Seasonal· Mahé (west coast)· Seychelles
Monsoons on the West Coast (SE Trades vs NW Monsoon)
4° 38.4′ S · 55° 21.6′ E · approximate
Which anchorages work on this coast depends on the monsoon: in the southeast trades (May-November) Beau Vallon, Anse Major, Baie Ternay and Port Launay sit in the lee of the mountains; in the northwest monsoon (December-April) they face the wind and swell.
Practical
Moorings eGuide: SE trades May-November average 15-25 knots with gusts over 30, peaking July-August, steady day and night; NW monsoon December-April 10-15 knots, peaking January, with rain squalls and stronger winds December-March; April and November bring calm, sometimes windless days and the clearest water. Beau Vallon is fully exposed to NW winds; Anse Major and Jasmin Bay are very exposed to the NW; Baie Ternay is a bit rolly in the NW season; Port Launay is sheltered in nearly any wind. Grand Anse surf works best November-April. Night sailing is not permitted for charter yachts: be anchored an hour before sunset. Forecasts: windy.com, windfinder.com, windguru.cz, or Seychelles Radio on VHF 16/26. Coordinate derived: offshore west of Baie Ternay, representative only.
Best for
Choosing the right anchorage for the season
Season
SE trades May–Nov; NW monsoon Dec–Apr; transitions Apr and Nov