This summer, I had the chance to spend my honeymoon sailing around the Seychelles, a once-in-a-lifetime way to experience one of the world’s most breathtaking sailing destinations. Exploring the islands by yacht offered the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure: crystal-clear anchorages, diverse marine life, and the freedom to move at our own pace. In this guide, I’ll share the itinerary we followed, the highlights of each stop, and some practical tips for anyone planning a yacht charter in the Seychelles.
Getting to Praslin: Air or Sea
Air:
Air Seychelles operates frequent domestic flights between Mahé and Praslin, with a journey time of just 15–20 minutes. Flying is by far the quickest option and helps avoid potential seasickness, but it comes at a higher cost, especially in peak season. Keep in mind that these small aircraft have limited seats and stricter luggage allowances, so advance booking is highly recommended.
Sea:
The Cat Cocos catamaran connects Victoria (Mahé) with Baie Sainte Anne (Praslin) in around an hour, depending on sea conditions. Ferries run several times per day, offering a more affordable and scenic alternative to flying. That said, rough seas can make the crossing uncomfortable, and luggage collection on arrival can be less streamlined.
Which to choose? Ultimately, it comes down to priorities: flights are faster and more comfortable for those short on time or prone to motion sickness, while ferries are ideal for budget-conscious travellers who want to enjoy the sea views on the way.
Moving Around the Island: Local Transport on Praslin
Once you arrive on Praslin, whether by ferry or flight, getting around the island is straightforward, though your choice of transport will depend on budget, comfort, and how much independence you want.
Public Buses:
Praslin has two main bus routes that connect the airport, Baie Sainte Anne jetty, accommodation hubs such as Côte d’Or/Anse Volbert, and many popular beaches. Services run roughly from 6:00 to 18:30, with lighter schedules on Sundays. Fares are inexpensive, making buses a practical choice for short hops.
Taxis & Private Transfers:
Taxis are widely available and often used for transfers between the airport, ferry jetty, and resorts. A ride from Baie Sainte Anne jetty to Praslin Airport takes around 20 minutes. Pre-booked private transfers are also an option, offering a smoother, more reliable service
Car Rental:
For those who prefer independence, renting a car is the best way to explore Praslin at your own pace. It allows you to easily reach hidden beaches, viewpoints, and inland trails without relying on timetables. That said, roads can be narrow, winding, and occasionally steep, so careful driving is essential.
Sailing Itinerary in the Seychelles
Day 1 – Praslin (Baie Sainte Anne) → Anse Lazio
After check-in and provisioning at Baie Sainte Anne, we sailed north to Anse Lazio, one of Praslin’s most celebrated beaches. The anchorage provided a stunning first night, with calm waters and an unforgettable sunset.
Day 2 – Anse Lazio → Curieuse Island
A short hop across to Curieuse, famous for its giant tortoise sanctuary and mangrove boardwalks. It’s also a protected marine park, so snorkelling here is excellent.
Day 3 – Curieuse → Anse Pasquière
We continued to Anse Pasquière, a quieter anchorage on Praslin’s northeastern side. The bay is less visited, offering a peaceful overnight stop.
Day 4 – Anse Pasquière → Félicité & Coco Island
Sailing east, we reached the small granitic islands of Félicité and Coco, both renowned for their dramatic scenery and underwater life. Coco Island, in particular, is a top snorkelling destination with schools of reef fish and vibrant coral.
Day 5 – Coco Island → Côte d’Or (Anse Volbert) → Baie Sainte Anne (Praslin)
On our final day, we stopped at Côte d’Or, Praslin’s lively beach lined with restaurants and guesthouses, before returning to Baie Sainte Anne for check-out.
Personal Tip: Keep in mind water restrictions on board for showers, in case your boat doesn’t have a water maker!!
Behind the Scenes: Supplies and Infrastructure
Praslin may feel like a remote paradise, but smooth transport of people and goods keeps the island running.
Ports & Airport
The small Praslin Airport (PRI) handles short Mahé flights with basic facilities but offers the quickest transfer. Most visitors arrive via the busy Baie Sainte Anne ferry terminal, which sees over half a million passengers annually. To ease congestion, a new terminal on nearby Eve Island is planned to expand capacity and improve comfort.
Moving Goods
Air Seychelles also runs over 20 daily cargo flights, vital for perishables, urgent supplies, and live animals. Still, delays in sea freight can disrupt stock and push up prices, highlighting the fragility of island supply chains.
Roads
Praslin’s road network is small and winding. While main routes are well maintained, secondary roads to beaches and trailheads can be rough, making travel times longer than expected.
Tips for Smooth Travel
To make your visit smoother (and to appreciate what’s going on behind the scenes):
**IMPORTANT** Don’t forget to apply for your Travel Permit before you arrive. This normally needs to be done at least 48 hours before arrival! Complete it here; www.seychelles.govtas.com (it’s around 10 EUR per person)
1. Plan transport in advance: book flights or ferries ahead, especially in high season.
2. Allow buffer time when transferring: e.g. arriving in Mahé, then catching a ferry, then getting to your hotel. Delays, luggage, and queues can add up.
3. Choose based on comfort vs cost: cheap ferry transfers may suit budget-minded, scenic travellers; flights are pricier but save time (and seasickness).
4. Check baggage rules for flights/ferries: some flights have stricter luggage allowances. Ferries may have constraints.
5. If arriving late, get accommodations near transport hubs: late ferry or flight arrivals can make onward ground transport harder.
6. Be aware of perishables & local supply hours: if you’re relying on fresh food (especially if staying in remote lodges/guesthouses), know that delivery schedules may mean less variety or higher prices at certain times.
Final tips from Alec!
Personal Tip: Consider a hybrid approach: start with a week-long sailing trip to hop between the inner islands, then finish with a few nights on La Digue, Praslin or Mahé (or all three) in a beachfront villa. This way, you get both adventure and relaxation.
Transport
- Ferries: Leave extra time for collecting your bags at the end. It can be quite chaotic as all the bags are pulled off the ferry onto the jetty, and there’s a lot of scrambling!
Health & Essentials
- Sunscreen, reef-safe if possible. Bring spare!
- Insect repellent (especially for evenings on tropical islands).
- Pharmacies are available, but for prescription medications and/or seasickness medication, bring an adequate supply.
Personal Tip: Bring cash with you (EUR/USD/GBP) and exchange it in the Seychelles! I found that the best exchange rate was offered at Praslin Marina, but Praslin Airport also had a more competitive rate than Mahé International Airport. But all were better than the rates we could get with our bank…
Activities Beyond Sailing
- Snorkelling & diving: Sainte-Anne, Curieuse, Baie Ternay.
- Hiking: Morne Seychellois (Mahé) or Vallée de Mai (Praslin) for UNESCO-protected palm forests.
- Local Culture: Markets in Victoria, vanilla plantations, Creole cuisine.
Dietary Restrictions
- They will do their best, but it’s a very fish-based diet and culture!
Timing & Seasonality
- April-May and October-November are ideal for a combination of calm seas and good wind.
- There are 2 main periods of the year;
- the South-East monsoon; June-Oct = “cool” season, sailing is good, snorkelling not so clear, and;
- the North-West monsoon; November-May = “hot” season, clear seas for snorkelling, no wind, so a bad time for sailing (mainly motor use!)
- Peak tourist season: December-January (holidays), so book accommodation and charters early!
