The Republic of the Seychelles, one of the smallest nations in the world, is situated in the Indian Ocean about 1,000 miles off the tropical shores of East Africa between 240 and 600 miles north of the equator. Isolated from the mainland for eons, the islands have become home to rare plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth.
A Seychelles powerboat itinerary ushers you into a world as exotic as any cruising ground on Earth, including the fabled Galapagos Islands. In fact, these two island groups are quite similar in that each boasts its own host of plants and animals found nowhere else. Much of the Seychelles is parkland, where you can explore secluded white-sand beaches, swim, snorkel, and scuba dive (organized dive excursions only) on coral reefs teeming with marine life, and savor the delights ashore at quiet waterfront restaurants and bars in small towns where the pace is slow and the people are friendly. There are also resorts on Mahé, and historic Victoria is a laid-back city well worth exploring. The passages are usually short (see Seychelles yachting maps), and with a luxury motor yacht the drive time between Point A and Point B is brief, leaving you plenty of hours to kick back and enjoy your Seychelles adventure.
|
||
|
|
|
|
||
|
Providence to Beau Vallon Bay – 17 nm. The first leg of your Seychelles powerboat itinerary begins at 10:00 A.M. when you board your luxury Powercat and depart from the Moorings base in Providence, on Mahé, for a coastal passage to beautiful Beau Vallon Bay. You pass by the gorgeous islands of the St. Anne Marine National Park and head northward to round the tip of the island and proceed south toward the bay. Along the way you see the spectacular mountains rise skyward, the slopes cloaked in lush green rain forest. Beau Vallon Bay is the best anchorage off Mahé during the southeast monsoon season that runs from May through October. The two-mile white-sand beach is ideal for swimming and snorkeling, and ashore are restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort & Casino, with a wide range of attractions including watersports.
Beau Vallon Bay to Baie St. Anne – 35 nm. Throttle up the twin engines of your luxury Powercat as you get under way for an open-water passage northeast to a lovely group of the Inner Islands all a short distance apart. Coral reefs, secluded coves, and quaint harbors create a mix of pleasures that make each island an exciting power cruising destination. As you drive from the spacious flybridge, you feel the easy motion of the yacht in the ocean swells and soon the islands emerge on the horizon, jewels of the Indian Ocean. You are bound for beautiful Praslin Island. There are a number of harbors along the Praslin coast, and your Seychelles powerboat itinerary will take you to two of them. The first is at Baie St. Anne, the island’s main harbor. From there you can visit the Vallee de Mai with its awesome coco-de-mer palms that produce giant coconuts that can weigh 40 pounds!
Baie St. Anne to Anse Volbert – 3 nm. After your pleasant afternoon and evening at Baie St. Anne, you head out for some superb snorkeling at the islet of St. Pierre just off the Praslin coast. As you approach, it’s easy to see why the Inner Islands are sometimes called the Granite Isles. The most prominent feature of the islet is the massive granite massif topped with coconut palms. The area teems with tropical fish and sea turtles are a common sight. Go ashore to do a little exploring or simply relax on the small beach. Your evening anchorage is at Anse Volbert, your second Praslin harbor. There is a beautiful beach. If you care to dine out, you have your choice of a number of restaurants. Enjoying the live music and traditional dance at the Paradise Sun Hotel is a great way to end the day.
Anse Volbert to La Passe – 12 nm. On this leg of your Seychelles powerboat itinerary, set a course to the northeast to enjoy the more remote isles of the Seychelles. Spend much of the day at the fabulous Coco Islands, which offer some of the best snorkeling in the entire region and which are world-famous among long-distance cruisers power and sail for their stunning beauty and desert island ambience. The private Grande Soeur has a remote feel to it as well, perched as it is on the edge of the Inner Islands, but there’s a beach bar where you can relax over lunch and enjoy locally caught seafood and sip a cool drink. On the east side of the island is Grande Anse, a spectacular beach for swimming and snorkeling. Later in the afternoon cruise over to La Passe, the main harbor at La Digue Island located on the northwest coast.
Lay day – 0 nm. La Digue Island is a wonderful place to spend the day exploring, hiking, renting a bicycle to ride the picturesque lanes, dine at one of the restaurants, swim at the spectacular beaches (Anse Source d’ Argent is one of the world’s prettiest), or go sightseeing at the copra factory and the Union Estate Park, a large plantation where you can catch a glimpse of the past. The vehicular traffic on the island is restricted to a handful of taxis and traditional ox-drawn carts, giving it an ambience from another era. Many power cruisers book aerial sightseeing tours via helicopter to get a bird’s-eye view of the breathtaking scenery.
La Passe to Curieuse Island – 10 nm. This leg of your Seychelles powerboat itinerary takes you to the bird sanctuary at Cousin Island, well worth a visit, and to an overnight anchorage at scenic Baie La Raie, a cove with excellent protection in northwesterly winds at Curieuse Island. There are a number of attractions ashore, including a tortoise farm and a museum at this marine park. The snorkeling and scuba diving is superb in these waters.
Curieuse Island to St. Anne Island – 23 nm. The last full day of your Seychelles itinerary entails an open-water passage south to the St. Anne Marine National Park about five miles off Mahé. St. Anne Island is the centerpiece of the preserve, which has beautiful beaches and coral reefs to enthrall you yet again. Green and hawksbill turtles swim in their element amid rainbows of colorful tropical fish. Ashore on some of the islands are excellent restaurants. A visit to the park is both relaxing and intriguing, a highlight of any powerboat charter in the Seychelles.
Final Morning
St. Anne Island to Providence – 5 nm. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and then power up your luxury motor yacht for the quick passage back to the Moorings Power base in Providence, Mahé. Please check in by 10:00 A.M.
Our 2012 brochures with new destinations
Check out our latest offers & discounts
Captain's Rewards - NOW ONLINE!Now get your 5% Captain's Reward when you book online - check your inbox for your promotion code or call for details.
©2012 The Moorings
All Rights Reserved.
