The Seychelles
Off the eastern coast of Africa, the Seychelles archipelago is made up of 115 islands scattered to the north of Madagascar. This off-the-beaten-track destination offers an ecosystem protected from all human activity for those who want to experience a Southern Hemisphere cruise in a different way. The combination of nautical pleasures and elaborate eco-tourism adds to the charm of the cruise.
Seychelles by sea
This uncharted adventure in the middle of the Indian Ocean reveals coves and beaches graced by turquoise waters, tropical flora and abundant underwater and land wildlife. The Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue – rightly considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet – as well as the riches of the islands of Praslin and Aldabra Atoll can be discovered aboard a catamaran and multihull. Classified by UNESCO, the Aldabra Atoll – which remains wild thanks to its isolation – is a unique sanctuary for more than 150,000 giant tortoises and thousands of birds. On Praslin, the beaches are lined with thick vegetation and lined with huge granite boulders that drop into the clear, emerald warm waters of the ocean. The beauty of the Vallee de Mai nature reserve, which can also be discovered on a charter boat cruise in the Seychelles, is beyond description. The huge 19 hectare tropical and primitive jungle is considered by the locals to be the most beautiful nature reserve in the world, with the undisputed endemic specimens being the coco-fesse, the Seychelles coconut tree and the black parrot.
The bird capital
The Seychelles is a great destination for birdwatchers looking for a unique bareboat or bareboat holiday. Bird Island is home to millions of birds nestled in a lush green environment surrounded by a long stretch of white sand. The sight of White Gygis, Tailed Strawbirds, Swallows and Terns swirling and diving in the fishy waters is simply magnificent. Seventy kilometres to the south-east, Arid Island is a nature reserve renowned for its jungle and steep cliffs that provide a natural habitat for green turtles and reptiles. Hundreds of bird species such as the Brown Noddy, Song Magpie and Tern can be seen at specific times of the year to maintain the ecological balance of the site.
A five-star floating hotel
Luxury cruises aboard privatised catamarans with full board offer a unique experience while enjoying tailor-made services with a crew whose discretion and respect for privacy are the golden rule. The beautiful capital of the Seychelles, Victoria, located on the island of Mahé, is a real open-air museum with picturesque Creole huts with wooden facades and raised terraces. The Clock Tower, a replica of the English Big Ben, located in the historic centre and Port Victoria are also worth a visit. Moreover, with its steep slope that creates powerful waves, Anse Intendance Beach is the favourite spot for surfers from the island and elsewhere. Large coconut and palm trees covering the surrounding hills along the coastline provide shade for swimmers who relax after a snorkelling trip to discover the fabulous seabed.
THE ARCHIPELAGO
The Seychelles consist of 115 small islands scattered across a wide area of the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the equator, It represents an archipelago of timeless beauty, tranquility and harmony offering a great diversity between azure oean, legendary Vallée de Mai (with the famous Coco de mer nut), granitic islands and coral atolls including our second UNESCO world heritage site: Aldabra
INNER ISLANDS
The main islands are based on solid granite foundations and are mountainous, the highest mountain, on Mahé, reaches 905 metres above the sea level.Mahé, the largest island, is 29 km long and mostly about 3 to 6 km wide. With a population of around 75,000. About half of the population lives in or around the capital: Victoria.
The only town in the Seychelles.
Praslin, 25 miles east of Mahé, it's the second-largest island, is 11 km long and 4 km wide, with a population of about 8,000 people, it's in the heart of this small island that you will found our first UNESCO world heritage: VALLEE DE MAI, the reserve has the vestiges of a natural palm forest preserved in almost its original state. Famous Coco de mer, from a palm tree once believed to grow in the depths of the sea, it's the largest seed in the plant kingdom! It is the last habitat of the famous Kato nwar (black parrot), the brifht green praslin gecko, the wolf snake (non poisonous), the tiger chameleon & frivolous frogs... Don't miss Anse Lazio one of the most beautifull beach!
Seychelles Island
OUTER ISLANDs
Most islands outside the inner islands group are coralline and spread towards the south and south west. These 74 outer islands are coral, flat, sandy and planted with coconut trees. They are less visited than the granitic islands due to their relative remoteness and they offer untouched habitats for many species of wildlife.
