CRUISE THE SEYCHELLES WITH COLGATE SAILING ADVENTURES®
10 DAYS OF EXOTIC CRUISING TO PRISTINE BEACHES AND SHELTERED COVES
August 20-30, 2022:
Lying far out in the Indian Ocean, just four degrees south of the equator and about 600 miles northeast of Madagascar, are the glorious 115 islands known as the Seychelles. Pronounced “Say-Shells” these islands don’t disappoint. Nearly half of these islands are set aside as national parks, with amazing birds, pristine beaches and sheltered coves surrounded by the most amazing blue waters. On your Seychelles sailing charter, you get to cruise here on a fleet of four 4-cabin/4 head Moorings catamarans.
PICTURE-PERFECT SETTING FOR THE ROYAL WEDDING’S HONEYMOON
It’s no wonder the Royals chose the Seychelles to truly “get away” as you will discover. Winds are generally around 12 knots, air and water temperatures are balmy, the scenery is “to die for.” Here are just a few of the amazing facts and things you’ll experience during your Seychelles catamaran charter, provided by The Moorings:
- Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, as ranked by National Geographic
- Rare species of birds found nowhere else on earth
- Giant tortoises that live nowhere else but the in the Pacific Galapagos Islands
- The only oceanic granite islands in the world, which existed during the dinosaur ages
- Vibrantly green, lush Takamaka trees distinctive to Seychelles coastlines
- Mesmerizing underwater colors and marine life on protected coral reefs
- Vallee de Mai on Praslin Island which many say is the original Garden of Eden
- The heaviest nut in the world, the coco-de-mer, a double coconut only found on the islands of Praslin and Curieuse
- Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites located at Vallee de Mai and Aldabra
- Unique blend of French and English colonial vibes at carefree capital town of Victoria
- Unforgettable culinary experiences featuring delicious Creole cuisine and mouthwatering seafood dishes
- Live-for-the-day lifestyle of the locals you’ll fall in love with
SAILING RESUME REQUIRED FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS
Important Notes:
- All flotilla participants must be fully-vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus before embarking on a flotilla trip.
- These trips are hands-on activities that require complete, unaided mobility getting on and off docks, boats, and dinghies.
- All participants must complete a Sailing Resume before being confirmed on the trip, including answering questions regarding existing medical conditions that may hinder their full participation.
- A Skipper and Navigator will be assigned to each boat based on the completed Resumes.
- All Skippers on European charter trips must also have their US Sailing IPC, International Proficiency Certificate. Learn more about the IPC here.
Your cruise leaders must have a completed resume for all who book a Colgate Sailing Adventures® Flotilla Cruise. When you are ready to book, please print, fill out and email the form in the link below and send it to Cheryl@OffshoreSailing.com.
SAILING RESUME FOR FLOTILLA CRUISES
Book Your Cabin
888-454-7015
Sail@OffshoreSailing.com
CRUISING IN VACATION PARADISE FAR FROM THE DAILY GRIND
Okay, we know you can stay up-to-the-minute with world news when you get to a hot spot, but why would you during your relaxing Seychelles catamaran charter? The Seychelles cruising itinerary takes you to marine preserves on islands populated with diverse and rare species of birds, lizards, and turtles. Gardenias and orchids grow on mountain slopes. This Seychelles catamaran charter is a mix of open-water cruising in fair winds and short hops between adjacent islands for snorkeling on beautiful coral reefs or squeezing the sand between your toes on white-sand beaches. Cruising here gives you a mix of undeveloped islands, seaside resorts and small settlements.
WHERE TAKING CARE OF PLANET EARTH REALLY HITS HOME
Your cruise leaders, Nate and Heather Atwater, will finalize the itinerary when they get to the Seychelles and meet with the cruise base manager and staff. Here are some highlights that you may visit, that will remind you to slow down, laugh, love and breathe the oceans pure air. Many of these notes come from a blog sent to us by The Moorings.
