Seychelles Sailing

[Petrolia]

Although I own a mobo I also love to sail.

To this end we, the family, have chartered a catamaran for August in the Seychelles. I was hoping it would be like the Caribbean but without the hurricannes like we had in the Grenadines a couple of years ago.

I've not been to the Seychelles before. I've ordered a companion (although hopefully there will be one onboard) but in the meantime has anyone got any general advice about cruising there.

I'm mainly concerned about anchorages and provisioning. On my previous sailing holidays provisioning wasn't a problem, didn' need much, but it seems from my internet searches that the Seychelles is really just a big nature reserve. Now I like the idea of that but will I be able to get essential supplies, like wine & beer ? Plus water & some food of course ?

Thanks for any tips.

Paul

 

[Jeannius]

This is not exactly up-to-date info as I went there, maybe 7 or 8 years ago in the early days of Sunsail in the Seychelles.

First the good.... It was incredibly beautiful

Now the bad...
The islands were just not geared up for sailing. Provisioning was difficult once you'd got away from the main base. Everything you could get was very expensive.

There were no dinghy docks and in most places no protected harbours. We got stuck in La Digue for 4 days with unseasonal monsoon type conditions in early May. Not very well protected.

If you take the dinghy ashore you were often landing in surf. Since the restaurants - at the time - nearly all insisted on 'smart' attire we ended up having to take a change of clothing so that once we'd got soaked to the skin on landing we had something else to change into. On night the tide went out around a hundred metres while we were at dinner. my wife, 12 year old daughter and I had to drag the solid, heavy dinghy for a long time before we reached the water.


The cruising guide was translated from French and put the fear of god in you about most places.... English crusing guides would probably say something like take care, or a bit tricky... In this it was...Beware.... Dangerous etc.etc

I would never go back without air-conditioning. We all agreed the best day of the holiday was when we got off the boat and hired an air-conditioned car. We were dry for the first time and we got to a lot of beautiful bays that were not accessible by yacht because of reefs.

Sorry to be doom and gloom but that's the way it was back then. Some of it will have changed, some of it won't.

 

[Petrolia]

Hmmmm,
Thanks for that. I can visualise the landing in the surf ! Great start to the evening !! Dinghy dragging sounds like a nightmare. At least I'll have two straping lads we me (Son & Daughter fiance)

Looks like we might have to get provisioned up to start & then just make 2/3 day forays to visit other places then back for re-supply. I think eating onboard sounds preferable to surfing ashore & changing on the beach !

I suppose there is always hope. Maybe some of the hotels have jetties now ?

Thanks again.
I'll report back & post a few pictures when I get back.

 

[fisherman]

She sails Sunsail in the Seychelles....surely just a tongue twister

 

[No1_Moose]

I agree with everything Mike says.
You've also got to be prepared for some Huuuuuge swell if there has been any wind in the Indian Ocean prior to you heading out there. When we were last out there we chartered a big beneteau for 2 days and spent most of that in troughs the size of a large house. There is a nice restaurant on the far side of Praslin in a small bay. Don't be fooled into going there though because once you've bashed your way through the surf (make sure you get a GRP tender with a big o/b to tow) you'll be confronted by several large guard dogs.
Having to have hatches open to keep cool in the rain is not fun so yes, make sure you have a/c.
It is nice though!

 

[Petrolia]

It's getting worse by the post. Too late, paid for boat already !

Sounds just like our other sailing hols, part holiday, part adventure !

 

[ChrisE]

I vcna only assume that the other posters went somewhere else!

Unlke the previous posters, we spent a fortnight there a couple of years ago and found the Seychelles enchanting. True provisioning can be tricky but you can stock up before you leave, there is quite a handy super about 5 mins from the SS dock.

Each of of the islands has good anchorages, some are a fair way from the shore and you'll need to use the dinghy a fair amount (make sure hat your outboard is OK, ours was adodgy starter). The navving is relatively straightforward, it it eyeball stuff most of the time. It is hot but no more so that any other tropical sailing venue.

The fishing is good as well, we ate well with fish caught off the back, snorkeling excellent and plenty to see such as giant tortoises and superb beaches.

I'd go back there tomorrow, if I didn't have the rest of the world to see.

 

[Petrolia]

Re: I vcna only assume that the other posters went somewhere else!

Well that's a bit more reassuring.

Thank you Mr two boats /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Petrolia