This Sailing Yacht and Lodge Safari is predominantly a sailing trip designed to get you to the furthest reaches of the Seychelles Inner Islands.  Your sailing incorporates the dramatic coastal mountain and rainforest scenery of Mahe and Silhouette; the stunning beaches and granite boulder islands within the Praslin and La Digue island group; and the low lying coral island of Bird in at Seychelles northernmost limit.

Before you step onboard this yacht safari, we take you to the west coast of Mahe to unwind and ‘acclimatise’ to the pace of the islands.  From the Beau Vallon beach, you will be able to see the western most islands you will eventually sail to which are Silhouette and North Island.

Once onboard, we first take you to the Saint Anne Marine National Park and the small islands within it.  From here the focus is then on the dramatic coastal scenery of Mahe around the Morne Seychellois National Park, Baie Ternay and the scenic anchorage of Port Launay.

From Port Launay begins the first of your offshore sails which will take you to Silhouette Island.  Here you will have the opportunity to step ashore to visit a Giant Tortoise and Terrapin rehabilitation project run by the Nature Protection Trust of Seychelles.  You will also have time to follow a trail here which lead towards Silhouette’s high peaks (Mont Plasir is 2,400ft / 751m high).  The trail is punctuated by huge granite boulders which are engulfed by the least disturbed native forests of the Seychelles.  Alternatively, you can enjoy the white sand beaches Silhouette’s eastern coast where the new 5-star resort of Labriz has been built.

Before leaving Silhouette you will explore its dramatic northern coastline which offers some good snorkelling and stunning views.  After sunset, your crew will set sail past North Island and cruise through the night reaching Bird Island by the morning.  Here you will have the chance to walk right around the island and see a spectacle of seabirds you will find difficult to match anywhere.  On this tiny coral island there are about ½ million resident Brown Noddy and between May and October each year some 2 million or more Sooty Terns take up residence here.  You can also find the Madagascan Fody here, bright white Fairy Terns and the world’s oldest living tortoise, Esmeralda.  She arrived here in 1808 when a ship called the Hirondelle ran aground on Bird Island.

At some stage in the afternoon, you will sail to the start of your Praslin and La Digue inner island group sail.  Your first anchorage here will either be Anse Lazio or Curieuse Island.  Anse Lazio is a particularly good anchorage during the south east trade winds because although popular by day, it is usually deserted in the early morning making for some wonderful kayaking, walking and swimming.

And then the focus of the rest of your sail is the sailing paradise of Praslin, La Digue and its satellite islands.  You will have many opportunities to land on this section of the safari, and visit the natural highlights of the Seychelles.  These include the tortoise sanctuary of Curieuse and the bird sanctuaries of Cousin.  It also includes the snorkelling and small island highlights of Cocos and St Pierre.  On Praslin, you will have the chance to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Vallee de Mai.  And on La Digue your skipper and crew will advise you where to trek, rent bikes and try to see the critically endangered Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher.

For a detailed itinerary please click here.

The Yacht

This yacht safari is conducted throughout the year onboard a magnificent 82 foot French built Nautitech sailing catamaran.  The onboard crew will use sails wherever possible and all but the longest passages are sailed during the day.

Spaces are available by the cabin, so you will join a group of up to 16 people.  Accommodation is in double cabins with double beds and en suite bathrooms.   These consist of a sink, toilet and limited standing area to take a shower using a hand held shower head which extends from the sink.

There is ample space on deck space, in a covered seating area where meals are taken, and in the large inside salon area.  Cabin space is at a premium so it is essential that you pack using collapsible bags and try to limit yourself only to what you really need to bring.

Temperature control is entirely natural i.e. air flow through hatches and fans.  There is no air conditioning.

Diving onboard

There are opportunities to conduct 8 dives comfortably during this yacht safari for which there are scuba tanks and a dive master onboard.  Occasional diving may also be possible once onboard, but if you want to dive then we recommend that you prebook so that we can put arrangements in place.

Hiking in Seychelles

Great care is needed when hiking in the Seychelles because it is very easy to slip when the ground is wet.  The granite rocks provide little grip when wet and roots and branches are similarly slippery.  Ankle protection is essential to prevent twists and sprains and soles which can cope with slippery surfaces.

Dates Available throughout the year.  Please enquire for specific dates.  For those taking part in our Whale Shark Research & Conservation experience the closest dates are: 23rd Sep - 5th Oct, 14th - 26th Oct and 25th - 6th Nov. Price £2,160 per person sharing Single supplement £860 (single occupancy cabin, hotels and transfers) Discounts less £700 per child when second cabin occupied by 2 children age less than 18 less £1500 for a single child age less than 14 in second cabin less £360 for the following dates: 6th - 18th Dec (2008) 2nd - 14th May (2009) 12th - 24th May (2009) 23rd May - 4th Jun (2009) Less £560 for our pre Whale Shark experience charter of 23rd - 5th Oct (2008) Note: discounts are not cumulative Diving 8 dives £275.  These can be divied between 2 people e.g. 4 dives each. Prices valid for departures before 4th Jun 2009. Prices include • Accommodation in private double cabin with ensuite bathroom. • Full board on the yacht. • Service of the crew (captain, steward/cook, deckhand) • 2 sets of linen, towel and beach towels per person/week • GST, 7% local tax • Water sports on board: snorkelling equipment and use of 2 sit-on-top sea kayaks. Prices exclude • Beverages (soft drinks and bar) • Landing fees on the islands (up to Eur 135**) • Activities not specified as included • Taxi from yacht to airport • Diving (this can be arranged at some spots onboard) **Correct at time of writing

Photographs kindly provided by Ralph Pannell, Charlotte Caffrey, David Rowat, STB

Seychelles Yacht & Lodge Safaris

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