Paradise Islands of the Indian Ocean

Victoria, the capital of Seychelles, is a vibrant city on Mahé Island’s northeastern side, blending diverse cultures and traditions. Attractions include the bustling stalls of Victoria Market, the Hindu shrine of Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple and the colorful “Jivan Imports” store. The Victoria Botanical Garden features Aldabra giant tortoises and 200 plant species, including unique trees like the coco-de-mer. Activities include exploring crystal-clear waters surrounded by lush landscapes, granite cliffs, and vibrant coral reefs from the comfort and silence of a kayak.

Please Note: An arrival airport transfer, one pre-cruise hotel night and transfer from the hotel to the ship on Day 1 is included for guests arriving one day early. For guests arriving on Day 1, an airport to ship transfer will be provided.

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library that is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Farquhar Atoll, Seychelles’ largest true atoll, consists of ten islands, with Ile du Nord and Ile du Sud making up 97 percent of the landmass. Nearby, Déposés, Ile du Milieu, Lapins, Banc du Sables and Goëlettes islands complete the atoll. Banc Fantala appeared in 2016 after Cyclone Fantala. The atoll is renowned for sooty and black-naped tern colonies, as well as significant sea turtle breeding.

Cosmoledo Atoll in the Seychelles comprises islands known for white sand flats, lagoon edges and channels, home to fish like bonefish, milkfish, permit, triggerfish, trevally, and more. Hawksbill and green turtles nest on beaches. An important bird area, Cosmoledo has the Seychelles’ largest colonies of all three booby species, including the last brown booby population, plus many terns, frigatebirds, and other endemic birds.

Aldabra, a massive raised coral atoll consisting of 13 islands encircling a lagoon, is home to the world’s largest colony of 100,000 giant tortoises. The isolated archipelago features a protected landscape with hundreds of flowering plant and fern species. Endemic Aldabra drongos and pink flamingos are often seen. The white-throated rail, the last remaining flightless bird in the Indian Ocean, scours this unique habitat. Activities here include a Zodiac cruise among the magnificent coral limestone formations and sandy beaches, a drift snorkel with the expedition team, from one end of the channel to the other, and going ashore at this remote research station and learning about intriguing scientific projects in this untouched wilderness.

Kidney-shaped Assumption Island, a part of the Aldabra Group located over 600 miles southwest of Mahé, is renowned for its diverse butterfly species, such as the belenois aldabrensis. The island is also home to giant tortoises, Assumption day geckos, and it hosts nesting sea turtles near the shoreline. A tranquil white-sand beach stretches for miles alongside brilliantly turquoise water on the west coast. Today you’ll beachcomb and walk on this low-lying island with your expedition team, learning about its endemic species and history, and watch for geckoes, tortoises, and butterflies. The following day is at sea.

Cosmopolitan Zanzibar Island, or Unguja, known as the Spice Island, features Zanzibar City’s UNESCO-listed Stone Town (Mji Mkongwe)—a lively warren of narrow streets with 18th- and 19th-century buildings. Highlights include the Old Fort, the House of Wonders, and a spice market with stalls heaped with locally grown spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. Nearby, Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is home to the red colobus monkey, unique to Zanzibar. Optional shore excursions include exploring the Palace Museum in Kibweni, discovering the archipelago's spice legacy, and heading to the countryside to smell, taste, and touch different spice plants as well as seasonal fruits.

Cloaked in lush vegetation, hilly Pemba Island is famed for its clove farms, peaceful islets, and white-sand beaches. The island’s biodiverse forests are a haven for grazing blue duiker (small antelope) and the Pemba flying fox, identifiable by its distinctive rusty-red fur and enormous wingspan stretching over five feet. Offshore, vibrantly colored coral teems with marine life including green turtles, whitetip reef sharks, and nudibranchs.

A Swahili settlement and former trading hub dating back 700 years, Lamu is a storied seafront town on Lamu Island. Clusters of ornate, well-preserved buildings built from coral stone and mangrove timber fill its maze of narrow streets. Tiny alleyways reveal intricately carved wooden doors, arcaded facades, and hidden courtyards. The fort and museum are fantastic places to learn about Swahili culture. Dhow cruises visit neighboring Manda island.

A dynamic coastal metropolis, Mombasa’s rich history comes from a beguiling blend of cultures. Over centuries, Arabs, Portuguese, Asians, and British settlers coexisted in the old town, blending African, European, and Asian architectural styles. Perched above the sea, Fort Jesus was built by the Portuguese in the 1590s to protect the city, while the bustling spice market is packed with fragrant stalls selling pepper, ginger, and cardamom.

Please note: A ship to airport transfer is provided for guests departing after disembarkation.