14-Night Expedition to the Outer Islands
Cruise to the most remote and biologically extraordinary atolls on Earth. Our nature-focused expedition aboard the 40-meter MV Maya’s Dugong take you deep into the Amirantes and then on to the legendary Aldabra Group, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the planet’s most untouched ecosystems.
Upcoming Date:
2027
14 Nights – 1st – 15th May
2028
14 Nights – 3rdt – 17th May
2029
14 Nights – 2nd – 16th May
2027
14 Nights – 1st – 15th May
2028
14 Nights – 3rdt – 17th May
2029
14 Nights – 2nd – 16th May
| Nature Diving - 15 days Aldabra atoll nature’s secret sanctuary.pdf |
Expedition Highlights
- Sail to the farthest reaches of the Seychelles, including the Aldabra Group which is only accessible only by liveaboard and research vessels
- Guided exploration of UNESCO-protected Aldabra Atoll, home to more than 100,000 Giant Tortoises, rare birds, and Green Turtle nesting beaches
- Snorkelling and diving at some of the richest coral reefs in the western Indian Ocean
- Encounters with manta rays, turtles, sharks, dolphins, and seasonal whale sightings
- Visits to entirely uninhabited islands, abandoned settlements, and former coconut plantations now reclaimed by nature
- Expert-led lectures on marine life, island ecology, and natural history
- Remote island landings, lagoon explorations, and reef drop-offs untouched by tourism
Unique Experiences
- Cosmoledo Atoll: One of the most isolated places in Seychelles, with the country’s largest Red-footed Booby population and coral reefs that have survived almost untouched
- Aldabra Atoll: Snorkel mangrove channels, visit the research station on Picard Island, and witness the world’s largest population of Giant Tortoises roaming freely
- Turtle Encounters: From nesting beaches to shallow nurseries where juveniles can be seen feeding and resting
- Rare Wildlife Spotting: Aldabra Rail (the Indian Ocean’s last flightless bird), Brown Boobies, endemic fodies and drongos, plus the possibility of the elusive Dugong
- World-class Diving & Snorkelling: Steep reef walls, huge schools of fish, sharks, rays, and pristine corals
- Astove & Assumption: Shipwreck relics, turquoise lagoons, and ghostly vestiges of old island settlements
- St. Joseph & D’Arros: Manta ray aggregation sites and the region’s most important nursery for sharks, rays, and turtles
Itinerary Overview (14-night expedition)
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Day 1 – Mahé
Embark MY Basilisk at 10:00. Welcome briefing and departure toward the Amirantes. Days 2–4 – Desroches & Alphonse Group Explore remote islands, exceptional reefs, seabird colonies, and historic plantations reclaimed by nature |
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Day 5 – South-west Crossing
Sea day: whale and dolphin spotting, evening naturalist lecture. Days 6–7 – Cosmoledo Atoll One of the wildest, least-visited atolls in the Indian Ocean. Abandoned settlement, rare birds, turtles, world-class diving. |
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Days 8–10 – Aldabra Atoll
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the research station, snorkel mangrove channels, marine life encounters, tortoise colonies, historic ruins. Day 11 – Assumption Tropical sands, shallow reefs, recovering vegetation, thriving marine life |
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Day 12 – Astove
Famous reef wall drop-offs, shipwreck remnants, turtle lagoons. Day 13 – Sailing Day, Bijoutier Stop Paradise island, pristine beaches, clear-water snorkelling. |
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Day 14 – St. Joseph Atoll & D’Arros
Protected marine reserve, manta ray hotspots, shark and ray nursery. Day 15 – Return to Mahé Arrive Eden Marina around 15:00, disembarkation. |
Curieuse Island
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Note: As this is a remote expedition, itinerary adjustments may occur based on weather and the captain’s discretion.
For information about visiting and diving in the granitic Seychelles (inner islands), visit our website at www.seychelles-cruises.com