Seychelles are really beautiful paradise islands with crystal clear ocean water, beautiful sand, slender palm trees and amazing wildlife.
Both yachtsmen and ordinary tourists have a great chance to enjoy this paradise. The weather here is perfect throughout the whole year – the sun shines brightly and visitors enjoy light pleasure breeze without heat. The best period to visit this amazing place continues from December toMay – the average temperature is about + 29 °C. The coolest period on the islands continues from June to November, when the average temperature is about + 24 °C and monsoon winds actively blow.
We are going to inform you about the key points, features and places to visit in order to return home with a lot of positive impressions and emotions.
LargeSeychelles granite islands are Mahe, Praslin, La Digue and Silhouette. SmallSeychelles islands are mostly coral. Mahe is the largest archipelago island.Both Victoria, the state capital, and the international airport are located on Mahe island.
Arrival to Seychelles. General information
Eden Island Marina
Eden Island Marina is the main marina to take yacht or catamaran. It is located between the southwest coast of Eden Island and the east coast of MaheIsland, being connected by a bridge, located about halfway between the international airport and Victoria, the capital. The distance to the airport is approximately 10 minutes by car.
Eden Island Marina amenities
Visit reception to buy entrance tickets. The deposit is 200 SCR (€13).
Besides all the guests will be provided with an access to water and electricity while sailing, while toilets and showers in the marina are available24/7.
Besides the marina provides several restaurants, an ice cream parlor, a snack and juice bar, a supermarket, a pharmacy, a fishing store, two ATMs and a bank, a currency exchange office and a casino.
Most establishments are available from Monday to Saturday, and some of them are available on Sunday as well.
Transfer
Try to book a transfer in advance, especially if you arrive outside working hours. The driver will show you your yacht’s mooring line. Taxi is available at the airport. Travel time is about 10-15 minutes.
Lots of buses run around Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. The fare is 7 SCR (€0.5).
Ferries around the islands are available several times a day.
Protective face masks are strictly required by all transfer and indoors types.
Car rental
It is allowed to pick up most rental cars at the airport and left them at the marina without additional expenses. But be sure to agree all the conditions with the rental company in advance.
The rental companies list to rent a car:
- Prakinos 00 248 251 9915
- Reliance 00 248 252 4294
- Mein Car Hire 00 248 251 0377
- Oceanic Cars 00 248 251 0103
- Kebe Cars 00 248 254 5427
Currency and credit cards
Most restaurants and shops accept major credit cards (except for AmericanExpress) and foreign currencies. But pay attention to unfavorable exchange rate, provided by them when making settlements.
Therefore, it is recommend to exchange part of the funds for the local currency called Seychellois rupee (SCR) for settlements within the cruise.
Eden Island Marina provides such opportunity for guests. The currency exchange office accepts rupees, euros, dollars and British pounds.
Restaurants and tips
Victoria provides several restaurants, serving Creole and international cuisine, as well as lots of other great places to eat, including Beau Vallon Bay, a short taxi ride away.
The islands provide lot of various bars and restaurants, while Mahe has got three casinos and a cinema. Some large hotels provide parties for guests.Victoria has two nightclubs.
It’s customary to tip here in all restaurants, bars and while being provided with any other services within holidays. Recommended tip is 10-15% of the total amount. Please note that some establishments automatically add a tip to the bill.
Recreation and Entertainment
Fishing
Seychelles fishing is available all year round. There is a chance to rent fishing equipment.
Diving and Snorkling
Scuba diving in Seychelles is highly regulated. That’s why it is recommended to hire a local instructor and rent equipment. It is better to take own children equipment, if traveling with children because children’s sizes can be absent.
Other sport types
Windsurfing is quite popular on Seychelles. Windsurfing competitions take place on Mahe and Praslin each year in September.
Wakeboarding and water skiing are available for rent at Berjaya Beau Vallon Beach resort on Mahe (the only place for the current sports type). Major beaches provide a chance to rent windsurfing equipment, canoes and sailboats.The main resort areas give jet skis and paragliders.
