Summary
Short description
Explore 8 islands of the Seychelles in depth on this luxurious expedition cruise with Ponant
Highlights
- Visit unspoilt and remote islands in zodiac inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides
- Discover verdant jungled interiors teeming with life
- Snorkel in crystal clear tropical waters
- Spot everything from stingrays to giant tortoises
- Indulge with all-inclusive drinks and fine dining aboard your luxury cruise ship
In Brief
- 2 Nights Mahé
- 1 Night Cousin Island
- 1 Night Remire Island
- 1 Night Curieuse Island
- 1 Night Aride Island
- 1 Night Grande Soeur Island
- 1 Night Praslin Island
- 1 Night La Digue
- 1 Night Mahé
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Expedition cruise | Natural world | Ocean cruise
Simply, this is the Indian Ocean at its finest. Not only will you relax in the winter sun of its beach idylls but you’ll uncover the archipelago’s hidden charms, from its wildlife-reserve jungles to its dramatic underwater world. Expect to spot the likes of giant tortoises, sea turtles and stingrays, with snorkelling a special highlight. Along the way, you’ll sail with Ponant in island-hopping luxury, with an all-inclusive spread of fine French dining washed down with open-bar champagne and fine wines.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
Depart UK
Make the most of your complimentary airport lounge access before boarding your overnight flight to the Seychelles Islands.
Day
2
Mahé
You’ll be met on arrival in Mahé, the Seychelles’ largest island, and taken to your overnight hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and enjoy the facilities of your hotel.
Stay: Mahé accommodation
Meals: D
Day
3
Board Le Bougainville
After a relaxing morning you will be transferred to your luxury Ponant Explorer ship, Le Bouganville in the afternoon. Featuring just 92 cabins, each with a private balcony, it’s an intimate, yacht-like delight. Fine French gastronomy, including a fantastic al-fresco grill, is washed down with open-bar favourites that feature the likes of champagne and fine wines. Then, along with complimentary Wi-Fi, facilities range from fitness and steam rooms to a swimming pool and theatre.
Stay: Le Bougainville
Meals: B D
Day
4
Cousin Island
This small granitic islet west of Praslin teeming with life was a private property until 1968, when Cousin Island was bought by the International Council for Bird Preservation (now known as BirdLife International) and made into a nature reserve for the preservation of two endangered bird species, the Seychelles warbler and the Seychelles fody. Now the most protected island in the archipelago, it is home to a number of plants and animals endemic to the Seychelles, including giant tortoises.
Stay: Le Bougainville
Meals: B L D
Day
5
Remire Island
Remire Island is located in the Outer Islands of the Seychelles, it is prized for its abundant fauna, unique biodiversity and rich underwater life. The few inhabitants of this unspoilt tropical islet monitor its preservation carefully. Walking amidst the lush vegetation, home to delightful birds, is a delight and for anyone who loves snorkelling, the crystal clear water will reveal myriad colourful fish live among the coral reefs that border the island.
Stay: Le Bougainville
Meals: B L D
Day
6
Curieuse Island
Curieuse has two prominent features: its dramatic red earth and its population of Aldabra giant tortoises. You’ll also be able to chart its heritage as a leper colony and, among its palm trees, discover that it’s the only island on which the sea coconut grows in the wild. It’s also a marine park, with underwater adventures bringing you among green sea turtles.
Stay: Le Bougainville
Meals: B L D
Day
7
Aride Island
The wild cliffs and fine-sand beaches of Aride make it a particular favourite port, whether you’re after relaxation or exploration. Often referred to as the Seychelles’ “Bird Capital”, it’s home to an impressive array of seabirds, along with the likes of skinks and turtles. Strap on your snorkel.
Stay: Le Bougainville
Meals: B L D
Day
8
Grande Soeur Island
Grande Soeur is considered to be one of the most beautiful islands in the Seychelles. With a pair of sumptuous beaches, its translucent waters are protected by a vibrant coral reef, making the snorkelling excellent – not least for the sea turtles and multi-coloured fish.
Stay: Le Bougainville
Meals: B L D
Day
9
Praslin Island
The Seychelles’ second-largest island is a vision of idyllic beaches set among grand granite rocks. Then, when you’ve torn yourself away from the turquoise waters, head into the island’s interior for the UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve. Here, among the rich verdure and palm trees, you’ll discover the unique sea coconut. Weighing up to 20kg, they’re sometimes called “coco fesse” for their resemblance to a giant pair of buttocks.
Stay: Le Bougainville
Meals: B L D
Day
10
La Digue
Although measuring just five by three kilometres, La Digue packs in a lot into its modest size. Indeed, it’s often said that you can see all of the Seychelles’ beauty here between its palm-fringed beaches, turquoise waters and lush vegetation that shelters giant tortoises. Its large granite rocks, with their emblematic pink highlights, make for fantastic photography. There’s also plenty of peaceful rural charm, with bikes and traditional oxcarts the only transport on the island.
Stay: Le Bougainville
Meals: B L D
Day
11
Mahé
After arrival, breakfast and disembarkation in Mahé you will be taken to your hotel for an overnight stay. The rest of the day is free for you to relax at the hotel.
Stay: Mahé accommodation
Meals: B
Day
12
Return to the UK
After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to Mahé airport for your day-time flight back to the UK, arriving in the evening.
Pricing
Any element of this cruise can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
12-day luxury cruise holiday
from £8,610 pp incl. flights
-
17 January 2026 cruisefrom £8,610 pp.
Save up to £365 pp. -
25 January 2026 cruisefrom £8,610 pp.
Save up to £365 pp. -
17 January 2026 cruise with 3-night luxury beach hotelfrom £10,850 pp.
Save up to £365 pp. -
25 January 2026 cruise with 3-night luxury beach hotelfrom £10,850 pp.
Save up to £365 pp.
17 January 2026 cruise
Special Offer
Early booking offer : Save up to £365 pp.
Book by: 28 February 2025
Departure date from the UK is 15 January 2026
Includes:
- Scheduled flights from the UK in economy class (upgrades available)
- 1 night pre-cruise hotel and 1 night post-cruise hotel in the Seychelles with daily breakfast
- All transfers between airport, hotels and ship
- 8-night cruise aboard Le Bougainville
- All meals onboard the cruise with fine dining in the restaurants
- All drinks in restaurants, bars and minibars
- 24-hour room service
- Conferences delivered by naturalist guides and guests of honour
- Selected non-motorised water sports activities, such as kayaking or stand-up paddling
- Optional diving (PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent) with an experienced instructor or snorkelling with your expedition team (at extra cost)
- Taxes for national parks and conservation areas
- Landing in zodiac inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides
- Free and unlimited Wi-Fi service on board
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
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