Platte Island

Lodging Details
The Waldorf Astoria on Platte Island was built in 2023 with a mixture of 50 private villas and luxury rooms, and guests can expect to stay in one of the hotel's Hawksbill villas. The villa features air-conditioning, a spacious terrace, private pool, outdoor shower, king-sized bed, mini bar, espresso machine, and a personal concierge. Rooms are outfitted with luxury furniture, bedding, and are surrounded by lush gardens for optimal privacy. 

The hotel grounds offer guests immediate access to pristine beaches, as well as an outdoor pool, a spa with six treatment rooms, beauty salon, and six unique restaurants and bars. Daily laundry services and 24-hour housekeeping are available for all guests.

Food and Beverages
While staying on Platte Island, guests can enjoy six restaurants and bars. These include a restaurant emphasizing meat specialties, a high-end, gastronomic restaurant focused on daily harvests, a Mediterranean seafood brasserie, a coffee shop serving light meals and snack, and oyster and champagne bar, and a restaurant serving traditional Seychellois-inspired tapas, seafood, and sushi. 

Typical Length of Stay
The average length of stay is Four (4) Nights / Three (3) Days or Seven (7) Nights / Six (6) Days. 

Non-Angling Activities and Options
Platte Island has a host of non-angling options for non-angling family members, groups, and kids. There are ample wildlife watching opportunities as the island is a refuge area for various birds and turtles, in addition to long stretches of pristine beaches close to every room. With deepwater nearby, there are excellent scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities to view ocean wildlife such as dolphins, turtles, manta rays and humpback whales, as well as options for sailing trips, sunset cruises, or enjoying kayaks off the beach. Guests can also choose from an onsite spa features six private rooms, a salon, or a steam bath. The lodge features tennis courts, pools, a kids' club, outdoor observatory, and a marine conservatory discovery center. In addition, some of the restaurants and bars on the remote island feature sweeping views of the surrounding ocean, and are a great way to relax.

Internet / Communications
The hotel offers free Wi-Fi for all guests in room and in the lobby. 

How To Get There
The primary airport and access hub for the Seychelles is the Mahe International Airport (SEZ). The Seychelles is served by several internationally scheduled flights, including direct services from London (Heathrow) with Air Seychelles, Paris with Air France, Johannesburg with Air Seychelles, and Dubai with Emirates. From the U.S. you will typically fly to Paris, London, or Dubai, and from there fly directly to Mahe (SEZ). Each flight is approximately 10 to 14 hours long. Guests should plan to arrive on Mahe the day before and overnight in order to catch the Saturday morning flight to Platte Island, which is a private IDC flight that takes roughly 20-25 minutes depednding on weather conditions. 

Arrival and Departure Details / Times
Guests should plan to arrive on Mahe the day before and overnight! The transfer flight to Platte Island departs Mahe at approximately 2 PM on Saturday, and 11 AM the remainder of the week. For departures, you should plan your international flight to depart Mahe (SEZ) no earlier than 6:30 PM, which is not really a problem since most international flights depart between 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM. 

Documents Required
All U.S. citizens are required to have a valid passport that does not expire within six (6) months of trips dates. Please be sure that your passport has at least two blank, unstamped pages remaining in the back, and that it is not torn, delaminated, or damaged in any way. UK, US, EU, and RSA passport holders do not require a visa for entering the country of the Seychelles for vacation purposes.

Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog provides airline reservations ad ticketing assistance through etcTravel Group, and a full-service airline logistics agent that can help book airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more. You can click here to request a quote or contact Yellow Dog for more information at 406-585-8667. etcTravel Group offers dedicated support services for all Yellow Dog clients. Service fees may apply when booking or researching tickets, and etcTravel will discuss this with you before sending quotes.

Luggage Weight Restrictions
For flights to Platte Island, the IDC will enforce a total luggage allowance of 28kg per paying passenger (combining both hand and checked luggage). Passengers that fail to comply with the restrictions may be instructed to unpack their overweight luggage and may have to leave the unpacked goods in Mahe. Excess luggage may be left with a Blue Safari Seychelles representative at the IDC airport terminal. The IDC typically is not able to make any exceptions to this rule. Please be aware that there is not an option to pay ‘overweight’ baggage fees, as the aircraft can only carry so much cargo.

