Madagascar & Seychelles Luxury Cruise

Madagascar & Seychelles Luxury Adventure Cruise 11 Days

Prices From £6,050pp
January to February | 10 nights

Madagascar & Seychelles Luxury Adventure Cruise 11 Days

Aboard: Le Dumont-d'Urville

In partnership with Smithsonian Journeys, this thrilling island-hopping cruise explores some of the most beautiful and wildlife-rich corners of the western Indian Ocean. Travelling from the Seychelles to northern Madagascar, you’ll follow a route defined by turquoise lagoons, palm-fringed bays and shorelines sculpted by granite and coral.

From the laid-back charm of La Digue to remote Outer Islands atolls glowing in endless shades of blue, each day brings a new castaway-perfect landscape and a fresh chance to get close to nature. Expect seabird-filled reserves, encounters with giant tortoises, and clear-water snorkelling over vibrant reefs, before finishing in Madagascar among dramatic bays, rainforest islands and remarkable endemic wildlife including lemurs and chameleons.

Highlights

  • Discover the Seychelles’ iconic granite-and-palms scenery and dazzling beaches
  • Spot Madagascar’s iconic endemic wildlife, from lemurs to tiny chameleons
  • Explore La Digue and its famous picture-postcard shoreline
  • Visit wildlife sanctuaries rich in seabirds, rare plants and unique island ecosystems
  • Meet free-roaming giant tortoises on protected islands
  • Enjoy snorkelling in clear lagoons over coral reefs alive with tropical fish and turtles
  • Venture to remote Outer Islands atolls for true off-the-map ocean wilderness
  • Experience northern Madagascar’s spectacular bays, coves and coastal landscapes
  • Thrilling Zodiac cruises and expert-guided land visits included
  • Scuba diving and snorkelling options available (costs may apply)

What's Included

  • Full Board accommodation onboard including high-end gastronomy in all restaurants, and all beverages in restaurants, bars, and minibars
  • One included activity per person, per day, and per port, which may be either an excursion led by local guides or an activity with naturalist guides
  • Landings by dock, tender boat, local boats, or Zodiac
  • Flight from Nosy Be, Madagascar to Mauritius post-voyage
  • Local transfers to and from ship
  • Talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts
  • 24-hour room service
  • Butler service for certain suites
  • Unlimited internet access onboard
  • Evening events, shows, and other entertainment
  • Access to the fitness area and hammam or sauna, depending on the ship
  • All port and security charges


Our popularitinerary Suggestions

All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable

Victoria, Mahé
1Day

Victoria, Mahé

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.

La Digue Island
2Day

La Digue Island

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!

Aride Island
3Day

Aride Island

This morning we head to Aride Island, a protected gem of the Seychelles lying just northwest of Praslin Island. With its wild sea cliffs and ribbons of soft, pale sand, Aride feels wonderfully untouched, and exactly the kind of place that reminds you that the Indian Ocean still holds true wilderness.

Often nicknamed the islands’ “bird capital”, Aride is a designated nature reserve where wildlife takes centre stage. The trails and wooded areas shelter rare endemic plants and reptiles such as Wright's skink, while the skies and shoreline come alive with seabirds including terns, noddies and other nesting species, with chances to spot the Seychelles magpie-robin. Keep an eye on the beaches too as sea turtles are sometimes seen along the shore, adding an unforgettable wildlife moment to the day.

Curieuse Island
3Day

Curieuse Island

Famous for the hundreds of Aldabra giant tortoises that live here, along with its distinctive red earth, Curieuse Island is the next stop on our trip and is likely to be one to remember. A National Marine Park, the underwater life here is outstanding and can be seen on a diving or snorkelling excursion. But it is the giant tortoises that bring people here and we will hope for the chance to meet these fascinating reptiles as we explore around the island. Curieuse is also one of the only places where the coco de mer (sea coconut) grows naturally in the wild, adding another unique highlight to the day.

Rémire Island
4Day

Rémire Island

Next up we head for the beautiful Remire Island which is renowned for its unique biodiversity, especially underwater. The exceptionally rich underwater life here make snorkelling a real delight, with a myriad of colourful fish living among the coral reefs that border the island. Above the water, the birdlife here is also fantastic and we will hope to view many different species as we enjoy a walk along the island’s lush vegetation.

Saint François Atoll
5Day

Saint François Atoll

Today brings you to the Saint François Atoll, deep in the Seychelles’ Outer Islands, where the ocean shifts through countless shades of blue. Made up of the islands of Bijoutier and Saint François, this is the kind of dazzling coral atoll most people picture when they dream of the Seychelles, with bright lagoons, white sand and far-reaching horizons.

