The extra flying time to reach the Indian Ocean is rewarded by beautiful beaches, a tropical climate, stunning scenery and fascinating flora and fauna on isolated islands. The entire Indian Ocean is a rich marine environment populated by many species of unusual and colourful fish. There are many indigenous species unique to its waters and land. The most popular boats for this region are by far the catamaran. Catamarans are particularly well adapted for cruising these waters.
Certain weather conditions in thie Indian Ocean create some challenging conditions. Having a local skipper on board on board the boat will ensure that your yacht charter experience will be more relaxing. A local skipper will also know how to find isolated islands, the most spectacular beaches and the best restaurants and markets.
Take extra care with your provisioning list especially for remote itineraries like Madagascar or the Amirante Islands. If planning to bareboat, it is crucial to confirm that your sailing license will be acceptable by the charter company and to have in writing that confirmation. As you may be meeting different cultures be prepared to dress modestly when in town. Scanty clothing is best reserved for the beaches and the yacht.
Popular destinations for yacht charter in the Indian Ocean include; Burma, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanamar, Seycheles, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam
Madagascar sits in the Indian Ocean about 250 miles off the east coast of Mozambique in Africa. It is the fourth largest island in the world. A yacht charter in Madagascar will give you access to calm turquoise waters, perfect for diving and snorkelling. The waters of Madagascar shelter an exceptional marine environment with remarkable varieties of coral and rainbow-coloured fish.
Madagascar has a tropical climate. September, October and November are the best months to visit. The months of December to April have the most rain and will be very warm as the North Monsoon brings hot and humid air. Rain in heavy showers typically end quickly. However, North Monsoon is also the period during which Cyclones can develop. On average per year, the whole region sees 4 cyclones with winds of 65 knots and 10 tropical storms with winds between 35 to 65 knots. From April to December during the South Monsoon the southeast winds prevail. The South Monsoon Period is dryer and cooler than the North Monsoon. There are very strong winds in August during the tropical depression period. Winds can exceed 30 knots in the "funnel areas" north of the Mitsio Islands.
With bareboat yacht charters, a guide is usually included in the price of the yacht charter. Although not mandatory, he comes with the price and is essential for the many services he will provide. He will prepare the food, recommend good yacht anchorages and know where to fish and refill the boats water tanks. He will speak the local language and have an established relationship with the local people. He will protect the boat from theft when you leave it to explore on land. The guide lives completely on the exterior of the boat and does not require a cabin.
Yacht charters are concentrated on the volcanic island of Nosy Bé that lies off the northwest coast of Madagascar in the Mozambique Canal. Nosy Bé is the biggest and most populated of the Malagasy islands. Here are the most beautiful beaches, shaded by coconut trees and washed by calm turquoise waters. Nosy Bé will is renowned for its diving with its multiple varieties of corals and multi-coloured fish. The island is reputed for its fragrance, Nosy Bé is known as "The Fragrant Island". Numerous crops of ylang-ylang, coffee, sugar cane, and peppers are grown in large quantities and their scents fills the air.
The Maldive Islands are located in the Indian Ocean and are amongst the most beautiful destinations for a sailing holiday in the world. The archipelago consists of 1,190 coral islands all with a wonderful climate and beautiful beaches, coves and lagoons.
The Langkawi, Malaysia yacht charter area contains a hundred or so small islands and offers an outstanding natural landscape with beautiful beaches, spectacular caves, lakes, limestone hills and amazing wildlife in lush, tropical jungles. Malaysia is a federation of thirteen states in Southeast Asia. The yacht charter area lies off the northwest coast of peninsular Malaysia in the Straits of Malacca, just a few miles south of the Thai border. There are over a hundred magical islands, some just small outcrops of coral with a few trees and a sandy beach. Langkawi is the largest island in the archipelago.
The climate in Malaysia is tropical and always warm. There are 2 distinct seasons. The dry season, which runs from November to April. The winds blow predominately from the north east and the weather is generally fine with nice sailing breezes. During the wet season that runs from May to October you can expect rain, although showers tend to be over very quickly. The winds at this time are predominately from the west/south west. Langkawi tends to be much drier than other parts of Malaysia. All year round the average temperatures ranges from 25°C - 32°C
A yacht charter to Mauritius offers great beaches and some wonderful opportunities for diving. It is also one of the leading big game fishing centres in the world. The beaches are protected by extensive coral reefs that form one of the largest barrier reefs in the world.
Mauritius is a small island situated just above the Tropic of Capricorn 500 miles from Madagascar, in the south west of the Indian Ocean. The Republic of Mauritius comprises of the main island Mauritius, together with Rodrigues, St. Brandon Island, and Agalega Islands as its dependencies. Mauritius is volcanic in origin and covers an area of 720 square miles. 200 miles of coastline are almost entirely surrounded by one of the largest unbroken coral reefs in the world.
The island is well known for its exceptional natural beauty; and Mark Twain said "You gather the idea that Mauritius was made first and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius.
