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Days
8
Price from
4145NZD
Map of Cruising in the Seychelles (Garden of Eden) including Seychelles

Cruise the turquoise waters of a far-flung paradise

White sand beaches and brilliantly blue seas are on full show on this nine-day small ship cruise around the Seychelles islands. Board the twin-hulled Pegasus and enjoy magnificent sea views and crisp salt air from the deck, relaxing with new friends and dining on board. Cruise to uninhabited islands, walk through mangrove forests, spot giant tortoises, explore World Heritage-listed nature reserves and relax on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. This Seychelles cruising adventure allows you to explore at your own pace and relax into island life. It is, after all, a true slice of Indian Ocean paradise.

Start
Mahe, Seychelles
Finish
Mahe, Seychelles
Destination
Seychelles
Style
Peregrine
Theme
Adventure Cruising
Code
PMFS
Physical rating
Trip rating
1 review
Ages
Min 7
Group size
Min 1, Max 44

Why you'll love this trip

  • Unlike other larger cruise liners, your small ship – the M/Y Pegasus – has the option to drop anchor beside tiny islands and swim in bays that others cannot reach.

  • Stop at the stunning Anse Source D’Argent on La Dique with your small group. It’s consistently rated as one of the best beaches in the world, and you’ll soon know why.

  • Accompanied by a fully qualified onboard naturalist, you will be led on insightful shore excursions through mangrove forests and World Heritage-listed reserves.

  • Drop anchor in the centre of port towns such as Mahe and La Digue, having the opportunity to explore independently and hop on and off the boat as you please.

  • With your vessel fully equipped with kayaks and snorkelling equipment, you will be able to take advantage of the crystal-clear waters and discover its colourful ecosystem underwater.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip is operated by our partners at Variety Cruises and is best suited to independent travellers who want flexibility from their itinerary. On Variety Cruises, all shore excursions are optional, so you don’t have to pay for an activity you’re not interested in. Trips operated by Variety begin at port, do not include tips and require solo travellers to pay a mandatory single supplement.

  • This is a small ship Adventure Cruising, which means you’ll be sailing on a yacht with between 30–50 other people. The boat is spacious and comfortable, but it focuses more on the destination than on-board activities. Instead of a pool, we have the sea itself. Instead of a casino, we’ve got board games and a good book. There’s also no formal dress code to worry about. Wi-fi is available for a small charge.

  • Our ship moves under engine power, rather than sailing, so all cabins will experience light engine noise when the ship is moving (and occasionally when we drop anchor). It’s probably worth packing earplugs if you’re a light sleeper.

  • Onshore activities and excursions will involve a bit of walking. You’ll be visiting a lot of national parks and you may have to cross uneven ground, sometimes in slippery conditions.

  • If you’re concerned about seasickness, there are seasickness tablets on board. The ship will experience some roll and pitch in choppy conditions, however all of our ships come equipped with stabilisers to minimise movement. Most of our departures run in peak season, when the seas are calmer. Your crew do all they can to minimise any discomfort.

  • There are no lifts (elevators) on board our ships, so you’ll have to navigate a few steep flights of stairs on board. Handrails are always available.

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Boats

Pegasus boat in a Seychelles Adventure Cruising

Pegasus

If you’re island-hopping with us through Seychelles off Africa’s east coast, you’ll be cruising in the 45-metre (147-foot) Pegasus. This ship was...

Boat type
Motor Yacht
Passengers
44
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Itinerary
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Welcome to the Seychelles! Embarkation will take place between 3 and 4 pm. After the welcome cocktail and safety drill, leave Port Victoria and sail to nearby St Anne for a refreshing swim stop off the ship. Spend the night at anchor near St Anne and enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travellers.
Accommodation
  • M/Y Pegasus (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Dinner

Leave St Anne Island early in the morning to reach Curieuse. This morning, visit this uninhabited island for an included walking excursion with a park guide. Lying about one mile to the north-east of Praslin, this island of about two miles long was first given the name Ile Rouge because of its red earth. As part of the Marine Park, the island is strictly protected and only a few families live here. Like Praslin, Curieuse is home to the Coco-de-Mer palm. There is a wild population of about 250 giant tortoises, brought over from Aldabra in the 1980s and a breeding scheme has been in place there for several years. Curieuse was once a leper colony, and the ruins of the houses can still be seen. There is also a large, restored colonial villa, known as the Doctor’s House, where the island doctor lived in the 1870s. Nature trails wind their way across the island, notably through the extensive swamps, home to eight different species of mangrove. Later, return to the beach for a barbecue under the trees and in the afternoon, enjoy the beach and sea activities. Overnight at anchor in Curieuse.
Accommodation
  • M/Y Pegasus (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Curieuse Walking Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Landing on Curieuse is a wet landing on the ship's Zodiac.