Born from ancient volcanic foundations now hidden beneath the sea, the atoll is ringed by delicate coral reefs that shelter a thriving marine world. Birdlife is abundant on land, while the surrounding waters are home to sea turtles and an array of tropical fish. With wild trails to explore and crystal-clear shallows to snorkel, it’s an exceptional day for both gentle hikes and time in the lagoon.

Farquhar Atoll
6Day

Farquhar Atoll

Today we explore Farquhar Atoll, the southernmost atoll in the Seychelles and one of the most striking. Its windswept sand dunes rise to around 10 metres, while the lagoon beyond shimmers in layered blues and greens, with deeper water creating an almost surreal patchwork of colour.

Farquhar was one of the earlier Outer Islands to be charted and is named after Sir Robert Farquhar, a British governor associated with the 1813 act abolishing slavery. North Farquhar is still lightly inhabited, where a small community maintains long-standing, traditional crafts and ways of life. Further south, on South Farquhar and Goëlette, the wildlife takes centre stage. Expect beaches busy with hundreds of crabs and skies filled with vast colonies of seabirds, including sooty terns and black-naped terns that are closely tied to coral-island habitats.

Diego Suarez (Antsiranana)
7 - 8Days

Diego Suarez (Antsiranana)

We now arrive in Madagascar and over the next two days you’ll discover Diego Suarez, also known as Antsiranana, a spectacular corner of northern Madagascar where beaches, bays and rugged mountains all meet. With warm turquoise waters and long ribbons of pale sand, it’s an easy place to slow down and soak up the feeling of being somewhere beautifully untamed.

But this region isn’t just about the coastline. The landscapes here are wonderfully wild, with opportunities to get out on foot and explore viewpoints, trails and nature-rich habitats. Diego Suarez is also known for its unique endemic wildlife, including the tiny Brookesia micra which is one of the smallest chameleons on Earth, making these days a real highlight for both hikers and nature lovers.

Nosy Hara
9Day

Nosy Hara

Our next 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.

Nosy Komba (Lemur Island) & Nosy Tanikely
10Day

Nosy Komba (Lemur Island) & Nosy Tanikely

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.

Nosy Be - Fly to Mauritius
11Day

Nosy Be - Fly to Mauritius

Your journey comes to an end in Nosy Be, where you disembark this morning. Depending on flight timings, there may be a little free time to take in the atmosphere of the island and perhaps enjoy a last wander, a coffee by the water, or a chance to pick up a few souvenirs before transferring to the airport. You then fly onward to Mauritius, marking the end of your tour.

A view from Above

All Aboard

Le Dumont-d'Urville
Luxury  first class vessel

Le Dumont-d'Urville

Designed to the same exacting high standards of luxury and comfort as every ship in the beautiful Ponant fleet, Le Dumont-d’Urville comes equipped with 92 elegant staterooms and suites, relaxing lounges that are largely open to the exterior, an outdoor swimming pool and a Blue Eye, a multisensorial underwater lounge. Fitted with innovative equipment and designed to be environmentally friendly, as well as its supreme level of comfort and style the ship is also ahead of its game in terms of technology.

The exquisite staterooms and suites have been designed to accommodate passengers in an ambiance of refined ethnic chic, with fine materials and super comfortable furnishings. Large comfortable beds, air-conditioning, minibars, satellite TV, Bose Bluetooth speakers, bathrobes and top-of-the-line toiletries are just a few of the standard room features, whilst most rooms offer a private balcony or terrace. The ship also features a fantastic panoramic indoor restaurant, an outdoor grill restaurant, a gorgeous wellness area, a panoramic lounge, a swimming pool and a gym.

Too much to choose from? This is where we come in

Take advantage of our vast experience, passion and expertise to help you hand craft the perfect Indian Ocean adventure for you.

Simon Rowland Senior Travel Expert

With a lifetime of unforgettable nature and adventure based travel under his belt, Simon shares his passion, enthusiasm and hands-on experience to help create the perfect itinerary for every client.

Sheena Ogley Senior Travel Expert

Having amassed a host of extraordinary adventures in destinations all over the world, Sheena’s experience, skills and enthusiasm for helping clients plan their ideal itinerary will help make your holiday unforgettable, action packed and life-changing.

Michael Gardiner Senior Travel Expert

Mike has more than fifteen years hands-on experience in the industry, travelling to some of the most incredible wild places on the planet. His far-reaching knowledge and invaluable skills will ensure that your wildlife travel adventure is a dream come true.

Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us
0800 195 3385
Outside the uk
+ 44 1625 5811 43
Call us
+ 44 1625 5811 43
Call us
+ 44 1625 5811 43

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Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us - 0800 195 3385
Outside the uk? + 44 1625 5811 43
+ 44 1625 5811 43 Call us - 0800 195 3385

Chat Now

Fill in our
Enquiry form

Book Consultation

Book a
Consultation

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