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The Essential Seychelles
Victoria, Mahé - Victoria, Mahé
Dates:
25/01/2021
to
02/02/2021
9
days
days
8
nights on board
nights on board
Starting from*
3.430 €
30% Ponant Bonus
Tropical Expedition 
Back-to-back offer 
No single supplement 
Flight credit 800€ 
Diving On this itinerary, PONANT invites you to discover the must-see jewels of the Seychelles. On Mahé, you will board Le Bougainville for a 9-day expedition cruise to the heart of this archipelago’s Inner Islands for a glimpse of paradise.
The first stop on your cruise: Sainte Anne Marine National Park, whose coral reefs are home to stunning species, guaranteeing unforgettable snorkelling.
On Curieuse Island, reputed for its red earth and for the Aldabra giant tortoises that have taken up residence there, take an excursion to the heart of the mangrove. You will then discover Aride, an unspoiled delight of the Indian Ocean, home to thousands of birds including some endemic species.
In Praslin, don’t miss the chance to visit the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve. There you will find sea coconuts, gigantic endemic fruits with a very evocative shape, nicknamed the “love nut”.
Palm trees, granite rock, white sand and crystal-clear water await you on Grande Sœur and La Digue. The beaches on these two stunning islands are each more beautiful than the next, guaranteeing moments of relaxation that will live up to your fantasies of the Seychelles.
The encounters with the wildlife described above illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.
Ref : G250121
Your itinerary
Explore 8 islands with their emblematic Seychelles landscapes. Landing in Zodiac® inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides. UNESCO site: the Vallée de Mai nature reserve in Praslin. The coral...
See detailed itinerary
Your trip in detail
Choose your stateroom
Choose your stateroom
Complete your trip
Complete your trip
Additional services
For more peace of mind, PONANT selects flights and takes care of your transfers for your trip as well as shore visits before and after the cruise.
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*Price is per person, double occupancy, is based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of cabin to which this price applies may no longer be available.
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Services provided
- Individually-controlled airconditioning
- Stateroom layout: king-size bed, or twin beds, communicating staterooms available (Children welcome)
- Minibar
- Flat screen satellite TV
- Video on demand
- Bose™ Bluetooth speaker
- Desk with stationery
- Safe
- Hermès® bath products
- Dressing table, bath robes, Hairdryer
- Direct line telephone
- 110V American (two flat pins) /220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- 24hr room service
- Inclusive Internet access Wifi
Choose your stateroom category
-
Deluxe Stateroom
30% Ponant Bonus
19 m2
2
-
Prestige Deck 4
30% Ponant Bonus
19 m2
2
-
Prestige Deck 5
30% Ponant Bonus
19 m2
2
-
Prestige Deck 6
30% Ponant Bonus
19 m2
2
-
Deluxe Suite Deck 3
30% Ponant Bonus
27 m2
3
-
Deluxe Suite Deck 4
30% Ponant Bonus
27 m2
3
-
Deluxe Suite Deck 5
30% Ponant Bonus
27 m2
3
-
Deluxe Suite Deck 6
30% Ponant Bonus
27 m2
3
-
Prestige Deck 5 Suite
30% Ponant Bonus
38 m2
4
-
Prestige Deck 6 Suite
30% Ponant Bonus
38 m2
4
-
Privilege Suite Deck 6
30% Ponant Bonus
38 m2
3
-
Privilege Suite Deck 5
30% Ponant Bonus
38 m2
3
-
Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6
30% Ponant Bonus
45 m2
4
-
Owner's Suite
45 m2
4
Packing Checklist
Expedition programmes include activities such as Zodiac® outings and landings (sometimes with "wet landings"), moderate walks to more active hikes, all accompanied by your expedition team of naturalist guides.
Ports of call, visited sites, outings and landings will depend on weather conditions, winds and the state of the sea. These can force a change of plans at any time. The Captain and the Expedition Leader may at any time cancel or stop any activity, or even modify the itinerary. The final itinerary will be confirmed by the Captain, who will take into account the touristic quality of the sites and above all, the safety of the passengers. His decision will be based on advice from experts and authorities.
Travelling to isolated regions is an exhilarating experience. In remote areas, please remember that you are far from modern hospitals with full medical facilities, thus evacuation is extremely expensive. Without adequate medical coverage, all expenses will have to be immediately paid with your personal funds. We urge you to subscribe to full coverage insurance, choose your insurance company very carefully, be extremely vigilant and ensure your insurance is fully comprehensive, especially if you are insured by your credit card. PONANT offers an insurance contract with extensive guarantees, please contact us for more information.
