Passage from the Seychelles to Madagascar

• Embark on a memorable passage through the Indian Ocean from Mahe Island, Seychelles, to Madagascar on a 10-night cruise aboard an exclusively chartered, deluxe small ship.
• Included return flight from Madagascar to Mahe Island, Seychelles.
• An expedition team of naturalists on board to enhance your experience with wildlife lectures, guided nature walks and Zodiac cruises.
• Visit six Seychelles islands to witness some of the rarest indigenous wildlife and unique landscapes on Earth.
• Discover Madagascar's stunning white-sand beaches, native wildlife, geologic wonders and vibrant coral reefs.
• Included meals | 2 receptions, 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 10 dinners.
• Seychelles Post-Tour Extension. (Available at additional cost.)

Depart for Victoria, Mahe Island, Seychelles. Please check your bags from your gateway city to your arrival city. Be sure to attach the provided Gohagan & Company luggage tags for each piece of luggage, including carry-ons. Your claim checks should have the following airport code: SEZ.

Arrive at Seychelles International Airport in Victoria. Proceed through the immigration checkpoint to the baggage claim area and retrieve your luggage. After completing a customs screening, meet a Gohagan & Company representative. Those arriving early will transfer to a group hospitality room at a local hotel. After lunch on your own at the hotel or nearby, you will then travel with the group to embark Le Bougainville.

Those arriving later will transfer directly to the port for embarkation.

This evening, attend a Gohagan & Company welcome briefing and safety drill, followed by a dinner on board the ship.

Wake this morning to breakfast on board and stunning views as the ship arrives on the island of La Digue.

La Digue Island seems to crystalize all the beauty of the Seychelles. This small piece of Eden is the third-largest island in the Seychelles, despite its modest size (1.8 miles by 3 miles)! La Digue boasts inviting turquoise waters, lush vegetation sheltering giant tortoises, palm-fringed beaches and iconic large granite rocks with pink highlights. The island (like so many in the Seychelles and Madagascar) offers eco-friendly adventure. It follows a peaceful rhythm, with bikes or traditional oxcarts the only means of transport along its little roads. Visit the picture-perfect Anse Source d'Argent beach, known for its soft white sand and, of course, the granite boulders. Keep your eyes peeled for unusual birds!

Return to the ship for a delicious lunch on board. After lunch, explore the ship and enjoy its many amenities.

Join your fellow travelers for a Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner on board this evening.

Protected from human impact and often called a “seabird citadel,” Aride is home to some 112 species of birds, including 30 species of rare birds. The seabirds nest here in large, noisy colonies — it is thought that over a million seabirds breed here each year! Besides that, it’s fairly quiet on Aride, since the island is protected as a nature preserve, and only a handful of humans (who manage the conservation efforts) live here. This is a wonderful example of how dedication to the environment can co-exist with tourism. In addition to the bird populations, giant tortoises are residents, and the island has one of the highest population densities of lizards in the world. On a guided walk through the island's pristine nature reserve, keep your eyes peeled for all these fascinating animals — and endemic plants, like Wright’s gardenia, which smells fantastic and grows nowhere else in the world. (On Aride, its habitat is protected.) Savor lunch on board as the ship sails to Curieuse Island.

This tiny island is known for its remarkable biodiversity, its unusual red soil, and for the Coco de Mer palm, which only grows here and on a neighboring island — nowhere else in the world. The Coco de Mer produces the world’s largest nut. Curieuse is also home to hundreds of giant tortoises and there is a conservation program to protect them. The island was declared a national marine park in 1979, and many underwater species thrive in these idyllic waters. Discover the island’s lush mangrove forests (seven different species of mangroves grow in the Seychelles), soft-sand beaches and many wildlife species on a guided walk. You can also visit the site of a historic leper colony, with its well-preserved ruins and a cemetery.

After this fascinating day, return to the ship for dinner on board.

Wake this morning to breakfast and stunning views as the ship arrives on Remire Island.

Remire Island is like a tiny emerald floating in the Indian Ocean. It boasts unique biodiversity, including exceptionally rich underwater life. Enjoy a guided walk through the island's lush vegetation, observing diverse wildlife, including endemic birds and reptiles. Next, board a Zodiac for a scenic cruise around the island, allowing you to admire its stunning coastline and marine life from the water. Both hawksbill and green sea turtles nest on the island and swim in the nearby waters. Return to the ship for lunch onboard and time to relax. Take a dip in the pool or soak up the views on deck or from the panoramic lounge. Enjoy a delicious dinner tonight.

Wake this morning to breakfast and stunning views as the ship arrives at St. François. St. François. This area is our first stop in the remote Outer Islands of the Seychelles. Rarely visited, St. François Atoll (and tomorrow’s stop, Farquhar Atoll) provides a fascinating glimpse into diverse marine life without human intervention. As if to underscore the dearth of human residents, the waters around St. François Atoll are filled with shipwrecks. Atolls are formed when a coral reef builds up — which can take thousands of years — around a volcanic island. Because of erosion, the island then disappears back into the ocean. What remains is the ring of the coral reef and the protected water inside, called a lagoon. And in this case, two small islands remain as well — Bijoutier and St. François Islands. This area is a popular nesting site for migrating seabirds and for various species of sea turtles. The protected waters are also home to a diverse fish population, including the Giant Trevally, which can grow up to 67 inches long and weigh 175 pounds!

Today, take a guided walk through the tiny island's lush vegetation, looking out for diverse wildlife — including birds and reptiles — and interesting trees!  Benefit from the positive effects of thoughtful environmental stewardship that result in biodiversity and protection of endemic species on these islands.

