The Seychelles is famous for its idyllic long white sandy beaches, crystal-clear ocean and gorgeous climate, making it the perfect yachting holiday spot for families, couples and friends alike. However, the nation also boasts fantastic flora and fauna that you should take the time to discover.

This is one of the main benefits of choosing to explore this beautiful corner of the world by yacht, as it will enable you to discover places you might not otherwise get the chance to on foot. As your vessel is small, you can often drop anchor off secluded beaches that can only be reached by water, as well as find quiet stretches of ocean for a spot of snorkelling and swimming.

If you are interested in flora and fauna, you'll be pleased to learn that the Seychelles boasts some of the rarest species found on the planet. Its two UNESCO World Heritage Sites are well worth learning more about. The first, Vallee de Mai, is located on the island of Praslin, which is 45 km from the main isle of Mahe.

Vallee de Mai is thought by some to be the original Garden of Eden and you will understand why when you hop off your boat and explore. The Coco-de-Mer can be found here, while the garden is also home to six types of palms that can be seen nowhere else in the world.

The second UNESCO World Heritage Site is Aldabra, which is the planet's biggest raised coral atoll. It is made up of four coral islands around a stunning shallow lagoon, and this formation is nestled within a coral reef. Unlike Vallee de Mai, Aldabra is protected from human influence thanks to its isolated and difficult to access location, so don't be too hopeful of seeing it up close. However, its population of 152,000 giant tortoises gives you an idea of what lies beneath the waters of the Seychelles.

Indeed, you should take the opportunity to see the aquatic life of the nation. With 115 islands, you will certainly have plenty of chances to grab a mask and snorkel or go scuba diving.  There are lots of diving operators you can book through, especially on the capital isle of Mahe, which will be the starting point of your yacht charter.

Mahe is home to around 60 beaches, so you will understand why diving expeditions off its coast are popular. It also means that those in your group that are not keen on going too far below the water will have lots of space to sunbathe, swim or snorkel, so everyone will find something to keep them occupied. Sail to the north-western side of Mahe and you will come across Beau Vallon Bay.

This is one of the best places from which to go scuba diving thanks to its deep ocean. If you are a diving enthusiast and the activity is at the top of your to-do list when on a sailing holiday iIn terms of sailing, October to March has wind speeds of around 8 to 12 knots, while these pick up between May and September to as much as 20 knots. One place you should definitely head to by boat is the St Anne Marine National Park. It's a short journey from Mahe, so you can easily fit in plenty of scuba diving and a daytrip to the reserve. You might even be lucky enough to spot bottlenose dolphins swimming alongside your vessel, jumping out of the waves to entertain passengers.

Another draw for tourists who come to the national park is its hawksbill and green turtles, as well as its rich history. The first settlement in the Seychelles was established on St Ann the Seychelles, make sure you book your break for between March and May or September to November. The islands are perfect for the sport at any time of the year, but these particular periods are when underwater visibility can hit more than 30 m and ocean temperatures reach 29 degrees C.

In terms of sailing, October to March has wind speeds of around 8 to 12 knots, while these pick up between May and September to as much as 20 knots. One place you should definitely head to by boat is the St Anne Marine National Park. It's a short journey from Mahe, so you can easily fit in plenty of scuba diving and a daytrip to the reserve. You might even be lucky enough to spot bottlenose dolphins swimming alongside your vessel, jumping out of the waves to entertain passengers.

Another draw for tourists who come to the national park is its hawksbill and green turtles, as well as its rich history. The first settlement in the Seychelles was established on St Anne Island in 1770, while the landmass has previously acted as a Royal Marines base and whaling station. You will also find a mouth-watering selection of gourmet dishes in its restaurants, and you must try large dishes of fresh seafood while here.