| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| windjammer |
Posted - 25 Jan 2006 : 04:24:06
Can anyone offer their opinion or experience in cruising either of these places?
I understand that both are beautiful but can be pretty expensive. My wife and I are looking for somewhere to sit out a change of seasons between Sept and Jan before heading up the Red Sea in time for a Med spring/summer (during our Indian Ocean crossing from Oz).
We are pretty set on this time of the year, but would love to know more about cruising in these two stopover options if anyone can help?
Thanks,
Rob |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| svarmido |
Posted - 28 Jan 2007 : 04:23:21
An important consideration when deciding to visit the Seychelles is your next destination. You have already addressed the potentially difficult passage to the Red Sea. For anyone planning to fetch Mayotte in the Comoros group, close attention should be paid to the fact this passage is made on the wind. I elected to bypass the Seychelles from Chagos in 2003 for this reason, and sailed direct to Mayotte instead. Several boats I know of who visited the Seychelles ran into significant difficulty on their subsequent passage to Mayotte. |
| Lloyd |
Posted - 11 Sep 2006 : 04:08:39
100% go to Seychelles, no contest. I've been to both. However I moved to Seychelles about 20 years ago and when not working away live there and love it!!!!! Sailing round the inner islands is always fun with plenty of variation, good fishing snorkelling and some super beaches for Bar B Qs etc. Around Praslin there are plenty of anchorages and for La Digue you can anchor just off shore and if space permitting anchor in the harbour.
Mobile phones work well even between the islands. Both Praslin and La Digue have internet facilities and shops have most of the goods you require. All yacht repairs of any substance need to be done on Mahe. Several companies there who will undertake repairs welding fibreglass etc etc.
Over the last couple of years there has been a massive expansion of yacht facilities and marines etc partuicularly on Mahe and Praslin (Baie St Anne and La Digue harbours recently dredged with extended facilities). so I image the official side of things has got simpler. But I cannot be sure as my boat flys a Seychelles Flag so sorry cannot help or pass comment on this to you, only speculate.
One good point of contact for you all is the Yacht Club. It provides good hospitality and basic services including a bar with cold beer and cold guiness, lunches etc and is within walking distance of town. The Manager Patrick Gonthier is always most helpful. (It is expected they will shortly be having a Web site up and running).
As for ForEX. Yes I have 'heard' you can get about double the official exchange rate on the black market. It does make Seychelles sensibly affordable.
Have a good trip. |
| windjammer |
Posted - 18 Feb 2006 : 02:18:46
Thanks very much guys, we'll be using all this info!
Happy Sailing,
Rob
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| corrida |
Posted - 17 Feb 2006 : 07:16:24
Hi There
We were in Seychelles for about a month in June of 2004. It is a very beautiful place but apparently due to El Nino effect some years ago the coral around the islands had died and the diving is not as spectacular as it once was.
We sailed only around Mahe which is the main island and it was really good except for the "red tape" that one has to go through. To explain:
Before leaving the port of Victoria to sail anywhere, you have to file a "flight plan" with the harbourmaster describing the next four places you are going to visit. You are then only allowed to visit those four places. Once they have been completed, you have to re-file another "flight plan" for the next four destinations. We discovered that while we were on Mahe it was not too bad because we could catch a bus back to Victoria to file the next plan and wouldn't have to move the boat. the problem was that if you decided that place No 2 was really nice and you wanted to stay there longer than planned, a new flight plan was required.How you would do that when visiting another island is no so clear.
A number of the islands in the group are privately owned and visitors are not welcome.
The currency is(was)moderately strong but there is a very active black market where US$ or Euro could be exchanged on the streets for double the official rate. But it is cloak and dagger stuff, not openly accepted. Unfortunately we found AUS$ to not be in demand at that time but could be different now.
Most things you will need can be found but it is quite costly (great beer). It is not a well-frequented sailing venue. When we were there we were one of only three foreign boats that we knew of, the rest were charters like Sunsail or Moorings (i.e local boats). We suspected that this was largely due to yachties not being all that well received.
The officialdom were efficient and friendly but not really welcoming. I guess this again is rooted in the fcat that most yachties don't spend a lot of money and aren't tourists in their considered opinion. Oh, and the other thing we found disturbing is that they retain your passport (as in "hand it over") for the duration of your stay!
The people are real friendly and there is seemingly very little crime.
