Kick off your Seychelles yacht charter in Mahé, the country’s largest island. Reserve a berth at Eden Island Marina, which offers shopping, dining and business services, 10 minutes’ drive north of Seychelles International Airport.

Hire a car or, better still, a local guide to show you the best of Mahé. Start with a walking tour of Seychelles’ capital, Victoria, passing by the Clock Tower, an exact copy of a ‘Little Ben’ found in London, dating to 1903. The wing-shaped Bicentennial Monument celebrates Seychelles’ cultural diversity.

Browse the open-air central markets, where you can buy high-quality coconut oil, curry mixes and vanilla sticks. From there, check out some of Mahé’s finest beaches, such as surfer favorite Anse (bay in French) Intendance, rugged Police Bay and tranquil Petite Police Bay. 

In the hills above Anse Royale, pore over more than 120 fruit and spice species, including nutmeg and jackfruit, at the historical Spice Garden. 

Situated between two hills bordering the Morne Seychellois National Park on Mahé’s northwestern coast, Baie Ternay serves as an excellent natural harbor, particularly during the southeast monsoon season. Look for a good, sandy bottom to drop anchor, well away from fragile reefs.

Hosting a rich array of vital ecosystems, Baie Ternay is located within a national marine park, so an admission fee needs to be paid upon arrival. Named after French administrator Chevalier Charles Louis D’Arzac de Ternay, the sheltered bay hosts coral reefs, seagrass beds, wetlands, mangroves, and mud flats.

Whether you choose to snorkel or dive, expect to see a vast range of undersea life, including the endemic Seychelles anemone fish, wrasses and damselfish. It’s also a popular foraging ground for green turtles and the critically endangered hawksbill turtle.

Between August and October, you might spot a migrating whale shark. If you see slow-moving sicklefin lemon sharks feeding in shallow waters, know they’re social creatures, but completely harmless. Birdwatchers should keep their eyes peeled for native species and waders, such as curlew sandpipers, striated heron, and the common Greenshank. Maintain a safe distance from wildlife to avoid disturbing them.

Approaching this powdery white sand beach, on Praslin island’s northern coast, from the sea, you’ll wonder at first if you’re witnessing a mirage. A photogenic oasis of blue-green seas, rust-red granite rocks, and palm trees almost kissing the water’s edge, it’s no surprise that Anse Lazio draws plenty of locals. Drop anchor in this well-protected bay and prepare to spend a day in paradise. 

Not that it’s completely untouched. There is a trio of guesthouses and a couple of beach bars and restaurants, but they don’t spoil the vibe or views. At the southern end of Anse Lazio, seek out the honesty bar set amid thick tropical vegetation and run by chatty owner Don, whose specialty is Creole punch. If you head out for dinner in the evening, don’t be startled by crabs scattering across the shore into their burrows as night falls.

Sailing northeast toward Curieuse, drop anchor in Laraie Bay. At just 1.08 sq m (2.8 sq km), this tiny isle plays a critical role in safeguarding several native species of flora and fauna.

Designated a national marine park, Curieuse is home to the endangered Aldabra giant tortoises, relocated there from Aldabra atoll, one of Seychelles’ outer islands and a Unesco World Heritage Site. More than 200 tortoises, some estimated to be over a century old, wander freely in a sanctuary at the bay’s edge. If they approach you, they’re likely looking for a gentle pat on the head. 

From there, sail southeast to St Pierre, a picture-perfect outcrop of palm-studded granite rocks. Drop anchor to the west, which offers the best protection from the wind. Below the sea surface lies a reef which, though affected by coral bleaching, draws an unexpectedly healthy amount of marine life. Don your mask and snorkel and paddle among sergeant majors, fusiliers, and surgeonfish. 

Returning to Praslin, drop the hook in the soothing, shallow waters of Anse Gouvernement, on the island’s northeastern coast. Most yachts moor at nearby Anse Volbert to easily access the village’s restaurants, cafes and shops, which you can reach via tender and simultaneously enjoy your peace. 

Stroll the long stretch of fine sand beach known as Cote d’Or. Its calm, shin-deep waters are perfect for kids, though watch for stingrays skimming the sea floor. Use insect repellent containing oil of lemon eucalyptus to avoid sandfly bites. 

From there, arrange a transfer to the Unesco World Heritage-designated Vallée de Mai, a 15-minute drive inland. Within a forest dating back more than 100 million years is the largest natural habitat of Seychelles’ emblematic coco de mer. This fiercely protected endangered native palm produces the world’s rarest and largest nut.

When British Major-General Charles Gordon visited Seychelles in 1881, he was convinced the Vallée de Mai was the Garden of Eden and identified the coco de mer nut as the Bible’s forbidden fruit due to its resemblance to a woman’s pelvis. Walking through the forest, look for bright green day geckos and listen for the call of the seldom-seen indigenous black parrot.

Find a comfortable anchorage off the almost car-free village of La Passe on the northwestern coast of La Digue. Among Seychelles’ three main inhabited inner islands, it’s best known for its sublime beaches. 

To reach them, hire a bike and cycle south along the main road. Make a stop at Giant Union Rock, known locally as Roche La Digue, to capture the granite landmark and the tortoises that reside around its base. Pay an admission fee to enter the L’Union Estate Park and leave your bike.

From there, you’ll walk along a sandy path between a string of palm-studded beaches framed by soaring granite boulders with mystical, undulating shapes. Anse Source d’Argent is the best-known. Wait to see it in its best light, when the sun dips into warm, gin-clear seas. Dodge peak season crowds by continuing south to quieter beaches, such as Anse Pierrot and Anse aux Cedres.

Alternatively, circumnavigate the island in search of more secluded beaches, such as Petite Anse and Anse Caïman, but keep in mind that currents can be strong. Back on the boat, revel in the last rays of the day, reaching like flames into the sky. 

Wrap up your Seychelles adventure at the Saint-Anne Marine Park. Upon arrival, pay an admission fee to spend the night at the park, anchoring at Anse Mare Jupe or Anse Cabot. 

The island has served various purposes over the years. In 1770, it was the first French colonial settlement. In the early 19th century, Saint-Anne became a whaling port, while during World War II, it operated as a station for a Royal Marines contingent, established to safeguard Victoria.

In 1973, Saint-Anne, along with the neighbouring islands of Moyenne, Round, Long, Cachée, and Cerf, and the surrounding seas, were declared a national marine park. Fishing has been banned for over four decades, allowing marine life to thrive undisturbed, despite its proximity to Mahé.

Go snorkeling in the turquoise-hued Saint-Anne Channel between Saint-Anne and Moyenne, amid vibrant coral. You’re likely to see steephead parrotfish, butterflyfish, and semicircle angelfish, which count among more than 150 marine life species. Green turtles can be spotted feeding on seagrass, while hawksbill turtles frequent a coral restoration site. 

Ashore, venture into the hilly interior of St-Anne for views of the park from above, or check out the beaches.