The Seychelles Sailing Cruise (May to October)

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.

Your safety and comfort are our highest priority. In the event of adverse conditions, all itineraries are subject to change at the captain’s discretion.

Be sure to bring plenty of coral reef safe sun-screen, a cap or hat and sunglasses - Seychelles is generally warm and sunny throughout the year and the sun’s rays can be especially impactful onboard the vessel,
due to the reflection from the sea.

Bring suitable footwear for walking on deck and on the beach, as well as in shallow water (some island visits require embarking & disembarking from dinghies in shallow water).

There are numerous opportunities to dive on most days of the itinerary, and we can also conduct introductory dives for novices and PADI Open Water certification courses. Contact us for dive rates and
equipment rental fees.

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

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

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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.)