La Digue Island
“One of the most stunning and delightful islands on Planet Earth,” La Digue, a place with quiet charm, is the third largest island in the Seychelles. Hiking , biking, and horseback riding trails lace the lush, hilly land with spectacular views. The island has several restaurants, an eclectic mix of shops and Colonial-era homes lining the streets. There’s a copra mill and Union Estate Park, a large plantation covering almost a third of the island with buildings open to the public, the Old Cemetery and a tortoise pen. The beach at Source d’Argent is one of the island’s most picturesque settings. There’s live music at the Tarrosa Bar, Restaurant and Disco on weekends. Fruita Bar on Anse Source D’Argent serves up tasty fruity drinks with giant granite rock formations lining the beach. Helicopter rides are also popular. This is such a popular spot with so much to see and do, the Atwaters may opt to spend a couple of days here.
Curieuse Island
Dotted with coco-de-mer palms and thick stands of mangroves, Curieuse Island is a typical example of the unparalleled beauty you’ll find in the Seychelles. A short hike from Baie Laraie across the island to Anse José takes you on a lovely hike through a mangrove forest filled with exotic birds, to the tortoise sanctuary. Friendly giant tortoises that can live to 200 years and weight over 800 pounds bask in the sun, waiting for you to rub their necks, which they apparently love.
Anse Lazio and Anse Volbert on Praslin
Rated one of the top beaches in the world, at Anse Lazio you can swim to shore from your anchored yacht, and explore reefs teeming with turtles and fish. Honesty Bar is called just that because there may not be a bartender, just help yourself to a drink and leave some cash on the bar. Anse Volbert, also an excellent anchorage, is next to the St. Pierre Island marine park where you’ll be surrounded by rare birds and fish. A short dinghy ride takes you to a white sand beach filled with restaurants and bars, excellent swimming and snorkeling.
St. Anne Island
St. Anne Island is the centerpiece of this beautiful marine park, and nearby Moyenne, Round, and Cerf are just as scenic. During World War II St. Anne served as a base for a contingent of Royal Marines stationed there to defend the port of Victoria in the event of an enemy attack. In the early 19th century, the area was a busy whaling port. Today, cruising in St. Anne Marine National Park is a delightful foray into the wonders of Nature, with superb snorkeling and swimming that provides fabulous underwater photography, and a number of restaurants where you can dine out and savor the local cuisine. Ashore on St. Anne, Moyenne, Round, and Cerf islands are restaurants serving Creole and haute cuisine.
Grande Soeur Island
This island is privately owned, but boaters are welcome to enjoy the swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing on its beautiful beaches on weekdays during the day. The anchorage is right off the Reef Bar, on the west side of the island. A boat taxi will take you to and from your yacht, for a fee. After swimming and snorkeling, you might want to enjoy a beachside barbecue with a visit to the Reef Bar for a refreshing cocktail.
Coco Islands
The four tiny islands of the Ile Coco Marine National Park are often shown on brochures depicting the stunning beauty of the Seychelles. And this is where you’ll find the best snorkeling in the area.
Cousin Island
This island is a bird sanctuary and a highlight of the cruise. Rare birds like the bulbul, black parrot (which is actually brown), and the fruit pigeon are all protected species endemic to the islands. A boat taxi is available to take you on a ride to ashore, a service included in the landing fee.
888-454-7015 ♦ 239-454-1700
Sail@OffshoreSailing.com
10-DAY SEYCHELLES VACATION PACKAGE RATES
Offshore Sailing School graduates who hold US Sailing Bareboat Cruising Certification, enjoy a $300 per person discount:
- OSS grad with BCC Certification, single in a private cabin – $5,695
- OSS grads, with BCC Certification, (2) sharing cabin – $4,995 per person
If one person in your party holds US Sailing Bareboat Cruising Certification from Offshore Sailing School and the other does not, the discount applies only to the person with that certification.
HOW TO SIGN UP FOR THIS SEYCHELLES CATAMARAN CHARTER
Please call a Sales Associate at 888-454-7015 to book your cabin or email Info@OffshoreSailing.com. But don’t wait as there are only 15 cabins available on this Seychelles bareboat charter! Your sailing resume must be included with your deposit. To reserve your cabin, a 30% deposit of the total package is due when you sign up. Terms and Conditions signed with this deposit outline cancellation policies. Final or full payment, plus a $300 refundable security deposit per person is due on April 22, 2022, at which time no refunds are allowed. We stand by our cancellation policies, no exceptions are made. Please purchase travel insurance – learn more.
