Silhouette Bird Watching Expedition Yacht · Seychelles

The MV Maya's Dugong is a versatile vessel that boasts large deck space areas and modern equipment to handle a wide range of tasks at open sea. Allow the peaceful harmony of the Seychelles to enchant you over this seventeen-day cruise, without compromising on comfort and service!

Day 1: Mahé
The cruise begins at 9:30 am at the Inter Island Quay on Mahé. Mahé, the largest granite island of Seychelles, spans about 150 sq km and features mountainous terrain with rich tropical vegetation. It hosts a diverse bird population, including fourteen breeding land birds (half of which are endemic), six breeding water birds, and numerous migratory species. Visitors settle onboard the MV Maya's Dugong and receive a briefing from the captain, followed by a lunch and a lecture about the expedition and Seychelles birds. In the afternoon, they drive along Sans Souci Road to Morne Seychellois National Park to search for the rare Seychelles Scops Owl, unique to Mahé's highland forests.

Day 2: Aride
Aride is a nature reserve owned by the Island Conservation Society, focused on scientific research and rarely visited by outsiders. It boasts more breeding seabird species than all other granitic islands in Seychelles combined, including the world's largest colonies of Lesser Noddy and Tropical Shearwater. Notable endemic land birds include the Seychelles Magpie-Robin, Seychelles Fody, and Seychelles Warbler. Birds here are unafraid of humans, allowing close observation. The island also hosts the Critically Endangered Wright's Gardenia and offers opportunities to see seabirds like the impressive frigatebirds. Visitors can enjoy a nature trail, BBQ lunch on the beach, and afternoon snorkeling or diving among 400 species of fish.

Day 3: Amirantes Group - African Banks

Day 4 Amirantes Group -Marie Louise

Day 5 At sea

Days 6 & 7: Aldabra Group - Cosmoledo
A visit to Cosmoledo rivals that of Aldabra but surpasses it in remoteness. This uninhabited island, rarely visited by outsiders, hosts bird species not found on Aldabra, including Seychelles’ largest populations of Red-footed Booby, Masked Booby, and Sooty Tern. It is also home to the unique Madagascar White-eye (race menaienis) and the last breeding site for the Brown Booby. Cosmoledo offers excellent diving and rich marine life, with corals more intact than elsewhere in the western Indian Ocean. The island is also renowned for fly-fishing, though its remoteness makes it difficult to access. Visitors can expect to arrive in the afternoon, explore the deserted settlement, and dive at the West Island of Cosmoledo (Menai), where turtles are abundant.

Day 8 Sail during the day to Aldabra for bird observation.

Day 9 to 12: Aldabra Group - Aldabra
Aldabra, often called the Crown Jewel of Seychelles, is the world's largest raised coral atoll and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Covering about 150 sq km, it represents one-third of Seychelles' landmass and is home to the Warden and Research Station staff on Picard. This tropical wilderness is rarely visited and hosts the world's largest population of Giant Tortoises, with around 100,000 individuals. Aldabra also supports many unique plants and birds, including the endangered Green Turtle and the Aldabra Rail, the last flightless bird in the Indian Ocean. Visitors can explore the Aldabra Research Station, cruise through channels, and dive/snorkel in various locations, observing a rich marine life that includes fish, sharks, and potentially breeding Dugongs.

Day 13: Aldabra Group - Assumption
Assumption Island suffered from guano mining around the turn of the 20th century, resulting in the destruction of seabird colonies, including Abbott's Booby. Unlike Aldabra, Assumption is slowly recovering its vegetation, and there are plans for island rehabilitation. With a small human population and limited flights connecting it to Mahé, Assumption boasts a long, beautiful arc of coral sand and rich marine life, offering excellent diving opportunities. Shoals of colorful fish, including snappers, butterfly fish, and angelfish, thrive among the diverse reefs, making it one of Seychelles' most vibrant underwater ecosystems.

Day 14: Aldabra Group - Astove
Astove is surrounded by deep waters with treacherous reefs that have caused many shipwrecks. The fringing reef lies about 250 meters from the shoreline, beyond which the ocean floor drops steeply. This coral wall is renowned as one of the best dive sites in the Indian Ocean, featuring hundreds of fish species, Green Turtles, and even the anchors of wrecked ships. Snorkeling along the edge of the drop-off is also exceptional. On land, remnants of shipwrecks, turtle bones, and abandoned buildings, including the former Manager's residence, can be found. The Manager's house, styled as a Moorish palace, and an old chapel are among the sites visited, followed by a walk to the shallow lagoon where Caspian Terns dive for fish. Diving the West walls concludes the exploration.

Day 15 At sea

Day 16 Alphonse Group – St. Francois

Day 17 Amirantes Group – St. Joseph
St. Joseph Atoll and D'Arros Island are owned and managed by the Save Our Seas Foundation. This unique location encompasses the St. Joseph channel and is renowned for its aggregation of manta rays and diverse marine life, boasting at least 514 fish species. St. Joseph Atoll serves as the most significant nursery area on the Amirantes Bank and plays a crucial role as a breeding ground for sharks, rays, and turtles.

Day 18 Disembarkation on Mahé, at approx 02.00 pm

Price includes: Cruise as per planned itinerary, accommodation, full board meals, landing fees, professional crew onboard, snorkeling with a Dive Master, snorkeling equipment, guided tours and lectures by 2 Expedition leaders, two rigid 5 x 5 m tender boats with outboard engine for excursions and activities.

Price does NOT include: Diving with a Dive Master and dive equipment rental, beverages from the bar (soft drink and alcohol - groups may bring their own wines and spirits), satellite communication, insurance, international flights, land transfers and accommodation on Mahé (see Additional Price Information section below for further details).

Please note that the itinerary is subject to change, depending on wind and weather conditions. All decisions are made at the captain’s discretion.