As the calendar winter sets in and the season in the most accessible Mediterranean Sea area comes to an end, yachtsmen flock towards the equator seeking a tropical paradise of exotic islands, warm seas, palm trees, white sand, and unhurried surf. The Indian Ocean islands and countries are popular destinations for winter yachting. This youngest and warmest ocean on our planet holds many mysteries and secrets in its depths. The Indian Ocean is vast, covering approximately one-fifth of the total area of our planet, and washing four parts of the world: Australia, Africa, Asia, and even Antarctica. It consists of 57 groups of islands, 16 African countries, and 18 Asian countries. The Indian Ocean is the widest in the Southern Hemisphere, while in the Northern Hemisphere, it looks like a large sea, deeply cutting into the land. The shores of the Indian Ocean are home to ancient civilizations, and its development began from the north by Indian, Egyptian, and Phoenician navigators who sailed the Arabian and Red Seas and the Persian Gulf around 3,000 years BC. The Arabs made the first descriptions of sea routes across the Indian Ocean, and the well-known wind “monsoon” derives from the Arabic word “season.” We have prepared a brief guide to all the yachting regions in the Indian Ocean, where there are bases for renting yachts and catamarans. It should be noted that due to the landscape with coral reefs, the primary fleet for rent in the Indian Ocean region is sailing catamarans.
Yachting in Seychelles
Location
Seychelles is an archipelago situated in the western part of the Indian Ocean, which is the top of a granite massif.
Yacht bases
Praslin Island and Mahe Island are yacht bases for chartering in Seychelles.
Features
Yachting in Seychelles is recommended for experienced yachtsmen due to the high level of difficulty. The tidal water area has a tide amplitude of 1.5 meters, ocean currents, coral reefs, and sandbanks. It is essential to monitor the changes in the seabed continuously, as navigation maps of the region are not reliable. Night navigation on the islands is not allowed. The most popular rental option is catamarans.
Season and winds
Seychelles has a tropical climate with little temperature fluctuation. From December to May, the wet season sees an air temperature of +31 and a water temperature of +26, with frequent but short tropical downpours. The yachting season in Seychelles is year-round, with the most favorable time from April to June and from September to November. From November to April, a northwesterly wind of 15-20 knots prevails, and from May, the direction changes to the southeast. In December, a northern storm of 7-8 points is possible, while in July, the likelihood of a southern storm increases.
Yachting in the Maldives
Location
The Maldives are ring-shaped atolls consisting of a thousand coral islands in the Indian Ocean, southeast of India.
Yacht bases for charter
Male Island
Yachting features
Yachting in the Maldives is recommended for experienced yachtsmen due to the high level of difficulty. The area has tidal waters and coral reefs, requiring constant monitoring of the change in the seabed. Navigation maps in the region are not very reliable. In most lagoons, anchorages are very deep and open. Protected parking is available on the islands of Tuvusdhoo and Himmafushi, but many are paid. Renting catamarans with a local skipper is a common practice.
Season and weather
The Maldives have a tropical climate with little temperature fluctuation. The average annual air temperature is +28°C and the water temperature is +25°C. From April to November, the weather is less predictable with possible short rains, high humidity, and rough seas. The most favorable time for yachting in the Maldives is from November to April when the weather is sunny and dry.
Winds
From November to April, the northwest wind of 15-20 knots prevails. In May, the wind direction changes to the southwest.
Yachting in Madagascar
Location of the region for yachting:
Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world and is located in the Indian Ocean, southeast of the African continent.
Yacht bases for a yacht charter in Madagascar:
Nosy Be Island.
Features of yachting in Madagascar:
Yachting in Madagascar is recommended for experienced yachtsmen due to the high level of difficulty. The region has tidal waters (with a by-catch amplitude of 30 cm to 4.5 meters), coral reefs, and rocks that are not indicated on the maps. The ocean wave is gentle. The yachting infrastructure is underdeveloped, and there are no marinas or equipped moorings for yachts. Instead, there are only buoys and anchorages in the bays. The distances between the islands are small, and there are few protected night anchorages. Yachting in Madagascar is common only on the islands of the Nosy Be archipelago.