Hiking and bird watching
Hiking tours are a great way to enjoy exotic island’s flora and fauna.Besides you have a great chance to either travel with a guide or enjoy independent trip along the beautiful trails on Mahe, Praslin, Silhouette andArid islands.
Visitors come here from all over the world to enjoy amazing rarest birds. Copsychus sechellarum (now available on Frigate only), Seychelles songbird (Cousin Island is its refuge, now it lives in nature the reserve) andWhite-throated rail, the only remaining flightless bird in the Indian Ocean, today live exclusively on Seychelles islands.
Underwater world
Jellyfish
You will definitely meet multiple jellyfish types while traveling here. It is strictly recommended to take a wetsuit or refrain from swimming, if you are allergic.
Be sure to immediately perform the following actions, if being stung by a jellyfish:
- Get out of the water immediately and apply a copious amount of vinegar to the affected area.
- Pour vinegar over the tentacle before attempting to remove it with tweezers.
- Avoid rinsing it off with fresh water
- Then immerse the effected limb in hot salt water or apply a hot compress.
The affected area will usually only be a minor irritation, similar to a bee sting and the sting area is normally itchy, as usual. Once experienced any additional signs or symptoms, be sure to immediately contact the base for help and advice on whereto seek medical assistance.
Poisonous corals
There is a risk of painful injury if contacted with some types of poisonous corals, for example, if they are stepped on or touched while snorkelling.
Be sure to immediately get out the water and apply a generous amount of vinegar to the affected area, then immerse the affected limb in hot water or apply a hot compress.
Cuts and abrasions caused from coral have a high risk of infection, so thoroughly clean the wound as soon as possible. Avoid swimming afterwards.
Fishes
There are also several species of poisonous fish with spines, able to sting, if being stepped on or touched while snorkelling. Stingrays are also poisonous and can inflict a nasty wound with their barbed stings.
Be sure to immediately exit the water and treat the affected area with hot water, if you are stung by a fish. You may require a tetanus injection.
Sea urchins
Sea urchins’ spines are very painful, if touched or stepped on and will normally break off, if attempting to pull them out with tweezers despite the fact they are not poisonous.
Be sure to use hot water for the affected area treatment. Besides it may be required to use a tetanus injection.
Islands and sights
St.Anne Marinepark
St. Anne’s Island is deemed a real beautiful marine park center piece. Moyen, Round and Cerf, located near of, are equally picturesque as well.
It is worth noting, that St. Anne’s Island served as Royal Marines base, stationed there to protect Victoria port in the event of an enemy attack within the Second World War. Besides the current area was a busy whaling port in the early 19th century.
Nowadays cruising over St. Anne Marine National Park is an amazing adventure, allowing to enjoy its beautiful Nature wonders. Besides there are available snorkling and swimming, and all the guests are welcome to visit various restaurants to taste and savor the local cuisine.
Fee is 200 SCR per person.
Beau Vallon
Beau Vallon is the most touristic area of Mahe, providing various restaurants and shops to choose from. There is a great opportunity to visit «Bazaar Labrine» on Wednesday night – a very popular event on the beach and boardwalk, providing tasty food, bond fire, live traditional music and a friendly atmosphere.
Anse Mayor and Jasmine Bay
Far away from the crowds. Spectacular settings with beautiful little beaches nested in the middle of giant granite boulders, this is a real taste of the pristine Seychelles.There is a lovely 45 minutes hike from Bel Ombre to Anse Major.
Be Terne
Be Terne is another amazing place, located between two hills, bordering the Morne Seychellois National Park. Baie Ternay is one of the most sought after refuges for yachts seeking shelter especially during the SouthEast Monsoon.
Here you may enjoy fantastic snorkling. Besides you will find a little pond of fresh water and behind the beach in the north cove. If you keep an eye out, you might be lucky enough to spot sea turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs, or the hatching
Port Launay
The beach, located at the entrance to the national park, is a lovely, horseshoe shaped arc of white sands, with calm and relatively deep waters forming a natural harbour.There is a great chance to enjoy snorkling – both along the rocks to the right of the bay and around the cross marking the mouth of the bay.
Besides you may enjoy some water sports from the beach or go out to restaurants. There is a little corner store close by and as it has proper road access. It is possible to reach it by bus or by taxi.
