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Indian Ocean Cruising & Services Guide
The Indian Ocean crossing is one of cruising's longer transits — from Australia or Southeast Asia westbound to South Africa, taking 4–6 months for most boats. Service stops are limited, and the cruiser community is tight because the route is long and the boats are committed.
The route and service stops
| Stop | Days from previous | Service depth |
|---|---|---|
| Darwin (Australia) | — | Full Australian services |
| Cocos-Keeling | ~10 | Minimal, anchorage only |
| Rodrigues (Mauritius) | ~14 | Basic, customs entry |
| Mauritius (Port Louis) | ~2 | Decent, full provisioning |
| La Reunion | ~1 | French infrastructure |
| Madagascar (north + west) | 4–7 | Basic, very cheap labour |
| Richards Bay (SA) | 5–10 | Full SA services |
Service availability summary
- Mauritius: Decent. Mechanical, electrical, rigging available. French/EU spec parts.
- La Reunion: Better than Mauritius — fully French logistics.
- Madagascar: Cheap but basic. Welding, basic mechanical. Don't rely for refit.
- Richards Bay: Full South African services. End of crossing.
- Cape Town: Deepest SA infrastructure. Most cruisers continue here for serious work.
Frequently asked questions
Main route?
Darwin/Phuket → Cocos → Rodrigues/Mauritius → La Reunion → Madagascar → Richards Bay.
Service stops?
Mauritius and La Reunion are the practical mid-ocean service stops.
Piracy?
Northern Indian Ocean historically risky. Southern route currently low risk.
Costs?
Mauritius €30–60/night marina. Madagascar very cheap labour. Richards Bay full SA.
Timing?
June departure → arrive Richards Bay October/November.