Region · yacht charter
Indian Ocean.
The Maldives, the Seychelles and Mauritius: longer, private itineraries away from the Mediterranean calendar.
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- Seychelles
Overview
What to expect.
The Indian Ocean is a longer-stay cruising ground, away from the seasonal rhythm of the Mediterranean fleet. Three destinations carry it: the Maldives, a chain of coral atolls south-west of India; the Seychelles, granite and coral islands off East Africa; and Mauritius, with its lagoons and islets east of Madagascar. Their seasons overlap, which makes the region cruisable for most of the year.
The main season in the Maldives runs from December to April, in the dry north-east monsoon. Charters embark near Malé, a short transfer from Velana International Airport, and cruise the reefs and sandbanks of North and South Malé, the whale sharks of South Ari and, from May to November, the mantas of Baa. The atolls reward seven to fourteen nights.
The Seychelles can be cruised all year, with the calmest seas in April, May, October and November. The inner islands (Mahé, Praslin and La Digue) are cruised from Eden Island Marina on Mahé; the outer islands, such as the Amirantes and Aldabra, call for longer passages, more planning and a yacht with the range for them. Mauritius runs from May to December, outside the main cyclone months, from Grand Baie and Port Louis.
An Indian Ocean yacht charter is planned further ahead than a Mediterranean one, around the monsoons, the flights and the transfers, and run end to end by one advisor, with the yachts and crews that know these waters.
Destinations
Where we cruise in the Indian Ocean.
3 destinations curated through our network of brokers, owners and management firms.
Season
When to cruise.
- Best months
- Maldives: December to April · Seychelles: all year
- Prevailing winds
- Monsoon-driven
- Base ports
- Malé · Mahé · Grand Baie
The Maldives from December to April, the Seychelles all year, calmest in April, May, October and November, and Mauritius from May to December. The Maldivian atolls offer short passages between protected lagoons; the Seychelles inner islands suit longer programmes, with reach to the outer atolls.
Frequently asked
Practical questions.
- When is the best time for an Indian Ocean yacht charter?
- It depends on the destination. The Maldives run from December to April, in the dry north-east monsoon; the Seychelles can be cruised all year, with the calmest seas in April, May, October and November; Mauritius runs from May to December. Together they cover most of the year.
- How long should an Indian Ocean charter be?
- Longer than a Mediterranean week. The distances reward seven to fourteen nights: seven to ten for the Maldives or the Seychelles inner islands, ten to fourteen to reach the Seychelles outer islands. Shorter charters leave too little time for the passages.
- How do you reach the yacht in the Maldives?
- Fly into Velana International Airport on Hulhulé Island, next to Malé, close to where most charters embark. The advisor arranges the transfer to the yacht.
- How do you reach a Seychelles charter?
- Fly into Seychelles International Airport on Mahé, a short drive from Eden Island Marina, where most charters embark. If the yacht starts on Praslin, the domestic flight takes 15 to 20 minutes. The advisor arranges the transfer to the yacht.
- What is there to do on an Indian Ocean charter?
- Diving and snorkelling above all: the Maldives for the reefs, the whale sharks of South Ari and the mantas of Baa, and the Seychelles for granite islands and beaches as well as the water. The route is built around the reefs, the weather and the guests.
- What does an Indian Ocean yacht charter cost?
- Indian Ocean charters are quoted individually, to the yacht, the season and the route, rather than from a fixed list. On top of the rate come the Advance Provisioning Allowance, the local taxes and a gratuity at your discretion, and longer routes to the outer islands raise fuel costs. The full figure, including transfers, is set out before anything is signed.
- Can a charter combine the Maldives and the Seychelles?
- Rarely in one charter: the two lie more than a thousand nautical miles apart and their best seasons differ, so most guests take them as separate charters, the Maldives in the northern winter and the Seychelles in the calm months either side.
Plan your charter
Guides and charter services.
Elsewhere
Other cruising grounds.
Plan a charter
Plan a charter in the Indian Ocean.
A private advisor will return a short, curated proposal within the hour.