888-454-7015 ♦ 239-454-1700
Sail@OffshoreSailing.com
Sail@OffshoreSailing.com
CRUISING CREDENTIALS REQUIRED
A designated Skipper and designated Navigator will be assigned to each boat, and those two sailors, at a minimum, must have Bareboat Cruising Certification and the US Sailing IPC (International Proficiency Certificate). Everyone on the cruise must know how to sail, and all participants for the sailing trip in Seychelles are required to complete in full the Offshore Sailing School sailing resume as well as an information form that gives us your travel information.
Required Flotilla Cruises Resume
10-DAY SEYCHELLES BOAT TRIP PACKAGE INCLUDES
- A private or shared cabin aboard
- Starter pack of provisioning
- Welcome Meet and Greet Party and Group Dinner
- Final Group dinner at end of the cruise
- Damage waiver
- WiFi availability onboard
- VAT tax
- Roundtrip ground transfers to/from marina
- Commemorative cruise shirt and hat
- A very comprehensive book that covers everything you need to know to plan your trip
- Cruise leaders and hosts – Heather and Nate Atwater – with you throughout the cruise, sailing on a lead boat
Not included:
- Travel and transfers to and from home to Seychelles and base where boats are located unless mentioned above
- Accommodations ashore before or after the cruise
- Beverages you wish to put aboard the boat including extra water, juices, wine, beer and other libations
- Additional provisions you wish to have aboard the boat
- Drinks and meals ashore before, after and during the cruise not specified above
- Fishing equipment, kayaks or other “toys” you might be able to rent at the base to take with you
- Park fees, mooring and anchoring fees – shared by all aboard each boat
- Shore excursions you take on your own or organized by the cruise leaders during the cruise
- Any other expenses you incur, before, during or after the cruise
THE BOAT KITTY AND SECURITY DEPOSIT
On Colgate Sailing Adventures® Flotilla Cruises, each boat sets up a kitty to cover shared costs during the cruise, usually starting with $100 per person. In advance, the Atwaters will arrange for starter pack of provisions and supplies to be on the boat when you arrive, which will cover some of your meals but not all. You will be purchasing items to consume aboard in local markets as the cruise progresses, and there are many places to dine ashore along the way. The $300 refundable security deposit required with final payment is refundable after the cruise ends if there has been no damage or loss to any of the yachts in the fleet. If there is an assessment by the charter company, all on the cruise share in that cost.
THE BOATS YOU CRUISE ON
Participants on this Colgate Sailing Adventures® Flotilla Cruise will be assigned to assigned to our fleet of spacious four ensuite 4-cabin/4-head, with showers, Moorings catamarans. There are also fresh water showers on the stern to rinse off after a swim. The spacious main salons have a wrap around settee and dining table, with a large galley and navigation station. There is ample room for storage of your luggage once you unpack, but don’t bring too much! You will be in a swimsuit and cover-ups most days. The large aft cockpit has plenty of space to gather for dinners and fun. Forward, you can sit on bow seats or the trampoline for impressive views underway. This fantastic vacation will sell out quickly, so book your Seychelles sailing holiday today!
PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO THE SEYCHELLES
The Moorings is in Eden Island Marina on Mahe, just a 5 minute ride from Seychelles International Airport. The airport is serviced by many airlines from around the world with Air France being the most logical to connect with US airlines. Due to the number of flights that The Moorings books for its customers, we highly recommend you contact them to book your flights. There is much to see in Mahe, and many participants will likely arrange to come in a day or more early or stay late. When you sign up you will receive a detailed Seychelles Flotilla Cruise Book with tons of information to help you plan your trip including recommended hotels, dining out, sites, and more. Have more questions about sailing the Seychelles Islands? Get in touch with us and we’d be happy to help.