Silhouette Cruises - Island Hopping Sailing Holidays: Sea Shell & Sea Pearl

Explore the beautiful islands of the Seychelles aboard one of these two historic, traditionally-rigged vessels, which make for a charming yet eminently comfortable way to explore the Seychelles. With the accompaniment of the gentle lap of water and the occasional nostalgic flap of sails, cruise between idyllic shores visiting some of the archipelago’s most unforgettable natural wonders, impossibly beautiful beaches and fabulously colourful reefs.

Intimacy and comfort is assured with just eight cabins apiece, each with airconditioning and a washbasin. Soak up the sun beneath billowing sails, savour authentic Creole cuisine, man the sails and enjoy activities including watersports, snorkelling, diving and island excursions. Twin, double and triple cabins are available, and there are also shower rooms, a lounge/dining salon with television, an upper sun deck & bow net for sunbathing, and a covered back deck lounge.

Guide

Both cruises are accompanied by a professional crew including a skipper, dive instructor, chef, deckhands and stewardesses.

MEAL PLAN
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner from boarding to disembarkation.
CRUISE INCLUDES
• Snorkelling kayaking, fishing equipment, plus all ports fees, nature reserve entrance fees and island visits.

AVAILABLE ON BOARD (EXTRA CHARGE)
• Diving equipment, diving lessons, waterskiing, tube rides, drinks.

Jan-April and November-December itinerary:

DAY 1 LONDON to MAHE
• Air Seychelles overnight flight from London Heathrow to Mahé.

DAY 2 MAHE to SEA SHELL/SEA PEARL
•  On arrival transfer to the main quay in Port Victoria and embark onto either of Silhouette Cruises' historic yachts, the S.V. Sea Shell or the S.V. Sea Pearl, followed by introductions to the ship and crew at the Captain's welcome briefing. Set sail to Round Island, just off Praslin where you will enjoy a welcome Creole barbecue dinner.

DAY 3 SEA SHELL/SEA PEARL
•  The next five full days will be spent gently cruising between various renowned and hidden beauty spots in this wondrous archipelago. Visit the World Heritage Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve on Praslin to see the famous coco de mer double coconut, the iconic granite formations at Anse Source d’Argent, the uninhabited Grand Soeur and Petite Soeur islands, Aride Island – famed for its endemic bird species, the mangrove forests and tortoise farm at Curieuse. During the cruise there is time for snorkelling and diving on some of the Seychelles most impressive reefs, as well as swimming and watersports.

DAY 8 SEA SHELL/SEA PEARL to MAHE
•  A full day cruising returns you to Mahé, with a stop for snorkelling and diving at Ile Seche, followed by a farewell barbecue dinner. Overnight onboard at Port Victoria.

DAY 9 MAHE to LONDON
•  Disembark after breakfast, then spend the day at leisure before your overnight Air Seychelles flight to Heathrow.

NB
•  Between May and October the itinerary features six nights onboard, following a slightly different itinerary including Curieuse, La Digue, the Vallee de Mai reserve on Praslin, snorkelling at St Pierre, Cousin Island, and Anse Lazio beach on Praslin. The cruise starts and ends at Anse Possession on Praslin, and the 7th night is spent back on Mahé at Le Meridien Barbarons hotel (return Mahé-Praslin flights are included).