Seychelles by Catamaran - Island Hopping with Sea Wave

Eden Island Marina

Start point. Crew meets at the marina by 17:00, the airport is only 10-15 min away by taxi. All shopping is done before check-in. Eden Plaza next to the marina has a supermarket, pharmacy, ATMs and money exchange. Provisions for the first 3-4 days, drinking water, snacks and personal items. Bring cash in Seychelles rupees for park fees, roughly 120 euros per person for the week. Check-in with the charter base, safety briefing and first night in the marina.

Port Launay

Overnight at anchor in Port Launay Marine National Park, 19.1 nm from Eden Island, about 3h10 at 6 kn. Leave by 10:00. At the marina exit the sand bank is hard to see, follow the channel and leave the green buoy to port. Call Victoria Port Control on VHF 12 in the Victoria channel. Round the north of Mahe and keep 1 nm clear of Brisare Rocks. Anchor on sand mid-bay, sheltered in nearly any wind. Fee about 250 rupees for the yacht. Snorkel along the rocks. Dinner on board.

Baie Ste Anne

Longest day, 36.6 nm, about 6h05. Leave by 07:30, night sailing is not allowed and we must be moored one hour before sunset. Open water, 10-15 kn from the NW with rain squalls in Dec-Apr, 15-25 kn from the SE in Jul-Aug. Stay well clear of Mamelles and of the reefs along the south coast of Praslin. On entry leave the awash rock at 4°20.8'S 55°46.3'E to starboard. Anchor in the deep pool east of the jetty or take a paid buoy. Fuel, water and ice here. Dinner ashore.

La Digue

Short hop, 3.3 nm, about 35 min, so the morning is free for Vallee de Mai on Praslin by taxi, the UNESCO forest of coco de mer palms. The La Digue harbour takes only 3-4 yachts, call the harbour master before arrival. Otherwise anchor on sand off the breakwater in 5-6 m, clear of the ferry channel. The entrance is narrow and dangerous in a strong westerly. Rent bicycles at the jetty and ride to Anse Source d'Argent through L'Union Estate, entry ticket needed. Dinner ashore.

Ile Cocos

Snorkelling stop in Ile Coco Marine National Park, 4.8 nm from La Digue round its north tip, about 50 min. The park is open 08:30-17:00, about 200 rupees per person, paid in cash to the ranger. Day visit only, no overnight stay. Take a park buoy if one is free, otherwise anchor on sand east of the island and never on coral. Reef fish, rays and turtles right off the boat. Sister islands and Felicite are private, ask before landing. Leave by 15:00 for Anse Volbert.

Anse Volbert

Overnight at anchor off Anse Volbert, Praslin, 8.7 nm from Ile Cocos, about 1h30. Come in from the north and stay north of the line from Pointe Zanguilles to Chauve Souris islet, south of it is too shallow. Isolated coral heads and rocks are close by, so keep a lookout on the bow and anchor on a sand patch. Good holding in most winds, rolly with a SE swell from May to October. Dinghy to the beach. Shops and Creole restaurants along the shore. Dinner ashore.

Curieuse

Morning with the giant tortoises, 1.3 nm from Anse Volbert, about 15 min. Curieuse Marine National Park, about 250 rupees per person, paid to the ranger. Anchor in Baie Laraie outside the shallow reef at the entrance, slowly and with a bow lookout, sand patches only. The tortoises walk on the beach where we land the dinghy. Mangrove boardwalk and a hike across the island to Anse Jose and the Doctor's House museum, take water and hats. Back on board for lunch.

Anse Lazio

Overnight at anchor off Anse Lazio, 3.4 nm from Curieuse through the channel off Praslin, about 35 min. Anchor on sand in 5-6 m with room to swing. One of the most famous beaches in the world. Snorkel with turtles around the rocks at both ends of the bay. The bay is open to the north. With NW swell (Dec-Apr) it gets rolly, so enjoy it during the day and go back to Anse Volbert for the night. Sunset swim and dinner on board.

Sainte Anne Marine Park

Last night in Sainte Anne Marine National Park, 26.2 nm from Anse Lazio, about 4h20. Leave by 09:00 and pass at least 1 nm east of Mamelles. Call Victoria Port Control on VHF 12 in the channel. Anchor in the sandy pool between Sainte Anne and Moyenne, shallow reef all around, enter slowly with good light. About 200 rupees per person and 250 for the yacht overnight, paid to the ranger. Snorkel with turtles. Farewell dinner on board or ashore.

Eden Island Marina

Finish. 3.2 nm from Sainte Anne, about 30 min, after an early breakfast. Call Victoria Port Control on VHF 12. Coming in leave the green buoy to starboard, the sand bank off Eden Island is hard to see. Call the base 15 min before arrival and refuel if needed, check fuel dock hours with the base. Check-out at the time in the charter contract, inventory, hull and propeller check. The crew packs and tidies the cabins, saloon and fridge. The airport is 10-15 min away.