Clothing tips:
- Cotton comfortable and light-weight shorts/bermuda shorts
- Light weight long trousers
- Long-sleeved breathable SPF50+ shirts
- Cotton short sleeved T-shirt
- Aquatic UV long-sleeved T-shirt for sun protection during snorkeling or swimming
- Aquatic non-slip sandals
- Windproof, waterproof and breathable outer layer
- Broad brimmed anti-UV hat with strap and veil to protect the neck
- Comfortable walking shoes
Accessories:
- Highly protective sunglasses.
- Sunscreen and after-sun with high SPF index & insect repellent
- Binoculars (strongly recommended for wildlife viewing).
- Small waterproof backpack (to protect your camera from water).
- Camelbak (backpack with water pockets)
- Walking poles (highly recommended).
Please note:
During your visits to some local communities, all guests will be required to dress respectfully. Ladies must have their shoulders and thighs covered. Gentlemen should have their shoulders covered also.
Do not hesitate to visit the online PONANT store which offers a selection of equipment and accessories adapted to our destinations, at the following address: https://boutique.ponant.com
Benefits of the PONANT store:
- Advice on equipment from our experts to help you prepare for your polar expedition
- A wide range of technical equipment approved by our experts
- Two delivery options: delivery to your home or directly to your cabin on board the ship
- Duty Free shopping for cabin delivered items
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
Depending on the itinerary and the program of your cruise, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
Advice
TECHNICAL OUTFITS:
- Shorts / bermudas
- Light weight long trousers
- Wind and waterproof light “breathable” outer layer
- Sweater/pullover for the evening
- Short and long sleeved cotton shirts
- Waterproof UV long sleeved T-shirt
- Long sleeved cotton shirt for sun protection during Zodiac excursions and excursions ashore
- Ankle canvas shoes (which dry quickly and protect ankles)
- Aquatic shoes for wet landings on shore
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses with high UV filter
- Binoculars
- Walking poles
- Small waterproof backpack
- Camelbak (backpack with water pockets)
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Sun portective hat/cap with strap and veil to protect the neck
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Mosquito and insect repellent
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Diving - Expedition Cruise
Supervision of the dives
Your dives will be led by your PONANT instructor. He will take care of your safety and that all goes smoothly. On some diving sites, as in natural reserves or if the local regulations require it, a local guide will escort the diving.
Level required for scuba diving on this cruise
The minimum level required for scuba diving on this cruise is 2 star CMAS or the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or equivalent). The certification card, the diving log book and a recent medical certificate (less than 12 months) must be presented at the beginning of the cruise to our main diving instructor.
Process of the dives (certified divers)
The instructor reserves the right to check divers’ ability for maximum safety. As we will dive in remote places, the dives will be done without decompression stop. A safety stop of 3 minutes at 5 metres will be mandatory. The depth that can be reached will depend on the certification of the divers:
- For those with PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certificate (or equivalent), the maximum depth can be up to 25 metres.
- If two PADI Advanced Open Water Divers (or equivalent) wish to dive together independently, they must have a briefing first. They must have dive computers and are allowed to go to a maximum depth of 20 metres.
Duration of the dives
The diving activity lasts from 2 to 3 hours, which includes the journey to the diving site and the diving. This duration may vary according to the site, the level of divers, weather conditions and the number of participants. For experienced divers, the duration of dives varies between 35 and 60 minutes depending on the site, the diver’s experience and consumption.
Supplied equipment
- Diving wetsuit
- Stabilising jacket
- Regulator with octopus and pressure gauge
- Diving computer (for divers mastering their use)
- Fins
Mask and snorkel: for health reasons due to Covid-19, we strongly recommend that you come on board with your own mask and snorkel .As an exception, you will be able to borrow them in accordance with sanitary conditions.
The passenger may participate in scuba diving activities, subject to compliance with certain conditions established in accordance with the health, scientific and medical measures applicable on the day of the dive.
* within the limit of available stock.
Wildlife
Fauna and flora of the Indian Ocean
The fauna of the Indian Ocean is very varied. During the various dives, divers can observe various species of benthic fauna such as napoleon fish, oriental sweetlips, blackspotted sweetlips, batfish and pelagic fauna such as manta rays, gray reef sharks, dolphin fish,rainbow runner as well as endemic wildlife such as different soft corals.
