Destination- Seychelles

by Nancy Knudsen on 2 Jan 2006 Looking for somewhere interesting to sail? What about Paradise on Earth? This is the description we’ve heard of the Seychelles from cruising sailors who’ve been there. Out in the middle of the Indian Ocean, a thousand miles from Africa, this sandy archipelago of more than a hundred small islands stretches for hundreds of miles across the Indian Ocean. A country of warm water and friendly people, the anchorages and the swimming draw some sailors back year after year.

Local tour operator ‘Seychelles Magic’ MD Phil Carta says, ‘Island names such as Mahe, Praslin, La Digue, Aldabra and Desroches have enchanted travelers for years. Visitors becomed seduced very quickly, and it’s no wonder - whichever way you turn, there is a lovely beach and upscale dining. Our honeymooners love it too - the romance of the Seychelles has everything else in the world beat, bar none.’

Since the 9th century, when intrepid Arab seafarers first sailed the then uncharted waters off the east coast of Africa, Seychelles waters have been visited by a succession of sailors under a host of different flags. Phoenician traders, Polynesian adventurers, a Chinese flotilla and pirates, they all navigated the Seychelles archipelago, leaving little behind except footprints in silver sands and tales of buried treasure.


What they found were 115 sparkling and diverse isles spread like fallen gemstones across a wide area of shallow seas. Today, the gems are still there, but the pirates have gone, and in their place there’s year round sailing in a wide selection of specialised craft, both skippered and bareboat.

The recent history of the islands is fascinating too, with power struggles both local and international dominating the scene for many years.
A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. Independence came in 1976. Socialist rule was brought to a close with a new constitution and free elections in 1993. The most recent presidential elections were held in 2001; President RENE, who had served since 1977, was re-elected. In April 2004 RENE stepped down and Vice President James MICHEL was sworn in as president.

Today, the islands are calm and placid and quaint to visit. There’s just 450 sq.kms. surrounded by 500 km of coastline. The gentle Creole population, all 80,000 of them, are mixture of French, African, Indian, Chinese and Arab, and they meld peaceably together.

If interested, you can charter a sailing boat from Sunsail. Visit their http://www.sunsail.com/brochure/bareboat/bareboat_intro.php?rescode=sey!Sunsail_in_Seychelles!same site for more details.