Seychelles & Indian Ocean Adventure

Your cruise begins in Mahé island, the largest island of the Seychelles and home of the capital, Victoria. Here, you’ll be transferred to your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht and embark on your discovery of the Seychelles and East Africa. You will sail to La Digue later in the afternoon.Please book your flight to arrive into Mahé, Seychelles prior to 01:00 PM.

La Digue Island is the smallest of the three populated islands in the Seychelles. The island is fringed  by world-famous beaches. One of the most recognisable is Anse Source d'Argent –it has pink-hued sands contrasting with granite boulders and aquamarine waters.  Sail to Praslin Island after lunch.Praslin, the second largest island in the Seychelles, is visually stunning with tropical jungle-fringed beaches, emerald waters and powdery sand. Anse Lazio beach has been voted one of the world’s best beaches several times and there’s a dazzling reef just offshore brimming with coral and marine life. On land, coconut palms and granite boulders create a picture-postcard landscape. In the centre of the island, discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve.

La Digue Island is the smallest of the three populated islands in the Seychelles. The island is fringed  by world-famous beaches. One of the most recognisable is Anse Source d'Argent –it has pink-hued sands contrasting with granite boulders and aquamarine waters.  Sail to Praslin Island after lunch.Praslin, the second largest island in the Seychelles, is visually stunning with tropical jungle-fringed beaches, emerald waters and powdery sand. Anse Lazio beach has been voted one of the world’s best beaches several times and there’s a dazzling reef just offshore brimming with coral and marine life. On land, coconut palms and granite boulders create a picture-postcard landscape. In the centre of the island, discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve.

The Amirante Islands are known for their pristine beauty, the perfect haven for nature lovers and adventurers. Their isolated location and untouched environment make them an ideal destination for diving, fishing, and wildlife observation. You could take a stroll or hike under the canopy of exotic palm trees, where various bird species can be spotted.

Whether you're an angler, diver, birdwatcher, or simply a lover of nature and tranquillity, the Alphonse Group of Atolls offers a unique and unforgettable experience. It has one of the world’s healthiest climates, which creates an incredible biome of diversity.

The Farquhar Group is made up of 10 islands and atolls covering an area of 370 square kilometres. You will explore the sparkling lagoon encircled by this ringed-shaped atoll dotted with coconut and casuarina trees. Hawksbill and green sea turtles come to the atoll to nest and several of the Farquhar Group’s islands are important biodiversity regions.

Aldabra Atoll is a remarkable and remote atoll in the most south westerly part of the Seychelles, closer to African coast than to Mahé. It's one of the largest atolls in the world and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its outstanding natural beauty and significant biodiversity.

Spend another day exploring the fascinating Aldabra Atoll. The atoll comprises four large coral islands which enclose a shallow lagoon. This ecosystem supports a variety of flora and fauna, many of which are unique to the atoll. Notably, Aldabra is home to the world's largest population of giant tortoises. Today, access to Aldabra is strictly monitored to minimise human impact on the environment.

The marine life around Aldabra is also diverse and plentiful. The atoll's lagoon provides a habitat for numerous species of fish, molluscs, crustaceans, and various types of corals. Hawksbill and green turtles' nest on the atoll's beaches, and the surrounding waters are frequented by manta rays, sharks, and dolphins.

Sitting just off the coast of Tanzania, Kilwa Kisiwani is a captivating UNESCO World Heritage site. The island was a significant trade hub from the 13th to the 16th centuries with much of the gold, silver, pearls, perfumes and other goods traded in the Indian Ocean passing through here. Ruins cover the island, with palaces, bathing pools and prisons excavated. The most striking site is the Great Mosque, the oldest standing mosque on the East African coast. With its 16 domed and vaulted bays, the mosque’s grand architecture reflects the city's golden age.

Sail north to Mafia Island, one of Tanzania’s hidden gems. It has an incredibly diverse landscape, dotted with coconut and cashew nut plantations, palm trees, tidal mangroves and plump baobab trees standing in vast African savannah grasslands. The island is also famous for its population of whale sharks, attracting visitors who wish to swim alongside these gentle giants. The best time to see whale sharks is usually between October and February.

Continuing north to Zanzibar, an archipelago off the coast of East Africa.  Known as the ‘Spice Islands’, Zanzibar has a rich history in the spice trade and it's still a major producer of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper. Stone Town is the historic heart of Zanzibar and a UNESCO World Heritage site – the narrow streets lined with coral-hewn houses blend African, European and Indian influences.

Your time aboard your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht comes to an end in Mombasa, a coastal city in southern Kenya that was the first capital of British East Africa. It’s a melting pot of cultures from all corners of Africa and the Indian Ocean. From the yacht, you will be transferred to the airport for your journey home or to continue your travels. Please book your flight to depart out of Mombasa after 01:00 PM.The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Cruises cannot guarantee the cruise will be operated unaltered from the itinerary states above.