Tropical Charms of Seychelles – 8 Days Luxury Yacht

Tropical Charms of Seychelles – 8 Days Luxury Yacht

Set sail on the voyage of a lifetime aboard the Emerald Kaia, a luxury yacht designed for the discerning traveler. Over 8 extraordinary days, cruise through the sapphire waters of the Seychelles archipelago, waking each morning to a new island vista. Snorkel the crystalline waters of Sainte Anne Marine Park, home to over 150 species of vibrant reef fish. Step ashore on tiny Moyenne Island, the world’s smallest national park, where giant tortoises roam freely under takamaka trees. Witness the spectacular seabird colonies of Cousin Island and Aride Island, two of the Indian Ocean’s most important avian sanctuaries. Explore the prehistoric Vallée de Mai on Praslin, a UNESCO site where the legendary coco de mer grows. Wander the iconic pink sands of Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue. All-inclusive gourmet dining, premium drinks, and five-star service accompany you every nautical mile of this unforgettable journey.

Day 1: Embarkation — Mahé & Sainte Anne Marine Park

Board the Emerald Kaia at Port Victoria on Mahé. Settle into your elegantly appointed suite with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Indian Ocean. After a welcome cocktail and safety briefing, the yacht sets sail for Sainte Anne Marine Park, a protected archipelago of six idyllic islands. The afternoon is dedicated to snorkeling in the park’s crystal-clear lagoon — over 150 species of reef fish dart among healthy coral formations, while eagle rays glide gracefully past. Return to the yacht for a gourmet welcome dinner on the sun deck under a canopy of stars.
Overnight: At anchor, Sainte Anne Marine Park

Day 2: Moyenne Island — World’s Smallest National Park

After a leisurely breakfast on deck, tender ashore to Moyenne Island. Despite its tiny size (just 0.089 km²), this island packs a big story. Once the private home of English journalist Brendon Grimshaw, who single-handedly planted 16,000 trees and rewilded the island, it is now the world’s smallest national park. Walk shaded trails past giant Aldabra tortoises, the ruins of an old pirate settlement, and the graves of Grimshaw and his two dogs. The snorkeling off Moyenne’s shores is spectacular — massive granite boulders plunge into water thick with fish. Afternoon at leisure: spa treatment, infinity pool, or kayaking.
Overnight: At anchor, Moyenne Island vicinity

Day 3: Cousin Island — Seabird Paradise

Cruise northeast to Cousin Island Special Reserve. This granite island, managed by Nature Seychelles, is one of the world’s great conservation success stories — transformed from a coconut plantation into a thriving seabird sanctuary. A guided walk brings you astonishingly close to nesting fairy terns (so trusting they may perch on your hat), white-tailed tropicbirds with their streaming tail feathers, and the Seychelles warbler, rescued from the brink of extinction. Snorkeling around Cousin’s fringing reef reveals hawksbill turtles and a kaleidoscope of reef life. Evening cocktail and fine dining aboard the yacht.
Overnight: At anchor, Cousin Island

Day 4: Praslin — Vallée de Mai UNESCO Site

Dock at Praslin for a shore excursion to the legendary Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve. Entering this UNESCO World Heritage Site feels like stepping into Jurassic Park — towering coco de mer palms with their massive fan-shaped leaves create a dense canopy, filtering the tropical sun into shafts of emerald light. Your naturalist guide explains the ecology of the coco de mer, which produces the world’s largest seed (up to 30 kg), and points out the elusive black parrot, found only on Praslin. Afternoon visit to Anse Lazio, regularly voted the world’s most beautiful beach, for swimming and sunbathing.
Overnight: At anchor, Praslin

Day 5: La Digue — Anse Source d’Argent

Tender ashore to La Digue, where bicycles (arranged by the crew) await for a day of exploration. Pedal through the island’s quiet lanes to Anse Source d’Argent, arguably the most iconic beach on the planet. Its shallow turquoise lagoon, soft pink-granular sand, and dramatic granite boulders polished smooth by millennia of waves create a scene of almost divine beauty. Wade, float, photograph, repeat. Visit L’Union Estate to learn about vanilla cultivation and meet the resident giant tortoises. Lunch at a Creole beachside restaurant — try the grilled red snapper with coconut-chili sauce.
Overnight: At anchor, La Digue

Day 6: Curieuse Island — Turtle Sanctuary & Mangroves

Sail to Curieuse Island, a rugged red-earth island that hosts one of the world’s largest populations of Aldabra giant tortoises. Walk the wooden boardwalk through dense mangrove forest to the turtle sanctuary, where rangers explain the rehabilitation program for hatchlings. These ancient reptiles — some weighing over 250 kg — lumber through the undergrowth and along the beach with surprising grace. A barbecue lunch is served on the beach by the Emerald Kaia crew before snorkeling in the protected bay.
Overnight: At anchor, Curieuse Island

Day 7: Aride Island — The Seabird Citadel

The final shore excursion brings you to Aride Island, the northernmost granite island of the Seychelles and home to one of the densest seabird colonies in the Indian Ocean. Over 1.25 million seabirds breed here annually, including sooty terns, lesser noddies, roseate terns, and red-tailed tropicbirds. The cacophony is deafening, the spectacle unforgettable. A guided trail climbs to the island’s summit for panoramic views. Back aboard the Emerald Kaia, the captain hosts a farewell gala dinner with champagne and a retrospective of the week’s highlights.
Overnight: At anchor, Aride Island / return toward Mahé

Day 8: Disembarkation — Port Victoria

The Emerald Kaia returns to Port Victoria on Mahé. After a final gourmet breakfast aboard, bid farewell to the crew and fellow travelers. Transfer to Seychelles International Airport, carrying with you the essence of the islands — granite boulders glowing at sunrise, the scent of vanilla and frangipani on the breeze, the underwater ballet of reef fish, and the memory of a million seabirds wheeling against a cobalt sky.
Bon voyage from the Emerald Kaia and the timeless Seychelles.