The Seychelles Challenge, an inaugural flotilla sailing experience, officially begins today, 20 July 2025, and will run until 27 July. The seven-day, six-night event marks an essential addition to the regional tourism and sailing calendar, aiming to position the Seychelles as a credible destination for active and experiential tourism.
The event is organised by WorldSport in collaboration with Tourism Seychelles and a host of local and regional partners. The sailing programme spans the iconic islands of Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue, with participants competing in short day races between the islands. The structure of the event incorporates a daily racing segment followed by anchorages, prize-giving functions, and cultural engagements.
The Seychelles Challenge is not a conventional regatta. Instead, it has been designed as a leisure-oriented flotilla experience with a competitive element. Participants may choose to enter with their own yachts or charter vessels via partners Sunsail and The Moorings. Options range from bareboat charter to skippered entries and spectator flotilla access.
“Our focus has been on creating a safe, fun, and accessible format that allows sailors to explore Seychelles in a structured yet relaxed way,” said Hilton Hale, co-founder of the Seychelles Challenge. “This is a pioneering edition, and we see Seychelles as a natural starting point.”
Mr. Hale, who has an extensive background in yacht racing and previously competed on the global Maxi Circuit, noted that the event draws upon Seychelles’ favourable wind conditions, protected waters, and logistical viability.
“You need certain ingredients to make something like this work: reliable wind, good weather, and a sense of adventure. Seychelles offers all three,” he explained.
The regatta has attracted eight charter boat entries averaging eight crew members each, and six locally-based Far East 28 yachts with five crew per boat. An opening youth regatta will showcase young Seychellois sailing talent and signal the commencement of the Challenge. In total, the event expects 17 to 18 boats.
Tourism Seychelles has committed to a five-year partnership to support the Challenge, seeing it as a means to expand the country’s tourism portfolio. “This initiative underscores our strategic ambition to diversify our tourism offering and promote Seychelles as more than a leisure destination,” said Bernadette Willemin, Director General for Destination Marketing at Tourism Seychelles.
The Seychelles Sailing Association, the Seychelles Coast Guard, and several youth sailing programmes will be actively involved in the event. Additionally, local partners such as Air Seychelles, ABSA Bank, and Creole Travel Services are lending operational and promotional support.
The Challenge is also aligned with environmental initiatives, including coral restoration and turtle conservation, and seeks to contribute positively to marine sustainability efforts in the region.
While entries for this year predominantly come from South Africa and Seychelles, there has been early interest from potential participants in France, the UK, and the United States for subsequent editions. Mr. Hale anticipates that the event will grow organically over the coming years.
“The format will largely remain consistent going forward. We’re not aiming to become a high-tech racing event. This is a platform for inclusive participation and regional promotion.”
Each day of the Challenge will feature a morning briefing, with Mr. Hale himself offering informal coaching and sailing advice to participants. Discussions are also underway to involve experienced sailors and notable personalities in future editions.
“We’re offering people on the continent a lower-barrier entry into yacht racing, and a real taste of what it means to be part of a regatta,” Hale noted. “It’s about opening access and sharing knowledge.”
The Seychelles Challenge positions itself as both a tourism product and a development initiative, with the dual aim of economic contribution and maritime capacity building. As the event prepares to set sail tomorrow from MahĂ© Island, it brings with it the promise of community involvement, regional collaboration, and a new frontier in Africa’s active tourism landscape.