Stopovers
Scuba diving activities on this cruise
|
PORTS OF CALL |
DIVES |
DISCOVER SCUBA DIVING |
|
SEYCHELLES – Victoria, Mahé |
NO |
NO |
|
SEYCHELLES – Saint Anne Marine National Park |
NO |
NO |
|
SEYCHELLES – Saint Joseph Atoll |
YES |
NO |
|
SEYCHELLES – Curieuse Island |
YES |
NO |
|
SEYCHELLES – Aride Island |
NO |
NO |
|
SEYCHELLES – Grande Soeur |
YES |
NO |
|
SEYCHELLES – Praslin Island |
YES |
NO |
|
SEYCHELLES – La Digue Island |
YES |
NO |
|
SEYCHELLES – Victoria, Mahé |
NO |
NO |
These sites are indicative. The proposed diving excursions may be changed depending on weather and safety conditions and the number of divers.
Prices
Rates
Price per person
- Dives:
- Exploration (1 dive): €80
- Excellence Package (3 dives): €225
- Passion Package (6 dives): €420
Highlights
- Explore 8 islands with their emblematic Seychelles landscapes.
- Landing in Zodiac® inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
- UNESCO site: the Vallée de Mai nature reserve in Praslin.
- The coral island of Desroches, an intimate destination home to lush vegetation of coconut palms, takamakas and filaos.
- The Aride nature reserve, a treasure of the Seychelles with some 73 hectares of colourful vegetation and more than one million birds.
- The bare red earth of Curieuse, a granite island in the Seychelles.
- Anse Source d’Argent, the most famous beach of La Digue, surrounded by large blocks of granite and edged with coconut palms.
- Possibility of observing tortoises on Curieuse.
- Encounters with the locals.
- Possibility of diving (PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent) with an experienced instructor on board and of snorkelling with your expedition team.
Ports of Call & Excursions
25 January 2021 26 January 2021 Victoria, Mahé
Embarkation 25/01/2021 from 16h00 to 17h00
Departure 26/01/2021 at 00h00
Discover Mahé, the main island of the Seychelles and also the largest of the archipelago, home to the capital, Victoria. Mahé has almost 70 beaches of fine sand, framed by the emblematic granite rocks, and whose crystal clear waters are renowned for their rich underwater life. The island is also famous for its splendid mountain panoramas accessible on hikes, such as the Morne Seychellois, which is 905 metres high and overlooks the Indian Ocean. Mahé is also an island full of history where fine colonial properties rub shoulders with Creole houses - and don’t forget the marvellous Botanical Gardens in Victoria.
26 January 2021 Sainte Anne Marine National Park
Arrival 26/01/2021
Departure 26/01/2021
Lying off the coast of Mahé, the Sainte Anne Marine National Park has been protecting the natural riches and exceptional sea beds of the verdant islands and turquoise lagoons of Sainte-Anne, Longue, Ronde, Moyenne and Cerf since 1973. These dream islands with their white sandy beaches edged with granite rock, crystal-clear waters and coconut trees promise unforgettable moments of relaxation and discovery. These colourful reefs and granite rocks and their large swathes of seagrass are home to a multitude of tropical fish as well as sea turtles, dolphins and several species of ray, including the manta ray.
27 January 2021 Saint Joseph Atoll
Arrival 27/01/2021
Departure 27/01/2021
In the heart of the Seychelles’ Outer Islands, the coral islands located more than 200 km south of Mahé, the Saint-Joseph Atoll is a magnificent ring of coral islets surrounding a splendid lagoon sparkling in turquoise and emerald green. Since 2014, it has been an integral part of the “D'Arros and St. Joseph Atoll Special Reserve”, a national park and protected marine area that preserve the unique biodiversity of these sites. This veritable nursery for Hawksbill sea turtles, juvenile reef fish, including several species of ray and shark (blacktip reef shark, sicklefin lemon shark) attracts big fish that swim up from the drop-off of the Amirantes plateau, located only two kilometres from the atoll.
28 January 2021 Curieuse Island
Arrival 28/01/2021
Departure 28/01/2021
Situated off the coast of Praslin, Curieuse has a distinguishing feature: its red earth. Discovered in 1768 by the French explorer Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne, it was ravaged by a fire in 1771 and then home to a leper colony of which a few vestiges still remain. Declared a national marine park in 1979, it is home to many underwater species, which can be discovered while scuba diving or snorkelling in the idyllic waters of the Indian Ocean. But above all, Curieuse is renowned for the hundreds of Aldabra giant tortoises that live there. It is highly likely that you will get the chance to meet these fascinating reptiles. Along with Praslin, it is also the only island on which the sea coconut grows wild.