Anse roya
Anse Royale is the largest city, located in the South of Mahe, which provides a lot of various services, restaurants, shopping, a hospital and banks.
Once local residents built entire spice plantations, that were supposed to actively flourish and grow, but later they were completely destroyed by fire. Jardin du Roi botanical garden is one of the best sights.
There is an opportunity to go snorkling here, but be sure to note that the beach is very popular, that’s why it is overcrowded on Sundays.
Curieuse Island
Curieuse Island is dotted with palms and thick stands of mangroves, while being a typical example of the unparaleled beauty you’ll find in the Seychelles. It is worth mentioning that the island was the site of a leper colony in the distant past. Today, it’s a cruising paradise.
The current marine national park is a sanctuary for the giant tortoises roaming around freely on the island. They will come meet you on the beach as you land with the dinghy.
Anse Lazio Beach is located in the heart of a large turquoise bay and is covered with fine white sand – it is consistently considered one of the best beaches in the world.
Ans Wolbert
Anse Lazio has been consistently ranked as one of the best beaches in the world, while being nestled in the heart of a large turquoise bay and crowned by powder fine white sand.
Beautiful shaded Anse Volbert beach is the main attraction, providing various water sports types and organized diving excursions. There is located a small village, full of shops and great Creole restaurants along its coast.Besides there rakes place live music and dancing at the Paradise Sun Hotel eachFriday night.
Be Saint Anne
Amazing bay, crowned by a sleepy little town of the same name, spread attractively along the water front. The town provides lots of various shops, restaurants and bars.Besides there is located scenic Anse Madge beach.
Vallee de Mai, located nearby, known as the Garden of Eden, contains lots of towering picturesque coco-de-mer palms. Besides it is deemed exquisite nature preserve and a UNSECO World Heritage Site. Guided tours are highly recommended here to fully enjoy the process.
La Passe, La Digue
Tiny, charming LaPasse provides just a few souvenir shops, dotting the jetty. You may rarely meet any cars here. While walking across its streets, you may feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
The most famous attractions list consists of working copra mill and the Union Estate Park, a large plantation covering almost a third of the island and you’ll find The OldCemetery and a tortoise pen.
Ox cart riding, bicycle rentals, and sightseeing trips by helicopter are popular here. The beach at Source d’Argent is one of the island’s most picturesque settings. Most of the bars features live music on weekends.
The four tiny islands of the Ile Coco Marine National Park are among some of the most beautiful in the Indian Ocean, often shown on brochures, depicting the stunning beauty of the Seychelles. Coco Islands brings you to waters that offer the best snorkling in the current area.
Grande and Petite Soeur Islands
Stop at desertedSister Island to enjoy a traditional Creole barbecue lunch, explore the coconut plantation, relax on the beach and snorkel the colorful reefs.
Island is privately owned, but boaters are welcome to enjoy the swimming, snorkling, and sunbathing on its beautiful beaches on weekdays.
Cousin Island
Cousin Island is a highlight of any Seychelles yacht charter, partly due to the animals of the island. Bird sanctuaries are an important part of the park system in theSeychelles. Rare birds such as the bulbul, black parrot, and the fruit pigeon are all protected species endemic to the islands. The protected nature reserve is also home to Aldabra giant tortoises and hawksbill turtles.
Seychelles Itinerary
Below there is provided one of the most popular routes across Seychelles.But you have a chance to choose your own one.
Day 1: Praslin Marina
Day 2: Praslin Marina – CurieuseIsland
Day 3: Curieuse island – La Digue Island
Day 4: La Digue Island – Victoria Island, Mahe Island
Day 5: Victoria Island, Mahe Island – Beau Vallon Bay, Mahe Island
Day 6: Beau Vallon Bay, Mahe Island – Praslin Marina
Day 7: Praslin Marina – Ile Cocos – о Grande Soeur Island– PraslinMarina
Please contact our SEARADAR company, if you are interested in, but do not know yet, what to start with. We’ll answer all your questions, help you rent a yacht and offer itineraries for every taste.
Enjoy resting and have unforgettable impressions!
