Sailing the Seychelles

Anse Lazio beach on Praslin Island

Located roughly 1255 miles of the east coast of Africa lay an oasis like no other – The Seychelles. Steeped in white sand beaches, Caribbean like water this destination should be on everyone’s sailing bucket list!

BAREBOAT SEYCHELLES YACHT CHARTER

WHAT ARE THE SEYCHELLES?

The Seychelles Islands are an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, consisting of approximately 115 islands, most of which are not permanently inhabited. Seychelles offer timeless beauty, tranquillity and harmony that is famous for a great natural diversity both above and below the waterline.

CREWED MOTOR YACHT SEYCHELLES CHARTER

WHAT SHOULD I VISIT?

From Mahe, you’ll want to visit the twin islands of Cousin and Cousine, and then continue on to the island of Praslin, home to the Vallée de Mai and numerous world-famous beaches. The island offers numerous safe anchorages along its 18-mile coastline.

CREWED CATAMARAN SEYCHELLES CHARTER

WHEN IS IT BEST TO SAIL IN THE SEYCHELLES?

The Seychelles’ climate is just about perfect – always warm, sunny nearly every day, with no major extremes. The temperature seldom drops below 24°C/75°F or rises above 32°C/90°F. All but the remotest southern islands lie comfortably outside the cyclone belt so there are very rarely storms or prolonged rainy periods. The north-west trade winds arrive during the months of October and March. At this time the sea is generally calm and the weather warm and humid, with average winds of 8-12 knots.

January and February are the rainy season when the islands receive 30-40 cm of rain on average, bringing life-giving water to the islands and rejuvenating the foliage, rivers and streams. The months between May and September bring drier, cooler weather, and livelier seas – particularly on south-eastern coasts – and winds of 10-20 knots.

The table below is a summary of the statistical averages for the Seychelles International Airport from 1972 to 2005. (Courtesy of the Seychelles Meteorological Services).

 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Rainfall (mm)402.6283.2194.9186.7151.6105.176.6119.3154.0189.7206.3302.8
Temperature (°C)26.927.427.828.127.826.726.026.026.526.926.926.9
Relative Humidity (%)828080807979808079798082
Predominant Wind DirectionNWNWNWSW-NWSESESESESESESW-NWNW
Wind Speed (kts)6.36.35.24.97.810.411.412.111.37.95.45.4

Top Tips on how to book your bareboat sailing charter with a broker

If you are new to the charter world it can seem a daunting task to charter a yacht. With sailing terms, paperwork, invoices, and deposits, it can seem like a bit of a minefield when trying to book your charter. But don’t worry – it really isn’t too hard at all! I will take you through some steps which will allow you to book a yacht charter in the most painless way!

Work with a broker – it’s free!

Shot of a young man writing while out on his yachthttps://195.154.178.81/DATA/i_collage/pu/shoots/805773.jpg

First of all, it’s best if you work with a broker. Not only can you compare all the bareboat yachts available to you, get advice on the area, have the best yachts in the market suggested to you, but this service is completely free. Brokers are paid by the yacht owner – you just benefit from all the broker’s knowledge and insight! Just like mortgage brokers, they tend to find the best deal with the best supplier. Brokers are there to assist and support you throughout your charter. Find a broker that has been in the industry a long time, that is more than just a ‘booking platform’ but most importantly – listens to your requirements.

Know what you want

There are over 2,000 bareboat yachts based in Greece alone. If you want a yacht you have to know at least 4 things.
1) DESTINATION! There are too many options to list and show you there are thousands of yachts worldwide ready for a bareboat charter. If you need advice on a sailing region we are more than happy to help – this is best done by a phone call!
2) BUDGET! The most important. Bareboat yachts range from 2000 – 15,000 euros – save your time by trawling through yachts which are not applicable and let us know what your budget is!
3) How many cabins do you require? You’re a family of four and need three cabins, but you also need a skipper and would also like a host. Skippers and hosts need a cabin each, so from thinking you only need three cabins, in fact, you need 5 cabins.
4) Dates. High seasons, midseason, and low season rates vary hugely. As a rule of thumb, high season rates are almost double what low season rates are. For the Mediterranean for example, April/May low season June Midseason July/August sometimes early September High season, September midseason October low season.

Information

Give us as much information as possible! Every bit of information you give us helps us to find the best yacht for you and your guests. Whether you prefer in-mast furling to full batten however small the detail is it helps us so much! Let us know how much experience you have, sailing yachts have different rigging, some areas are better for first-timers than others.

Feedback

Happy couple sailing on a yacht and listening to music online sharing earphones and smiling

It is so important that your broker receives feedback on the yachts provided otherwise we cannot continue to assist you with finding you the most suitable yacht. If you disliked the first selection of yachts – tell your broker! We have access to all of the yachts available worldwide so just tell us what you are looking for!

