Join the Crystal Esprit for an 8-day Seychelles cruise from Mahe. Visit the Botanical Gardens for a glimpse into the lush fauna that cloaks the Mahe island, and see the true magnificence of Seychelles as you explore the island's stunning natural beauty. As you sail on, discover St. Anne Island that was once a commercial whaling outpost and later a World war II gun battery, and today a place of tranquility rich with wildlife. Head towards Cousin Island where birds rule the roost and afterward proceed to see the stunning beaches of Praslin, La Digue Island, and Curieuse Island. Spend some time in Aride Island, considered to be one of the most significant seabird habitats in the Indian Ocean. Head once again to Mahe/Victoria harbor and finally disembark at Eden Island.
Highlights
Explore abundant wildlife protected by the St. Anne Marine National Park.
Discover the Seychelles natural splendors
Visit the Garden of Eden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Embark on the Crystal Esprit at Mahe/Victoria Harbor and start your exciting cruise.
This capital city of Seychelles lies on Mahé, the largest of the 115 islands. It is not boastful about its importance to the island’s cultural and administrative center, as its mere two dozen avenues are cozy and inviting, backing up against steep mountains and bustling with cafés and colorful architecture. Visit the Botanical Gardens for a glimpse into the lush fauna that cloaks the island, and venture from Victoria in search of the Seychelles natural splendor.
Reach Eden Island. Here, in the Indian Ocean, where exotic trees edge beaches of fine white sand, is Mahé. Coconut plantations surround its majestic granite peaks rising to 3,000 feet. Mahé was uninhabited until the French arrived in 1768, and this culture remains despite over 180 years of British rule. The true magnificence of Seychelles lies beyond city limits, as you explore these islands' stunning natural beauty.
Today, head to St. Anne Island as well.
Day 2: St. Anne Island | Praslin Beach and Cousin Island | Praslin
Palm trees shade idyllic sandy beaches here, as cinnamon grows wild on verdant hillsides and sea turtles nose around their favorite nesting site. Once a commercial whaling outpost and later a World war II gun battery, St. Anne Island is today a place of peace and tranquility with abundant wildlife protected by the St. Anne Marine National Park.
With lush jungled hillsides rolling into pristine white sands lined with palm trees, the beaches of Praslin are exactly what you imagine when dreaming of a tropical paradise. With Crystal Esprit at anchor, a beach landing by Zodiac means time to swim, snorkel and kayak in gin-clear waters. Bird enthusiasts will thrill to the sounds – and hopefully, the sights – of the Seychelles magpie-robin and brush warbler, both endemic to the islands and highly protected.
Cousin Island is a green ink-dot in the Indian Ocean. Here, birds rule the roost. Declared a special reserve in 1975, the island is the last holdout for the Seychelles warbler, a bird drove nearly to extinction - today they number some 3,000, a tribute to conservation. As you might expect from a haven for winged creatures, Cousin Island also is a paradise for nature-loving humans, with dense woodland, rocky southern coast and sandy beaches encircling almost the entire isle.
Also, sail towards Praslin, Seychelles on this day.
Praslin, the second-largest island of Seychelles and arguably tops in attractions, features stunning beaches, azure seas, tangles of the jungle and a trademark relaxed atmosphere. What makes Praslin unique is the Vallée de Mai, a protected forest of rare fauna, and most famously the coco de mer palm, a tree that produces the world’s largest seed and palm flower. The grove is one of Seychelles’ two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and has been aptly called the Garden of Eden.
Day 4: Praslin | La Passe, La Digue Island | Laraie Bay, Curieuse Island
This slice of heaven defines quintessential island life, nestled on the coast of Silhouette Island and beckoning visitors to its shores with turquoise-emerald waters. Days filled with beachside adventures and jungle trails give way to festive evenings along the sand. The tree-lined roads of La Passe are populated with more bicycles than motorized vehicles, accenting the unhurried pace of life here.
