Africa, East Africa
The Seychelles Sailing Cruise (November to April)
Isolated in the Indian Ocean and the only mid-ocean islands of granite formation to be found on earth, the Seychelles archipelago is often mentioned in the same breath as the lost 'Garden of Eden.'
The highest peaks of a submerged mountain range that broke apart from the supercontinent of Gondwana millions of years ago, the Seychelles' inner islands are the most ancient islands on earth - no other mid-ocean isles of granite formation can be found anywhere else. This curious geological feature was one of several curiosities about the islands that led the famed British General, Charles Gordon, to declare Seychelles the site of the biblical Garden of Eden.
Situated some 1,500 kilometers east of mainland Africa, and northeast of the island of Madagascar, this tiny island group boasts a population of just 90,000 inhabitants, with a warm, tropical climate all year-round and some of the most stunningly beautiful beaches in the world.
Mahé, the largest island, is home to the majority of the population and represents the archipelago's commercial and transportation hub, with the country's only international airport linking the islands to the rest of the globe. The island is characterised by its towering granite peaks, lush mist forests and dozens of striking coves and beaches.
The second largest island, Praslin, is home to the legendary Vallée de Mai, the UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Coco de Mer grows in abundance. This double coconut, which curiously resembles the shape of a woman's pelvis, was another facet of General Gordon's theory about Seychelles as the Garden of Eden - he believed it to be the real forbidden fruit.
La Digue, the third-most populous island, moves at an even slower pace: bicycles remain the most common mode of transportation, for both its residents and visiting tourists. The huge granite boulders that adorn the coastline at Anse Source D'Argent have led some to believe that it could very well be the most photographed beach in the world.
While Mahé, Praslin and La Digue may be the principal islands, dozens of smaller 'satellite' isles nearby offer further opportunity to explore and admire. Every island has a character and charm all of its own, with colorful individual histories and unique natural features, some with steep granite cliffs and others comprising pristine coral atolls. Together, they make up a surprisingly diverse destination of great natural beauty, rare flora and fauna that have been cocooned in isolation for millions of years, and a friendly multi-cultural people eager to welcome you to their shores.
The cruise includes:-
• Accommodation on board
• Friendly service from a 8/9x crew complement including captain, engineer, deckhands, dive instructor and stewardesses
• Full board meals (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner) prepared by a dedicated chef. (Please note that table water and tea/coffee are included with all meals.) Bottled water, soft drinks, beer, wine and spirits are all available on board. Price list available on request. We serve a combination of International and authentic Creole cuisine. Please contact us for special dietary needs.
• Snorkeling, kayaking and bottom-line fishing equipment
The highest peaks of a submerged mountain range that broke apart from the supercontinent of Gondwana millions of years ago, the Seychelles' inner islands are the most ancient islands on earth - no other mid-ocean isles of granite formation can be found anywhere else. This curious geological feature was one of several curiosities about the islands that led the famed British General, Charles Gordon, to declare Seychelles the site of the biblical Garden of Eden.
Situated some 1,500 kilometers east of mainland Africa, and northeast of the island of Madagascar, this tiny island group boasts a population of just 90,000 inhabitants, with a warm, tropical climate all year-round and some of the most stunningly beautiful beaches in the world.
Mahé, the largest island, is home to the majority of the population and represents the archipelago's commercial and transportation hub, with the country's only international airport linking the islands to the rest of the globe. The island is characterised by its towering granite peaks, lush mist forests and dozens of striking coves and beaches.
The second largest island, Praslin, is home to the legendary Vallée de Mai, the UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Coco de Mer grows in abundance. This double coconut, which curiously resembles the shape of a woman's pelvis, was another facet of General Gordon's theory about Seychelles as the Garden of Eden - he believed it to be the real forbidden fruit.
La Digue, the third-most populous island, moves at an even slower pace: bicycles remain the most common mode of transportation, for both its residents and visiting tourists. The huge granite boulders that adorn the coastline at Anse Source D'Argent have led some to believe that it could very well be the most photographed beach in the world.
While Mahé, Praslin and La Digue may be the principal islands, dozens of smaller 'satellite' isles nearby offer further opportunity to explore and admire. Every island has a character and charm all of its own, with colorful individual histories and unique natural features, some with steep granite cliffs and others comprising pristine coral atolls. Together, they make up a surprisingly diverse destination of great natural beauty, rare flora and fauna that have been cocooned in isolation for millions of years, and a friendly multi-cultural people eager to welcome you to their shores.
The cruise includes:-
• Accommodation on board
• Friendly service from a 8/9x crew complement including captain, engineer, deckhands, dive instructor and stewardesses
• Full board meals (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner) prepared by a dedicated chef. (Please note that table water and tea/coffee are included with all meals.) Bottled water, soft drinks, beer, wine and spirits are all available on board. Price list available on request. We serve a combination of International and authentic Creole cuisine. Please contact us for special dietary needs.
