady wind, cooler nights, the best window for sailing and for diving the eastern reefs. Slightly choppier on east-facing anchorages.
• December to March (NW monsoon) — warmer, wetter, calmer eastern anchorages. Better for tortoise walks and inland time on Praslin.
• April–May and October–November — the transition months. Often the best of both: light wind, low humidity, clean water.

Aldabra and the outer islands — the long answer

Most guests stay in the Inner Islands. A few ask about Aldabra. The honest answer: Aldabra is a serious commitment — roughly 600 nautical miles southwest of Mahé, no fuel infrastructure, controlled access via the Seychelles Islands Foundation. The yacht has to be set up for it (range, water maker, permits arranged months in advance), and the round trip eats nine to twelve days even on a fast vessel. For the right guest — a private group with a real interest in the biology — it is one of the great wildernesses left. For most guests, the Amirantes are the right compromise: three days out from Mahé, far emptier than the Inner Islands, no permit pressure.

The jet and what the office handles

The Seychelles airport (SEZ, Mahé) takes long-range jets. From Europe, the Gulfstream G650ER and the Bombardier Global 7500 can fly direct from Zurich or London. From the Gulf, the run is short. The yacht is rarely at Mahé itself — usually moored at Eden Island or already at Praslin — so the office runs the transfer, the seaplane if needed, and the boarding so the guest moves once from jet to deck.

For honeymoons, the Seychelles pairs well with one of the quieter island lodges either side of the cruise — see honeymoon for the office's standard pairing.