Discover Seychelles, Tanzania and Kenya

Your tropical cruise begins in Mahé island, where you’ll be transferred to your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht and embark on your discovery of the Seychelles. In the afternoon, we sail to Sainte Anne Channel. 

Please book your flight to arrive into Mahé, Seychelles prior to 01:00 PM.

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

Late morning, we sail 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 eleven sea bird species annually and a habitat for five birds native to the Seychelles. We stay overnight in Praslin. 

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. 

Early in the morning, we sail to La Digue Island, the smallest of the three populated islands in the Seychelles. Like Praslin Island, it also possesses world-famous beaches, with one of the most recognisable being Anse Source d'Argent. It has pink-hued sands contrasting with granite boulders and aquamarine waters. We will navigate to Curieuse later in the evening. 

Curieuse Island is a stunning destination in the Seychelles, located just a short boat ride from Praslin Island. Known for its pristine beaches, lush vegetation, and unique wildlife, the island is a protected nature reserve that offers a tranquil escape for nature enthusiasts. One of the island’s highlights is the giant Aldabra tortoises, which roam freely across the island. Visitors can explore the island’s hiking trails, leading to scenic viewpoints and historical sites, such as the remnants of a leper colony and an old plantation house. The crystal-clear waters surrounding Curieuse are perfect for snorkelling and swimming, showcasing vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life. With its unspoilt beauty and serene atmosphere, Curieuse Island is an idyllic spot for relaxation and exploration in the heart of the Seychelles.

Curieuse is a rugged island swathed in unspoilt wilderness and home to hundreds of resident Aldabra giant tortoises. Apart from its obvious natural beauty, it has a fascinating history. It was once a quarantine station, and the original French colonial doctor’s house has a museum and visitor’s centre.

Early in the morning, we sail to Aride, a nature reserve in the Indian Ocean. Nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers flock to this island, where more than thirty rare bird species nest in the verdant vegetation. The landscape is enticing with fine-sand beaches, coconut palms and soaring cliffs. 

Mahé is the main island of the scenic Seychelles and the largest of the archipelago. It’s home to the capital Victoria, which was founded in the French settler period in 1778 and named later by the British, after 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, 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 through the magnificent Seychelles. 

La Digue Island is the smallest of the three populated islands in the Seychelles. The island possesses some world-famous beaches, with one of the most recognisable being Anse Source d'Argent. It has pink-hued sands contrasting with granite boulders and aquamarine waters. We will 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. 

Forty kilometers (25 miles) northeast of Mahé, Praslin is just a 15-minute flight or 45-minute ferry ride away. Praslin, at 11 km (7 miles) long and 4 km (2.5 miles) wide, is the second-largest island in the Seychelles. First settled as a hideaway by pirates and Arab merchants, the island's original name, Isle de Palmes, bears testament to its reputation as home of the Vallée de Mai UNESCO World Heritage Site: the only place in the world where the famous Coco de Mer, the world's heaviest nut, grows abundantly in the wild. Praslin's endemic palm forests shelter many rare species, and the island is a major bird-watching destination. Surrounded by a coral reef, majestic bays, and gorgeous beaches, Praslin is much quieter and less developed than Mahé. With few real "sights," the pleasures of Praslin largely involve relaxing in or exploring its stunning beaches and fantastical forests.

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 you're 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 ten 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. It's 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.

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 world's largest population of giant tortoises, with an estimated 100,000 individuals living there. Today, access to Aldabra is strictly monitored to minimise human impact on the environment. 

The marine life around Aldabra is also distinct and plentiful. The atoll's lagoon provides a habitat for numerous species of fish, molluscs, crustaceans, and various types of corals. Hawksbill and green turtles' nest on the atoll's beaches, and the surrounding waters are frequented by manta rays, sharks, and dolphins. 

Kilwa Kisiwani is a captivating UNESCO World Heritage site, off the southern coast of Tanzania. The island was a significant trade hub from the 13th to the 16th centuries, due to its control over the gold trade. One iconic structure is the Great Mosque, the oldest standing mosque on the East African coast. With its sixteen domed and vaulted bays, the mosque’s grand architecture reflects the city's golden age. 

Mafia 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 tourists who wish to swim with these gentle giants. The best time to see whale sharks is usually between October and February. 

Zanzibar is an archipelago off the coast of East Africa. It's part of Tanzania and consists of several islands, with Unguja (often referred to as Zanzibar) and Pemba being the largest. Known as the ‘Spice Islands’, Zanzibar has a rich history in the spice trade and it's still a major producer of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper. ‘Stone Town’ is the historical 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. From the yacht, you will be transferred to the airport for your journey home or to continue your holiday. 

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 operated unaltered from the itinerary states above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.