Catamaran cruise in Seychelles

Full article in Multihulls World N°192.

Forget five-star hotels. Instead, take advantage of this extraordinary sailing area made up of 115 islands. The archipelago, unlike so many others, is not just of coral origin. Some 40 islands form a small continent whose base is made of granite. Hence these incredible entanglements of clear rocks, cut by erosion. If you're only staying a week, skip the main island, Mahé, and head straight for Praslin, 25 miles to the northeast. Here you are in the paradise of the most beautiful anchorages. Start with the picture postcard island of îlet Saint Pierre: blocks of granite, coconut palms and above all, a breathtaking seabed. Expect to find yourself face to face with a small shark – they are harmless. Ashore, visit the Vallée de Mai and its coconut palms, an endemic species: more than 80 feet (25 m) high and with a fruit, the “coco-fesse” (literally, the coconut buttock in French – no prizes for guessing why) which weighs up to 55 lbs (25 kg)! Two miles further north, the quietest anchorage is certainly Turtle Pond, on Curieuse Island. Protected from all winds, discover the turtles that invade the area. The guard will explain to you that a few minutes before the 2004 tsunami, which caused the death of two people in the Seychelles, the animals took refuge in the heights of the jungle... With your sails hoisted, head southeast for 7 miles to visit La Digue. All you have to do is rent bikes and let yourself be carried away by the local way of life. No cars, relaxed artisans, exceptional beaches: you won't want to weigh anchor!