Seychelles

The Seychelles inner islands sit within one of the most visually dramatic cruising grounds on the planet, where enormous pink granite boulders tumble into water so clear you can read the depth by colour alone.

The archipelago is compact enough for comfortable day sailing between Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue — crossings rarely exceed three to four hours — yet varied enough to hold you for two weeks without retracing a single anchorage. The inner islands are sheltered from oceanic swell by their own geography, so even moderate winds rarely kick up serious chop.

Wind behaviour here is seasonal and decisive. The southeast trade winds blow reliably from May through October, keeping things brisk and consistent at 15–25 knots. April to May and October to November are the transition periods — lighter, variable winds, calmer seas, and far fewer charter boats on the water.

The northwest monsoon (December to March) brings humidity and less predictable conditions; experienced sailors handle it fine, but it's not where you want your first bareboat to be. Plan your passages with the prevailing wind direction in mind: the southeast-to-northwest axis rewards good routing.

Charter bases cluster around Mahé's Eden Island marina, which has solid provisioning and a concentration of bareboat and skippered operators. Praslin's Baie Sainte Anne is worth positioning yourself there mid-trip. For anchorages, Curieuse Island, Anse Lazio, and the shallows off Félicité remain genuinely rewarding. Check-in paperwork is relatively painless, though you'll want landing fees and marine park permits sorted before heading to protected areas.

Wildlife encounters — hawksbill turtles, nurse sharks, fairy terns — are routine rather than exceptional.

Avoid December through February unless you're an experienced bluewater sailor comfortable with unsettled monsoon conditions and reduced visibility.