Navigare Yachting Lagoon 45 Seychelles

This is not a budget holiday by any means, but it’s probably the most incredible family trip we’ve ever taken. The Seychelles is one of the most paradisiacal spots on Earth—safe, in the same time zone, and easy to reach from Dubai. Staying on a catamaran allowed us to explore most of the islands and their main attractions from the comfort of our floating holiday home, giving us the freedom to choose what to see and do, when and where.

After a smooth 4.5-hour direct flight with Emirates, we landed in Mahé. A driver organized by Navigare Yachting whisked us away to a quaint little marina just 20 minutes from the airport (though you could also take a taxi). Our captain greeted us at the marina, guided us to our luxurious 45-foot catamaran, and gave us a quick tour and safety briefing. Since we were traveling with our little ones (ages 4 and 1), we opted for a safety net around the catamaran. I highly recommend this for anyone with young kids. Our catamaran had four main en-suite cabins, one of which was occupied by the captain.

A tip that made our trip truly exceptional: hire a skipper along with the captain. Our skipper was a local with outstanding cooking skills. We enjoyed the freshest local dishes throughout our trip, including lobster and freshly caught fish, along with fruits and vegetables we’d never heard of and wouldn’t have known how to prepare. I’m happy to share the names and contact details of our captain and skipper—they really made our holiday perfect.

Before setting sail, we went on a big shopping tour with our skipper, who knew all the best places. Then, we set off along the beautiful coastline of Mahé and its lush green mountains. Our captain had a flexible itinerary planned, accommodating any wishes we had. It was up to us which islands and attractions we wanted to see and how long we wanted to stay in each spot.

Over the next week, we experienced the most stunning sunsets (and sunrises, thanks to our 1-year-old), swam in crystal-clear waters, played on beaches straight out of holiday magazines, and savored the most delicious Seychellois food. We hiked picturesque paths, visited a national park home to the largest nut in the world, fed huge fish from our boat, petted giant tortoises at a sanctuary, climbed unique round stones found only in the Seychelles, and completely disconnected from the rest of the world. And the weather? Absolutely perfect—sunny blue skies and water temperatures that felt almost unreal.

Our catamaran was a Lagoon 45, a model commonly used by Navigare Yachting. It featured four cabins with double beds and en-suite bathrooms, indoor and outdoor seating with tables, several sunbeds, and a fully equipped kitchen. We also had AC and internet throughout our trip. The generator for the AC was noisy, so we chose to sleep with the windows open at night, which was lovely.

In conclusion, our catamaran adventure in the Seychelles was a dream come true. The unique blend of luxury, adventure, and natural beauty made for an unforgettable family holiday. We left with hearts full of memories, knowing we had experienced something truly special. If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime family getaway, I cannot recommend this experience enough. The Seychelles, with its breathtaking landscapes and warm, welcoming people, is the perfect destination to create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.