Destination guide · Indian Ocean

Boat rental in the Indian Ocean

Here is the garden of Eden — reached under sail

The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceans, covering a fifth of the planet's water surface, from the Arabian peninsula and the Somali coast in the west to Malaysia in the east. Some of the most spectacular islands on earth sit in this water, and there is no better way to discover them than from the deck of your own boat.

To the south, magnificent Madagascar is a paradise for adventurous crews after something genuinely unusual. Further out, the Seychelles beckon with pristine white-sand beaches and clear turquoise water: aboard your own boat you reach the secluded coves and granite outcrops no resort can offer.

Eastward, the Maldives emerge as the jewel of the region. Cruise the atolls, watch the coral reefs go by and hop from one idyllic island to the next. Whether you are after quiet days at anchor or something more energetic, abundant wildlife and dependable wind make this a superb first long-distance charter.

The best island hopping there is

The major destinations of the Indian Ocean, one boat at a time.

Seychelles

If you are looking for pristine, untouched nature, Robinson-Crusoe beaches and magnificent marine life, you are in the right place. Even the most seasoned travellers are amazed by the abundance and diversity of the native flora and fauna — and the short sheltered passages between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue make this one of the easiest tropical charters there is.

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Maldives

The tiny Republic of the Maldives is overwhelming: endless anchorages and uninhabited islands, and even more of both once you have your own boat. A paradise for honeymooners, divers, surfers and, of course, sailors. If you have never chartered here, you should.

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Mauritius

An ideal yachting destination that will surprise you with the many protected bays where marine life abounds. Most charters start from Port Louis or Black River — the gateway to a lagoon week.

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Zanzibar & Tanzania

Spice islands, dhow-lined channels and reefs along the East African coast. Zanzibar is the natural extension of a safari, and the sailing between the island and the mainland is warm, shallow and gentle.

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Madagascar

One of those remote places where we have built the relationships that let you charter a boat. Explore the vast north-western coast around Nosy Be: the sheer variety of wildlife is not a side trip, it is part of the cruise.

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Dubai & the Gulf

Yachting life is developing fast in the Persian Gulf. The luxury marinas accommodate very large yachts but welcome every size, and the waterways make an unusual backdrop for a holiday — or for entertaining guests.

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Tell us where you want to sail: we source boats outside the fleet on request.

Common questions

Why is the Indian Ocean such a good place to build your sailing skills?

The sheer size of the Indian Ocean gives you a diverse and demanding playground: calm lagoon water one day, a spirited trade-wind reach the next. Sailing several of its regions in one trip means meeting genuinely different conditions.

The Seychelles archipelago has intricate coastlines and hidden coves that sharpen your close-quarters handling. Madagascar's less predictable winds and currents are an adventure for crews who want to work at their craft. The atolls of the Maldives, meanwhile, are an exercise in precision navigation among coral.

When is the sailing season in the Indian Ocean?

It depends on where in the region you are going — the Indian Ocean spans several distinct weather systems.

Seychelles: May to September, when the south-east trades prevail, gives stable weather and moderate wind. It is the most popular window.

Madagascar: the dry season, roughly April to October, brings the most predictable weather and the most favourable winds.

Maldives: sailing is possible all year, but the north-east monsoon from November to April brings calm seas and settled weather.

These are guidelines rather than rules. Ask the operator on the boat you are looking at: they know the local wind patterns better than any calendar.