A coral atoll 770 km southwest of Mahé, Farquhar is one of the rarest addresses in expedition cruising — no pier, no shops, no crowds, just extraordinary wildlife and blindingly white sand.
There is no pier. Your ship anchors offshore and transfers passengers by Zodiac to a wet beach landing.
💡 Pro move: Only expedition ships (Ponant, Silversea, Hapag-Lloyd, Emerald, Noble Caledonia, Swan Hellenic) call here. Entry is coordinated through the Islands Development Company.
There are no docking facilities at Farquhar — all ships anchor in open water and transfer passengers by Zodiac.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Expedition ships (Ponant, Silversea, Hapag-Lloyd, Emerald, Swan Hellenic) | Anchor offshore; Zodiac to north island beach📍 | Tendered |
| Liveaboard dive/fishing vessels | Anchor inside lagoon channel when conditions allow📍 | Tendered |
There are no commercial tour operators at Farquhar — all activities are led by your ship's expedition team in coordination with on-island rangers.
Farquhar's lagoon was featured in BBC Blue Planet II for an extraordinary behavior: giant trevally (GT) fish that leap from the water to catch Sooty Terns in mid-air. Your naturalists will position Zodiacs near the tern colonies during the right tidal window.
Ask your expedition team about GT viewing windows →The southern islet hosts nesting colonies of hundreds of thousands of Sooty Terns plus Roseate Terns and Black Noddies. Zodiac circumnavigation offers dramatic birdwatching; landings are sometimes restricted during peak nesting.
Ask crew about tern colony visits →Among the most pristine snorkeling in the Indian Ocean — vibrant coral gardens, reef sharks, sea turtles, eagle rays, and bonefish. Snorkeling is typically done directly from Zodiacs along the reef wall or inside the lagoon channels.
Confirm snorkel gear with your ship →Guided walk across Île du Nord with expedition naturalists, searching for coconut crabs — the world's largest land arthropod — nesting turtle tracks, and the recovering vegetation left by Cyclone Fantala in 2016.
Join your ship's guided walks →The shifting sand spit at the northern tip of Île du Nord is one of the most photogenic beaches in the Seychelles — electric-blue water, zero footprints. A ship-organized beach stop often includes fresh water and a light snack.
Check ship schedule for beach time →Farquhar is globally regarded as the premier saltwater fly-fishing destination, famous for giant trevally, bonefish, permit, and triggerfish on the flats. Fishing is strictly managed — only pre-arranged packages through specialist operators are permitted.
Book via Frontiers Travel or AOS Fishing →Walking at Farquhar is entirely on natural terrain — soft sand, coral rubble, and flat dirt tracks — all guided by your expedition team.
A loop around Île du Nord guided by expedition naturalists, taking in the sandbar spit, beach, coconut grove regeneration, and ranger station. Look for coconut crab burrows and turtle tracks.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Farquhar Atoll, Outer Islands, Seychelles (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 23 |
| Feb | 83°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 15 |
| Mar | 84°F / 29°C | 81°F / 27°C | 16 |
| Apr | 84°F / 29°C | 81°F / 27°C | 18 |
| May | 83°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 22 |
| Jun | 81°F / 27°C | 79°F / 26°C | 18 |
| Jul | 79°F / 26°C | 77°F / 25°C | 15 |
| Aug | 79°F / 26°C | 77°F / 25°C | 13 |
| Sep | 80°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 18 |
| Oct | 81°F / 27°C | 79°F / 26°C | 17 |
| Nov | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 19 |
| Dec | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 24 |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Farquhar Atoll, Outer Islands, Seychelles. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.