Season:
Madagascar has a tropical climate with dry and wet seasons and high humidity. The average annual air temperature is +26, and the water temperature is +28. The period from April to October is cooler, and November to March is hot, with variable rainfall and possible monsoons. The most favorable time for yachting in Madagascar is from January to March.
Winds:
From October to July, the east wind Varatraz prevails, while in the afternoon, the west wind Talo appears. From August to September, Varatraz dominates throughout the day and intensifies in the afternoon, sometimes reaching 45 knots.
Yachting in Thailand
Location of the region for yachting:
Thailand is located in Southeast Asia, on the Indochina and Malacca peninsulas. It is bordered by the Andaman Sea to the west and the Gulf of Thailand of the South China Sea to the east.
Yacht bases for a yacht charter in Thailand:
Coast of the Andaman Sea – Phuket Island
Gulf of Thailand – Koh Samui, Koh Chang
Features of yachting in Thailand:
Medium difficulty level. Tidal waters can have an amplitude of up to 2 meters, and there are coral reefs. Night navigation is prohibited, and daytime moorings are recommended. Yachting in Phang Nga Bay on the south coast is suitable for beginner yachtsmen, with easy navigation, a good coastline, comfortable marinas, many safe anchorages on the islands, and negligible tides and currents.
The season is tropical with little temperature variation. The average annual air temperature is between 26-31°C, and the water temperature is between 28-30°C. December is the coldest month. From May to the end of October is the monsoon season. The most favorable time for yachting in Thailand is from November to April.
Winds: From May to November, the southwest monsoon prevails, bringing humid air from the Indian Ocean. From November to April, the dry northeast monsoon of 15-20 knots prevails.
Yachting in Malaysia
Location of the region for yachting:
The Langkawi archipelago is situated in the Andaman Sea in northwestern Malaysia, within the Strait of Malacca, and is comprised of 99 islands.
Yacht bases for a yacht charter in Malaysia:
Langkawi Island is on the coast of the Andaman Sea.
Features of yachting in Malaysia:
Yachting in Malaysia is recommended for experienced yachtsmen as it presents a high level of difficulty. The region has tidal waters, and the amplitude of tides can reach 2 meters. There are many coral reefs, and it is necessary to constantly monitor changes in the seabed. Navigational charts of the area are not very reliable. On the coast, there are dangerously overhanging cliffs that can cause damage to the mast. Yachting in Malaysia is common only on the islands of the Langkawi archipelago.
Season:
The climate is equatorial, and the weather is hot all year round. The average air temperature ranges between +25-28°C, and the water temperature ranges from +28-30°C. High humidity is present throughout the year. The rainy season is from May to October, while the most favorable time for yachting in Malaysia is from November to April.
Winds:
From May to November, the southwest monsoon prevails, which brings humid air from the Indian Ocean. From November to April, a dry northeast wind of 15-20 knots prevails.
Yachting in Mauritius
Location of the region for yachting:
Mauritius is an island archipelago located in the southwestern Indian Ocean, 500 miles away from Madagascar.
Yacht bases for a yacht charter in Mauritius:
Port Louis, is located on the west coast of Mauritius.
Features of yachting in Mauritius:
In Mauritius, you can only rent a luxury catamaran with a captain, crew, and chef. Cabin rentals are also available.
The season is tropical, with alternating dry and wet seasons and high humidity. The average annual air temperature is +26°C, and the water temperature is +28°C. The temperature difference between seasons is only 3-4 degrees. From April to October, it is cooler, while from November to March, it is hot with variable rainfall and possible monsoons. The best time for yachting in Mauritius is from January to March.
Winds – Southeasterly trade winds of 15-20 knots prevail. The southern part of the island does not have a protective coral reef, so the surf and waves on this coast are much stronger.
