Madagascar Luxury Adventure Cruise

Your cruise starts in Victoria, the beautiful capital of the Seychelles which is located on Mahé, the largest island in the archipelago. You may wish to arrive here a few days early to enjoy some of the island’s 70 beaches, each one as stunning as the next. Embarkation will begin in the afternoon.

Your first stop will be the magnificent Anse Source d’Argent beach on the wonderful island of La Digue. A perfect picture postcard scene, La Digue exemplifies everything about the Seychelles and its striking beauty. The turquoise waters invite you for a swim or a snorkel in search of the giant tortoises, the emblematic large granite rocks with their pink highlights are a sight to behold, and the beaches fringed with coconut trees are simply unforgettable. What a way to start your adventure!

We now spend 2 days at sea sailing towards Madagascar. Enjoy some true relaxation aboard your luxury vessel. Have a dip in the swimming pool or top up your tan, chill out in the spa, enjoy a workout in the fitness centre, or simply relax with a drink and watch the world go by as we make our way towards our next adventure.

Welcome to wonderful Madagascar, the world’s 4th largest island. As we begin our in-depth exploration, the first stop will bring us to Nosy Hara where the limestone rock formations rising from the waters which are typical of Madagascar make it instantly recognisable. Thanks to its incredible biodiversity, the islet is a protected area and is home to around 280 marine species. You may wish to enjoy a snorkelling excursion here or simply relax on the gorgeous white-sand and pebble beaches soaking up the idyllic surroundings.

Upon arrival at the wonderful Nosy Komba, it shouldn’t take long to understand why the islet is also known as “Lemur Island”, as we hopefully get our first sightings of Madagascar’s most iconic residents. This volcanic island is covered in dense tropical rainforest making it the ideal habitat for Black lemurs - furry orange-brown and black creatures that are surprisingly agile and call to each other from amongst the trees. This natural gem is remote and rarely-visited, but a delight to explore.

Later in the afternoon we will make our way to Nosy Tanikely in the heart of the Nosy Be archipelago. A protected area, as well as the magnificent white sand beach bordering a lagoon of crystal-clear waters, the island is home to an exceptional marine and terrestrial biodiversity which is easily discovered on a swimming or snorkelling trip. Alternatively, you can take a hike to the summit of the island to reach an old lighthouse built at the beginning of the 20th century and enjoy superb views over the ocean and surrounding islands.

Next up we take a trip to the lively and cosmopolitan town of Majunga where an interesting day awaits. The former capital of the Sakalava kingdom, then a significant interchange due to its prime position between Africa and the Middle East, the city displays an interesting cultural patchwork and is also renowned for its outstanding natural sites. While you are here you can enjoy a visit to the fantastic Ankarafantsika National Park which is home to a wide variety of endemic flora and fauna.

You may also wish to join an optional excursion to the famous Cirque Rouge (Red Circus), a sedimentary formation from the Quaternary Period which is a national heritage and features immense red sandstone formations as well as a multitude of endemic fauna and flora. Take a Zebu-drawn carriage, learn all about the site’s history and geological and palaeontological importance, enjoy refreshments along the beach and visit a Sakalava workshop to observe a local artist making beautiful drawings with coloured sand. Please note, this optional excursion is not included in the price of your voyage and should be booked in advance.

We spend a relaxing day at sea on day 8 before arriving on day 9 at the incredibly picturesque Belo sur Mer. A truly unique and exceptionally charming fishing village, Belo sur Mer is famous for its dhows (a traditional sailing boat) which are built in the boatyard here and picturesquely adorn the shoreline. We will enjoy a visit here to sample the laidback lifestyle.

We now make our way to the idyllic port town of Toliara on the south-west of Madagascar that lies near the mouth of the River Onilahy and opens onto the Mozambique Channel. This bright and cheery town is a delight to visit. Fans of botany will be happy to hear that one of the highlights of the town is its exceptional flora, especially within the Antsokay Arboretum botanical garden which is home to nearly 1,000 Madagascar plant species, 90% of which are endemic. During your time here you can also visit 2 museums, the Museum of the Sea and the museum of Mahafaly ethnology.

There will be two optional excursions offered during our time here, the first of which is a visit to the Renala Private Reserve, a small park dedicated to the preservation of the area’s unique spiny forest. Home to some 2000 different plants, as well as the iconic surroundings of Malagasy landscape, your visit will allow you to learn all about the area and search for sightings of grey mouse lemurs, spider tortoises, the warty or spiny chameleon and much more. This trip also includes a visit to a Vezo community, one of the last nomadic ethnic communities of Madagascar. The second excursion offered will take you to see some incredible views of the Andatabo mountain, a visit to the Antsokay Aboretum, the Mahafaly ethnological museum, the Oceanography Museum and the markets of Tanambao and Antanambao. Full details and prices for these excursions are available on request.

While we are in this area, on day 11 we will also visit the small village of Sarodrano for a chance to discover the sacred cave of Sarodrano, a natural fresh water pool separated from the sea by just 10 of rocks, and learn about the lifestyle and cultures of the Vezo fishermen.

Our last stop in Madagascar will take us to the wonderful Nosy Ve, an unspoilt paradise of exceptional wild beauty located 5kms off the coast of Anakao village. A nature reserve, one of the highlights here is the incredible array of birdlife including the endemic red-tailed tropicbird. The duckboards installed on the island will enable you to observe the birds hidden from view under the forest of Madagascar jewel. This Eden dotted with natural pools is also a setting for coral, fish and sea turtles you can discover while snorkelling.

As we leave Madagascar behind, we will spend 2 enjoyable days at sea relaxing in style after what will have been a very busy 2 weeks.

There is time for one last adventure as we reach the port of Pointe des Galets, otherwise known as Le Port or “Port-Réunion”, the main port on the island of La Réunion. The main draw here is an optional excursion that will take you on a 4-wheel drive adventure to the nearby Piton de la Fournaise volcano. Passing by beautiful and incredibly diverse landscapes along the way, you will reach one the world’s most active volcanoes for a day of exploration. The tour also includes a visit to the volcano museum. Full details and prices for this excursion are available on request.

Your expedition concludes in Port Louis, the vibrant and unique capital of Mauritius, where disembarkation will begin after breakfast. Should you wish to extend your stay in this culture and history rich town we will be happy to offer options.