Summer, from January to April, can be hot and humid with daytime temperatures averaging close to 30°C. The western and northern regions are warmer and relatively drier than the east and south. There is a risk of cyclones in the summer and although rarely a direct hit has been seen, these months will have days of squally rain. Mauritius doesn't really have a change of Season, there are no distinct monsoons and rain is possible on any day of the year. July to September, have the least amount of rain and daytime temperatures are more comfortable. Daytime temperatures average 25°C, falling to 15°C at night. These months are some of the more popular times to visit. December through March is the best time for diving as the waters are at their clearest.
The relative pleasant and stable climatic conditions that prevail year round and steady winds make Mauritius ideal for yacht charter. Mauritius has many crystal clear lagoons that make great yacht anchorages. Catamarans are particularly popular as their shallow draft makes them perfect for slipping in and out of shallow lagoons. Mauritius is served by south east trade winds. The south east trades blow a steady 15 to 25 knots for 70% of the time from May to October. In addition to the consistent winds, the island's broad lagoons and long coastline Mauritius is ideal for yacht charter and offers a wide variety of conditions.
October to April are the best months for Big Game Fishing, when the large "trophy" fish approach the shore. Mauritius is one of the world's leading game fishing centres and record-breaking marlin, sailfish, sharks and other big fish are regularly caught off its coast.
Dive charter is very popular in Mauritius and there are approximately 27 dive centres located around the island. In addition to exploring the natural formations and reefs, ships have been sunk deliberately to create wrecks. There are at least 10 such wrecks around the. Beware that from June to October, the southeast trade winds make for rough seas and more difficult dives.
The Seychelles lie in the Indian Ocean, about 1000 miles from Kenya on the east coast of Africa. There are some 115 islands in the archipelago. Mahe Island and Praslin Island are the two main yacht charter bases. The sailing distances between the islands are easy and you will want to explore as many as possible. The awe-inspiring natural granite peaks, exotic wildlife, amazing flora and fauna are the backdrop to immaculate powder white beaches.
The Seychelles offer a extensive range of yacht charter and this includes; bareboat yacht charter, luxury crewed yacht charter, skippered yacht charter, monohull and catamaran charter and both sail and motor yacht charter.
There are six distinct groups-of islands: the Inner Islands, the Amirantes, Southern Coral, Alphonse, Farquhar and Aldabra. The cruising area is concentrated around to the Inner Islands, including the four main islands of Mahe, Praslin, Silhouette, La Digue and twenty smaller islands. The Amirantes may also be a possibility on an extended yacht charter.
As the Seychelles are just south of the Equator, they enjoy warm weather all year round. Air and water temperatures range from 25° - 30° C , accompanied by a very pleasant breeze. The islands lie outside the hurricane belt, and violent storms are very rare. Winds rarely exceed speeds of 30 knots. The seasons are defined by the beginning and ending of the southeast trade winds. When the winds blow from May to November, they carry a dryer climate and slightly cooler temperatures. The monsoon season runs from December to April, when northwest winds blow creating a more humid climate and rainy conditions. Although tropical rains fall more frequently in January and February, the weather can be completely different from one side of an island to the other. The Seychelles enjoy steady trade winds of 5 -20 knots year round which are ideal sailing conditions. However, the challenge remains in the open water passages, with no land in sight, that one must take in order to reach many of the islands. During the months of May through September the seas can be rough and choppy.
South Africa is the southernmost country of the continent of Africa. The Atlantic is on its west coast and the Indian Ocean on the east coast.
Cape Town, East London and Port Elizabeth are yacht charter centres on the S coast of South Africa. Durban is the major yacht charter centre on South Africa's Indian Ocean coast.
Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia. To its east, lie Laos and Cambodia and to its south, the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia and to its west, the Andaman Sea and Myanmar. The yacht charter area extends from Myanamar in the north to Malaysia in the south
The choice of yacht charter in Thailand is wide and includes; bareboat yacht charter, luxury crewed yacht charter, skippered yacht charter, monohull and catamaran charter and both sail and motor yacht charter.
Many of beautiful islands of Thailand are only accessible by sea and a yacht charter is a great way to explore this area. The main yacht charter area is amongst the islands of the Andaman Sea.
Thailand, Phuket and the Andaman Sea have gained a reputation for being a top yacht charter destination. There is an abundance of islands to visit, some developed but most not. Several national parks and reefs offer great opportunities for diving and fishing. Most of these picturesque islands of the Andaman Sea are accessible by boat alone and a yacht charter is one of the few ways to see them.
Thailand has two distinct seasons. From November to April the weather is consistently sunny and dry with temperatures at around 30°C degrees. The predominantly light to moderate northeast winds are ideal for sailing. From May to October the southwest winds pick up and are sometimes quite strong with occasional squalls. Weather conditions during this period are generally good. Although you can expect rain showers but they tend to be short lived. Winds blow from 5-20 knots over the two seasons.
Vietnam is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, and Cambodia to the southwest. On the country's east coast lies the South China Sea.
Ha Long Bay with its 3,000 spectacular limestone islands is a major yacht charter centre.