Please remember that this refers to 2004, things may have changed since.
Hope this helps. |
| admin |
Posted - 03 Feb 2006 : 09:16:43
Hi Rob
Greetings from South Africa. We actually have alot of information on both the Maldives and the Seychelles, most of which is contained in our publication 'Southern Indian Ocean Passage Notes'. On the Seychelles there is also a Cruising Guide in English and French, which I can post to you directly from the publisher for R490. approx(U.S$ 80)
To quote on some of the info contained in our booklet:
"THE SEYCHELLES ISLANDS"
The Seychelles Islands rise from an extensive coral reef, Seychelles Bank, contained within an area between the parallels of latitude 3º40’S., and 6º35’S., and the meridians of longitude 53º56’E., and 57º10’E. A vessel must pass over some portion of the bank to reach the islands.
A nearly continuous rim of relatively shallow water extends from Bird Island (3º43’S., 55º13’E.) to the W extremity of Seychelles Bank, and thence forms a considerable portion of its S side. It is likely that dangerous shoal patches, other than those found, may exist on this rim, and vessels are accordingly advised not to cross Seychelles Bank N of the parallel of latitude of 5ºS., except by one of the routes described below.
Caution and vigilance of more than ordinary intensity are demanded of the navigator traversing Seychelles Bank; soundings should be taken continuously.
The main port of entry is Victoria, on the north east side of Mahe Island. I can give you a lot more specific information if you require it.
"THE MALDIVES"
POSITION
Scattered along longitude 73º E and between the Equator and nearly 8º N.
GENERAL
The yachtsman must not stop anywhere before being properly cleared in nor after proper clearance out. The only port is Male, which is on the eastern side a little north of midway along the chain.
The chain of islands consists only of low coral cays, there being no continental types at all. For this reason a landfall on the area can be critical with land not being sighted until about 10 miles distant.
A very beautiful area for its dozens of atolls, sparkling clear sea, fine white beaches and excellent fishing; there can be an anchorage problem when entering and leaving at Male, the water immediately off the reef being 140 feet with no shelving. The small-boat harbour in the reef is not available to yachts.
APPROACH
The group is low on the horizon and is rarely seen much before 10 miles off in fair weather. Being scarcely more than 8 feet high, with the additional height of a fully grown coconut palm. Because Male is the only entry port, there is no alternative to planning a landfall here.
ENTRY FORMALITIES
On arrival at Male, call “Male Port Control” on VHF CH 16. Advice will be given on the procedure. Often the Marine Police will come out to the yacht. Most visitors use an agent to ease the formalities. I haven’t been able to get an exact cost of the clearance/cruising fee – believed to be anything from U.S $20 – U.S $80.
Once cleared, and permission given, a yacht may cruise the north and south Male atolls for a period.
Technically, one has to clear customs/immigration at Male on departure, and make no further stops in the Maldives.
Hope this info helps.
If you need anything more specific just ask.
With regards,
Tony
 
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| windjammer |
Posted - 30 Jan 2006 : 23:45:56
Thanks Tony,
Getting that consensus of opinion from yachts that have passed through either area is valuable thanks, cheers.
Yes, I would look forward to receiving any other information you have on the Maldives and Seychelles, so I might just take you up on the offer! Do you have my email address from my profile?
I am probably favouring Seychelles as it sounds beautiful and quite varied. Although, I understand that a passage nth to get to the Red Sea from Seychelles in Jan would require a huge leg out nth east to avoid copping the NE monsoonal winds on the nose, something we are looking into..
Thanks,
Rob
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| admin |
Posted - 27 Jan 2006 : 13:51:54
Hi Rob,
Although I haven't sailed in the Maldives or Seychelles for years, I can offer an opinion:
During the course of this criusing season when many dozens of yachts have visited Durban from both the Maldives and Seychelles, the consensus of opinion seems to be that the Maldives are pretty expensive with very limited cruising options and one requires an agent for all formalities, whereas the Seychelles has vastly more cruising options and by most is considered the better option.
Hope this little bit of info helps.
As a matter of interest we, (Cruising Connections) are compiling a passage guide to all the logical sailing routes in the south Indian ocean. Australia to the Red Sea isn't covered, but we do have profiles and information on all the island groups, including the Maldives and Seychelles. If I can help you with any info from this I would be more than happy to oblige.
With regards,
Tony.
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