29 January 2021 Aride Island
Arrival 29/01/2021
Departure 29/01/2021
Aride is an island in the Seychelles situated a few kilometres north-west of Praslin. Listed as a nature reserve, this pearl of the Indian Ocean will seduce you with the beauty of its landscapes of wild cliffs and fine-sand beaches. Protected from human impact and sometimes called “bird capital”, it is home to several endemic plants as well as exceptional wildlife. Most notably, it is the refuge of an impressive number of seabirds (Seychelles magpie-robins, terns, noddies, and more), and reptiles, such as Wright’s skinks, which can be found in the island’s wooded areas. Sea turtles can also be observed on the island’s beaches.
30 January 2021 Grande Sœur
Arrival 30/01/2021
Departure 30/01/2021
Located 6 km north of La Digue, Grande Sœur Island is renowned for its two sumptuous beaches and its translucent waters, protected by a coral reef. An ideal spot for snorkelling and observing the sea turtles that co-exist here with the many multi-coloured fish. The pristine Grande Sœur Island is considered to be one of the most beautiful islands in the Seychelles.
31 January 2021 Praslin Island
Arrival 31/01/2021
Departure 31/01/2021
Situated some forty kilometres away from Victoria, Praslin is the second largest island in the Seychelles. Its idyllic beaches where granite rocks nestle in immaculate sand correspond perfectly to how we imagine the Seychelles to be. They invite visitors to dive into the turquoise waters, which are ideal for snorkelling. In the centre of the island, hidden in the heart of a stunning tropical rainforest, lies the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this veritable plant sanctuary, several endemic species of palm trees can be observed, as well as the famous sea coconut, which can weigh up to 20 kg and is sometimes called “coco fesse” because its shape calls to mind a pair of buttocks.
1 February 2021 La Digue Island
Arrival 01/02/2021
Departure 01/02/2021
La Digue Island is a veritable concentration of all the beauty of the Seychelles. Located 6 km south-east of Praslin, this small piece of land that looks like paradise is the third-largest island in the Seychelles, despite its modest size (5 km by 3 km)! Turquoise waters just asking you to swim in them, lush vegetation sheltering giant tortoises, beaches of fine sand fringed with coconut trees and surrounded with those emblematic large granite rocks with their pink highlights like at the famous Anse Source d’Argent: the perfect picture postcard… Authentic and preserved, the island follows a peaceful rhythm, with the only means of transport along its little roads being bikes or traditional oxcarts.
2 February 2021 Victoria, Mahé
Arrival 02/02/2021 early morning
Disembarkation 02/02/2021 at 07h00
Discover Mahé, the main island of the Seychelles and also the largest of the archipelago, home to the capital, Victoria. Mahé has almost 70 beaches of fine sand, framed by the emblematic granite rocks, and whose crystal clear waters are renowned for their rich underwater life. The island is also famous for its splendid mountain panoramas accessible on hikes, such as the Morne Seychellois, which is 905 metres high and overlooks the Indian Ocean. Mahé is also an island full of history where fine colonial properties rub shoulders with Creole houses - and don’t forget the marvellous Botanical Gardens in Victoria.
Le Bougainville
Welcoming and spacious common areas, refined open-to-the-sea design, sleek exterior lines, a marina to make access to the ship's Zodiac® inflatables easier, hi-tech equipment, an outdoor pool, a multisensorial underwater lounge… Le Bougainville represents the new generation of ships designed to combine discovery and exploration with luxury, even in the planet's most remote and isolated regions.
Until 184 Guests
92 staterooms & suites
112 crew members
Spa
2 restaurants
Decks
Tropical Expedition
Explore the planet’s most remote tropical regions during a PONANT expedition cruise. In the heart of Oceania’s archipelagos or the Indian Ocean atolls, along the wild coastlines of Central America or Australia, our luxury amenities and services will make your expedition cruise an unforgettable experience. Our expedition leaders and their teams of naturalist guides devise exceptional itineraries and organise daily outings, shore visits in Zodiac® dinghies, or snorkelling when the cruises are conducive to it, to take you as close as possible to nature. Aboard the ship, they share their knowledge during lectures on a variety of topics such as the fauna and flora, the history of the great explorations, geology and climatology. On land, using the local transport options or during hikes, discover the must-see natural sites and, for a few hours, partake in the life and ancestral customs of the local populations.