They fall in four distinct groups: the Amirantes group, the Southern Coral group, the Farquhar group and the Aldabra group.
Charter available in this area subject to specific condition, please contact us: yachtseychelles@gmail.com
OUTER ISLANDs
The climate is equable although quite humid, as the islands are small, classified by Köppen-Geiger system as tropical rain forest (Af). The temperature varies little throughout the year. Temperatures on Mahé vary from 24 to 30 °C (75 to 86 °F), and rainfall ranges from 2,900 mm (114 in) annually at Victoria to 3,600 mm (142 in) on the mountain slopes. Precipitation is somewhat less on the other islands.
During the coolest months, July and August, the average low is about 24 °C (75 °F). The southeast trade winds blow regularly from May to November, and this is the most pleasant time of the year. The hot months are from December to April, with higher humidity (80%). March and April are the hottest months, but the temperature seldom exceeds 31 °C (88 °F). Most of the islands lie outside the cyclone belt, so high winds are rare.
CUSTOMS RULES IMPORT REGULATIONS
Free import (tobacco and alcoholic beverages only for persons aged 18 years of age and older) by passengers, provided for personal or household use:
– 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco;- 2 litres of alcoholic beverages; – 2 litres of wine;
– 200ml perfume or eau de toilette;
– sporting equipment worth SCR 500.-;
– jewellery and articles of precious metal worth SCR 500.-;
– other personal items worth SCR 3,000.-.
Applicable to visitors only, the following goods shall also be exempted from tax but the payment of a deposit in SCR may be required, which will be refunded in SCR upon re-export, provided within 6 months of the arrival date: video camera and other camera equipment, musical instruments, sport equipment, portable electronic or electric equipment and other leisure equipment.
RESTRICTED: tea, seeds, plants, meat and meat products, flowers, fruits and vegetables.
PROHIBITED: dangerous drugs, narcotics, firearms, spear-fishing equipment, swords, clothing of camouflage design, pornographic literature, films dvds and any other goods prohibited under any law.
Additional Information on regulations::
A Plant Import Permit issued by Seychelles prior to travel and a Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the national plant protection organization of country of origin are required for all plants and plant products. All fruit, vegetables, plants, cuttings, bulbs, seeds or other unprocessed plant products must be declared at customs and presented for quarantine inspection. Imports of plants and plant products are subject to import controls under the Seychelles Plant Protection Act. Fore more information, contact the National Plant Protection Office (NPPO).
The import of all meat and meat products is subject to the import regulations of the Seychelles Veterinary Services.
Export regulations:
Restricted: coco-de-mer (unprocessed), shells, live and processed fish and live tortoises. Processed coco-de-mer requires an export permit obtained from the Dept. of Environment. All exports require an export permit. Application forms can be obtained from: Policy and Strategy Division, Ministry of Finance, Liberty House, PO Box 313, Victoria, Seychelles.
Exports are exempt from Trades Tax and only require a documentation charge of SCR 25.- per document. Pets:: All animals entering Seychelles require a permit to import issued by the Veterinary Services. Applications should be made to: Director General, Animal Health Division, MENR (Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources), P.O. Box 166, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles. The importer must supply the following information: – name and address of the exporter; and – intended travel details; and – breed, sex, age of animal. No birds, except the African Grey Parrot (on condition that it has been a family pet for one year) are eligible for import. By law all imported animals must undergo post arrival quarantine, for a period of: 14 days for cats and dogs originating from countries or territories certified as being rabies free; 30 days for animals originating from countries or territories in which canine rabies is well controlled, provided the animal is accompanied by a Rabies Neutralization Antibody Titre Test with result of at least 0.5 IU/inl. 180 days for animals originating from rabies affected countries. Baggage Clearance regulations:: Baggage is cleared at the first airport of entry in the Seychelles Isl. (including passengers taking domestic flights to other Islands such as Praslin, La Digue, Desroches, Bird etc). Exempt: baggage of transit passengers with a destination outside of the Seychelles Isl., provided the onward flight is within 4 hours. Airport Embarkation Tax No airport tax is levied on passengers upon embarkation at the airport.
Currency rules Currency Import regulations: Local currency (Seychelles Rupee-SCR) and foreign currencies: no restrictions. However, amounts above USD 10,000.- (or equivalent) must be declared upon arrival.
(source IATA)
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