Chartering in the Seychelles: which papers and how much experience?

Chartering in the Seychelles almost always means the inner islands: Mahé, Praslin, La Digue and the small granite islands around them. Passages are short, the water is clear and the anchorages lie off beaches framed by huge rounded granite boulders. The bases are on Mahé and Praslin. The yacht, its registration and its insurance are arranged by the charter company. Your side is the skipper's certificate, the VHF licence and entry for the crew; the current entry requirements are on the Foreign Office travel advice pages.

Bases normally want a sea qualification such as RYA Day Skipper or Yachtmaster, the ICC or an equivalent national certificate, a VHF licence and proof of skippering experience, and some like to see a second experienced sailor aboard. The cruising area in the charter agreement is usually limited to the inner islands, and going further needs the base's agreement. The season decides the wind: from about December to March the north west monsoon blows, from about May to October the stronger south east trades, with lighter weeks in between. Get the paperwork and the cruising area confirmed in writing before you book.

Once there, the marine park rules apply: moorings rather than anchors, anchoring often banned, and fees for visiting. The base explains the current rules at check in. Reefs and rocks below the surface are hard to see without good light, which is why many bases rule out sailing after dark. Check the holding and the swell before spending the night off a beach. You are personally liable for damage you cause to others with the charter yacht, so make sure your own skipper liability insurance applies in the Indian Ocean.

Worth remembering

In the Seychelles passages are short, but reefs and park rules call for daylight and planning.