An odyssey through Seychelles’ far islands — reef sanctuaries, sand cays, and conservation elegance.
A Voyage from Mahé to Alphonse and the Amirantes
South of the granite peaks of Mahé, a string of remote coral atolls scatters across a thousand miles of open Indian Ocean — each a world apart, edged by turquoise lagoons and alive with turtles, seabirds, and shimmering reef life. The Outer Islands Odyssey is an elegant exploration of this untamed paradise, blending the ease of modern Seychellois hospitality with the thrill of true oceanic discovery. This voyage moves at a leisurely rhythm: unhurried passages through calm lagoons, private island landings, barefoot dinners beneath constellations. Days are filled with dives, reef walks, and tender explorations of sandbars where the only footprints are your own. It is the Seychelles in its purest form — elemental, rarefied, and endlessly restorative.
Day 1 – Mahé Embarkation
Board your yacht at Eden Island Marina, Victoria. After a welcome briefing, cruise along Mahé’s south coast to Anse Intendance. Swim in crystal water framed by granite boulders, then enjoy a sunset dinner on deck as fruit bats wheel overhead.
Day 2 – Silhouette & North Island
Sail northwest to Silhouette Island (≈20 nm). Dive the reef slopes rich in soft corals, then visit the island’s conservation centre with your naturalist host. Afternoon sail toward North Island for a private-island dinner ashore, returning to the yacht under a sky full of stars.
Day 3 – Passage to Desroches Island
A gentle blue-water passage south (≈60 nm) brings you into the outer islands. Arrive at Desroches by late afternoon; snorkel from the stern platform or cycle the island’s coconut trails. Barbecue dinner on the beach, barefoot and firelit.
Day 4 – Poivre Atoll
Cruise eastward (≈30 nm) to Poivre, a low-lying atoll surrounded by emerald shallows. Explore the sand flats by tender and observe rays and baby sharks gliding through the water. Optional catch-and-release fly-fishing session guided by the island rangers.
Day 5 – Poivre to Alphonse
Continue to Alphonse Atoll (≈60 nm). En route, spot seabirds and pods of spinner dolphins. Anchor within the lagoon and go ashore to meet the island’s conservation team, learning about turtle nesting and reef monitoring. Dinner on the aft deck as phosphorescence shimmers in the wake.
Day 6 – Alphonse Lagoon & St. François Flats
Morning dive on Alphonse’s outer wall — a vertical drop alive with reef sharks and jacks. After lunch, tender to nearby St. François Lagoon to snorkel among turtles and giant clams. Return for sunset yoga and an ocean-to-table tasting menu.
Day 7 – St. François & Bijoutier Islands
Spend the day exploring uninhabited sand cays. Walk barefoot through colonies of nesting seabirds and wade across shallow flats that glow turquoise under the sun. Children can join the crew for shell collecting and reef-life identification.
Day 8 – Amirantes Channels
Begin a slow return north through the Amirantes, stopping at Boudeuse or Marie Louise Island (≈50 nm). Swim in gin-clear lagoons and picnic on a sandbar that vanishes at high tide. Evening onboard movie under the stars.
Day 9 – Desroches Revisit
Anchor once more at Desroches. Visit the spa or simply rest at anchor, snorkelling over the coral gardens that fringe the island. Chef prepares a family barbecue with Seychellois flavours — lime, chilli, and coconut.
Day 10 – Bird Island or Cousin Reserve
Sail back toward the inner islands (≈70 nm). Depending on sea conditions, stop at Bird Island or Cousin Nature Reserve to witness thousands of seabirds nesting among casuarina trees. Guided walk ashore before re-embarking for Mahé.
Day 11 – Mahé’s Marine Park
Return to the Sainte Anne Marine Park near Victoria. Kayak among turtles and coral bommies, then relax at anchor for the final evening. The farewell dinner celebrates Creole cuisine and the stories gathered across the islands.
Day 12 – Disembarkation at Mahé
Breakfast on deck before transfer ashore. Optional post-cruise resort extension at Anantara or Hilton Northolme.
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