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Use our island-hopping configuration to plan your personalised holiday in more than one hotel!
Start Island HoppingDescription
This is an expedition for enthusiastic nature lovers, who are keen to get closer than ever to these magnificent creatures. Sailing on M.V Maya’s Dugong, you will spend four days looking for whales and dolphins in feeding and breeding areas in Seychelles, and another four days on the inner islands of Seychelles, in all their pristine tropical splendor.
Facts:
5 × Explorer Cabin (up to 2 people)
Activities and specials:
- Discover nature and wildlife on a Seychelles vacation.
- Take a close look at whales and dolphins under the guidance of a Mammal Specialist.
- The crew will take care of you with a delicious full board catering, so you won't need to worry about anything.
- The captain, engineer, deckhands, dive master and stewardesses will take care of your safety on board.
Description:
Explore the Seychelles' wildlife with a Marine Mammal Specialist – Michel Vély. Michel is currently Chief Veterinary Officer of Saint-Martin, French delegate of the International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee and the representative for the Caribbean region at the International Whaling Commission Stranding Experts Panel. He advises governments of Small Island Developing States for whales and dolphins’ procedures and marine mammals conservation measures and will be holding lectures throughout the cruise.
Day 1: Mahé
Morning embarkation from Port Victoria, Inter-Island Quay, followed by the captain’s welcome briefing. At noon you will depart Mahé and start sailing north to Denis Island. On the way, you will take a break from sailing for a refreshing sunset swim in the Indian Ocean. Evening anchorage near Denis Island and welcome barbecue dinner on board, with an introductory lecture on the whale species you should be expecting to encounter in the following four days.
Day 2-5: Denis
Anchoring next to the northernmost coralline island in Seychelles - Denis. Here many species of marine mammals feed at depths of a few hundred meters. In the following days, the vessel Maya’s Dugong will sail around and look for whales and dolphins. Once spotted, you will approach and observe them carefully from the main boat, while trying to get as much data on their biology and as many pictures of them as possible. When conditions permit, you will disembark into small boats and try to approach them in a careful and respectful manner, and even snorkel next to them, getting the privilege to watch them underwater. In the evenings you will listen to lectures on the biology of marine mammals and on how to recognize and study whales and dolphins. In the evening of day 5 you will start sailing south towards your next destination.
Day 6: Aride
After anchorage, you will disembark at first light at Aride, a secluded nature reserve where scientific research is taking place. With the guidance of a local ranger, you will enter the forest to discover a variety of seabirds and five endemic land birds, including the Seychelles Warbler, the elegant White-tailed Tropicbird and the frigatebird. After returning ashore, you will enjoy a barbecue lunch on the beach, before heading to an afternoon snorkeling or diving around Aride, home to around 400 species of fish. After that, you will enjoy the sunset before anchorage for the night and a lecture session after dinner.
Day 7: Praslin
While enjoying an early breakfast, the vessel will head to Praslin and disembark for a visit to the famous World Heritage Site known for the famous Coco de Mer, the Vallée De Mai. Here you might even meet the endangered and rare Seychelles parrot. Then you will rest on the shore of Baie Ste Anne in east Praslin and visit a local market. After the visit, you will head back to the vessel for a late lunch. You will then spend the afternoon at Anse Lazio: Dive, snorkel or swim along this magnificent bay in the north of Praslin, while enjoying the granite rock formation surrounding you and a variety of fishes and marine creatures. In the evening after dinner another lecture session.
Day 8: Curieuse
At first light you will anchor next to Curieuse Island. The tour begins by meeting some Aldabra giant tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea) roaming freely on the beaches and among the trees. You will then head into the island’s extensive mangrove forest, an area which is home to a variety of marine life including various species of crabs, notably the famous Giant mangrove crab (Cardisoma carnifex). At the end of the route you will discover the beach of Curieuse, with its intriguing rock formations creating passages and labyrinth formations and a variety of swaying coconut palms leaning towards the sea. Enjoy the beach before heading back to the boat for lunch. After lunch, you will have the opportunity to snorkel or dive at the uninhabited St. Pierre Island. In the evening after dinner another lecture session.
Day 9: La Digue
After an early breakfast, you will disembark at first light on La Digue. You will take a bus to Anse Source d’Argent, regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. From the beach you will head towards Union Estate. You will then head towards a high viewpoint and proceed to the Veuve Reserve, where it may be possible to see the beautiful Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher. Afternoon sail to Ave Maria rocks to snorkel and dive. In the evening after dinner a final lecture session.
Day 10: Mahé
Early morning sail to the Inter-Island Quay with disembarkation at around 09.00 am.
Price includes: Accommodation, cruise as per planned itinerary, full board meals, table water, tea/coffee and juice during breakfast, professional crew onboard, Marine Mammal specialist guidance and lectures, snorkeling equipment, tender boats for all activities.
Price does NOT include: Beverages from the bar (soft drinks, mineral water, wine, beer, spirits), rental of diving equipment, international flights, land transfers on Mahé, sustainability levy for tourism.
Please note that the itinerary is subject to change, depending on wind and weather conditions. All decisions are made at the captain’s discretion.
Surroundings & Activities
Cabin categories
Additional Price Information
Full board: incl.
Beverages from the bar, soft drinks, mineral water, wine, beer, spirits are not included in the full board price, but can be bought on-board for a reasonable price.
Credit/debit cards are not accepted on board. Payment is only possible in cash with Euro, US$ or Seychelles Rupees.
Children from 12 years old are welcome and they pay the full adult rate.
An additional landing fee is to be paid, which includes landing and entrance fees for island visits and nature reserves as well as various national marine parks, according to the cruise itinerary: €128/adult.
Silhouette Cruises guarantees departure with a minimum 10 passengers. If the minimum of 10 passengers is not achieved two months prior to departure, Silhouette Cruises reserves the right to cancel the cruise. In this event a full refund will be made.
Passengers must hold a valid travel and medical insurance that will include diving (in case of divers) and evacuation by air from the Seychelles Outer Islands and Seychelles in case of necessity or medical emergency.
Please send a copy of your passport to SeyVillas until 4 weeks prior to arrival the latest, as this is required by the port authorities.
Optional diving offers:
Available at extra charge on-board:
Full diving equipment rental: €10 per piece / €30 for full set (rates per day).
A full charter is possible in other periods. Please contact our SeyVillas Team for further details and information on rates.
- This travel offer is not suitable for people with reduced mobility (please contact the SeyVillas team for more information or if you have any questions on this topic).
- Travel services will be carried out in English. In certain cases, German, French or Italian may be spoken.
- Information about passport, visa and healthcare requirements can be found here.
- The images of the accommodation serve as a reference and may differ slightly.
- Since 01.08.2023, the sustainability levy for tourism has come into force. Holidaymakers have to pay between 25-100 Seychelles Rupees per person/night on arrival, depending on the size of the accommodation booked. This contribution is used for various conservation projects in the Seychelles. You can find more information about this in our FAQs
- The following specific cancellation policy applies to this cruise:
180 days or more before arrival = cancellation fee of 5% of the total cost
91 - 179 days before arrival = cancellation fee of 25% of the total cost
61 - 90 days before arrival = cancellation fee of 50% of the total cost
31 - 60 days before arrival = cancellation fee of 75% of the total cost
0 - 30 days before arrival (as well as in case of no-show) = cancellation fee of 95% of the total cost, island landing fees will be returned less bank charges. - Terms and Conditions of SeyVillas (SeyVillas GmbH)
Our client's opinions:
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