In the morning, sail for Cousin Island for an included excursion. Cousin Island is a granitic island covering 27 hectares and lies approximately 2 kilometres from Praslin island. It became the world’s first internationally owned reserve when it was purchased in 1968 by the International Council for the Protection of Birds (ICBP), now Birdlife International. The objective was to save the last remaining population of the Seychelles warblers. It is not only significant for sea birds and endemic land birds but is also the most important breeding site for Hawksbill turtles in the Western Indian Ocean. The reserve is managed solely by local staff and benefits local communities on the neighboring Praslin island through eco-tourism. Today, Cousin is managed by Nature Seychelles. Conservation activities include monitoring of the island's biodiversity, research, re-introduction of endangered species such as the Seychelles Magpie Robin. Later in the afternoon, reach Anse Lazio, Praslin – one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Time for water sports and snorkelling! Enjoy an evening at anchor.
Accommodation
  • M/Y Pegasus (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cousin Island Walking Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Cousin Island has a lot of mosquitos. It is recommended to have a light long sleeve shirt and pants for this day as well as strong mosquito repellent.

Landing on Cousin island is by a local boat and will be a wet beach landing.

In the morning, leave for Aride. A visit to Aride Island is an essential part of the itinerary for any visitor to Seychelles to discover what the islands were like 250 years ago before human settlement. It also hosts one of the most important seabird populations in the Indian Ocean with more breeding species than any other island in Seychelles. Eighteen species of native birds (including five only found in Seychelles) breed on Aride, including the Audubon's shearwater and the Seychelles warbler. It is also home to the Wright's gardenia which is found nowhere else on earth. The island is managed as a nature reserve by the Island Conservation Society of Seychelles and the only human inhabitants are the reserve's staff, including the Island Manager, Conservation Officer and rangers. Aride is also an island where native plants find fertile soil for growth. Because of this, it plays a very important role in the conservation of Seychelles wildlife both terrestrial and marine (with a 200 metre protected area from the coastline). At around midday, sail for St Pierre Island, arriving just after lunch in time for snorkelling and swimming stop. At sunset, leave St Pierre to sail into Baie St Anne, Praslin. Spend the night at dock and a enjoy a Creole-themed evening.
Accommodation
  • M/Y Pegasus (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Aride Island Walking tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
At certain times of the year, Aride landing experiences very rough seas and landing here may not be possible. Alternative activities will be offered if necessary.

Landing on Aride island is via a Zodiac operated by National Park staff. This is a surf landing and it is very likely that you will get wet.

This morning, perhaps opt for an optional excursion to Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve, via the main mountain pass. A scenic coastal drive through picturesque fishing villages and dense forest of contrasting shades of green takes you to where you start a guided tour. Discover the mystical World Heritage-listed site renowned for its Coco de Mer – the largest seed in the plant kingdom. Watch for the Black Parrot, one of the rarest birds in the world and listen to its high pitched whistle. Depart Vallee de Mai for Cote d’Or Beach – voted on several occasions as one of the world's most beautiful beaches – for a swim and a refreshing afternoon drink. Rejoin the boat for an afternoon sailing to the uninhabited island of Felicite or Grand Souer for snorkelling, swimming and optional dive excursion. Take an evening sail to La Digue where you will anchor in the port overnight.
Accommodation
  • M/Y Pegasus (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Praslin 1/2 day tour - EUR80
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

This morning, perhaps take a half-day optional excursion in La Digue – a picturesque, quaint community in the Seychelles. After disembarking by Zodiac, head by bus to the Veuve Nature Reserve and through Union Plantation to l’Anse Source d’Argent beach. Arrive at L’Union Estate and tour the copra kiln, a traditional coconut oil mill and the colonial plantation house. Spend some time at the magnificent Anse Source D’Argent beach, marvelling at some of Seychelles' most impressive rock formations, while enjoying a refreshment. Time for hunting souvenirs at La Passe, the islands main village, before returning to the ship. In the late afternoon, set sail for Moyenne Island, opposite Mahe, to spend the night at anchor.
Accommodation
  • M/Y Pegasus (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • La Digue 1/2 day tour - EUR80
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Take a short, included guided tour around the island before there is time for swim and a barbecue on the deck. This is the last opportunity for snorkelling and swimming before heading back to Mahe. Leave Moyenne Island for Mahe’s Victoria port in the afternoon arriving late at the Inter Island Quay. Enjoy the Captain’s farewell dinner with live music and dancing, spending the night in Mahe.
Accommodation
  • M/Y Pegasus (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Disembarkation takes place after breakfast between 9 and 10 am. With no activities planned for today, you are free to depart any time after disembarkation. Make your own way to Mahe Airport for an onward flight connection or perhaps stay on and enjoy one of the amazing resorts in the Seychelles.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners

Transport

Small Cruise Ship

Accommodation

Small Cruise Ship 7 nights

Included Activities

  • Curieuse Walking Tour
  • Cousin Island Walking Tour
  • Aride Island Walking tour

Dates & availability

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Important notes

Your voyage is operated by our cruising partner, Variety Cruises.

SHORE EXCURSIONS
On this itinerary, shore excursions are optional and are paid on board the ship in Euros. The price and a description of these excursions are listed in the day to day itinerary.

SINGLE TRAVELLERS
It is not possible for solo travellers to share a room on a Variety Cruises voyage. It requires travellers to pay a mandatory single supplement.

MINIMUM AGE
Children from the age of 7 can be accommodated on these voyages. Each boat has one cabin category that will accommodate a 3rd person allowing for triple sharing. Any child under the age of 18 must share with an adult.

Essential trip information

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