Dive amidst ancient granite pillars and shoals of tropical fish on a live-aboard trip with our traditional Dutch schooner, the SV Sea Pearl, as she makes her way across a dozen of Seychelles' islands and islets.
This 7-night cruise combines the underwater world of the world's only granitic mid-ocean islands with a PADI dive instructor/master as your guide, together with the rustic charms of a historic early 1900s vessel that doubles as a full-service floating hotel.
What makes this trip different?
Although diving is offered on all the vessel cruises year-round, the Seychelles Dive Safari provides a more concentrated dive experience for those seeking to maximize their time spent underwater, as well as to discover the widest possible variety of different dive sites during a Seychelles holiday. The key factors which make this cruise ideal for divers include:
Best Possible Conditions
The cruise dates have been carefully selected to coincide with the calmest periods the islands have to offer. There may be no guarantees with weather, but with these dates falling in between the opposing Tradewind seasons, it’s the best bet for flat-calm seas and amazing visibility.
Open-Sea Diving
Another benefit of the selected dates: calm conditions allow to venture to some open-sea dive sites that may not offer good enough shelter for
diving at other times of the year. These sites typically offer some of the most dramatic scenery and marine life to be found on Seychelles’ inner-island plateau, including large pelagic.
Companions Welcome
While diving is the primary focus of this cruise, the Seychelles archipelago is as diverse as it is beautiful, allowing to accommodate non-diving
companions with no shortage of activities parallel to the diving excursions. Visits to nature reserves and island sanctuaries, as well as snorkeling and kayaking, are available throughout the cruise, meaning partners unable to dive can enjoy the experience fully, with or without a good book.
***Package price already includes the dive package (12 guided dives) companions can remove the dive package during check out to reduce the price.
Diving in Seychelles
The Seychelles inner island archipelago rests on a plateau that broke off from the super-continent Gondwanaland millions of years ago - the remnants of a submerged granite mountain range. This unique geological phenomenon has resulted in stunning flora and fauna both above and beneath the surface.
Most of the dive sites you’ll visit feature large granite rock formations that create different passages and caves. These are home to a rich population of tropical fish, large numbers of pelagic species such as sharks, barracudas, jacks, and tunas as well as rays and turtles.
Most dives in the inner islands are between the depths of 20-60 ft (8-20 meters), although some of the sites on the diving safari tend to be
a little deeper.
The best diving periods are the months of March, April & May, as well as October, November & early December. During this time the sea is typically calm, offering visibility of up to 30 meters, while at the same time allowing us to visit open-sea dive sites that may not be accessible in other times of the year.
Water temperatures can reach up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) at its warmest, which is what divers can expect during the safari.
A PADI dive instructor or divemaster is based on board at all times. With the assistance of the crew, he takes care of all the divers' needs above and below the water.
Safety and emergency equipment are located onboard according to the PADI dive resorts requirements.
Divers will find onboard facilities for storing their equipment, as well as areas for preparing their equipment/cameras and other sensitive gear.
Facilities for rinsing the equipment with fresh water and protecting it from the sun are also available.
Electricity connections (European two-prong, round pin) are available in the salon and in the cabins, allowing for divers to charge cameras and upload photos to their laptops any time of day while onboard.
Divers will have the opportunity to do 3 dives every day on the sites, selected according to the weather conditions, Except the day of the crossing to/from Praslin (on the first and the last day of the cruise).
Life onboard
Sea Pearl is a traditional 36-meter (118 ft) schooner, providing overnight accommodation across 8 air-conditioned cabins, with a service concept that is more akin to a floating hotel.
While the dive instructor/divemaster aims to provide an unforgettable diving experience, the rest of the crew is dedicated to ensuring the stay onboard is just as memorable.
Whether it’s morning coffee served out on the deck, or the lighting of the BBQ at sunset before a sumptuous dinner, it’s the little moments shared between the crew and passengers, combined with the unique charm and soul of these historic schooners, that transforms an otherwise fun holiday into more of an authentic and enriching experience.
Sample itinerary:
Day 1 - Saturday
Diving & Crossing
Embarkation at the Inter-Island Quay at 10:30 am, followed by the Captain's welcome briefing. Depart Port Victoria at 12:00, sailing from Mahé to a late afternoon anchorage at Round Island, just off the isle of Praslin. In the evening, introduce yourself to Creole cuisine with a welcome barbecue dinner onboard.
Day 2 - Sunday
Diving & Visit to Vallee de Mai, Praslin
Sail to Praslin, Seychelles' second-largest inhabited island, for disembarkation to the famous World Heritage Site, the Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve. This ancient forest is home to the curiously shaped double coconut, the coco de Mer, as well as the Black Parrot, unique to Praslin. Explore the valley's eerie pathways beneath its canopy of massive palms, before returning onboard for afternoon opportunities to dive, snorkel or enjoy other water sports.
Day 3 - Monday
Diving & Visit to La Digue
Sail to La Digue, a sleepy island community where ox-carts and bicycles still remain the most common mode of transportation throughout the island. La Digue is home to the endemic Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher, and is perhaps most famous for its massive granite boulder formations at Anse Source d'Argent, which is thought to be the most photographed beach on earth. Explore the island, perhaps stopping by Union Estate, a sprawling network of traditional island activities, including a copra mill, vanilla plantation, and shipyard.
Day 4 - Tuesday
Diving & Island visit
(visit to Sisters is for non-divers)
The vessel sails toward Grande Soeur and Petite Soeur (the Sisters). The waters surrounding these two uninhabited private islands provide excellent diving, meanwhile, non-diver guests will have the opportunity to visit the island. In the afternoon, visit Coco Island, one of Seychelles’ tiny granite jewels, a fantastic spot for snorkeling within a kaleidoscope of tropical fish.
Day 5 - Wednesday
Diving & Visit to Aride
Sail to Booby Island for a morning of diving and water sports. After lunch, sail to Aride Island, a globally important nature reserve with more native bird species than any other island, including five endemics and the world's largest population of 3 species (Lesser Noddy, Audubon's Shearwater and Seychelles Warbler). The nature trail leads to a spectacular cliff-top view with the largest frigatebird roost outside of Aldabra. Aride is the only natural location in the world for Wright's Gardenia and 400 species of fish have been recorded around the island.
Day 6 - Thursday
Diving & Visit to Curieuse, St. Pierre
Disembark at Curieuse for a visit of this virtually uninhabited island. Experience the island's vast mangrove forests and its giant tortoise farm, along with the historic ruins of this former leper colony. After a barbecue lunch on the island, enjoy an array of water sports or simply relax and enjoy the island's beautiful beach and turquoise waters.
Day 7 - Friday
Diving & Crossing
After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely sail back towards Mahé, with the last stop at Ile Seche for more diving/ or snorkeling, followed by a farewell barbecue. The vessel then sails into Port Victoria for an overnight stay.
Day 8 - Saturday
Disembarkation at 08.30 am at Inter-Island Quay, Mahé.
*For the well-being and overall enjoyment of guests, adjustments to the itinerary and/or the dive sites visited may be necessary, in the event of certain weather conditions or other factors. Any such changes are at the discretion of the captain.