Booking the boat

A good broker will ask if you want to place a selection of yachts on hold – this avoids disappointment! Holds general last around 4-7 days depending on the time of year. Within this time, you have to sign the contract, and transfer the funds – that is it. If you need to get your license verified, do this prior to booking – a good broker will always get this done before you make your first payment.

Itineraries and extra planning

Pair of compasses for navigation on a sea map. Horizontal shot

Brokers are undoubtedly the first point of call when discussing great routes and the best islands to check out. We know, because we go. We have all sailed, travelled swam in the oceans of which we put our guests onto. These itineraries are to be taken with a pinch of salt – weather can hinder plans. Try and keep as flexible as possible, after all its the unplanned adventures which make the memories.

Are you looking to charter?

Get in touch! Whether you are a first-timer, or a salty sea dog we love putting people on the water that are from all walks of life. Speak to our bareboat team here!

Staniel Cay – Exumas

The island of Staniel Cay is nestled among the magnificent chain of Bahamian Islands called The Exumas Cays.  This island is ideal for friends and families who enjoy boating, beaches, snorkeling, diving and fishing.

Staniel Cay lies approximately 75 miles south of Nassau and 250 miles of southeast of Florida. The island itself is small and remote, less than 2 square miles in area. A tiny Bahamian village lies on the western shore a short walk south from the Staniel Cay Yacht Club.

The Staniel Cay Yacht Club offers berths for bareboaters and superyachts alike of up to 185 feet and has recently expanded and upgraded dock facilities with increased electrical supply and a dedicated fuel dock with high-speed pumps. Staniel Cay is a favorite destination for yacht charter guests wishing to explore the pristine Exumas, and remote locations such as the Plana Cays, renowned as one of the most spectacular regions for diving and fishing anywhere in the world.

Many yacht charter guests with personal aircraft utilize the airstrip on Staniel Cay. For yacht charter guests without private air transport, Watermakers Air, the airline of the Staniel Cay Yacht Club, offers both private charter flights and a rate-per-seat for shared-charters departing from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. Flights may clear customs in South or Central Andros making this a very convenient option for passengers destined for the southern islands in the Bahamas chain.

Please follow this informative link to view a Yacht Charter Guide to the Bahamas. If you are looking to charter in the Bahamas, but not sure where to start, speak with one of our expert brokers today. We know because we go.

Quarantine sailing quiz!

Test out your sailing knowledge with out quarantine sailing quiz!

If you are like most, you have probably engaged in some form of quiz over the past few weeks so we decided to create our own Sailing Quiz! This goes out to all the yachties out there who are fed up with the football questions! The answers are at the bottom of the page – enjoy!

Q1. How many knots is 10mph?
A) 8.6 B) 9.6 C) 10.6

Q2. What is the correct way to end a radio conversation?
A) Over and out B) Over C) Out

Q3. What is the most common way of mooring in the Mediterranean?
A) Side to B) Stern to C) Bow to

Check out our bareboat sailing yachts!

Q4. On a boat, where would you find the Skeg?
A) Keel B) Boom C) Rudder

Q5. Name the knot pictured below!
A) Reef Knot B) Clove Hitch C) Bowline

Q6. What is the main difference between a Jib and a Genoa?
A) Jibs is a bigger triangle B) A Genoa is larger and passes the mainsail C) The Jib has 2 90 degree right angles.

Q7. In sound signals what do 3 short blasts mean?
A) Turning to Port B) Engines in astern C) I intend to overtake on your port side

Check out our crewed motor yachts!

Q8. Name this marker pictured below!
A) Port marker B) West Cardinal C) Isolated danger

Q9. Where would you find the saloon on a yacht?
A) Main communal area on the main deck B) An area in the bathroom (head) B) The attachment to the mast

Q10. The term ‘skipper’ derived from?
A) A dutch word B) Because the captain would skip to the helm C) Many sailors did not know how to spell captain

THE END!

From all of us at Boatbookings, we hope you enjoyed the quiz and we all look forward to getting you out on the water! Please share this quiz with friends and family!

Answers!

  1. A – 8.6
  2. C – Out
  3. B – Stern to
  4. C – Rudder
  5. C – Bowline
  6. B – A genoa is larger and passes the mainsail
  7. B – Engines in astern
  8. B – West Cardinal
  9. A – Main communal area
  10. A – A dutch word

Sailing songs!

If you are like us, you are probably by now, dreaming of getting out on the water! Unfortunately, there are a few things that need to be cleared up first. In the meantime, kick back, relax and listen to some of our sailing songs on Spotify!

Listen to some classic rock songs, with a sailing twist – trust me, it will have the whole family singing in no time!

Happy couple sailing on a yacht and listening to music online sharing earphones and smiling

Are you planning a charter currently? Are you speaking with your family about some destinations and want to speak to an expert? Give us a call or email – we will gladly explain what options you have available!

Our brokers travel worldwide, visiting bases and yachts, sailing the itineraries and eating at the restaurants that we recommend. There’s no better advice than getting it from someone who’s been!

Got a song for the playlist? Give us an email and we will add it!