Catamaran Charter in the Seychelles with or without skipper

Catamaran hire in the Seychelles

Spacious and stable, the catamaran is the ideal vessel for discovering the Seychelles from the sea. It offers unparalleled on-board living comfort and provides access to the most beautiful beaches in the archipelago, from the coves of Mahé to the dream beaches of Praslin. The Seychelles are a particularly popular destination for crewed cruises: the majority of our catamarans available on site are offered with a skipper. If you prefer to sail on a monohull sailing boat, also discover our sailboat hire in the Seychelles.

In the Seychelles, Filovent offers you a selection of catamarans, perfectly suited to the configuration of the archipelago: islands close to one another, exceptional natural anchorages, coastal sailing and stopovers between secluded beaches and remarkable nature reserves.

Depending on your sailing project, we offer:

• The sailing catamaran: to enjoy the pleasures of sailing whilst benefiting from the comfort and space characteristic of a catamaran. This is the most popular option in our catalogue for the Seychelles.
• The motor catamaran: faster and very comfortable, this option is perfectly suited to crews wishing to cover greater distances without depending on the wind, and to enjoy even more generous living spaces on board.

The catamarans available in the Seychelles are recent and well-equipped vessels, designed for cruising in the Indian Ocean. You will find Bali, Lagoon, Leopard and Lucia models in our catalogue, as well as a few prestige yachts.

Services offered for your catamaran hire in the Seychelles

Here are the various services we offer:

• Catamaran hire without skipper: If one of your crew members has the required experience and licences, you can hire your catamaran in complete autonomy. The boat is entirely private and you sail freely between the Seychelles islands, according to the weather and your wishes.
• Catamaran hire with skipper: This is the most popular option in the Seychelles. A professional skipper takes charge of navigation and guides you to the most beautiful anchorages, coves and restaurants in the archipelago. They know the local conditions perfectly and will suggest the best routes according to the weather.
• Hire with crew: This service is offered on the largest vessels. It may include a skipper, hostess, cook and deckhand depending on the model. The crew takes care of navigation and on-board comfort for a fully all-inclusive cruise.
• Cabin cruise: You book a cabin on board a catamaran shared with other travellers and a professional crew. The catamaran cruise in the Seychelles is an excellent option if you are travelling as a couple or if you do not wish to charter an entire boat. Praised by our clients in their catamaran cruise Seychelles reviews, this formula wins people over with its value for money and the conviviality it generates on board.

What is the price of a catamaran hire in the Seychelles?

The table below gives an indication of the cost for a one-week hire in the Seychelles. Prices vary according to the season, the year of the boat, the model and availability.

The price includes: the catamaran hire and the main equipment on board (sails, crockery, bedding, dinghy, outboard motor).

The price does not include: insurance, port and mooring fees, skipper, hostess, final cleaning (often included in a compulsory pack), extras (paddle board, kayak…) and provisioning.

For the hire of a large catamaran or a yacht in the Seychelles, we invite you to contact us directly to obtain a personalised price list. If you wish to compare the different types of vessels available in the archipelago, our boat hire in the Seychelles page offers a complete overview of our fleet, from catamarans to monohull sailing boats.

We strongly advise you to take out our cancellation insurance, which covers all crew members, unlike individual insurance or credit card insurance, which only protects the cardholder. We also recommend the excess buyback insurance: at sea, even experienced sailors can fall victim to a breakdown. This insurance will allow you to recover a significant portion of your deposit in the event of a claim related to navigation.

Where to sail by catamaran in the Seychelles?

