Seychelles charter from €18,000/week. Best windows: April–May and October–November. 115 islands — granite Inner Islands and remote coral outer atolls. 15% VAT on charter fees. Aldabra requires advance SIF permit.
Seychelles Yacht Charter Guide 2025–2026
The Seychelles is 115 islands scattered across 1.3 million km² of the Indian Ocean — from the dramatic granite peaks of Mahé and Praslin to the remote raised coral atoll of Aldabra, one of the world's most protected ecosystems. A private yacht charter is the only practical way to reach the outer atolls: Alphonse, Cosmoledo, and Aldabra are inaccessible without a vessel. The reward is extraordinary — pristine reefs, giant tortoises, whale sharks, and beaches that see almost no other visitors.
Apr–May, Oct–Nov
Best windows
Monsoon transitions
15%
Seychelles VAT
On charter services
25–30%
APA (sailing)
Of base charter rate
27–30°C
Water temp
Year-round
Islands and cruising areas
Inner Islands — Mahé, Praslin, La Digue
Granite islandsLush jungle · UNESCO beaches · Infrastructure
The charter hub. Mahé: Port Victoria — provisioning, fuel, crew base. Anse Intendance, Beau Vallon. Praslin: Anse Lazio (consistently ranked among the world's top 10 beaches), Vallée de Mai UNESCO site. La Digue: Anse Source d'Argent — the world's most photographed beach. Accessible distances (30–60nm passages). Best for first-time Seychelles charterers.
Silhouette, North Island, Bird Island
Inner granite & coralNational Park · Private islands · Seabirds
Silhouette: Seychelles' third-largest island, largely National Park. North Island: ultra-luxury private island resort (day visit sometimes possible). Bird Island: northernmost Seychelles island — terns nesting ground, hawksbill turtles, sharks. Short passages from Mahé (30–60nm).
Amirantes Group — Alphonse, St François
Remote coral atollsWorld-class flats fishing · Remote · Pristine reefs
200nm SW of Mahé — a 2-day passage for most sailing vessels. Alphonse Atoll: legendary fly fishing for bonefish, giant trevally, and permit on the flats. Extraordinary dive sites. Very few visitors. St François Atoll is connected to Alphonse by a flat lagoon — a stunning day's exploration by tender.
Aldabra Atoll (UNESCO World Heritage)
Raised coral atoll — remoteGiant tortoises · UNESCO · Extraordinary diving
1,100nm from Mahé — requires long-range motor yacht or experienced offshore sailing crew. 100,000+ Aldabra giant tortoises (the world's largest population). Almost no human presence. Sharks, manta rays, and pristine reefs. Permits from Seychelles Islands Foundation required months in advance. The most extraordinary destination in the Indian Ocean.
Seychelles charter rates (EUR/week)
EUR rates. USD at €1 ≈ $1.08. 15% Seychelles VAT on base rate. APA at 25–30% (sailing) or 30–35% (motor).
| Vessel type | LOA | BCR / week | VAT (15%) | APA (28%) | Total / week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sailing catamaran | 18–22m | €18,000–€28,000 | €2,700–€4,200 | €5,040–€7,840 | €26,000–€40,000 |
| Sailing catamaran | 22–28m | €25,000–€50,000 | €3,750–€7,500 | €7,000–€14,000 | €36,000–€72,000 |
| Power catamaran | 22–30m | €28,000–€60,000 | €4,200–€9,000 | €8,400–€18,000 | €41,000–€87,000 |
| Motor yacht | 35–45m | €55,000–€90,000 | €8,250–€13,500 | €16,500–€27,000 | €80,000–€131,000 |
| Motor yacht | 45–60m | €90,000–€160,000 | €13,500–€24,000 | €27,000–€48,000 | €131,000–€232,000 |
Seychelles charter — FAQ
How much does a yacht charter in the Seychelles cost?
Seychelles yacht charter rates range from €18,000 (~$19,000) per week for a crewed sailing catamaran to €100,000+ (~$108,000+) per week for a 45m+ motor yacht. The charter market is dominated by sailing catamarans (18–28m) at €18,000–€50,000/week — ideal for the island-hopping distances. APA runs 25–30% for sailing vessels, 30–35% for motor yachts. Seychelles levies a 15% VAT on tourism services including charter fees.
What is the best time to charter a yacht in the Seychelles?
The Seychelles has two optimal charter windows. April–May (transition from NW to SE monsoon): calm seas, light winds, excellent visibility, 28–30°C water. October–November (transition from SE to NW monsoon): same conditions — the sweet spots between the two monsoons. June–September is the SE monsoon — strong winds (20–30 knots) and rough seas in the outer islands, though the Inner Islands are more sheltered. December–March is the NW monsoon — calmer, wetter, and still warm. Whale sharks at St Anne Marine Park are most common October–February.
Which islands are best for a Seychelles yacht charter?
Inner Islands (granite): Mahé (largest island — capital Victoria, main provisioning base), Praslin (Vallée de Mai — UNESCO World Heritage Coco de Mer palms, Anse Lazio beach), La Digue (bicycle island — Anse Source d'Argent, world's most photographed beach), Silhouette (National Park — near-pristine jungle interior). Outer Islands (coral): Alphonse Atoll (world-class fly fishing for bonefish and giant trevally), Aldabra (UNESCO — second largest raised coral atoll, giant tortoises), Cosmoledo (remote, extraordinary diving — hammerheads, rays).
Is the Seychelles good for diving?
Yes — the Seychelles offers outstanding diving across all skill levels. Inner Islands: St Anne Marine Park, Shark Bank (60m+ pinnacle — bull sharks, eagle rays), Brissare Rocks (grey reef sharks). Outer atolls: Aldabra — some of the Indian Ocean's most pristine and fish-dense reefs, accessible only by liveaboard or private yacht. Amirantes: Alphonse and Bijoutier for world-class flats fishing and diving. The outer atolls require a long-range passage (200–600nm from Mahé) — suitable for motor yachts and experienced sailing crews.
Do you need special permits for a yacht charter in the Seychelles?
Yes. Foreign vessels entering Seychellois waters must obtain a cruising permit from the Seychelles Maritime Safety Administration (SMSA). Entry ports are Mahé (Port Victoria — primary) and Praslin (Baie Ste Anne). Charter operations in Seychellois waters require a charter licence issued to the vessel or its management company. Outer atoll visits (Aldabra, Cosmoledo) require special permits from the Seychelles Islands Foundation — apply months in advance as numbers are strictly limited.
How does the Seychelles compare to the Maldives for a yacht charter?
Seychelles vs Maldives: Seychelles has more varied topography — granite islands with lush jungle interiors, beaches, and culture alongside coral atolls. The Maldives is entirely flat atolls — more homogeneous but extraordinary for pure diving and underwater experience. Seychelles infrastructure is better on the Inner Islands (Mahé, Praslin) for provisioning and support. Maldives has more domestic flight connectivity for island-hopping without a yacht. Both have excellent whale shark and manta ray encounters but at different times of year. Seychelles is often preferred by those wanting variety; Maldives for pure marine life immersion.
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