SAILING · DIVING · FISHING · ROMANCE

SAILING

It is said that God designed Seychelles for sailors. Chartering a sailing or motor yacht will provide you with the finest opportunities to discover the hidden treasures of the most breathtaking archipelago on earth. With so many granitic and coral islands to explore, all within easy sailing distance and offering an exceptional choice of lagoons and picturesque bays with secure moorings, options for your personal itineraries are limitless. Drop anchor in any one of the many sheltered bays and let crystal clear starlit skies lull you to sleep. When you awake, on a bed of translucent turquoise water, rub the sleep from your eyes …the beauty that confronts you is not a dream! Cruise among the Inner Islands and enjoy dazzling white beaches fringed by turquoise waters where you can snorkel and enjoy the spectacular underwater treasure house of the Seychelles’ Marine Parks. Or explore hidden island paths and enjoy exotic Creole seafood delicacies, in traditional, out-of-the-way restaurants. The coralline Outer Islands lie in a gleaming arc stretching towards the east coast of Africa, ranging in distance between 120 and 700 nautical miles from Mahé. A fleet of professionally maintained and operated mono or multi-hull yachts is available with many other types of boats for scenic cruises, snorkeling trips and island hopping excursions. Outside the cyclone belt and offering a year-round sailing season, moderate swells and gentle tides, there is no better way to enjoy these magical islands than by cruising their pristine waters and exploring the extraordinary bounty of Seychelles at your own pace. Keelboats…Catamarans…Bareboat…Crewed…Cruising…Diving…Fishing. Whatever your plans for the ultimate boating holiday might be, Seychelles will bring your dreams to life!

DIVING

“Seychelles is just as spectacular below the waterline as above.” Diving in Seychelles opens the door to a vast world that lies between 4° and 10° south of the Equator, home to a marine extravaganza as diverse and vibrant as it is unique. The Inner Islands with their excellent PADI diving facilities, rest on a shallow plateau with prolific marine life and are renowned for diverse dives that include both coral reef and impressive giant granite formations. There are a number of world recognized dive sites, such as the Ennerdale Wreck and Brissare rocks as well as the even more spectacular sites around Marianne, the Sisters, Aride and other islands. More distant locations are accessible on specialized, live-aboard dive boats. Dive depths range from 8 to 20 meters for inshore sites and up to 40 meters for offshore dives with all dives run as non-decompression dives. The Inner Islands reveal an abundance of marine life including Butterflyfish, Angelfish, Soldierfish, Squirrelfish and Sweepers among many others, their reefs a haven for such invertebrates as Octopus, Spiny Lobster and a plethora of Nudibranchs. Regular current flows help support fan corals and colorful tree coral formations while remoter sites shelter the larger fish species, such as the Napoleon Wrasse, Giant Grouper, Reef Sharks and Ribbon-tailed Stingrays. Most spectacular are the plankton-eating Whale Sharks regularly sighted around the Inner Islands between August and November. The Shark Research Institute runs a Whale Shark Monitoring Program whereby clients can assist in ongoing research into the behavior of these spectacular creatures and swim and snorkel with the giants on photo safaris and tagging exercises. The Outer Islands offer rewarding experiences around the numerous coral atolls and sand cays accessible mainly by live-aboard charter yacht. There are dive centers located on the island of Desroches, famous for its caves and canyons, and also on Alphonse with its spectacular drop-off. Impressive sites are also found around St. Joseph atoll in the Amirantes group and at the remoter islands of Astove, Cosmoledo and the legendary Aldabra, famous for the thrilling drift-dive into its giant lagoon.

Marine life here tends to be even more prolific than around the Inner Islands, with frequent sightings of many of the larger Grouper Species, particularly the spotted Potato Bass as well as Grey Reef, Silver Tip, Nurse Sharks and the occasional Hammerhead shark.

Dive training is conducted by internationally qualified and insured instructors, most members of PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, the world's largest dive training organization. A non-certification “Discover Scuba Diving” introductory course for first timers is available leading either to the basic "Scuba Diver" qualification or full certification as “Open Water” Diver. Dive courses for the experienced up to instructor level are available from certain centers with certifications for underwater photography, wreck and night diving.

Land-based operators offer the flexibility of combining diving with other land activities and also of planning your dives around favorable weather conditions and specific dive sites. Boat-based operators (live-aboards) enjoy the advantage of being able to reach the more remote dive sites, offering the client the possibility of several dives in one day as well as exciting sightseeing opportunities. Diving in the Seychelles archipelago offers unforgettable experiences in pristine waters where precious few have gone before.

“The world’s superlatives in nature, underwater life and resorts belong to the Seychelles, and there’s something to delight everyone.”

