Dive the depths of the world’s most ancient islands on a 7-night cruise that seeks out the archipelago’s most prolific underwater sites.
This cruise combines the underwater world of the Seychelles with a PADI dive instructor as your guide, together with the rustic charms of our historic early 1900s vessels that double as full-service floating hotels.
The limited dates we’ve selected for our dive safaris coincide with the best diving conditions the islands have to offer. This not only makes for great visibility, but also allows us to venture to out-of-the-way, open-sea dive sites that may not offer good enough shelter for diving at other times of the year. A dedicated tender allows divers comfort, space and mobility, while also making it easier for non-diving companions to partake in other activities during the cruise including snorkeling, kayaking and island excursions.
Most of the dive sites we’ll visit feature large granite rock formations that create different passages and caves. These are home to a rich population of tropical fish, large numbers of pelagic species such as sharks, barracudas, jacks and tunas as well as rays and turtles.
Highlights
• Best Possible Conditions - We have carefully selected the dates for our diving safaris to coincide with the calmest periods the islands have to offer. There may be no guarantees with weather, but with these dates falling in between the opposing tradewind seasons, it’s the best bet for flat-calm seas and amazing visibility.
• Open-Sea Diving - Another benefit of the dates we’ve selected: calm conditions allow us to venture to some open-sea dive sites that may not offer good enough shelter for diving at other times of the year. These sites typically offer some of the most dramatic scenery and marine life to be found on Seychelles’ inner-island plateau, including large pelagic.
• Companions Welcome. While diving is the primary focus of this cruise, the Seychelles archipelago is as diverse as it is beautiful, allowing us to accommodate non-diving companions with no shortage of activities parallel to the diving excursions. Visits to nature reserves and island sanctuaries, as well as snorkeling and kayaking, are available throughout the cruise, meaning partners unable to dive can enjoy the experience fully, with or without a good book.
Embarkation at the Inter-Island Quay at 10:30hrs, followed by
the Captain's welcome briefing. Depart Port Victoria at 12:00hrs,
sailing from Mahé to a late afternoon anchorage at Round
Island, just off the isle of Praslin. In the evening, introduce
yourself to Creole cuisine with a welcome barbecue dinner
onboard.
Sail to Praslin, Seychelles' second-largest inhabited island, for
disembarkation to the famous World Heritage Site, the Vallee de
Mai Nature Reserve. This ancient forest is home to the curiously
shaped double coconut, the coco de mer, as well as the Black
Parrot, unique to Praslin. Explore the valley's eerie pathways
beneath its canopy of massive palms, before returning onboard
for afternoon opportunities to dive, snorkel or enjoy other
water sports.
Sail to La Digue, a sleepy island community where ox-carts and
bicycles still remain the most common mode of transportation
throughout the island. La Digue is home to the endemic
Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher, and is perhaps most famous for
its massive granite boulder formations at Anse Source d'Argent,
which is thought to be the most photographed beach on earth.
Explore the island, perhaps stopping by Union Estate, a
sprawling network of traditional island activities, including a
copra mill, vanilla plantation, and shipyard.
The vessel sails toward Grande Soeur and Petite Soeur (the
Sisters). The waters surrounding these two uninhabited private
islands provide excellent diving, meanwhile non-diver guests
will have the opportunity to visit the island.
In the afternoon, visit Coco Island, one of Seychelles’ tiny granite
jewels, a fantastic spot for snorkeling within a kaleidoscope of
tropical fish.
Sail to Booby Island for a morning of diving and water sports.
After lunch, sail to Aride Island, a globally important nature
reserve with more native bird species than any other island,
including five endemics and the world's largest population of 3
species (Lesser Noddy, Audubon's Shearwater and Seychelles
Warbler). The nature trail leads to a spectacular cliff-top view
with the largest frigatebird roost outside of Aldabra. Aride is the
only natural location in the world for Wright's Gardenia and 400
species of fish have been recorded around the island.
Disembark at Curieuse for a visit of this virtually uninhabited
island. Experience the island's vast mangrove forests and its
giant tortoise farm, along with the historic ruins of this former
leper colony. After a barbecue lunch on the island, enjoy an
array of water sports or simply relax and enjoy the island's
beautiful beach and turquoise waters.
After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely sail back towards Mahé, with a
last stop at Ile Seche for more diving/ or snorkeling, followed by
a farewell barbecue. The vessel then sails into Port Victoria for
an overnight stay.
08.30am at Inter Island Quay, Mahé.
For the well-being and overall enjoyment of guests,
adjustments to the itinerary and/or the dive sites visited may be
necessary, in the event of certain weather conditions or other
factors. Any such changes are at the discretion of the captain.
02 November, 2024 to 09 November, 2024
Sea Pearl
|
|
|
Book now
|
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
09 November, 2024 to 16 November, 2024
Sea Pearl
|
|
|
Book now
|
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
16 November, 2024 to 23 November, 2024
Sea Pearl
|
|
|
Book now
|
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
23 November, 2024 to 30 November, 2024
Sea Pearl
|
|
|
Book now
|
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
Additional charges:
Conservation Fee: 190 EUR pp
Inclusions
• Overnight accommodation for entire cruise
• Full board meals, afternoon tea/coffee/cake
• Our friendly crew of 8 and equipment for snorkelling,
• Kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and bottom-line fishing
Exclusions
• Beverages from our bar
• Diving/Diving Equipment
• Transfers before or at the end of the cruise
• The Conservation Fee (landing and entrance fees for island visits and nature reserves (including guided tour in Vallee de Mai) as well as various national marine parks, according to the cruise itinerary)