A Luxury Seychelles Cruise: Including Legendary Aldabra

If there is time before joining the ship, you can explore Mahe's attractions, such as Victoria, the Botanical Gardens, Morne Seychellois National Park and the many beaches which are found on the nation's largest island.

Embarkation will be from 16:00 to 17:00 at the dock in Victoria, capital of the Seychelles. Departure from Victoria will be at 23:00. Throughout the trip there will be multiple opportunities to go snorkelling and scuba diving (optional).

Situated off the coast of Praslin, Curieuse was discovered in 1768 by the French explorer Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne. It was ravaged by a fire in 1771 and then became home to a leper colony of which a few vestiges still remain including the doctor's house. Declared a national marine park in 1979, it is home to many underwater species, which can be discovered while scuba diving or snorkelling in the idyllic waters of the Indian Ocean. But above all, Curieuse is renowned for the hundreds of Aldabra giant tortoises that live there. It is highly likely that you will get the chance to meet these fascinating reptiles. Along with Praslin, it is also the only island on which the coco de mer grows wild.

Aride is a nature reserve situated a few kilometres north-west of Praslin boasting wild cliffs and fine-sand beaches. Protected from human impact, it is home to several endemic plants as well as exceptional wildlife, notably Seychelles magpie-robins, various terns, noddies and frigatebirds, and reptiles such as Wright’s skink, which can be found in the island’s wooded areas. Turtles can sometimes be observed on the island’s beaches in daylight laying their eggs.

After Aride, visit Praslin situated some forty kilometres away from Victoria. Praslin is the second largest island in the Seychelles with idyllic beaches where granite rocks fringe blindingly white sand. They invite visitors to dive into the turquoise waters, which are ideal for snorkelling. In the centre of the island, hidden in the heart of a stunning tropical rainforest, lies the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this veritable plant sanctuary, several endemic species of palm trees can be observed, most famously the coco de mer palm, bearing the world's largest nut which can weigh up to 20 kg and is curiously shaped to resemble aspects of human anatomy.

We leave the Inner Islands and sail some 200 km south-west of Mahé to Poivre Atoll, part of the Amirantes archipelago in the Outer Islands. Consisting of two coral islands, Poivre Island and Ile du Sud, separated by a small lagoon, it owes its name to Pierre Poivre, the Mauritius French colonial official who introduced spices to the Seychelles in the late 18th century. Once used for coconut plantations, Poivre Island is now focused on tourism. Visitors come here on day trips for scuba diving or fly fishing in waters that are particularly rich and clean, where the marine life includes bonefish, permit and various species of turtle.

Bijoutier is one of the three idyllic islands of Alphonse Atoll, considered the most unspoiled of the Outer Islands. Formed around volcanos having vanished into the abyssal depths of the Indian Ocean, they are protected by splendid coral reefs. Bijoutier lagoon is surrounded by beaches and coconut trees and is a haven for herons, frigatebirds, turtles and giant crabs. Since 2007, the island has been preserved by the atoll’s conservation centre, which is dedicated to restoring the biodiversity of the islands' ecosystem.

Next visit St. François, a mini-atoll covered in coconut trees with a distinctive crescent-shaped silhouette. See a myriad of birds and possibly turtles and a multitude of fish in the water, making this an ideal place for hiking or snorkelling.

Today will be spent at sea sailing westwards. Treat yourself to a relaxing spa treatment or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Lie by the swimming pool and indulge in a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows performed on board, do some shopping in the boutique or meet the on board photographers in their dedicated space. Lovers of the open sea will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the vast ocean and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species.

The furthest west of the Seychelles, Aldabra Atoll is one of the last virtually untouched sanctuaries on earth, where 200,000 giant tortoises and the endemic flightless rail have found refuge. This is the last wild population of giant tortoises remaining, all others having become extinct after human contact in Mauritius, Comoros, Madagascar and Reunion. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Aldabra consists of four small coral reef islands separated by narrow sea passages and surrounding a huge lagoon lined with mangroves and fine-sand beaches. As the ship nears the clear waters along its shoreline, take the chance to go ashore on the largest raised atoll in the world which fired the imagination of many a bygone explorer.

Your second day to explore legendary Aldabra, perhaps enjoying both its land and marine attractions, before sailing to Cosmoledo.

Cosmoledo Atoll owes its nickname, the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean, to the majesty of its underwater world which attracts experienced snorkellers and divers to view the parrotfish, giant rays, pelagic fish and giant clams which inhabit its reefs. Once exploited for coconut and agave, the atoll is now uninhabited, apart from a small, eight-room eco-resort in the heart of the Wizard Island nature reserve, which shelters green turtles and significant colonies of sooty terns, frigatebirds and brown and red-footed boobies.

Part of the Aldabra group yet closer to Madagascar than to Victoria, Astove is the southernmost island in the Seychelles. Uninhabited apart from a small fly fishing resort, this coral island once had extensive coconut plantations. Renowned for the richness of its sea beds, Astove Atoll is now a top destination for fishing enthusiasts. It also attracts divers and snorkellers to the Astove Wall where the fringing reef drops to a depth of 40 metres. The reef and wall are blessed with healthy coral and many mid-size fish, often absent from other reefs near human habitation where they are usually overfished. Small reef sharks, large trevally jacks and green sea turtles can be found swimming on the reef, which is one of the best for snorkelling that we have ever seen anywhere in the world.

Another day spent at sea, making headway towards the east,

Remire Island is prized for its unique biodiversity, especially its exceptionally rich underwater life. The few inhabitants of this tropical islet watch over its preservation, and a walk amidst its lush vegetation will delight fans of unspoilt islands. For those who love diving and snorkelling, myriad colourful fish live among the healthy coral reefs that border the island.

We are now back in the Inner Islands. La Digue is 6 km south-east of Praslin and is the third-largest island in the Seychelles, despite its modest size (5 km by 3 km). There are beautiful beaches of white sand and large granite rocks with their pink highlights, like the famous Anse Source d’Argent, a picture postcard beach and the location of many a fashion shoot. In the past ten years La Digue has become rather busier but still retains its charm from bygone days when only oxcarts and bicycles could be seen on its sandy roads.

Disembark at 07:00 after an early breakfast, saying goodbye to all the friends made during the voyage, including the delightful crew.