Seasonal· Platte· Seychelles

Platte Island NW-Monsoon Approach Window

5° 47.4′ S · 55° 21.0′ E · approximate

Platte, 70-odd nm south of Mahé, was described by the civil commissioner in 1864 as almost unreachable in the SE monsoon. The northwest-monsoon months, and especially the calm spells in April and November, are the realistic windows to approach its reef passages.

Seychelles Inner Islands

Practical

Pub. 171 (2010): barrier reefs on which the sea breaks heavily extend 3 nm N, about 0.5 nm E and 1.5 nm S; numerous 2.7 m coral heads lie within 2 nm W; the only two passages, on the NW side, are intricate and for small vessels with local knowledge only. Because those passages face northwest, a strong NW wind or swell makes them dangerous too, so pick a light-wind day: the Moorings eGuide gives NW winds of 10-15 knots from December to April, strongest at daybreak, with rain squalls and stronger winds December to March, and calm spells in April and November. The 1864 report also said ships of 500 tons could not come within 5 nm. Arrange a local pilot and IDC landing permission (the island is mostly occupied by the Waldorf Astoria resort) before you sail. Coordinate is approximate: a standoff waypoint about 2 nm NW of the north end of the barrier reef, derived from the Pub. 171 reef extents and the Wikipedia island position; do not close the reef from it without a pilot.

Platte Island NW-Monsoon Approach Window

Practical

Best for

Season

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