Beau Vallon Bay

Cruising in Beau Vallon Bay is a delightful way to experience a side of Mahé that draws vacationers from around the world. This beach resort is by far the most popular on the island, boasting first class hotels, fine dining, and gambling in the casinos. Enjoy the watersports, snorkeling, and swimming in an idyllic setting. The sunsets are stunningly beautiful, a picture-perfect scene to mark the end of a wonderful day in paradise and the start of a fantastic evening ashore.

The day’s sailing

• 47 mins Sailing time
• 11 Nautical miles

Mooring

No moorings available. Anchor right off the beach in a sandy bottom. Beau Vallon Bay is fully exposed to northwesterly winds, which means you can’t go there during the north-west monsoon. During the south-east monsoon it’s one of the best anchorages on the Mahé coast.

Dinghy dockage: No dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

The fine snorkelling on the reefs, swimming on the two-mile white-sand beach, and organised dive excursions to the reefs, as well as two wrecks in Beau Vallon Bay, are among the major attractions of this bustling resort area. Water sports equipment rentals are available, so you can take full advantage of the beach and the crystal-clear waters of the bay. The several hotels have great restaurants and bars where you can enjoy the lively nightlife. For those wishing to try their hand with Lady Luck, the casinos beckon. Every Wednesday afternoon and evening there’s a market on the beach, offering all kinds of fresh foods, live music, and dancing. Yachting in Beau Vallon Bay is a foray into Mahé’s fast lane, a marked contrast to the laid-back nature of many of the Inner Islands.

Facilities

No facilities available for yachts.

Baie St. Anne

Cruising in Baie St. Anne takes you to the main harbor at Praslin Island, the second largest of the Seychelles Inner Islands. It’s an interesting place with a number of stores and restaurants. The nearby Vallee de Mai is a must-see destination while you’re at Baie St. Anne.

The day’s sailing

• 2 Hr 2 min Sailing time
• 28.5 Nautical miles

Mooring

Moorings are available. There is plenty of room to anchor in the harbour.

Dinghy dockage: No dinghy dockage available.

Things to do

One of the charming highlights of yachting in Baie St. Anne is the chance to meet Robert, famous in the Seychelles for his special Creole sauce (bottles are for sale). He’s something of a celebrity on Praslin Island and among boaters because he’s such a fantastic cook. You can drop anchor or rent a mooring from Robert and place an order for dinner, which he’ll prepare and bring to your yacht. Of course, there are restaurants ashore if you wish to dine out. Guided bus tours of the island are available and a pleasant way to see the sights. Particularly interesting is the nearby Vallee de Mai, where you will find towering coco-de-mer palms in this exquisite nature reserve and a UNSECO World Heritage Site. Guided tours are highly recommended. The Vallee de Mai is known as the Garden of Eden, which will become plain as you explore and marvel at the scenery around you.

Facilities

Fuel, water, ice, and provisions are available.

Anse Volbert

Yachting in Anse Volbert is a delightful chance to see one of the prettiest harbors on the northern coast of Praslin Island.

The day’s sailing

• 27 mins Sailing time
• 6.5 Nautical miles

Mooring

No moorings available. The anchorage is excellent in most wind conditions. The best spot is at the west end of the beach.

Dinghy dockage: No dinghy dockage available.

Things to do

The beautiful shaded beach at Anse Volbert is a primary attraction. Water sports and organised dive excursions are also available. Along the shore is a little village with a number of excellent Creole restaurants, and there’s live music and dancing every Friday night at the Paradise Sun Hotel.

Facilities

No facilities available for yachts

Coco Islands

The four tiny islands of the Ile Coco Marine National Park are among some of the most beautiful in the Indian Ocean. They are often shown on brochures depicting the stunning beauty of the Seychelles. Coco Islands brings you to waters that offer the best snorkeling in the area.

The day’s sailing

• 58 mins Sailing time
• 1.5 Nautical miles

Mooring

Day moorings available. The best anchorage is south of Coco Island. Holding is good in sand.

Dinghy dockage: No dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

Snorkelling is the main attraction of the Cocos.

Facilities

No facilities available for yachts.

La Digue Island

The third largest island in the Seychelles, La Digue is a place with quiet charm. Hiking and horseback riding trails lace the lush, hilly land, and the views from Belle Vue and the top of Nid Aigle are truly spectacular. The island has several restaurants and an eclectic mix of shops. Colonial-era homes line the streets, a reminder of the storied past of the island that becomes obvious when you go cruising in La Digue Island waters.

The day’s sailing

• 42 mins Sailing time
• 3.5 Nautical miles

Mooring

No moorings available. The best all-weather anchorage is in La Digue Harbour on the north-west coast. On the south-east side of the island, Anse Coco is well protected in northwesterly winds.

