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Mark your calendars: Christmas is less than two months away. And international travel is fast recovering, with an increase of 60% on pre-pandemic figures. One region that is particularly hungry for international travel is the United States. Notwithstanding the Seychelles being a long-haul travel destination for Americans, this tropical destination remains on the bucket list for many. Entry is made easier with the overall relaxation of the COVID-19 regulations. A Covid vaccination or a negative PCR test is the only remaining requirement. The best way to explore the Seychelles Even though the Seychelles is an exotic destination many tourists crave privacy and exclusivity. In many cases this can’t be obtained when cruising near the popular islands such as La Digue (or closer to Mahé itself). This is also understandable, since La Digue offers the world’s most scenic locations. In fact, the world’s most photographed beach is located on La Digue, namely Anse Source D’Argent. Anse Source D’Argent, located southwest of La Digue is a sight to behold. Massive granite boulders stand proudly above the golden sand and turquoise water. Access to the beaches is through the old L’Union Estate coconut plantation, unless you access the beach from the shoreline. Travelling by yacht does offer you that advantage as it’s easy to take a yacht to reach the magical beach. Experience flexibility, luxury and adventure When you book a hotel room, you know what you will experience. If we speak of a 5-star hotel its will be a room with a panoramic ocean view, a king-sized bed, and the standard array of facilities the hotel can offer. Then again, most of these deluxe elements can also be found on a luxury yacht, such as MV Quo Vadis. MV Quo Vadis is a 75 foot (22.86 m) 750E power catamaran yacht, which offers guests four king luxury cabins, which can also be converted into twin en-suite cabins. Additionally, there is plenty of living space, ranging from the open-plan saloon, the spacious deck with trampoline, to the comfortable lounge area. However, a yacht such as the Quo Vadis offers guests something unique that many upmarket hotels can’t offer – ultimate privacy. This is what you can rely on when you look out onto the crystal clear waters and see no other tourists. In fact, coming across one other vessel during your trip on the open waters would be as much as you would experience. Experience the activities The archipelago of the Seychelles offers 119 islands and atolls. Each island is richly diverse, from fauna and creatures found on the land, to the diversity of fish species found in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. One of Seychelles’ most famous residents must be the Aldabra giant tortoise, found on North Island. However, other well-known creatures can be found underwater, particularly attracting the attention of fly fishermen. The outer islands, especially, have become renowned as the fly fishing paradise of serious fly fishermen, each trying to tick off the saltwater fish species found in these waters, from giant trevally, moustache triggerfish, bonefish, yellowfin tuna, sailfish, to the most prized, a permit. However, besides fly fishing and bluewater fishing, there are many other activities to revel in. Other popular water sport activities There are many water-sport activities you can take part in when visiting Seychelles. These include scuba diving, snorkelling, and canoeing. Just imagine snorkelling in crystal clear water that is 25 – 30 degrees, and swimming with manta rays or sailfish. Towards the Amirante Islands you can experience this memorable snorkelling, which you really can’t do elsewhere in the world. When you go out diving or snorkelling with the crew of Beyond the Reef, you will have professional PADI-qualified staff assisting you. Your master divers will not only assist you, but provide you with the best equipment to make the experience feel effortless. Explore the waters on board a 75ft power catamaran motor yacht The crown of Beyond the Reef is the sleek 75ft motor catamaran yacht, Quo Vadis, fully fitted for extended periods on the ocean. This catamaran has four en-suite twin or king luxury cabins, as well as plenty of living space. There is an open-plan saloon and gallery, spacious deck seating and a trampoline, as well as a large deck complete with dining space and BBQ; also the bridge seating and luxurious lounge area. Besides being on a luxury waterborne hotel, there are other unique benefits of travelling on board the MV Quo Vadis. With Quo Vadis you can travel to pristine beaches, away from the normal tourist hubs. You can escape to magical destinations such as the beaches to the south-west of La Digue, normally only accessed by way of the old L’Union Estate coconut plantation.

Coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems on our planet and provide critical habitats for many species of marine life, including corals themselves. Approximately 25% of the ocean’s fish depend on healthy coral reefs. There are over 1900 different types of coral, making it one of the most diverse groups in the animal kingdom. These animals build their homes out of calcium carbonate (limestone). This limestone provides a rigid structure that protects them from predators while providing shelter for many other species. Additionally, healthy coral reefs aren’t just vital for a healthy ocean ecosystem. Still, humans do benefit through being able to sustain subsistence and commercial fisheries, and they ensure the longevity of businesses and jobs through recreation and tourism. Coral reefs are home to a fantastic diversity of marine animals. Coral reefs are home to a fantastic diversity of marine animals. A single coral reef can have more than 4,000 species of fish and other sea creatures. For example, in Seychelles, there are more than 1000 saltwater fish species, plus 300 various types of coral. More so, coral reefs like those in the archipelago islands of Seychelles offer habit for more than 1000 types of saltwater fish species and 300 different types of coral. Furthermore, these coral reefs are also home to the highly endangered green and hawksbill turtles. Additionally, these areas become the feeding grounds for other sea creatures, such as the enormous whale sharks and manta rays. More so, endangered species such as the green and hawksbill turtles rely on coral reefs for survival. For instance, 90% of sea turtles spend time at a coral reef during their life span; many species lay their eggs there or feed off the algae that grow on its surface. Coral reefs also provide shelters for small animals such as octopuses and shrimp—and these little guys are usually eaten by larger predators like sharks when they venture into open water! Many species of coral reefs are only found in a few global places Coral reefs are found in warm, shallow waters. They are only found in the tropics and subtropics of the western and central Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea. These areas are known as coral reef provinces. These provinces share similar characteristics: They have clear, shallow water that is usually less than 100 feet deep The water temperature stays between 68°F and 86°F year-round They have strong sunlight that reaches depths of up to 50 feet (15 meters) A misconception is that corals are rocks or plants; however, they are animals. Corals are cousins of sea animals, such as sea anemones and jellyfish. More so, you can find challenging and soft varieties of coral that live together in large groups called colonies. Some of these colonies are visible from space. Corals are house-building marine animals. Corals are invertebrates, meaning they lack backbones. Also, coral is sessile, meaning it cannot move around independently. Also, as mentioned before, corals form colonies and have a soft tissue composition that can allow them to change colours in response to environmental conditions. Corals are closely related to sea anemones and jellyfish but belong to a separate group called hexacorals (which also includes sea fans and gorgonians). These cold-blooded animals are filter feeders; they take in water through tiny holes on the sides of their bodies known as mouths or polyps, then strain out food particles with stinging cells known as cnidocytes (cells containing stinging capsules) located inside their tentacles. The remaining water is expelled from the same opening, where it enters via flagella (microscopic hair-like appendages). Corals are one of the most fragile ecosystems on the planet and suffer from pollution, overfishing, and climate change.  Coral reefs have been building up in the warm, shallow waters of the world’s oceans for more than 500 million years. These coral reefs are also some of the oldest ecosystems on earth and provide a home to nearly one-quarter of all marine species. However, corals are one of the most fragile ecosystems on the planet and suffer from pollution, overfishing, and climate change. Climate change has led to global warming, which has caused ocean temperatures to rise significantly worldwide over the last century. The water temperature must be between 28-32 degrees Celsius for corals to thrive. Still, it is predicted that by 2050 global warming will cause a 2-degree Celsius increase in ocean temperatures with many more devastating effects, including bleaching (when coral loses its color). Coral reefs also suffer from overfishing which occurs when people take away fish or other animals from an ecosystem without replacing them so that there are not enough organisms for other animals to feed off of (such as sharks). If there aren’t enough organisms in an ecosystem, then all species suffer because they cannot survive off each other anymore! The impact of coral bleaching When a coral reef is damaged, it is less able to support the variety of sea creatures that inhabit them and the nearby communities. Once a coral reef supports a smaller number of plants, fish, and animals, it loses its significance as a tourist destination. Seychelles has also been impacted by global warming, losing nearly 90% of its coral reefs in 1998 through to bleaching. Another bleaching event happened in 2016, but some reefs recovered. What the scientist found was that some coral was more resistant than others. As such, a vital project was led to re-introducing these super-coral to areas impacted by bleaching. So, the goal Seychelles has is to speed up the re-introduction of coral to the area through the use of coral farming. Long story short Coral reefs provide essential habitats for a wide variety of marine life in some of the most vulnerable parts of the world. However, coral reefs are also one of the most fragile ecosystems, so we must take care of them. These corals are found in tropical waters and provide food and shelter for many different species of fish, whales, dolphins, and other marine

The Seychelles is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean. It comprises 115 islands and is home to rich marine life with many endemic species. The Seychelles has been ranked by National Geographic as one of the top 20 islands in the world; and it has been described as “a paradise for divers”.

We all come to fish the islands in the hope of landing either a monster giant trevally, permit, milkfish, or other saltwater fish species; however, there are some species that are less well-known to the average angler, but highly sought after by the veterans that come year after year. One of those species is the Grouper Napoleon wrasse, otherwise known as the grouper.

The Seychelles is a group of islands in the Indian Ocean, east of Africa. It’s home to many endemic species, some of which have made their way onto lists of endangered birds and animals. In fact, you can spot around 220 different types of birds on the various islands and atolls of the Seychelles archipelago. However, only 12 of these species are native to the Seychelles.

Do you want to experience the beauty of the islands and atolls of the Seychelles? In this crystal-clear water, brilliantly coloured reefs and abundant exotic fish species, guided snorkelling, diving and freediving trips are on offer − all while onboard the custom-built and fully equipped MV Quo Vadis.

The Amirante Islands, which is part of the group of atolls and coral islands that belong to the Outer Islands of the archipelago of the Seychelles, off the East Coast of Africa, are both isolated and teeming with extraordinary pelagic species. A worthy challenge for any fly fisherman worth his or her salt. With the most popular, the wadeable flats, shallow clear lagoons, and sheer drop-offs which create exhilarating saltwater fly-fishing experiences.