Back-to-back offer
CONSECUTIVE CRUISES
Take advantage of our special consecutive cruises offers*
- When this cruise is in 2nd position get a -20% discount
- When this cruise is in 3rd position get a -30% discount
- When this cruise is in 4th position get a -40% discount
- When this cruise is in 5th position get a -50% discount
- When this cruise is in 6th position get a -60% discount
*Reduction does not apply to the first cruise and relates to the port/port fare excluding port taxes, non available for Ocean Voyages and subject to availability. The offer is only available on selected cruises. Please, contact us.
No single supplement
FREE SINGLE SUPPLEMENT *
*The supplement for single usage of a double cabin is waived, according to availability and staterooms categories.
Flight credit 800€
FLIGHT CREDIT
* € 800 flight credit per person on select cruises. This offer is subject to availability and may be changed or withdrawn without prior notice. It cannot be backdated.
Diving
During an introduction to scuba diving or a more advanced dive for holders of the necessary certifications (level 1 on yachting cruises and 2 on expedition cruises), explore the planet’s most beautiful underwater environments in the company of a PONANT diving instructor, as well as a local instructor when required by local legislation. They will ensure that your dives are conducted smoothly and safely: supervision of four certified divers at a time, evaluation of diving skills and experience, adherence to safety stops, zones and the maximum depth authorised.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
TRANSFER TO THE PORT OF MAHE
Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your transfer between the airport and your port of embarkation.
Victoria, Mahé
Meet at the Seychelles international airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign.
You will be greeted by our local English-speaking representative off the flight selected by PONANT.
You will depart the airport by coach and be directly taken to the pier to embark on your ship (about 30-minutes).
Your programme includes:
- Transfer by coach from the airport to the port.
- Luggage truck to the port.
- Services of a local English-speaking representative at the airport and during the transfer.
Your programme does not include:
- Tips for the driver and local guide.
- Personal expenses.
- Other services not mentioned in the programme.
To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : 50 €
According to availability, price per passenger.
RELAXING DAY IN MAHE
Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organizes your day between your port of disembarkation and the airport.
Victoria, Mahé
After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local English-speaking representative. Your luggage will be transported by truck to the hotel.
You will depart the pier by coach for a short transfer to Victoria. Enjoy free time to purchase souvenirs. You will then proceed to Savoy Resort & Spa, a modern beachfront resort located at Beau Vallon, one of the largest beaches in the Seychelles, 10 minutes away from Victoria.
Check-in your day-use room.
The rest of the day is at leisure.
Lunch is at your own expense.
Dinner included at the hotel.
You will then be transferred by coach to Mahé International Airport in time for check-in of the PONANT selected flight. Your luggage will be transported by truck to the airport.
Your hotel:
Savoy Resort & Spa boasts a prime location on Beau Vallon beach. It features an expansive outdoor pool, a comfy library, a fully-equipped fitness centre and an exclusive Spa. All accommodations offer individually controlled air-conditioning, private furnished balcony or terrace, spacious bathroom, flat screen TV with international satellite channels, in-room safe, hair-drier, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Your programme includes:
- 1 Standard day-use room from 10: 30am to 6 pm at Savoy Resort & Spa Seychelles (or similar).
- Dinner with beverage package (mineral water + 1 soft drink or 1 local beer or 1 glass of wine + 1 coffee or tea).
- Transfers as mentioned in the programme including a 45-minute stop in Victoria.
- The separate transportation of luggage as mentioned in the programme.
- Services of a local English-speaking guide during the transfers.
- Tips for the driver and guide.
Your programme does not include:
- Lunch.
- Late hotel check-out.
- Personal expenses.
- Other services not mentioned in the programme
Please note:
- The Seychelles rupee (SCR) is the official currency of the Seychelles.
- The Seychellois speak both English and French.
- For the hotel interlude, we recommend that you bring along an extra bag with a change of clothing and sunprotection (hat, sunglasses and sunglasses). The hotel will distribute one beach towel per person to be returned at the front desk before leaving the hotel.
- The official check-out time at the hotel is 06:00pm.
Contact of your hotel:
Savoy Resort & Spa Seychelles
PO Box 400 Beau Vallon
Mahé Island, Seychelles
Telephone: +248 4392000
Duration of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed. For the times of your PONANT flight, please contact your travel agent; they are also shown on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : 300 €
According to availability, price per passenger.