The Seychelles offer a highly diverse archipelago, with 115 paradise islands divided into two main groups: the inner granitic islands and the outer coralline islands. Whether you are looking for what to visit in the Seychelles or simply wish to let yourself be carried by the wind, here are the main areas to explore during your catamaran cruise:

• The island of Mahé is the largest island in the archipelago and is home to the capital Victoria. It is also from Mahé that the majority of cruises depart, including popular 4-day cruise of the Seychelles, ideal for a first glimpse of the archipelago. Do not miss the Victoria market, the Morne Seychellois nature reserve and the beaches of Beau Vallon and Anse Intendance.
• The island of Praslin, the second largest island in the archipelago, is famous for the Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the legendary coco de mer grows. Its beaches of Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette are among the most beautiful beaches in the world, easily accessible by catamaran.
• The island of La Digue is an unmissable stopover, accessible within a few hours from Praslin. Anse Source d'Argent, with its pink granite rocks and turquoise waters, is one of the most photographed beaches on the planet and perfectly illustrates what to do in the Seychelles: diving, snorkelling, hiking and relaxing in the heart of unspoilt nature.
• Île Curieuse and Île du Cousin are two remarkable nature reserves where you can observe giant Aldabra tortoises and exceptional bird life, directly from your catamaran.

When to sail by catamaran in the Seychelles?

The sailing season in the Seychelles runs all year round, with two distinct seasons. The dry season (May to October) is dominated by the south-easterly trade wind, offering ideal sailing conditions with regular winds and generally calm seas. The wet season (November to April) is characterised by lighter north-westerly winds, even calmer seas and slightly higher temperatures. It is also the peak tourist season, particularly in December and January.

The months of May and October, known as transition months, are often considered the best periods for sailing in the Seychelles: weather conditions are favourable, ports are less crowded and prices are more accessible.

Here is an average of temperatures recorded in the Seychelles over recent years, to help you choose when to go to the Seychelles according to your preferences:

Sailing conditions in the Seychelles

The Seychelles are situated in the Indian Ocean, approximately 1,500 km east of the African coast. Sailing conditions vary according to the two monsoon seasons: the south-east monsoon (May to October) brings regular winds of 15 to 25 knots, particularly present between June and August. The sea can build up more on the windward coast, but the islands generally offer good shelter on their leeward side.

The north-west monsoon (November to April) is calmer and less windy, with winds averaging 10 to 15 knots. Conditions are then very serene and perfectly suited to a catamaran cruise, even for less experienced crews. To fully enjoy the destination and sail in complete peace of mind, the presence of a professional skipper is strongly recommended.

Documents required to hire a catamaran without a skipper in the Seychelles

To hire a catamaran without a skipper in the Seychelles, you must hold a coastal boating licence (or international equivalent) as well as a VHF certificate. The Seychelles authorities may ask to see your navigation qualifications upon entering the waters of the archipelago.

For large vessels (catamarans of 45 feet / 14 metres or more), an offshore qualification or equivalent may be required. Please enquire with our team depending on the model you are considering.

Useful information for your catamaran hire in the Seychelles

What language is spoken in the Seychelles?

The three official languages are Seychellois Creole, English and French. In marinas and tourist areas, English and French are widely understood. Creole, the everyday language, is still very much present in villages and local markets.

What currency is used in the Seychelles?

The official currency is the Seychellois rupee (SCR). The US dollar and the euro are accepted in most marinas and hotels, but it is advisable to carry some rupees for small shops and local markets. Bank cards are accepted in the main ports and restaurants.

How to get to the Seychelles?

The Seychelles are served by Mahé International Airport (SEZ), located a few kilometres from Victoria. Direct or connecting flights from many European cities are available throughout the year, particularly via Dubai, Paris or London. Praslin also has a small domestic airport connected to Mahé by regular flights.

How to finalise your catamaran booking in the Seychelles?

After submitting your request, a Filovent adviser will contact you by telephone to understand your project. They will then send you proposals for catamarans suited to your crew and budget. Once the boat has been chosen, payment of a deposit via your client area is sufficient to secure the date.

Are there any navigation taxes to pay in the Seychelles?

Yes, port and mooring fees are payable at the various marinas and anchorage areas in the archipelago. Your charter company will specify the payment terms according to your itinerary. It is also recommended to enquire about entry permits for nature reserve areas, particularly to access certain protected islands such as Île du Cousin or Île Aride.

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