Travel Tools
- Travel Insurance
- Moon Phases
- Airline Ticketing
- Rent This Rod
- Global Rescue Membership

General Information
The flats surrounding Platte Island are truly exceptional, offering a distinctive landscape with a unique barrier reef and a deep open lagoon area behind it forming a feature similar to atolls found throughout the Seychelles. The shoreline features various pancake flats and coral outcroppings home to one of the healthiest populations of Indo-Pacific permit found anywhere in the Seychelles. While tides are important for the permit, the fishery remains accessible throughout the entire day, and anglers can fish the lagoon for mustache and yellowmargin triggerfish throughout the day, as well as searching for GTs in the surf or within the lagoon. The island is not known as a prolific giant trevally fishery, but there are generally daily opportunities to target them. The island does have a small population of bonefish that can be targeted on both incoming and falling tides on the flats surrounding the island, with fish averaging between four to six pounds. Finally, the slightly deeper lagoon also opens up opportunities to catch numerous species of tropical fish on fly, with up to 60 species including various trevally, grouper, and snapper species.

Bluewater Fishing
For those who enjoy bluewater fishing on both conventional tackle or fly, Platte Island is one of the best option in the Seychelles. Due to the island's precipitous dropoff only minutes from shore, anglers can be fishing for pelagic species within minutes from departure. For conventional techniques, guests can troll or cast lures to gamefish such as tuna, sailfish, and wahoo, but these species are also easily targeted on fly. The crews will typically attract pelagic species to the boat with teasers, and once in range, anglers will present their fly. Additionally, anglers have the option of targeting both pelagic and reef species that gather around shoals of baitfish. Fish such as sailfish, wahoo, dogtooth tuna, yellowfin tuna, dorado, giant trevally, bluefin trevally, jobfish, tropical amberjack, and a variety of snapper, wrasse, and grouper can be caught on any given day. 

Boats and Equipment
There are various vessels used on the island depending on the type of fishing. For flats fishing, the lodge utilizes two brand-new 18.5ft Baymaster Skiffs that were specifically designed for fishing in the Seychelles. Each skiff features a custom-designed poling platform, two comfortable seats, ample deck space, and a convenient lean bar on the bow. For bluewater fishing and diving excursions, the lodge uses a 36ft Gulf Craft Touring vessel with two 300HP Yamaha outboards with plenty of casting space. Finally, the lodge has a 51ft Leopard catamaran that can be used for long-distance excursions, sailing,fishing trips, scuba diving, and sunset cruises. 

Anglers are encouraged to bring all of their own rods, reels, flies, and terminal tackle, but fly fishing rod/reel outfits are available for use at no charge. Custom-tied flies, fly lines, leaders, and other various items are available for purchase onsite. Rod breakages are $150 per rod. All game fishing trips include gear and tackle.

Package Rates
Remember that Yellow Dog’s services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or outfitter. All prices listed below are per person and quoted in US dollars.

All packages on Platte Island are Four (4) or Seven (7) Nights. Package rates listed are for the Hawksbill Villa. 

High Season (July 15 - Aug 24, 2024 // April 12 - May 6, 2025 // July 16 - Aug 25, 2025 // Oct 1 - Oct 31, 2025)

Double Occupancy 

• 4 Nights / 3 Fishing Days: $21,615
• 7 Nights / 6 Fishing Days: $39,064

Single Occupancy 

• 4 Nights / 3 Fishing Days: $19,003
• 7 Nights / 6 Fishing Days: $34,492

Shoulder Season (Aug 25 - Dec 23, 2024 // Jan 9 - April 11, 2025 // May 7 - July 15, 2025 // Aug 26 - September 30, 2025)

Double Occupancy 

• 4 Nights / 3 Fishing Days: $20,735
• 7 Nights / 6 Fishing Days: $37,524

Single Occupancy 

• 4 Nights / 3 Fishing Days: $18,123
• 7 Nights / 6 Fishing Days: $32,952

What's Included:

• Chosen accommodations and Meal Package
• Charter flight to and from Mahe
• Fully guided fishing
• Tender boat and fuel
• Fly rod and reel loans
• Water, tea, and coffee
• Use of onsite non-motorized watercraft, bicycles, tennis courts

What's Not Included:

• International flights into Mahe
• Accommodations and transfers on Mahe
• Alcoholic beverages
• Satellite phone calls
• Travel and medical insurance
• Tackle, flies, and lures
• Staff and guide gratuities
• Additional boats or excursions
• Spa and wellness packages

TERMS AND CONDITIONS – CANCELLATIONS
NOTE THAT EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 29, 2021, THE FOLLOWING TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND CANCELLATION POLICIES ARE IN PLACE FOR ALL ALPHONSE FISHING COMPANY-RUN DESTINATIONS. PLEASE NOTE THAT TRIP INSURANCE COVERAGE, AS WELL AS MEDICAL EVACUATION COVERAGE, ARE BOTH NOW MANDATORY FOR ALL SEYCHELLES (AFC) BOOKINGS, AS FULL REFUNDS ARE SIMPLY NOT OFFERED IN ANY CASES OF CANCELLATION, REGARDLESS OF THE REASON.

