Seychelles Cruise

Embarkation 15:00 to 16:00 pm. After the welcome cocktail and safety drill, we leave Port Victoria and sail to nearby St. Anne for a refreshing swim stop off the ship. Overnight at anchor near St. Anne. Welcome dinner.

Like jade-coloured jewels in the Indian Ocean, the more than 100 Seychelles Islands are often regarded as the Garden of Eden. Lying just four degrees south of the equator, the Seychelles are some 1,000 miles (1,610 km) from the nearest mainland Africa. Little more than 200 years ago, all 115 islands were uninhabited. Then in 1742 a French ship dispatched from Mauritius sailed into one of the small bays. Captain Lazare Picault was the first to explore these unnamed islands. He encountered breathtaking vistas of rugged mountains, lagoons, coral atolls, splendid beaches and secluded coves. After Picault sailed away, the islands remained untouched for the next 14 years. Then France took possession of the seven islands in the Mahé group. During an expedition Captain Morphey named them the Sechelles, in honour of Vicomte Moreau de Sechelles. This name was later anglicised to Seychelles. The first settlers arrived at St. Anne’s Island in 1770; 15 years later the population of Mahé consisted of seven Europeans and 123 slaves. Today there are about 80,000 Seychellois, the majority of whom live on Mahé; the rest are scattered in small communities throughout the archipelago. The people are a fusion of three continents - Africa, Asia and Europe. This has created a unique culture and the use of three languages - Creole, French and English. Mahé is the largest island in the archipelago and the location of the capital, Victoria. Ringed by steep, magnificent mountains, few capitals can claim a more beautiful backdrop. The town features a mixture of modern and indigenous architecture; it is the centre of business and commerce thanks to the extensive port facilities. Noteworthy sites in Victoria are the museum, cathedral, government house, clock tower, botanical gardens and an open-air market. The major attractions are found outside of town where the island’s quiet, lazy atmosphere delights visitors. With 68 pristine, white sand beaches, Mahé boasts more beaches and tourist facilities than any of the other Seychelles Islands. Beautiful and remote Mahé with its green-clad mountains and palm-fringed beaches is indeed an island of abundance; pleasant surprises are around every bend in the trail. Come ashore and discover for yourself this marvellous island paradise.

We leave St. Anne island early in the morning to reach Curieuse. This morning we visit this uninhabited island, once a leper colony and home to giant tortoises. Our walking excursion with a park guide will bring us to the farm, along mangrove forests. Later we return to the beach for a BBQ under the trees. In the afternoon you can enjoy the beach and sea activities. Overnight at anchor.

In the morning we sail for Cousin island. Optional excursion to the Bird Sanctuary which is in the care of Bird Life International. A quarter of a million birds breed on Cousin which also has several nesting beaches for turtles. Later in the afternoon we reach Anse Lazio. In the afternoon we sail to Anse Lazio, Praslin, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Time for water sports, snorkelling or optional diving. Evening at anchor.

In the morning we leave for Aride. Our optional excursion will take you all the way to the top of the island for an amazing view. The island is home to the Wright's gardenia found nowhere else on earth and to bird species like the Audubon's shearwater, the Seychelles warbler. At noon we sail for St. Pierre island. We reach St. Pierre after lunch for a 3 hour snorkeling and swimming stop. At sunset, we leave St. Pierre to sail into Baie St. Anne, Praslin. Overnight at dock. Creole night.

Baie St. Anne, Praslin. Optional excursion to the famous Vallee de Mai Reserve, a World Heritage site. You will explore the pathways under tall palm trees which produce the famous Coco de Mer and you might sight a black parrot only found in Praslin. Afternoon sailing to Felicite for swimming, snorkelling or optional diving excursion on this uninhabited island. Evening sailing to La Digue. Evening arrival at La Digue. Anchor in front of the Port. Overnight.

La Digue, the most photographed and quaint community in the Seychelles. Our optional excursion will take us by bus to the Veuve Nature Reserve and through Union Plantation to l’ Anse Source d’ Argent beach. Arrival at L’ Union Estate and tour of the copra kiln, traditional coconut oil mill and the colonial plantation house. Time at Anse Source D’ Argent one of the most magnificent beaches in the world. Marvel at some of Seychelles most impressive rock formations – truly unique, whilst enjoying a refreshment. Time for hunting souvenirs at La Passe, the islands main village, before returning to the ship. Late afternoon sailing to Moyenne island, opposite Mahe. Evening arrival at Moyenne. Overnight at anchor.

La Digue Island is an island like no other. It is the smallest of the three populated islands in the Seychelles, but the tranquillity will make it feel like you’re the only one there.

The stunning surroundings should be soaked up from cycling through the vanilla plantations to lying on the white-sandy beaches, your time on La Digue should be cherished.

There is a little more to do on La Digue compared to the smaller, uninhabited islands where you can enjoy full moon tours, surfing and snorkelling with a local.

After a short guided tour around the island there's time for a swim before a beach BBQ on the island. This is a last opportunity for snorkelling and swimming. We leave Moyenne Island for Mahe's Victoria Port in the afternoon. Late afternoon, we reach the Inter Island Quay, Mahe. Captain's Farewell Dinner with live music and dancing. Overnight in Mahe.

Disembarkation 9:00 - 10:00 am.

Like jade-coloured jewels in the Indian Ocean, the more than 100 Seychelles Islands are often regarded as the Garden of Eden. Lying just four degrees south of the equator, the Seychelles are some 1,000 miles (1,610 km) from the nearest mainland Africa. Little more than 200 years ago, all 115 islands were uninhabited. Then in 1742 a French ship dispatched from Mauritius sailed into one of the small bays. Captain Lazare Picault was the first to explore these unnamed islands. He encountered breathtaking vistas of rugged mountains, lagoons, coral atolls, splendid beaches and secluded coves. After Picault sailed away, the islands remained untouched for the next 14 years. Then France took possession of the seven islands in the Mahé group. During an expedition Captain Morphey named them the Sechelles, in honour of Vicomte Moreau de Sechelles. This name was later anglicised to Seychelles. The first settlers arrived at St. Anne’s Island in 1770; 15 years later the population of Mahé consisted of seven Europeans and 123 slaves. Today there are about 80,000 Seychellois, the majority of whom live on Mahé; the rest are scattered in small communities throughout the archipelago. The people are a fusion of three continents - Africa, Asia and Europe. This has created a unique culture and the use of three languages - Creole, French and English. Mahé is the largest island in the archipelago and the location of the capital, Victoria. Ringed by steep, magnificent mountains, few capitals can claim a more beautiful backdrop. The town features a mixture of modern and indigenous architecture; it is the centre of business and commerce thanks to the extensive port facilities. Noteworthy sites in Victoria are the museum, cathedral, government house, clock tower, botanical gardens and an open-air market. The major attractions are found outside of town where the island’s quiet, lazy atmosphere delights visitors. With 68 pristine, white sand beaches, Mahé boasts more beaches and tourist facilities than any of the other Seychelles Islands. Beautiful and remote Mahé with its green-clad mountains and palm-fringed beaches is indeed an island of abundance; pleasant surprises are around every bend in the trail. Come ashore and discover for yourself this marvellous island paradise.