Seasonal· Amirantes· Seychelles
Amirantes Cruising Window (October-May)
4° 49.0′ S · 53° 40.0′ E · approximate
Multihulls World says the Amirantes are reachable from October to May, avoiding the strongest southeast trades, when swell breaks violently on the south-east side of the banks.
Practical
In Pub. 171's words, the anchorages 'when obtainable, are usually insecure', currents on the bank are strong and uncertain, and soundings give little warning of the islands. Vessels are advised not to navigate over the Amirante Bank and should either anchor for the night or make an offing. The islands are at most about 6 m high but palms make them visible 10-14 nm off. Buoyage is IALA A and rare except near harbours; lights are 'random'. Currents in the passes reach 2-3 knots, setting east in the NW monsoon and west in the SE trades; tides are semi-diurnal, 1.4-1.8 m. Allow two to three weeks for a proper visit. Coordinate is approximate: the Wikipedia Amirante Islands reference point.
Best for
Choosing when to go to the Amirantes
Season
October-May
Nearby
- African Banks (Protected, No Unauthorised Entry)17.2 NM away
- African Banks Tern Colonies17.3 NM away
- Rémire Island Anchorage (North Side)27.5 NM away
- Rémire Island (IDC Permission Required)27.8 NM away
- D'Arros Anchorage (North Side)41.6 NM away
- St Joseph Atoll Lagoon (Tender Visit)41.6 NM away
- D'Arros Island and Save Our Seas Research Centre42.2 NM away
- Desroches Lagoon Anchorage (Inside the West Channel)47.9 NM away