SEYCHELLES

The Seychelles is a fabulous sailing area.  Bareboat these glorious islands which some people believe to be the Garden of Eden. 

Check out our wonderful trip to the Seychelles and Africa in October 2004

Go to> South Africa and Seychelles

 “I have visited many places all over the world and it is no exaggeration to say that the Seychelles islands contain the most beautiful places I have ever seen - perhaps the Creator willed that they should be so isolated so that the primitive natural beauty He created should not be destroyed.”  So wrote Archbishop Makarios of Cyprus, one of the most famous in a long line of deportees exiled to the isolated Seychelles, to the local newspaper in 1967. 

Far from being “reluctant” visitors, you will savor every sun-drenched moment exploring some of this remote island paradise scattered over more than 500,000 square miles of the Indian Ocean between the Equator and Madagascar, 1200 miles to the east of Kenya.  Explore the numerous granitic Inner Islands around Mahe, including the “seabird citadel of the Indian Ocean,” Aride.  For the naturalists among you, you will have the privilege of seeing some of the rarest flora and fauna in the world - the famed coco-de-mer, the fruit of a rare palm tree growing undisturbed in the Vallee de Mai on Praslin; several species of vacoas or screwpines with remarkable stilt-like aerial roots; “la vanille sauvage” a striking orchid endemic to the Seychelles; hawksbill turtles and giant tortoises, more numerous here than any place in the world;  and exotic birds like the Praslin black parrot and the paradise fly catcher of La Digue island.   

And if that is not enough to tempt you, Mahe itself boasts 63 beaches, miles of white coral sand, palm fringed and studded with weather- and sea-sculpted granite boulders.  April is one of the best months for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.  Whether from your own yacht at anchor or from a specially arranged dive center, you can delight in the 100 species of living coral and 900(!) species of colorful tropical fish that inhabit these crystal clear waters.

Evidence suggests that the Arab traders and even the Polynesians had known these islands by the 9^th century.   But the Seychelles takes its name from the 18^th century French Comptroller General of  Finances.  Mahe, Praslin, and Silhouette were likewise named for French notables.  Others - Curieuse, Cerf, La Digue, Ste. Anne, for example -  give testimony to famous sailing ships, explorers and settlers in the age of discovery.

France, then Great Britain, ruled the Seychelles over more than 200 years until its independence in 1976.  Africans, Asians and Indians have added to the “melting pot” that makes up the Seychellois people, a rich, attractive heritage evident in its Creole/French music, dances, and food.

Take off your watches, and sail back in time to the beauty and peace of these islands.

On our last trip, we had a visit by a 22-foot whale shark which swam around our boat!
 

Why not add an East African safari to your sailing trip. We are able to customize and book all air transport, safari camps and hotels for you.

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