Enjoy at the pristine beaches with fine white sand in Mahe. Explore the abundant protected wildlife of St. Anne Marine National Park. Bask in the tropical paradise of Praslin and see the Vallée de Mai, a protected forest of rare fauna. Discover the beauty of La Passe, La Digue Island known for its turquoise-emerald waters. Visit Laraie Bay, Curieuse Island, where hundreds of giant hump-head parrotfish swim the harbor’s waters. Explore Aride Island as one of the most important seabird habitats in the Indian Ocean. Sail towards Mahé, the capital city of Seychelles and the largest of the 115 islands.
Highlights
View stunning natural beauty of Mahe, Seychelles
Explore tropical paradise - Praslin
Discover Curieuse Island, known for its giant tortoises
Visit Aride Island, one of the most important seabird habitats in the Indian Ocean
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/Eden Island Marina, Seychelles.
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.
Named for Etienne de Silhouette, France’s minister of finance under Louis XV, with legends of the buried treasures of French corsairs, this is the third largest granitic island in the Seychelles and among the most dramatically scenic. An Important Bird Area rich in biodiversity, it is home to critically endangered and endemic flora and fauna – from the Seychelles sheath-tailed bat and giant tortoise to kestrels and blue pigeons, and its surrounding waters are a declared Marine National Park.
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.
Praslin, the second largest island of Seychelles and arguably tops in attractions, features stunning beaches, azure seas, tangles of 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 5: Praslin | Anse Marie Louise | Cousin Island | Laraie Bay
Nestled on the southeast shore of Mahé in Praslin, this quiet sandy beach far off the beaten track is the stuff of dreams – if your dreams happen to be of crystalline waters lapping along palm tree-lined, pristine sands adorned with granite boulders that have been smoothed by the elements over the centuries.
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 driven 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, a rocky southern coast and sandy beaches encircling almost the entire isle.
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.
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 8: Mahe | St. Anne Island
1 Breakfast
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.
Day 9: St. Anne Island
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.
Day 10: Therese Island | Mahe
Cast off the western shores of Mahé, this tiny island of just 179 acres boasts mighty stretches of long white beach lined with towering coconut palms. The two rocky peaks that dominate the island are said to resemble a giant’s staircase with the tallest of the pair, Thérèse Peak, towering 538 feet above sea level. With a reef protecting its southern coast, the uninhabited island is favored for its watersports, from snorkeling and windsurfing to sailing and deep-sea fishing.
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.
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Lisa Bridge
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.