SEYCHELLES: 5 Day Islands & Reef Adventure
Asia & Indian Ocean
Seychelles
5 Day Islands & Reef Adventure
Seychelles is an Indian Ocean archipelago northeast of Madagascar, centred around Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue. With the inner islands close together, passages are short, with the longest open-water crossing around 28 nautical miles between Mahé and Praslin. Guests can explore clear reefs, sheltered bays, and quiet anchorages.
A highlight is Curieuse Marine National Park, known for excellent snorkelling and its Aldabra giant tortoises. This 5-day, 4-night itinerary begins and ends in Mahé, visiting Praslin, La Digue, and Curieuse. With most passages short, there is plenty of time to enjoy the islands’ beaches, reefs, plantations, and nature reserves.
- Where | Seychelles
- When | April–May & October–November
- Duration | 5 Days - 4 Nights
- Departs | Mahé
- Concludes | Mahé
Day 1: Mahé
SNORKELLING | BEACH TIME | SUNSET CRUISING
Board at Eden Island Marina, just south of Victoria on Mahé's east coast, and clear out through Ste Anne Marine National Park before the first overnight anchorage. The park's islets sit only a few nautical miles offshore and offer an easy first snorkel in sheltered, shallow water. Guests preferring a beach landing over water time can tender into Beau Vallon on Mahé's northwest coast instead, one of the island's most sheltered bays. Overnight at anchor off Mahé, ready for the crossing north.
Day 2: Praslin
FOREST WALK | SWIMMING | SNORKELLING
Cross roughly 28 nautical miles north to Praslin, a run of about two hours in typical conditions. Anchor near Baie Sainte Anne and go ashore to Vallée de Mai, the UNESCO World Heritage forest and one of only two places on earth where the coco de mer palm grows wild. In the afternoon, move around to Anse Lazio on the island's northwest tip for swimming and snorkelling off a granite-boulder beach.
Day 3: La Digue
CYCLING | BEACH EXPLORATION | WILDLIFE
A short hop of around 4 to 10 nautical miles brings the yacht to La Digue, generally under an hour. Anchor off La Passe, the island's small harbour, and go ashore by bicycle. La Digue keeps almost no cars, so bikes and ox carts are the standard way to move around. L'Union Estate combines a working vanilla and coconut plantation with a giant tortoise enclosure, and its trail leads directly to Anse Source d'Argent, a beach of pink granite boulders and one of the most photographed anchorages in the Seychelles.
Day 4: WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS | MANGROVE WALKS | SNORKELLING
GIANT TORTOISES | MANGROVES | SNORKELLING
Sail into Curieuse Marine National Park and anchor at Baie Laraie on Curieuse Island's south coast, a protected bay backed by a mangrove boardwalk. Ashore, a resident population of Aldabra giant tortoises roams freely near the old Doctor's House, now a small museum on the island's leprosarium history. From Curieuse, it's a short tender ride of under a mile to St. Pierre, a granite islet just east of the marine park favoured by crews and snorkellers for its clear water and reef fish. Spend the afternoon on the hook here before returning to Curieuse for the night.
Day 5: Mahé
SCENIC CRUISING | FINAL SWIM | DISEMBARKATION
Retrace the route south, an open-water crossing of roughly 30 nautical miles back to Mahé, similar in length to Day 2's outbound run. Time permitting, break the crossing with a final snorkel stop in Ste Anne Marine National Park before returning to Eden Island Marina. Disembark by early evening, with the full loop — Mahé, Praslin, La Digue, and the Curieuse Marine National Park — covered in four nights.
Activities+Optional extras
Get off-board and discover even more
Snorkelling
Snorkel the reefs at St. Pierre, Anse Lazio, and Ste Anne Marine National Park, where clear, sheltered water gives an easy introduction to Seychelles' granite and coral reef systems.
Cycling
Cycle La Digue's near-car-free lanes from L'Union Estate to Anse Source d'Argent, passing working vanilla and coconut plantations along the way.
Wildlife Walks
Take a guided walk past resident Aldabra giant tortoises on Curieuse Island, or through the coco de mer palms of Praslin's Vallée de Mai.
Beach Time
Slow the pace with afternoons at anchor off pink granite beaches, alternating full days ashore with quieter time on the water.
Seychelles: 5 Day Islands & Reef Adventure Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to charter here?
+The calmest conditions fall in the transition months of April–May and October–November, between the two main wind seasons. The southeast trade winds bring drier, breezier weather from May to October, while the northwest monsoon brings warmer, more humid conditions with lighter winds from December to April. Charter is possible year-round, but the shoulder months typically offer the best combination of calm seas and clear visibility.
Where do charters depart from?
+Charters depart from Eden Island Marina, just south of Victoria on Mahé's east coast. The marina sits close to Seychelles International Airport, making embarkation straightforward on arrival.
What can be experienced on this route?
+This route covers four of the inner Seychelles' best-known anchorages: the granite beaches of Praslin and La Digue, the UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai forest, and the protected reefs and tortoise population of Curieuse Marine National Park. Expect daily snorkelling, short cruising legs, and a mix of beach time and guided walks ashore.
Who is this itinerary suited for?
+This route suits couples, families, and small groups who want short passages and a new anchorage each day rather than long ocean crossings. It also works well for first-time Indian Ocean charter guests, since every stop is within a few hours' sail of the last.
What is a typical day like?
+A typical day covers a short passage of under 30 nautical miles, followed by an anchorage with a clear focus — a beach, a reef, or a nature reserve ashore. Evenings are spent at anchor in sheltered bays rather than underway.
What should be considered before booking?
+Some stops sit inside marine national parks, including Ste Anne, Curieuse, and the waters around St. Pierre, which carry park fees and landing restrictions set by the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority. La Digue has almost no vehicle traffic, so plan on bicycles for getting around ashore, and confirm park permits with your charter operator ahead of arrival.
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