Explore: Inner Islands Ports
General Info
The Inner Islands consist of 41 islands forming a cluster around the principal islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, some with peaks rising nearly 1,000m high. There are also 2 low-lying coral islands, Denis Island and Bird Island.
La Digue is the island where time stands still and boasts Earth’s most photographed beach, Anse Source d’Argent.
Position 04° 20.82’S, 55° 49.51’E (La Passe, La Digue)
Clearance
The following islands are managed by the Island Development Company (IDC): Alphonse Island, Bijoutier, Coëtivy, Desroches, Farquhar, Poivre Atoll, Platte, Providence Atoll, Remire, Silhouette, and St. François. Contact IDC for permission to land. Landing fees on these islands may start from $20/person.
Latest update: November 2014
Docking
Mooring buoys are provided in several locations (i,e, around north-west Mahé, north-east of Praslin and a few of its surrounding islands).
Access to Marine Parks is controlled by various conservation organizations. A fee is charged for landing or overnight mooring. The anchoring zone is marked and the marine park officials will come to the yacht to collect the required fees.
These areas are Aride, Cousin, Curieuse Marine National Park, ïle Cocos Marine National Park, Ste. Anne Marine National Park and St. Pierre (for overnight mooring fees see Fees.)
Some islands are private and permission must be obtained before landing there. These islands are Anonyme, Bird, Chauvre Souris, Cousine, D’Arros, and St.Joseph Atoll, Denis, Félicité, Frégate, Grande Soeur, Petite Soeur, Moyenne, North, Round Island off Mahé and Round Island off Praslin.
Some facilities (water, fuel, and overnight mooring) are available at the jetties at Baie Ste. Anne and La Passe. Make contact, preferably 24hr in advance, on VHF channel 16.
Water at La Digue costs 150 rupees. Moor med style in the small harbor and a hose is obtainable from the Harbour Master and this can be used to fill up water tanks, doing laundry and/or washing off the boat. This is a one-time use fee and has to be paid on a per use basis.
Praslin boasts a wide array of hotels, shops, and restaurants, although Anse Lazio is a beautiful bay with nothing more ashore than some great hiking trails and an “honesty bar”.
La Digue also has several restaurants and shops for provisioning.
Latest update: August 2015
