Seychelles Discovery Cruise

We arrive in the Seychelles and transfer to Mahé's cruise port, where we join the M/Y Pegasos mega yacht. After some time to settle in, we set sail for our first destination, St Anne Island. The largest of the eight islands in the stunning Ste. Anne Marine National Park, this was the site of the first French settlement in 1770 and served as a base for the Royal Marines during the Second World War. Set within sparkling turquoise waters and with a vast array of corals, it's a fantastic snorkelling spot – you may be lucky enough to see green turtles feeding on the huge expanse of seagrass meadows here.

We leave St Anne Island early in the morning to reach Curieuse, an uninhabited granitic island which was once a leper colony and is now home to giant tortoises and indigenous black parrots. Our walking excursion with a park guide takes in the amazing giant tortoise farm and along mangrove forests, before we later return to the beach for a BBQ under the trees. The afternoon provides the perfect chance to enjoy some sea activities or simply relax on the unspoilt shores.

In the morning we sail for Cousin Island, a thriving nature reserve since 1968 and a real paradise for birdlife, with several nesting beaches for turtles too. We take a trip to the Bird Sanctuary, which is in the care Bird Life International, and learn that an incredible quarter million birds breed on Cousin! Later in the afternoon we reach Anse Lazio in Praslin, renowned as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The time is yours to spend as you please, from water sports and snorkelling to sunbathing and reading, before heading back to the ship for the evening.

We leave for Aride today, home to the Wright's gardenia, found nowhere else on earth, and to bird species such as the Audubon's shearwater and the Seychelles warbler. Be sure to look out for them while the island’s rangers lead us all the way to the top of the island, where the views are simply spectacular. At noon, we continue to the stunning St Pierre Island for a three-hour snorkelling and swimming stop before a sunset sail to Baie St Anne, where we enjoy a cultural Creole evening.

Please note: Aride Island is often closed for a visit during South East Trade winds (from May to September). It may also close at short notice during strong surf.

There is an optional tour on offer today to the palm forest Vallée de Mai, the verdant heart of Praslin island and often described as the Garden of Eden. It's one of the world's smallest UNESCO World Heritage Sites and contains many unique species, thanks to millions of years of isolation. In the afternoon, we either sail to Félicité or Grand Soeur, both spectacular spots for snorkelling, before continuing to La Digue, the third most populated island of the Seychelles.

Join an optional excursion in La Digue, the most photographed corner of the Seychelles, where knowledgeable guides lead us through L'Union Estate Farm for a tour of a coconut oil mill, copra kiln and the colonial plantation house. We continue to Anse Source D’ Argent, one of the most magnificent beaches in the world, where there's time to marvel at some of Seychelles’ most impressive rock formations while enjoying a refreshing local drink. The excursion is rounded off with souvenir shopping at La Passe, the island’s main village, before returning to the ship. In the late afternoon we sail to Moyenne island, our beautiful home for the evening.

This morning we take a short guided tour around the island and make the most of our last opportunity for a swim in the crystal-clear waters. Afterwards, a BBQ awaits on deck before we leave Moyenne Island for Mahé’s Victoria port in the afternoon. This evening we enjoy a Captain’s farewell dinner with live music and dancing.