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Summary

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Seychelles To Zanzibar Odyssey

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Duration

12 Days

Starts In

Mahe Island

Route

Mahe Island, Zanzibar Island

This is a voyage of two extraordinary halves. It begins deep in the Seychelles' outer islands, where the conservation success of D'Arros gives way to the otherworldly diving of Astove and the sheer scale of Aldabra's 100,000-strong tortoise population — one of the most isolated ecosystems left on Earth. From there, Aqua Lares turns west across open ocean toward Tanzania, arriving at Mafia Island for one of the world's most reliable whale shark encounters, before concluding in Stone Town, Zanzibar's UNESCO-listed old quarter. Twelve days, two nations, and an unbroken thread of marine wonder link the Seychelles' remotest corners to the East African coast — a journey for travelers drawn equally to conservation, adventure, and history.

CRUISE JOURNEY 12 Days / 11 Nights cruising from the Seychelles Islands to Zanzibar, Tanzania. Includes luxury cabin accommodations, all onboard meals, house wines and beer, non-alcoholic drinks, twice daily excursions with expert local guides, Kayaking and paddleboarding equipment, unlimited access to high-speed WIFI onboard.

Includes

Accommodations as per itinerary
Shore excursions as per itinerary
On ship gourmet dining including buffet breakfast, lunch, dinner and midnight snack
Select alcoholic drinks as per itinerary
Keytours 24-hour emergency assistance

Excludes

Items of a personal nature
All other items not mentioned as included
Travel insurance; please inquire with your Keytours travel consultant
Gratuities for drivers, guides, and escorts

Itinerary

Day
1

Day 1: Setting Sail — Mahé and the Outer Horizon

Board Aqua Lares at L'Escale Marina on Mahé and settle into your design suite as the ship's Cruise Director and Naturalist Guides welcome you aboard. As the vessel pulls away, sundeck views trace the silhouettes of neighboring islands before they fade astern — the opening notes of a westward crossing that will carry guests from the Seychelles' most remote atolls to the shores of East Africa.

Day
2

Day 2: A Conservation Frontier — D'Arros Island

D'Arros opens the voyage on a high note: a privately managed coral cay in the Amirantes Group, safeguarded by the Save Our Seas Foundation, where sustained conservation has produced exceptionally rich waters. A morning dive or snorkel at St Joseph Channel drifts among sharks, rays, and turtles, while the afternoon's excursion to Turtle Town adds another layer to the day. Dinner on board closes out a strong first full day at sea.

Day
3

Day 3: Coconut Groves and Coral Gardens — Saint-François Atoll

Tenders carry guests into the Alphonse group for a morning among lush coconut forest and hard coral formations just offshore. In the afternoon, Saint-François Atoll itself takes center stage, its mangrove channels sheltering juvenile sharks, crabs, and crab plovers, while the surrounding lagoon and barrier reef invite snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and paddleboarding in equal measure.

Day
4

Day 4: Unmapped Waters — Providence Atoll

Providence unfolds in shades of azure, its reef system still largely unexplored by recreational divers. Snorkelers and divers here have a rare shot at coral formations few outsiders have ever seen, while red-footed boobies wheel overhead — a place where marine life still vastly outnumbers visitors.

Day
5

Day 5: The Underwater Grand Canyon — Astove Island

Astove's defining feature lies beneath the surface: the Astove Wall, a four-mile drop-off draped in soft coral, with visibility stretching to 40 meters in ideal conditions. Sharks, rays, and reef fish move through its depths in a setting often compared to an underwater canyon — a genuine highlight for divers and snorkelers alike.

Day
6

Day 6: Seabird Sanctuary — Cosmoledo Atoll

A guided tender excursion opens the day, tracing Cosmoledo's lagoon for masked gannets and brown boobies found nowhere else in Seychelles waters. Beneath the surface, the atoll's protected reefs offer some of the most undisturbed diving of the entire voyage — a fitting pairing of birdlife above and reef life below.

Day
7

Day 7: Ancient Ground — Aldabra Atoll

Aldabra shelters one of the planet's most isolated ecosystems and its most famous residents — more than 100,000 giant tortoises spread across four islands, the largest such population on Earth. Visit the Aldabra Research Station and old settlement in the morning, followed by a tender ride and nature walk along the atoll's east side. The afternoon's dive or snorkel reveals tropical fish, sharks, and turtles moving through waters where manta rays occasionally make an appearance.

Day
8

Day 8: The Quiet Edge — Assumption Island

Assumption rounds out the Aldabra group with a morning of ocean swims, paddleboarding, or kayaking in clear, current-calmed water. Below the surface, coral reefs teeming with turtles, rays, and tropical fish reward a snorkel or dive excursion in one of the voyage's most remote settings.

