Africa-Press – Seychelles. As the demand for charter holidays in far-flung places increases, more and more charter companies are now operating further afield, opening up new and interesting destinations for UK and European charter sailors. However, you will find that flotillas are much less common than in the Mediterranean, although there are plenty of bareboat, skippered and by-the-cabin charter options.
The Indian Ocean archipelagos such as the Seychelles, the Maldives, Madagascar, Mauritius and Zanzibar with their coconut palm tree-lined castaway islands and white powder sand beaches are what charter holiday dreams are made of. The area is scattered with small islands and cays and, with so many coral reefs, it is a particularly popular part of the world for diving enthusiasts.
Whale sharks and manta rays can be spotted year-round migrating around the atolls in the Maldives hoovering up microplankton. There are also 20 different species of dolphin and five species of sea turtle. If visiting the Seychelles, take a trip ashore to see the rare black parrot or the giant tortoises. Sperm and humpback whales migrate through the Indian Ocean from June to late September and can be spotted off the coast of Mauritius.
Thailand with its 2,000 miles of coastline and mix of quiet bays, hidden beaches, and vibrant harbours is already a popular winter escape, so flights and transfers can be easily arranged once you have decided on a yacht and a location. Bear in mind, of course, that for Australian sailors (and tourists in general), this area is much closer to home than it is to Europeans.
In South East Asia, chartering a yacht is a great way to explore the hidden ‘treasures’ of the Andaman Sea for example with generally ‘line of sight’ navigation in the emerald waters among the craggy limestone islands, and unspoilt beaches. You’ll find the best time to visit is the drier season in Thailand from November to early March.There is so much to discover with places like Phang Nga Bay and the Andaman Sea’s Phi Phi and Similan Islands some of the most popular. Head to Mu Koh Similan National Park for some of the best diving in the area, or sail to Khao Phing Kan (also known as James Bond Island after appearing in the 1974 James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun). Another interesting place to visit is the floating village of Koh Panyi.
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