Discover Seychelles & the East African Coast

Your tropical cruise begins on Mahé island, the largest in the Seychelles and home of the capital, Victoria. Transfer to your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht and embark on your discovery of the Seychelles. Please book your flight to arrive into Mahé, Seychelles prior to 07:00 PM.

Late this morning, cruise to Sainte Anne Island. It is encircled by a Marine National Park, home to incredible marine life including more than 150 species of fish. Sainte Anne is also a significant nesting site for Hawksbill turtles.

Sail to Thérèse Island in the morning. Sitting just one kilometre off the coast of Mahé, this jewel of the Seychelles is a tiny, uninhabited island with rugged rock formations, long white-sand beaches and lush vegetation. The island has two imposing rocky peaks, which are thought to resemble a giant’s staircase. A reef wraps around the southern edge of the island and offers incredible snorkelling.

Early in the morning, cruise to Cousin, a small island renowned as a haven for seabirds. The granitic islet was a private property until 1968 when it was purchased by the International Council for Bird Preservation to transform it into a nature reserve. It’s the most protected island in the archipelago, providing a breeding ground for 11 sea bird species annually and a habitat for five birds native to the Seychelles. Later you will sail to Praslin to stay overnight.

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 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. Sail to La Digue Island later in the afternoon.

La Digue, the smallest of the three populated islands in the Seychelles, has exquisite natural wonders and incredible wildlife, like the population of giant Aldabra tortoises. Like Praslin Island, it is also fringed by world-famous beaches. One of the most recognisable is Anse Source dArgent – it has pink-hued sands contrasting with rock formations and aquamarine waters.  Sail to Curieuse later in the evening.

Curieuse is a rugged island swathed in unspoilt wilderness and home to hundreds of Aldabra giant tortoises. Apart from its obvious natural beauty, it has a fascinating history. The island was once a quarantine station, and the original French colonial doctor’s house has a museum and visitor’s centre. Nature trails wind through the island, passing mangrove swamps and the native coco de mer palm trees.

Early in the morning, cruise to the lush, green island of Aride, a nature reserve managed by the International Conservation Society. Nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers flock to this island, where more than 30 rare bird species nest in the verdant vegetation. The landscape is enticing with fine-sand beaches, coconut palms and soaring cliffs.

Return to Mahé for the final days of your voyage.  The capital city, Victoria, was founded in the French settler period in 1778 and named later by the British for Queen Victoria. The island of Mahé has pristine beaches dotted with huge rocks and tranquil nature trails threaded through the Morne Seychellois National Park.

After breakfast, take your time exploring Mahè Island. The largest island in the Seychelles and home to the capital city, Victoria, it is dotted, with excellent nature trails and enticing tropical beaches.  In the afternoon, step back on board your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht for the second leg of your journey navigating Africa’s east coast. 

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 dArgent –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 youre 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. Its 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 worlds 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 atolls lagoon provides a habitat for numerous species of fish, molluscs, crustaceans, and various types of corals. Hawksbill and green turtles nest on the atolls beaches, and the surrounding waters are frequented by manta rays, sharks, and dolphins.

Relish the nautical adventure of a lifetime with some relaxing time at sea as you sail west across the Indian Ocean. Enjoy the lavish comforts of your luxury yacht — ascend to the Sky Deck to drink in panoramic views or relax in the Observation Lounge.

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 citys 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 its 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.