Seychelles – Thailand Crossing | October | Indian Ocean
Embarkation in the Seychelles, departing in early October, for a grand offshore voyage across the Indian Ocean to Thailand, arriving in Krabi. This authentic voyage is designed for those who want a complete ocean experience, participate in life on board, and discover one of the most fascinating routes between East Africa, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.
Departing in early October allows you to take advantage of the final stretch of the southeast trade winds and southwest monsoon season, before the seasonal change to the northeast monsoon. It's an interesting window for sailing from west to east: winds still tend to be favorable or fair for the first part of the route, with rough ocean seas, but generally manageable for a prepared and well-sailed boat. As always in the Indian Ocean, the program remains flexible and will be adapted based on current weather conditions, currents, storm systems, and any departure windows.
The first leg will be from the Seychelles to the Maldives, approximately 1,200–1,300 nautical miles, depending on the departure point and the destination atoll. This is the most oceanic part of the voyage: several days without land in sight, watchkeeping, route management, weather observation, sail trimming, and life on board in true passagemaking style. The Maldives can be used as a technical break, for rest, supplies, boat checks, and, if conditions and formalities allow, a few days' rest in a unique setting.
From the Maldives, it will be possible to continue to Sri Lanka, with a second leg of approximately 400–450 nautical miles to the Galle area or another available port of entry. Sri Lanka represents a possible strategic intermediate stop, both for technical reasons and for those wishing to conclude their experience there. It will therefore be possible to evaluate disembarkation in Sri Lanka, subject to the final program, customs formalities, visas, and weather conditions.
The third leg will travel from Sri Lanka to Thailand, with an expected arrival in Krabi, covering approximately 1,100–1,200 nautical miles. The route will cross the southern Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, gradually entering Southeast Asia. During this phase, navigation will require particular attention to the evolution of the monsoon, potential storms, vessel traffic, currents, and planning for entry into Thailand.
The total distance of the route, passing through the Seychelles, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Krabi, will be approximately 2,700–2,900 nautical miles, varying depending on the atolls chosen, ports of entry, weather diversions, and any technical stops. This is not a coastal cruise, but a true offshore sailing experience: shifts, collaboration, adaptation, crew spirit, and respect for the sea will be fundamental elements of the journey.
On board, you'll participate in steering the boat according to your own skills: steering, trimming the sails, keeping watch day and night, charting, weather monitoring, cooking, tidying up, and performing minor daily maintenance. It's an experience suited to those who love authentic sailing, those who want to rack up real ocean miles, and those who want to understand what it means to sail a boat across the Indian Ocean.
The route will be decided prudently, prioritizing safety, favorable weather conditions, and common sense. The indicated stops—the Maldives and Sri Lanka—are considered possible and not mandatory: they may be confirmed, modified, or skipped based on the actual situation, entry authorizations, crew status, and available weather window.
A journey for those seeking something more than a simple holiday: a true, intense, technical, and fascinating crossing, from the granite islands of the Seychelles to the tropical waters of Thailand, passing through some of the most legendary areas of the Indian Ocean.
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