Destination comparison
Seychelles vs Saint Lucia
Two distinct sailing grounds — here's how they compare on conditions, cost, season, and who they suit.
Quick Comparison
| Dimension | Seychelles | Saint Lucia |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Indian Ocean | Caribbean |
| Peak season | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr |
| Shoulder | May, Oct, Nov | Nov, May |
| Sailing difficulty | moderate to difficult | moderate to difficult |
| Recommended level | intermediate to advanced | intermediate |
| Avg wind (winter / summer) | 16 / 17 kn | 18 / 14 kn |
| Hurricane risk | Jan, Feb, Mar | Aug, Sep, Oct |
| Currency | SCR (pegged to EUR) | XCD (pegged to USD) |
| Mid-tier price (7 days) | $14,000 | $10,000 |
| Luxury tier price | $60,000 | $38,000 |
| Detail page | View → | View → |
At a Glance
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
Northern end of Windward chain; longer passages. Pitons protected area. Strong Atlantic swells December-April.
- • 2 base marinas
- • 4 must-visit anchorages
- • 31 boats in our fleet database for this region
Sailing Conditions
Seychelles averages 16 knots in winter and 17 knots in summer. Hurricane risk runs Jan, Feb, Mar — outside these months the sailing is generally dependable.
Saint Lucia averages 18 knots in winter and 14 knots in summer. Hurricane risk: Aug, Sep, Oct.
In terms of sailing difficulty, Seychelles is generally rated moderate to difficult and Saint Lucia is moderate to difficult. They're at the same level — your decision will hinge on route and vibe, not on whether you can handle the conditions.
Cost Comparison
For a 7-day charter of a typical 45-ft catamaran (4 cabins, sleeps 8):
- Low season: $5,500
- Mid season: $14,000
- High season: $28,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $60,000+
- Low season: $3,800
- Mid season: $10,000
- High season: $19,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $38,000+
Bareboat base rates. Crewed typically adds ~$1,500/day (captain + hostess). Prices exclude fuel, provisioning, mooring fees, gratuity.
Anchorages & Must-Do
- 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)
- Pitons (UNESCO) — Twin volcanic peaks; iconic St Lucia
- Soufrière — Drive-in or anchor; sulfur springs
- Marigot Bay — Dramatic hurricane hole
- Anse Cochon — Sheltered cove
Which Should You Choose?
Both work for first-timers. The default choice for the industry is BVI; choose that unless you have specific reasons to prefer Seychelles or Saint Lucia.
Both sit in warm waters — temperature is broadly similar. The differentiator is which coast or chain: Seychelles vs Saint Lucia. Read the must-visit lists above.
Seychelles has 0 cultural anchorages vs Saint Lucia's 1. Pick by what kind of stop you want between swims.
Timing and Budget: Seychelles vs Saint Lucia
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Seychelles or Saint Lucia better for a first-time charter? ▾
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When is the best time to visit Seychelles vs Saint Lucia? ▾
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Choose Between Seychelles & Saint Lucia
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