Emerald: A Journey Through the Indian Ocean
Seychelles, Tanzania, or Kenya? Choosing among these wonderful destinations for a vacation can be challenging, but with Emerald Cruises, it’s possible to visit all three in a single 20-day exploration aboard a luxurious yacht.
The Seychelles islands, located in the Indian Ocean, are a tropical paradise listed among the must-visit destinations for travelers, especially nature lovers. These islands feature beautiful white-sand beaches surrounded by lush jungle, abundant marine life, and wildlife.
This incredible 20-day journey through Kenya, Tanzania, and the Seychelles begins in Mombasa, Kenya’s largest city, where guests embark on a luxurious yacht greeted by friendly and efficient staff. The first stop is Zanzibar, an archipelago off the eastern coast of Africa, located in Tanzania. It includes several islands, with Unguja (commonly known as Zanzibar) and Pemba being the largest. Known as the “Spice Islands,” Zanzibar has a rich history in the spice trade and remains a major producer of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper. “Stone Town” is Zanzibar’s historic heart and a UNESCO World Heritage site where visitors can stroll through narrow streets lined with coral-carved houses.
Emerald Cruises Seychelles, Tanzania, Kenya
Emerald Cruises Seychelles, Tanzania, Kenya
The second stop in Tanzania is Mafia Island, characterized by an incredibly diverse landscape rich in coconut and cashew plantations, palm trees, mangrove swamps, and plump baobabs standing amidst the vast African savanna. The island is also famous for its population of whale sharks, which attract tourists wishing to swim with these gentle giants. The third and final Tanzanian stop is Kilwa Kisiwani, a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage site, notable for the Great Mosque, the oldest mosque on the eastern African coast, with sixteen domed and vaulted bays and unique architecture reflecting the city’s golden age.
After a day of sailing amid relaxation and fine dining, the yacht arrives in the Seychelles with a three-day stop at Aldabra Atoll, one of the largest atolls in the world. It has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its outstanding natural beauty and significant biodiversity. The atoll comprises four large coral islands enclosing a shallow lagoon and is rich in flora and fauna, hosting the world’s largest population of giant tortoises, with around 100,000 individuals residing there. But the immersion in nature doesn’t end here; the next day, the yacht reaches Farquhar Atoll, where visitors can explore the sparkling lagoon surrounded by this ring-shaped atoll with coconut palms and casuarina trees.
Aldabra Tortoise
The following day continues navigating these natural wonders in the Alphonse atoll group, a unique experience for fishermen, divers, birdwatchers, or simply for those who love nature and tranquility. Midway through this captivating journey, the yacht reaches the Amirante Islands, known for their pristine beauty and ideal for diving, fishing, and wildlife observation.
Next stop is Praslin, the second-largest island in the Seychelles, with beaches surrounded by tropical jungle, emerald-colored waters, and fine sand. Anse Lazio beach has been repeatedly voted one of the world’s best beaches and features a coral reef teeming with marine life. In the center of the island, visitors can discover the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the afternoon, the yacht arrives at La Digue Island, the smallest of the three populated Seychelles islands, known for its pink-colored beaches.
Other stops on the journey include Mahé Island, with excellent nature trails and incredible tropical beaches; Sainte Anne Island, surrounded by a Marine National Park that hosts an incredible marine life including more than 150 fish species; and Cousin Island, a small island renowned as a seabird paradise. It is the most protected island in the archipelago, providing breeding grounds for eleven species of seabirds annually and habitat for five native Seychelles birds.
Seychelles_Praslin Island
Seychelles_Praslin Island
The voyage continues with an overnight in Praslin, followed by a visit to Curieuse Island, an island enveloped in pristine nature and home to hundreds of Aldabra giant tortoises. Beyond its natural beauty, the island has a fascinating history; it was once a quarantine station, and the original French colonial doctor’s house now hosts a museum. The itinerary proceeds the next morning to Aride, a nature reserve in the Indian Ocean where over thirty species of rare birds nest in lush vegetation, characterized by fine sandy beaches, coconut palms, and soaring cliffs.
This enchanting journey concludes in Mahé, the main island of the picturesque Seychelles, which houses the capital, Victoria. Mahé Island boasts pristine beaches with huge boulders and nature trails that traverse the Morne Seychelles National Park.
With Emerald Cruises, you can immerse yourself in a voyage that combines relaxation, exploration of flora and fauna, history, and UNESCO World Heritage sites.
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