Hundreds of giant hump-head parrotfish swim the harbor’s waters while beyond native coco de Mer palms and low-slung branches of giant takamaka trees line sandy beaches. Curieuse Island is known for its giant tortoises, native to the Seychelles and once nearly extinct. Today, thanks to conservation efforts, tortoises roam freely in the lush forests.
Day 6: Laraie Bay | Aride Island | Cruise Big Sister, Felicite, Marine Isl
Sail from Laraie Bay to Aride Island and cruise Big Sister, Felicite, Marine Isl.
As one of the most important seabird habitats in the Indian Ocean, if not the world, Aride is home to more breeding species than on any other island in Seychelles: 18 native birds, including five, found only in the archipelago, reproduce on this tiny, eyelash of an isle. While its bird population is vast, Aride itself is petite, just a mile long and half a mile wide. Its human population is even smaller: only rangers, conservation officers and a few volunteers live here.
Day 7: Mahe/Victoria Harbor | Mahe/Eden Island Marina
Head back to Mahe/Victoria Harbor. This capital city of Seychelles lies on Mahé, the largest of the 115 islands. It is not boastful about its importance to the island’s cultural and administrative center, as its mere two dozen avenues are cozy and inviting, backing up against steep mountains and bustling with cafés and colorful architecture. Visit the Botanical Gardens for a glimpse into the lush fauna that cloaks the island, and venture from Victoria in search of the Seychelles natural splendor.
Reach Eden Island. Here, in the Indian Ocean, where exotic trees edge beaches of fine white sand, is Mahé. Coconut plantations surround its majestic granite peaks rising to 3,000 feet. Mahé was uninhabited until the French arrived in 1768, and this culture remains despite over 180 years of British rule. The true magnificence of the Seychelles lies beyond city limits, as you explore these islands' stunning natural beauty.
Day 8: Mahe/Eden Island Marina, Seychelles | Disembark
1 Breakfast
After breakfast aboard the ship, disembark at the beautiful port.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Notes
Solo Supplement: A select number of cabins are available for single use. The single supplement varies by cabin type, please contact us for details. Child Discount: Children age 11 or under receive 50% off when sharing a cabin with two full paying guests. Children, regardless of age pay full rate in a double occupancy cabin.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by Bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
7 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Complimentary Wi-Fi Access
All-suite, butler-serviced accommodations
All gratuities, shipboard and shoreside
The Pantry: 24-hour self-service venue offering specialty coffees, teas, wines and nonalcoholic beverages
Complimentary airport transfers between the airport and the river ship on days of embarkation and disembarkation
Complimentary marina and water sports equipment including a wide variety of aquatic toys (water skis, wakeboards, kayaks, jet skis, snorkeling equipment) based on destination's local rules and regulations and the discretion of the Captain due to weather and sea conditions
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Crystal Esprit's submersible equipment
Massage, spa services or hair styling for which separate charges may be imposed.
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf
TrustScore 4.8 | 169 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 169 reviews on
1 day ago
Friendly and professional interactions. Answered my questions and followed up on initial contact.
Tim Elliott
2 days ago
Adventure Life has been an extraordinary travel resource for us over the years and today was no exception. Our River Cruise booking was handled by Jess (who has been our personal trip planner for several years) the same day as our inquiry. Suggestions were given for cabin choice and pre-trip options (that were not shown on the cruise line's website) like airport transfers and prepaid gratuities. Trip insurance recommendations followed and we were assigned a travel co-ordinator till the end of the tour. All we have to do is show up! Great service from friendly folks.
APtravelwell
3 days ago
My representative Kevin was very responsive generally and in crafting our itinerary to our specific priorities.
Rocco Labella
3 days ago
Although there was a lot of paper work, I received help and guidance when I needed it.
Donna Kirby
4 days ago
Our travel was flawless! The rider pickup (airport, hotel, ship) was seamless. Jane's recommendation for Emerald Cruise Sakara was everything I wanted but the experience was soooo much more. Adventure Life took care of each and every detail and this was the easiest of all my travels.