• Snorkeling, kayaking and bottom-line fishing equipment
Embarkation at the Inter-Island Quay at 1030hrs, followed by
the Captain's welcome briefing. Depart Port Victoria at
1200hrs, 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
A morning sail brings the vessel 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 entire island
by bicycle, perhaps stopping by Union Estate, a sprawling
network of traditional island activities, including a copra mill,
vanilla plantation, and shipyard
In the morning the vessel sails toward Grande Soeur and Petite
Soeur (the Sisters) for excellent snorkelling and diving, and for
a relaxing visit of these unique and completely uninhabited
tropical islands. In the afternoon, visit Coco Island, one of
Seychelles’ tiny granite jewels, a fantastic spot for snorkelling
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.
In the morning 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 snorkelling or diving, followed
by a farewell barbecue. The vessel then sails into Port Victoria
for an overnight stay
Disembarkation at the Inter-Island Quay at 08.30hrs
Itineraries are subject to change.
| 24 April, 2021 to 01 May, 2021 | Book now |
Category B Twin
€1,713 EUR pp
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
Category A Triple
€1,834 EUR pp
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
Category A Double
€1,989 EUR pp
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
Category B Single
€2,228 EUR pp
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
Category A Single
€2,983 EUR pp
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin
Additional charges:
Conservation Fee : 190 EUR pp
Sea Pearl
Vessel Type: Sail Ship Schooner
Length: 35m
Passenger Capacity: 20
Built: 1915 / Recent Refurbishment: 1997 / 1999
ACCOMMODATION
Air-conditioned Dining Salon
TV, DVD, stereo, ice-machine, washing machine, dryer
Upper Sun Deck and Bow Net for sun bathing
Covered Back Deck Lounge
Fully air-conditioned cabins with wash basin:
6 Double-bed cabins +1 bunk (Category A)
2 Triple cabins with 3 bunk beds (Category B)
4 Showers - 3 Toilets - 1 Deck Shower
CREW
1 Captain
1 Chef
1 Mechanic
2 Stewardesses
1 Dive instructor
2 Deckhands
Diving - available at extra charge onboard. From (40.00 EUR)
Each Day's First Dive: Euro 40 / Subsequent Dives: Euro 20 e.g. for 2 dives in a day the charge would be Euro 60 per day. Full diving equipment rental - Euro 10 per piece or Euro 30 for full set (per day). Introductory dive (1 to 1 with instructor) - Euro 70 per dive.
PADI Open Water Courses
Please contact us for more details.
Inclusions
Voyage on board in selected cabin category
All meals while on board
Use of snorkeling equipment, kayaks, stand up paddle boards and bottom line fishing equipment
Water, tea and coffee included with meals
Juice with breakfast
Exclusions
International and domestic flights
Passport and visa costs where applicable
Travel Insurance
Gratuities
Beverages purchased from the bar
Transfers to/from the ship for embarkation and disembarkation
Shore excursions and relevant landing fees & nature/marine park fees
Dives (including the tanks, weight-belt & dinghy ride to the dive site) (Can be booked as package or individual dives)
Rent of diving equipment (wetsuit, BCD, octopus, boots if needed)
Conservation fee - payable on board (Approx EUR150 - 200 per person)
Conservation Fee includes: landing and entrance fees for island visits and nature reserves (including guided tour of Vallee de Mai) as well as
various national marine parks, as per the cruise itinerary. (Bicycle Rental and Fee for entrance to Union Estate are not included as this is optional
for clients during their island visit to La Digue.)
Yacht
8 Days from
€1,713 EUR pp
Highlights
• Diving and snorkelling in the Seychelles reveal the best of the magical underwater world that the Indian Ocean has to offer. Unique granite boulder formations, coral reefs and wrecks are home to colourful tropical fish, turtles, sharks, rays and many other species. Some of the best dive sites in Seychelles’ inner islands are easily accessible on our cruises. Each vessel is certified as a PADI dive resort, and has a dedicated PADI dive instructor onboard to accommodate the needs of both seasoned and novice divers alike.• All of our cruises include complimentary equipment for kayaking and snorkelling (masks and fins). We also offer the opportunity to enjoy traditional bottom-line fishing in certain areas, with our chef ready to prepare fresh Seychelles-style sashimi or grilled fish in the event of a successful catch.
• For Sailing enthusiasts Sea Star and Sea Bird feature a modern furling system.
• Each day onboard presents a new opportunity to explore isolated bays and coves, colourful marine parks, and protected nature reserves or uninhabited islands. Spotting the incredibly rare Magpie Robin and other endemic birds, visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vallee de Mai, or getting up close and personal with a giant tortoise, are just a few of the many special experiences that await on the islands we visit.
Our Associates Include
