Chartering a boat in Seychelles: licence, rules and safety
Last verified:
EMERGENCY AT SEACall JRCC Seychelles on +248 429 0900. MAYDAY on VHF 16 · DSC 70.
Arriving by boat
On arrival an immigration officer boards the yacht, inspects it and the list of everyone aboard, and issues visitor's permits. When departing, the master clears with Immigration in Victoria, and the yacht may not stop at any other Seychelles island on the way out except in an emergency.
Seychelles Immigration and Civil Status · Seychelles Immigration and Civil Status ▾
Season and weather
The northwest monsoon peaks around January. That is also the peak of the South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, but these storms rarely affect the main granitic islands. The southeast trades bring rough seas, peaking in August, when the sea is 'forbidding for amateurs'.
Seychelles Meteorological Authority · Seychelles Meteorological Authority ▾
Forecast: The Seychelles Meteorological Authority issues a 24-hour marine forecast for three sea regions: Mahé (with Praslin, La Digue and the inner islands), the Amirantes, and Aldabra.
Seychelles Meteorological Authority ▾
Rules on the water
Seychelles — Mahé / Praslin: Around Mahé, SMSA has laid colour-coded demarcation buoys: yellow and pink buoys mark designated swimming areas kept away from vessel traffic, and green and red buoys mark navigation channels into and out of bays such as Beau Vallon, Port Launay and Anse Royale.
Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority ▾
Hazards and warnings
West-coast beaches are generally unsafe during the northwest monsoon (around December–March) and east-coast beaches during the southeast winds (around May–September). Beau Vallon can have dangerous rip currents when the sea is rough.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
Travel by ship to the outer islands, such as the Amirantes, Cosmoledo and Aldabra, needs approval from the Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority.
Government of Canada (travel.gc.ca) ▾
Piracy in the region has decreased but some risk remains, especially off Somalia. Check the latest situation with UKMTO and the Maritime Security Centre (Horn of Africa).
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
Seychelles — Mahé / Praslin: The south-east trade winds peak around August, bringing strong winds and rough seas; from June to September south- and south-east-facing coasts are less sheltered. Cyclones of the south-west Indian Ocean rarely affect the main granitic islands.
Seychelles Meteorological Authority · Seychelles Meteorological Authority ▾
Charter bases in Seychelles
Before you sail
Frequently asked
When is the best time to sail in Seychelles, and when is storm season?
The northwest monsoon peaks around January. That is also the peak of the South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, but these storms rarely affect the main granitic islands. The southeast trades bring rough seas, peaking in August, when the sea is 'forbidding for amateurs'.
How do I clear in when arriving in Seychelles by boat?
On arrival an immigration officer boards the yacht, inspects it and the list of everyone aboard, and issues visitor's permits. When departing, the master clears with Immigration in Victoria, and the yacht may not stop at any other Seychelles island on the way out except in an emergency.
What is the emergency number at sea in Seychelles?
Call JRCC Seychelles on +248 429 0900. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Other charter countries
Every line above is a plain-English summary of an official source — open “▾” for the exact wording. Rules change: confirm with your charter company and the local authority.