FISHING

It’s the stuff of fisherman’s tales. Over 1.4 million sq. km of fishing grounds offering catches of Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, Wahoo, Jacks, Giant Barracuda, Rainbow Runner, Dorado, Shark and other prize game fish. And you do not have to venture far from the shore for a record catch as international sport and recreational fishermen know when they enthusiastically return year round

to our sparkling waters. Seychelles’ Outer Islands are world-renown as the epicenter of saltwater fly-fishing where 5kg Bonefish are the norm, and catches of 25 kg Trevally frequent. For those fortunate enough to be able to take advantage of this controlled and exclusive sporting activity, saltwater fly-fishing can be arranged on islands such as Alphonse, St. François, Desroches, Poivre, St. Joseph and Farquhar, where professional fishing guides make it the ultimate fly-fishing experience. Blue water fly-fishing is fast gaining popularity, offering the challenge of fighting a wide array of sport fish, in particular Sailfish, and where a “tag and release” policy is widely practiced. Traditional bottom fishing excursions with hand lines are popular among locals fishing for Snapper, Grouper and Emperor and a worthwhile test where prizes include Groupers weighing in excess of 30kgs. Whatever your preferred technique, you will be rewarded with some of the finest tasting fish in the ocean. A modern fleet with professional skippers and guides is at hand to ensure that the fishing experience is thoroughly enjoyed.

Excursions can be tailored to meet individual client and group requests and can be easily arranged through hotels, local tour operators, licensed independent operators as well as the Marine Charter Association (a member of the International Game Fishing Association). Seasoned fishermen may bring their own equipment, but boats with experienced crew will supply all fishing equipment necessary for the various expeditions. No license is required for recreational fishing. Fishing the crystal clear, virgin waters of Seychelles will provide every fisherman, whether experienced or novice, with a truly unlimited experience!

ROMANCE

Sensual Seychelles - home to the Vallée de Mai, claimed to be the original site of The Garden of Eden - is like nowhere on earth. Few places can rival the “islands of love” for the idyllic ambience of their island-style weddings and honeymoons and it is no wonder that lovers are inspired to take their vows and wed in such a romantic atmosphere. Romance is as much a part of these islands as waves lapping a secret cove at midnight, so allow yourself to be swept off your feet by the care of attentive professionals who will ensure that your wedding day is as blissful as your memories. Specialist tour operators, both local and international, offer wedding & honeymoon services featuring different types and styles of weddings, including traditional Creole, tailor-made to fulfill your fantasies. It is advisable to plan your wedding at least two months in advance to allow for the processing of documentation. Persons wishing to organize their own wedding must apply to the church body concerned for the religious ceremony and to the Seychelles’ Civil Status Office for a civil ceremony, bearing in mind that under Seychelles law, a church wedding without a civil ceremony is not recognized as legal. Make a rendezvous with destiny, sure in the knowledge that there is no better place on earth to celebrate your commitment to each other, surrounded by an array of enchanting island hideaways and the warmth and natural charm of the Seychellois people. “The Seychelles are known as the islands of love and it’s easy to see why. You can’t help be swept away by the romance, magnificence and total escapism of these islands.”

FLORA AND FAUNA

No artist’s imagination, no science fiction writer’s pen can anticipate the diversity of Seychelles’ flora and fauna where an amazing array of endemic and indigenous species is nurtured within one of nature’s last sanctuaries.

Nowhere else on earth are to be found unique specimens such as the Jellyfish Tree, the wondrous Coco-de-mer, the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher, and thirteen species and seventeen subspecies of bird life. The Vallée de Mai and legendary Aldabra, the world’s largest raised coral atoll, are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites in a country where almost 50% of the limited landmass has been set aside as nature reserves. Home to the smallest frog, the heaviest land tortoise, and the only flightless bird of the Indian Ocean, Seychelles is an exciting destination for naturalists, ornithologists and eco-tourists alike.

BUSINESS @ LEISURE

Are you looking for the ultimate fusion of business and pleasure? It’s hard to top Seychelles for holding a conference, company incentive trip or providing the ultimate morale-boosting break for your staff that will be talked about for months to come. Powder beaches, clear azure water and nearly twelve hours of tropical sun every day - it’s difficult to imagine a place so far from the madding crowd that still enjoys wide international access, excellent transportation and communication facilities and a modern infrastructure – everything to ensure that your particular combination of business and pleasure meets your expectations. Seychelles welcomes business, group and conference trips and several hotels and exclusive island hideaways cater for high-end incentive travel arrangements with a range of dedicated amenities. For the potential investor, Seychelles has become a successful international financial services centre following the setting up of the Seychelles International Business Authority (SIBA) in 1995. SIBA is a one-stop-shop that provides international professional services to companies wishing to take advantage of Seychelles strategic location, and competitive business environment.

ATTRACTIONS

Beyond the breathtaking beaches, there are many outstanding natural and man-made attractions to explore on organized excursions or by hiring a car or bicycle to set off on an individual journey of discovery. There are art galleries and craft shops, markets, old Creole-style plantation houses, scenic viewpoints and natural wonders both above and beneath the waves. The main island of Mahé alone has six museums, a botanical garden, an assortment of nature walks and several national monuments. One of Seychelles’ greatest assets is the diversity of its multitude of islands and the variety they offer to visitors wishing to island hop during the course of their stay, each with its individual geography and character extending from granite boulders to coral reefs, from untouched forests and bird sanctuaries to private resorts and island hideaways. An efficient network of inter-island boat, plane and helicopter transfers will accommodate most itineraries, affording the visitor the opportunity to explore and discover the unique features of each island.