 RESCHEDULE AND CANCELLATION POLICIES:

> A 10% fee shall be levied if cancellation is made more than 180 days prior to arrival
> A 10% fee shall be levied if the reservation is moved to an alternative date within the same year
> A 10% fee and the rate increase shall be levied if the reservation is moved to an alternative date that is not within the same year
> A fee of 50% shall be levied if cancellation is between 180 and 90 days prior to arrival
> A fee of 100% shall be levied if cancellation is 90 days or less prior to arrival
> All cancellations and provisional bookings must be confirmed in writing

 INDEMNITY & INSURANCE:
> All activities require the client to sign an indemnity once on location
> All clients are required to submit “From Scene of Accident Medevac Insurance” prior to arrival

> It is required that guests take out travel insurance that covers part or full cancellation of a trip due to flight delays, health (including infectious diseases), weather, force majeure or any other reason

 THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE:
> A ban on travel issued by the departing country stating that citizens may not travel to the Seychelles
> Border closure prohibiting non-residents from travel into the Seychelles 

For all Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, L.L.C. (YDFA) Alphonse, Cosmoledo, Astove, Poivre and Farquhar fishing packages, both deposits and final payments are non-refundable. If a cancelled package is resold by either the lodge/operator or by Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, then a full refund will be sent minus a $100.00 per person cancellation fee charged by Yellow Dog. In the case of cancellation by the client, both deposit and final payment may be transferred to another guest or angler for those same (original) dates if facilitated and arranged by the client. In case of cancellation due to weather, a full or partial credit may be rolled over and credited to a future date, but this is wholly at the discretion of the operator. Yellow Dog reserves the right to charge a minimum handling fee of $100.00 per person for date changes (approved by the lodge) after the initial reservation has been made. At time of quote, all flight charges, island fees and government taxes are correct but nonetheless are subject to change without prior notice. All guests are REQUIRED to purchase a comprehensive medical emergency evacuation insurance policy, and Yellow Dog strongly recommend that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance for your trip. It is the right of the lodge and operators to cancel any booking without refund if the client is not adequately insured. Please be aware that all guests will be required to sign and return the Alphonse Fishing Company Reservation and Indemnity Form prior to the trip, and there will be no exceptions to this. No refunds can be made for unused arrangements or fishing time lost due to inclement weather. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the deposit, cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses for these Seychelles packages.

Payment Terms for All Yellow Dog Trip Bookings  
Unless otherwise noted on your invoice, for all trips less than 90 days out, full payment is required after receipt of the confirmation email to secure guides and reservations. For trips outside of 90 days, a 50% deposit is required upon receipt of confirmation email to confirm your reservations.   

Yellow Dog accepts on-line payments via a secure payment portal – a quick and easy way to complete your trip reservation. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com to gain access. 

Yellow Dog Flyfishing Standard Forms of Payment 

• Debit card (fee-free) and credit card (3% convenience fee) - to pay via card please utilize the customer payment portal. If you need assistance, reach out to 406-585-8667 ext. #3 
• Wires - please include name and/or invoice number for reference on your wire. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com for wiring instructions. (client is responsible for wiring fees) 
• Physical check - please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to 213 S. Willson Ave. Bozeman, MT, 59715

If you have any questions about alternate payment methods, please contact Yellow Dog at (406) 585-8667 ext. #3. We are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM MT. 

Yellow Dog Flyfishing works hand-in-hand with both SafariScapes and Machaba Blue to provide traveling anglers and their companions with unforgettable African safari experiences. There is no better way to top off a trip than with a visit to one of many beautiful African lodges after a week of battling giant trevally in the Seychelles or tigerfish in Tanzania. Whether you are eager for an expedition into the plains to witness the African wilderness firsthand, or looking for a few days of luxury accommodations on the shores of the African coast, we are able to coordinate the idyllic custom itinerary to maximize your experience abroad.