Day
9

Day 9: Westward Passage — A Day at Sea

With Tanzania still ahead, the day belongs to the ship itself. Unwind at the spa or jacuzzi, or watch for red-footed boobies hunting flying fish along the swells. Naturalist presentations offer insight into the geology and ecology linking the Seychelles to the East African coast, while dinner and stargazing from the Sun Deck close out a day built for reflection on the journey so far.

Day
10

Day 10: Giants of Mafia Island — Kilindoni Bay & Mange

Mafia Island marks the crossing into Tanzanian waters, renowned as the only place in the country where whale sharks reliably gather. At Kilindoni Bay, snorkel alongside these gentle giants before returning aboard for lunch. The afternoon brings a dive or snorkel from the ship, followed by a sail to Mange, a pristine sandbank rising from Mafia's coastal shallows. Sundowners at the Outdoor Lounge close the day with sweeping coastal views.

Day
11

Day 11: Beach Club and Bay — Mange & Chole Bay

Morning unfolds at Aqua Lares' Beach Club on Mange, surrounded by coral reefs alive with tropical fish. After lunch, arrive at Chole Bay, where lagoon-clear water invites a snorkel or dive through colorful coral gardens, tide permitting, or a slower kayak through the lagoon for those content to take the scenery in from the surface.

Day
12

Day 12: Journey's End — Arrival in Zanzibar

A final breakfast on board offers a last look at the sea before Aqua Lares docks at Azam Marine in Zanzibar. Guests with time before their onward journey can join a guided walk through Stone Town's historic alleyways, tracing centuries of Swahili, Arab, and colonial history through its winding streets — a fitting final chapter to a voyage that began among the Seychelles' remotest atolls and closed in one of East Africa's most storied port towns.

Dates & Prices

28 of Nov, 2026

Saturday

2 of Jan, 2027

Saturday

6 of Feb, 2027

Saturday

13 of Mar, 2027

Saturday

6 of Nov, 2027

Saturday

15 of Jan, 2028

Saturday

19 of Feb, 2028

Saturday

25 of Mar, 2028

Saturday

18 of Nov, 2028

Saturday

23 of Dec, 2028

Saturday

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the Seychelles to Zanzibar Odyssey package?

The Seychelles to Zanzibar Odyssey package includes the following: - Luxury cabin accommodations as per the itinerary - All onboard meals including buffet breakfast, lunch, dinner, and midnight snacks - Select alcoholic drinks (house wines and beer) - Non-alcoholic drinks - Twice daily excursions with expert local guides - Kayaking and paddleboarding equipment - Unlimited access to high-speed WiFi onboard - Keytours 24-hour emergency assistance.

Are there opportunities for customization in this itinerary?

Yes, this itinerary can be customized to fit your preferences. Keytours Vacations can assist you with options such as selecting different accommodations, adding extra nights, or including additional excursions. If you have specific interests or requirements, a Keytours travel consultant can help tailor the experience to ensure it meets your expectations.

How do travelers move between the destinations in this tour?

Travelers will move between destinations primarily by the Aqua Lares cruise ship. The itinerary includes daily excursions to various islands and atolls, allowing guests to explore the stunning marine environments and wildlife of the Seychelles and Tanzania. Transfers to and from the ship at ports are also included as part of the cruise experience.

What activities are available during the Seychelles to Zanzibar Odyssey?

This tour offers a variety of activities, including: - Snorkeling and diving in some of the world's most pristine waters - Kayaking and paddleboarding - Guided excursions to explore unique ecosystems and wildlife - Opportunities for whale shark encounters at Mafia Island - Nature walks and presentations by naturalists These activities are designed to immerse travelers in the natural wonders and conservation efforts of the regions visited.

What is not included in this package?

The following items are not included in the Seychelles to Zanzibar Odyssey package: - Items of a personal nature - Travel insurance (which can be arranged through your Keytours travel consultant) - Gratuities for drivers, guides, and escorts - All other items not specifically mentioned as included Travelers should plan accordingly for these additional expenses.

Is this itinerary suitable for families or first-time travelers?

Yes, this itinerary is suitable for families and first-time travelers, especially those interested in adventure and marine life. The combination of guided excursions, onboard activities, and opportunities to explore unique ecosystems makes it engaging for various age groups. However, travelers should consider the physical activity involved, including snorkeling and excursions, to ensure it meets their family's needs.

What should travelers know before booking this tour?

Before booking the Seychelles to Zanzibar Odyssey, travelers should consider the following: - The tour lasts 12 days and involves a variety of activities, including snorkeling, diving, and guided excursions. - It is advisable to book well in advance to secure preferred accommodations and travel dates. - Check for any specific health or entry requirements for the Seychelles and Tanzania. - Review the final itinerary and confirmation documents for any updates or changes.

Book Your Trip

Include Flights?

Yes

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