The 2025 inaugural Seychelles Challenge proved to be a winning formula: great sailing, fun get togethers and a unique opportunity to see the beautiful Seychelles Islands. So it comes as no surprise that The Seychelles Challenge 2026 is on the sailing schedule and is now open for entries! Take advantage of the 20% discount with a Sunsail charter valid till 31 December 2025.
Why enter The Seychelles Challenge?
The 2025 Seychelles Challenge was deemed a big success.
“It was our dream to create an event that offered the perfect mix of competitive sailing and a family-friendly lifestyle adventure, and I’m proud to say we got it right,” says Hylton Hale, Seychelles Challenge Race Director and co-founder. “The feedback from the 2025 fleet was phenomenal, which further cemented our belief that the Seychelles offers a sailing experience unlike any other”.
“In 2026, we are ready to welcome an even broader range of participants, from the seasoned racer to the absolute beginner looking for a fully catered grand adventure with an experienced skipper. Due to our ongoing commitment to preserving and protecting the pristine and natural environment by not over-crowding anchorages, we have capped entries to 16 boats, on a first come, first served basis. This limited field truly makes The Seychelles Challenge a once in a lifetime experience”, says Hylton Hale.
Watch the highlights of the 2025 event here.
It’s easy to enter
The Seychelles Challenge is open to all skipper levels. Whether you have a license (you just need a day skipper’s license for charter) and can helm your own boat, or whether you hire a skipper to race you around the islands on a Sunsail charter boat, both offer the same experience. In fact we had 2 local Seychellois skippers helming 2 entries in 2025 and one of them placed on the podium.
It’s the best way to see the Seychelles
Yes, you can fly or take a ferry from island to island, but sailing the open seas while viewing the magnificent scenery is both unique and exhilarating. For the 2026 event we’ve added some downtime on the beautiful island of La Digue to experience and explore the charm of this quaint island.
Bernadette Willemin, Director General for Marketing for Tourism Seychelles, adds, “We are excited to welcome returning and new competitors back in 2026 and once again celebrate our rich cultural heritage and unparalleled natural beauty, while showcasing our ongoing commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism.”
Your boat is your home
Charter a boat through Sunsail, or bring your own. Either way you’ll still be able to travel around the islands in your “home” for a week. Comfortable and spacious, your floating home will also become your transport. Provisioning can be done in Mahé at local suppliers who are used to supplying charter boats. This makes it all very simple.
Take advantage of the early bird 20% discount with Sunsail – valid till 31 December 2025.
The Seychelles offers a unique eco travel experience
For a small island nation, the country has managed to secure its natural heritage through a ground-breaking agreement that sees an increase to 30% of its national waters protected. The diversity, natural beauty and the determination to protect what’s theirs really shows.
Bruce Parker-Forsyth, CEO of Worldsport and Seychelles Challenge co-founder is excited about the event’s return after a successful 2025 regatta: “We wanted to showcase Seychelles as a largely unexplored sailing destination of incredible beauty and rich sea life, and the fact that some of our competitors called it ‘the most spectacular sailing destination’ means we did just that. Next year we want to further expand our mission to highlight some of Seychelles’ sustainability programmes and the work they do to protect their natural assets, so it goes without saying that we are thrilled to return to the islands in 2026.”
Some healthy competition
Us sailor-types all like a little, healthy competition. There’s nothing quite like lining up at the start off an island, with the next beautiful island in sight, all while setting sails, running the countdown to the start and racing the fleet on the next leg. Although most people were there for the fun competition, there were some very competitive entries. But, that’s the beauty of The Seychelles Challenge, there’s a level of competition suited to everyone.
Island-style get togethers
Standing barefoot in the sand, with a cool beer in hand, chatting to newly made friends, is what The Seychelles Challenge is all about. Our fondest memories of this event were made in true island style. You’ll also experience more formal events at some stunning eco-destinations, nestled between massive granite boulders with rare biodiversity, or at a stylish boutique hotel hanging off a rock face.
