19 nights · Victoria · Departs Mahe Island Seychelles (Seychelles) · Visiting Sainte Anne Island Seychelles, Praslin Island Seychelles, La Digue Island Seychelles, Curieuse Island Seychelles, Aride Island Seychelles, St Joseph Atoll Seychelles, Alphonse Islands Seychelles, Farquhar Atoll Seychelles, Aldabra Atoll Seychelles, Zanzibar, Mombasa · Aboard Emerald Cruises on the Emerald Raiya
Image courtesy of Emerald Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Emerald Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Emerald Raiya |
| Duration | 19 nights |
| Port calls | 12 |
| Departures | 3 sailings |
| From fare | $17,260 per person |
| Year built | 2027 |
| Guests | 128 |
| Cabins | 64 |
| Crew | 92 |
| Length | 120 m |
| Beam | 16 m |
| Cruising speed | 22.0 kn |
Mahé is the Seychelles’ largest island, where granite peaks rise above beaches and a capital built beside the sea. In Victoria, browse the lively market, see the miniature Big Ben clock tower, and visit the National Museum of History. Beyond town, winding roads lead to botanical gardens, quiet coves and viewpoints over the Indian Ocean. Choose a beach day or a drive across the island; Mahé makes both easy.
Sainte Anne lies just off Mahé, close enough to see the capital’s shoreline yet distinctly quieter. Established in 1973, Sainte Anne Marine National Park was the Indian Ocean’s first national marine park. It protects six islands and their surrounding reefs. Arrive by tender for clear-water swimming, snorkelling and views back to Mahé’s green hills. Glass-bottom boat trips offer another way to explore the reef.
Praslin offers a slower island pace, with granite-framed coves and some of the Indian Ocean’s most celebrated beaches. At Anse Lazio, clear water meets a broad sweep of pale sand. Inland, the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, shelters the rare coco de mer palm. Follow its shaded paths, then linger over Creole seafood beside the shore.
Step ashore at La Passe, and La Digue’s unhurried scale becomes clear. Bicycles are the usual way to explore; ox-cart rides remain part of the island’s character. Anse Source d’Argent draws visitors with pale sand, shallow water and sculpted granite boulders. At L’Union Estate, a former coconut and vanilla plantation, trails pass historic buildings on the way to the coast. Bring sturdy sandals and allow time to swim.
A short boat ride from Praslin brings you to Curieuse, a protected island of striking contrasts. Red earth, granite coves and groves of rare coco de mer palms define its landscape. Follow the coastal trail through mangroves to Anse St Joseph, where giant Aldabra tortoises roam freely. At the restored Doctor’s House, discover the island’s history as a leper colony. Here, Seychelles wildlife and history meet along an unforgettable shore.
From the deck, Aride Island rises above the northern Seychelles as a green, granite-backed sanctuary. Step ashore with a guide, and its real spectacle soon appears. Seabirds wheel above coastal forest, while rare plants and lizards thrive among rugged slopes. This protected reserve rewards visitors with quiet trails and close encounters with native wildlife. Boat access and guided visits make planning essential; the island has no visitor accommodation.
Mahé is the Seychelles’ largest island, where granite peaks rise above beaches and a capital built beside the sea. In Victoria, browse the lively market, see the miniature Big Ben clock tower, and visit the National Museum of History. Beyond town, winding roads lead to botanical gardens, quiet coves and viewpoints over the Indian Ocean. Choose a beach day or a drive across the island; Mahé makes both easy.
Step ashore at La Passe, and La Digue’s unhurried scale becomes clear. Bicycles are the usual way to explore; ox-cart rides remain part of the island’s character. Anse Source d’Argent draws visitors with pale sand, shallow water and sculpted granite boulders. At L’Union Estate, a former coconut and vanilla plantation, trails pass historic buildings on the way to the coast. Bring sturdy sandals and allow time to swim.
Praslin offers a slower island pace, with granite-framed coves and some of the Indian Ocean’s most celebrated beaches. At Anse Lazio, clear water meets a broad sweep of pale sand. Inland, the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, shelters the rare coco de mer palm. Follow its shaded paths, then linger over Creole seafood beside the shore.
More than 250 kilometres southwest of Mahé, St Joseph Atoll lies among the remote Amirante Islands. Its uninhabited coral rim surrounds a broad, shallow lagoon, where tides reveal expansive flats. These waters are prized by anglers pursuing bonefish, while turtles and rays frequent the lagoon and reef. Come for a rare glimpse of Seychelles beyond its better-known islands: remote, low-lying and defined by the sea.
Some 400 kilometres southwest of Mahé, Alphonse lies among the remote Amirantes Islands. Here, a low coral atoll, turquoise lagoon and palm-fringed shore replace the bustle of a conventional port. Expect saltwater fly-fishing, guided nature walks and snorkeling in clear waters. Sea turtles nest on the beaches, while nearby St François offers wide, shallow flats and a rare sense of remoteness.
Farquhar Atoll lies about 700 kilometres southwest of Mahé, among the remote Outer Islands of Seychelles. Its coral reef shelters turquoise lagoons, low islands and beaches shaped by the Indian Ocean. The atoll is renowned for flats fishing, while its clear waters offer rewarding snorkelling and diving. Visits are limited and carefully arranged, making Farquhar a rare choice for travellers drawn to wild nature and quiet shores.
Aldabra is not a conventional port of call. This remote Seychelles atoll lies about 1,100 kilometres southwest of Mahé. Four major islands enclose a vast tidal lagoon. Coral limestone and mangroves shelter an estimated 100,000 giant tortoises. UNESCO listed Aldabra as a World Heritage Site in 1982. Visits are rare and tightly controlled; any landing depends on permits, conditions and expedition arrangements.
Zanzibar is more than a beach stop. It is an Indian Ocean crossroads, and its history remains visible in Stone Town. In the old quarter, carved doors, coral-stone buildings and narrow lanes recall centuries of African, Arab and Indian exchange. Visit landmarks of the former sultanate, then browse the market or pause over tea scented with local cloves. Beyond town, spice farms reveal crops that shaped the island’s trade, while beaches remain within easy reach.
Mombasa rewards a little time beyond the ship. In Old Town, carved wooden doors, narrow lanes and Swahili architecture reveal centuries of trade along the Indian Ocean. Fort Jesus, the 16th-century Portuguese stronghold, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the city’s essential first stop. Cross to the mainland for white-sand beaches, or stay on the island for seafood, markets and the call to prayer.
Published August 28, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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