Dinghy dockage: No dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

There is much to do on La Digue Island, which is one reason why La Digue is so popular on luxury yacht charter itineraries. Some cruisers opt to stay an extra day just to relax and see the sights in a place where the slow pace of life is cherished. Among the attractions are the working copra mill and the Union Estate Park, a large plantation covering almost a third of the island. In addition to the estate building, which is open to the public, you’ll find The Old Cemetery and a tortoise pen. A walk through Veuve Reserve takes you deep into the ecosystem of the island. Horse riding, bicycle rentals, and sightseeing trips by helicopter are popular. The beach at Source d’Argent is one of the island’s most picturesque settings. The Tarrosa Bar, Restaurant and Disco features live music at the weekends.

Facilities

No facilities available for yachts.

La Digue Island

The twisted granite outcrops and giant boulders of this island are natural works of art formed millions of years ago by forces deep inside the Earth. They adorn the white-sand beaches and impart an otherworldly appeal to an already exotic scene. Hiking trails lead into the mountains and the quiet country roads are ideal for bicycle tours. For an unforgettable adventure, book a helicopter ride and see the cruising paradise from the air. Visit the working copra factory (a coconut processing centre for making coconut oil), the Vanilla Plantation, and other intriguing sites, then enjoy the nightlife at the Tarrosa Bar, Restaurant and Disco.

Curieuse Island

Dotted with coco-de-mer palms and thick stands of mangroves, Curieuse Island is a typical example of the unparaleled beauty you’ll find in the Seychelles. In the distant past, the island was the site of a leper colony. Today, it’s a cruising paradise.

The day’s sailing

• 5 Hr 24 mins Sailing time
• 27 Nautical miles

Mooring

Moorings are available. The best anchorage in northwesterly winds is in the cove of Baie Laraie.

Dinghy dockage: No dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

A short hike from Baie Laraie across the island to Anse José takes you along a trail leading through a mangrove forest. Amid the foliage are the ruins of the leper colony, and near the beach at Anse José is The Doctor’s House, where the island’s physician lived. Built in the Creole Colonial style, the house is now a museum that highlights the island’s history. On the beach, giant tortoises bask in the sun. Barbecues on the beach are popular, as are snorkelling, swimming, and sunbathing. The snorkelling is particularly good around the nearby island of St Pierre. Taken together, all these attractions make cruising in Curieuse Island waters a memorable and inspiring adventure.

Facilities

No facilities available for yachts.

Curieuse National Marine Park

From offshore the hills of Curieuse Island appear to be a blend of deep reds and greens, a result of the reddish-tinted soil and lush vegetation. Stands of coco-de-mer palms also grow on the island. These unique trees produce double coconuts, with some as heavy as 40 pounds; they are said to be the largest fruit in the world. Snorkelling and scuba diving is spectacular on the reefs. Two popular dive spots are Coral Garden and Pointe Rouge. A trail meanders from Baie Laraie across the island to Anse José and includes a boardwalk section that passes through a mangrove forest, primal and breathtaking in its beauty. On the beach near The Doctor’s House, a museum highlighting the history of this one-time leper colony, giant tortoises sun themselves, seemingly oblivious to nearby visitors to the park.

St Anne Island

St. Anne Island is the centerpiece of this beautiful marine park, and nearby Moyenne, Round, and Cerf are just as scenic. During World War II St. Anne served as a base for a contingent of Royal Marines stationed there to defend the port of Victoria in the event of an enemy attack. In the early 19th century, the area was a busy whaling port. Today, cruising in St. Anne Marine National Park is a delightful foray into the wonders of Nature, with superb snorkeling and swimming, and a number of restaurants where you can dine out and savor the local cuisine.

The day’s sailing

• 30 mins Sailing time
• 2.5 Nautical miles

Mooring

Moorings are available for a fee on the south side of St Anne Island. Anchoring is permitted in the park.

Dinghy dockage: No dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

Swimming and snorkelling are the main attractions of the park. The turtles are relatively tame and will swim around you in a friendly way, providing a chance for underwater photography. Ashore on St Anne, Moyenne, Round, and Cerf islands are restaurants serving Creole and haute cuisine.

Facilities

No facilities available for yachts.

St Anne Marine National Park

Located about five nautical miles off the coast of Mahé, the small islands comprising the St Anne Marine National Park are jewels of the Seychelles archipelago. The reefs have an abundant diversity of hard and soft corals, and one of the largest expanses of sea grass in the islands. Green and hawksbill turtles are commonly seen foraging for food in this undersea prairie. The snorkelling and scuba diving are splendid. Ashore on Moyenne, Round, Cerf, and St Anne islands are restaurants featuring Creole and haute cuisine.