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Destination comparison

Indonesia vs Seychelles

Two distinct sailing grounds — here's how they compare on conditions, cost, season, and who they suit.

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Quick Comparison

Dimension Indonesia Seychelles
Region South East Asia Indian Ocean
Peak season May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Shoulder Apr, Oct May, Oct, Nov
Sailing difficulty moderate moderate to difficult
Recommended level intermediate intermediate to advanced
Avg wind (winter / summer) 10 / 18 kn 16 / 17 kn
Hurricane risk None Jan, Feb, Mar
Currency IDR (Indonesian Rupiah) SCR (pegged to EUR)
Mid-tier price (7 days) $12,000 $14,000
Luxury tier price $45,000 $60,000
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At a Glance

South East Asia
Indonesia

East Indonesia (Komodo, Flores, Raja Ampat) peaks June-September with calm seas and SE breeze. Bali and western islands are calmer April-October. Liveaboard / crewed charter is the norm; bareboat options are limited.

  • • 2 base marinas
  • • 4 must-visit anchorages
  • • 12 boats in our fleet database for this region
Indian Ocean
Seychelles

Steady SE trade winds May-October (winter for southern hemisphere calm). Reaches across open ocean between islands; reefy anchorages. Small charter infrastructure; book crewed.

  • • 2 base marinas
  • • 4 must-visit anchorages
  • • 11 boats in our fleet database for this region

Sailing Conditions

Indonesia averages 10 knots in winter and 18 knots in summer. There's no hurricane season, which makes year-round planning easier.

Seychelles averages 16 knots in winter and 17 knots in summer. Hurricane risk: Jan, Feb, Mar.

In terms of sailing difficulty, Indonesia is generally rated moderate and Seychelles is moderate to difficult. The difference matters: Seychelles asks more of the skipper — confidence at the helm and some experience with coastal navigation helps.

Cost Comparison

For a 7-day charter of a typical 45-ft catamaran (4 cabins, sleeps 8):

Indonesia
  • Low season: $4,500
  • Mid season: $12,000
  • High season: $24,000
  • Luxury / crewed peak: $45,000+
Seychelles
  • Low season: $5,500
  • Mid season: $14,000
  • High season: $28,000
  • Luxury / crewed peak: $60,000+

Bareboat base rates. Crewed typically adds ~$1,500/day (captain + hostess). Prices exclude fuel, provisioning, mooring fees, gratuity.

Anchorages & Must-Do

Indonesia
  • Komodo National Park — Dragons, manta rays, Pink Beach — bucket-list dive area
  • Raja Ampat — 75% of all marine species; liveaboard-only diving
  • Gili Islands (NW Lombok) — Calm water, snorkelling, no cars
  • Flores (Maumere / Labuan Bajo) — Gateway to Komodo; volcano hikes
Seychelles
  • La Digue - Anse Source d'Argent — Iconic granite boulders; top photo
  • Praslin - Vallée de Mai (UNESCO) — Coco de mer palm
  • Cousin Island — Bird sanctuary
  • Aldabra Atoll (UNESCO) — Giant tortoise habitat (expedition yachts only)

Which Should You Choose?

If you've never chartered before

Both work for first-timers. The default choice for the industry is BVI; choose that unless you have specific reasons to prefer Indonesia or Seychelles.

If you want warmer / tropical water

Both sit in warm waters — temperature is broadly similar. The differentiator is which coast or chain: Indonesia vs Seychelles. Read the must-visit lists above.

If you want history / culture / food

Indonesia has 1 cultural anchorages vs Seychelles's 0. Pick by what kind of stop you want between swims.

Captain's Take

"Raja Ampat is worth every mile of repositioning, but do not make it your whole trip. The classic Komodo route out of Labuan Bajo - Pink Beach, Padar, the dragons - is the more achievable week for most groups, and the sailing between islands is superb in the June-September SE trades. If you have 10+ days, add a Flores volcano day. Indonesia rewards slow: the anchorages are the destination."

— Captain E. (2Hulls editorial charter captain), local captain · year_round note · verified 2026-09-09

Timing and Budget: Indonesia vs Seychelles

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Indonesia or Seychelles better for a first-time charter? ▾
Neither is a "first-charter" pick — both lean intermediate. Consider starting in BVI or Greece before tackling Indonesia/Seychelles.
Which is cheaper to charter — Indonesia or Seychelles? ▾
Indonesia is the cheaper of the two at the mid-tier: ~$12,000/week vs ~$14,000/week for Seychelles (mid-size catamaran, shoulder season). Bareboat low-season starts around $4,500 in Indonesia vs $5,500 in Seychelles.
When is the best time to visit Indonesia vs Seychelles? ▾
Indonesia: peak May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep; shoulder Apr, Oct; off Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar. Seychelles: peak Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr; shoulder May, Oct, Nov; off Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep. The seasons only partially overlap.
How do sailing conditions compare — Indonesia vs Seychelles? ▾
Indonesia: typical winter winds 10 knots, summer 18 knots. Sailing difficulty: moderate. No hurricane season. Seychelles: typical winter winds 16 knots, summer 17 knots. Sailing difficulty: moderate to difficult. Hurricane risk: Jan, Feb, Mar.
Which has better flight access — Indonesia or Seychelles? ▾
Indonesia: Ngurah Rai International (DPS), Bali, also Singapore SIN + 2.5h, Jakarta CGK + 1.5h domestic. Seychelles: Seychelles International (SEZ), Mahé, also Praslin (PRI), Connection through Doha / Addis / Dubai.
Which is more beginner-friendly, Indonesia or Seychelles? ▾
Both are accessible to first-time charterers (intermediate and intermediate to advanced respectively). Many charterers combine both on one trip.
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