Return to the ship for lunch onboard. Visit the spa or fitness center this afternoon, or simply relax on deck. Enjoy a delicious dinner tonight.

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning as the ship arrives in Farquhar Atoll.

The southernmost — and largest — atoll of the Seychelles, Farquhar is famous for its soft sand dunes and the beautiful blue and turquoise waters of its lagoon. The extensive salt flats and shallow waters around Farquhar Atoll make it a haven for many exotic species, including the bumphead parrotfish, which thrive here. On a guided hike today, explore the pristine beaches, mangrove forests and coastal dunes, observing diverse birdlife, marine life and unique plant species. Marvel at the variety of seabirds, including sooty terns and black-naped terns, a species that lives exclusively on coral islands. Keep your eyes peeled for distinctive frigatebirds, masked and red-footed boobies.

Return to the ship for lunch onboard. Spend the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the unparalleled views of the Indian Ocean. Enjoy a delicious dinner tonight.

Savor breakfast on board as the ship cruises to Antsiranana, Madagascar. A jewel on the northern coast of Madagascar, Antsiranana (formerly known as Diego Suarez) has unbeatable vistas — paradisical beaches with turquoise waters surrounded by hills. You’ll find pristine natural landscapes, fascinating historical sites and colonial architecture here.

Today’s excursion is an off-roading island tour in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Note that part of the journey will be on a rough track, making for a bumpy ride. Once in your vehicle, head toward Joffreville, an abandoned colonial village. On the way there will be a photo stop with a panoramic vista over Diego Suarez Bay and Sugar Loaf Island. After checking out the village, you will head off-road and uphill to the entrance to Montagne d’Ambre National Park. Here, you will disembark for a walking tour through lush landscapes to a waterfall. You may spot lemurs, chameleons and a variety of birds. Return to port (heading downhill this time!) and enjoy the beautiful views as you descend.

Return to the ship for lunch and a relaxing afternoon onboard. Enjoy a delicious dinner tonight.


Enjoy a taste of paradise this morning, spending time on the beautiful white sand beach along the Emerald Sea. Swim and snorkel in the clear waters, looking for bountiful marine life (including possible dolphin and whale sightings off shore!) Savor a delicious seafood lunch.

Return to the ship. This afternoon, take a dip in the pool or soak up the views from the panoramic lounge. Enjoy a delicious dinner tonight.

Savor a delectable breakfast on board as the ship arrives in Nosy Hara. Nosy Hara (which translates in the native language to “mountainous island”) is part of a pristine archipelago located off the coast of Madagascar. It has been designated a Marine National Park, and its unspoiled beauty is breathtaking. Nosy Hara is surrounded by distinctive limestone rock formations called tsingies rising from the waters. It is a veritable open-air aquarium inhabited by: whales and dolphins, 279 species of coral fish, 108 species of corals, five species of sea turtles, 31 species of birds and 18 species of reptiles. On a guided walk through the island's lush vegetation, look out for this diverse birdlife and reptiles, including Brookesia Micra, the smallest chameleon in the world. Afterward, relax on the beach, taking in the incredible vistas. Depending on the tides today on the island, snorkeling, swimming or kayaking may also be possible. Details will be announced on-site. Return to the ship for lunch onboard. Spend the afternoon enjoying the unparalleled views of the Indian Ocean.

Enjoy breakfast on board as the ship arrives in Nosy Komba.

Welcome to Lemur Island! This volcanic cone-shaped island, blanketed in lush tropical greenery and surrounded by gorgeous blue and green water, is home to a population of black lemurs. The furry orange-brown (female) and black (male) creatures, protected on the island, are surprisingly agile and communicative.

Today we will take a zodiac to land on Nosy Komba, where we will meet local people. As we stroll through the village, learn about their daily lives and see their handicrafts, such as table linens and hand-carved wooden items. (This is a good opportunity to buy souvenirs, as well as fruit and vanilla. If you are interested in doing so, bring some cash along in small bills.) Learn about the plants cultivated on Madagascar — vanilla, ylang ylang and coffee. Then take a guided hike through the dense rainforest to encounter the playful black lemurs in their natural habitat. Lemurs are accustomed to humans and may get up-close and personal! Look out for chameleons, snakes, tortoises and birds too!

Return to the ship to tuck in to a delectable lunch as we sail to Nosy Tanikely.

In the heart of the Nosy Be archipelago, discover Nosy Tanikely, another tropical paradise with a lovely white sand beach, a crystal-clear lagoon and incredible biodiversity. The island has been designated a protected marine reserve, and its abundant coral reefs provide habitats for numerous underwater species, making it an outstanding spot for snorkeling and swimming. Begin today’s excursion with a guided walk to discover the island's unique ecosystem, including its diverse birdlife and endemic plant species. See the old lighthouse, built in 1908, and enjoy unmatched views of the surrounding islands — lovely gems in the Indian Ocean. During your walk, you may spy bats, birds, snakes and lemurs. Next, head into the water to witness marine life in a kaleidoscope of colors around the vibrant coral reefs. Look for reef fish, dolphins and sea turtles; underwater, you may even hear the songs of humpback whales! Note: depending upon tides and other conditions, the order of activities may be changed.

Return to the ship for dinner on board this evening as we sail to Nosy Be.

Farewell Reception: Join your fellow travelers for a Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner on board the ship this evening. Raise a glass to your amazing Indian Ocean adventure!

Following breakfast, disembark and transfer to Nosy Be Airport for your included flight back to Victoria International Airport on Mahe Island, Seychelles. Once you arrive at Victoria, a hospitality room will be provided for those with flights home later in the afternoon or evening (airport transfer will be provided). Make your own plans for lunch and dinner today (with help, of course, from the Travel Directors or Hospitality Desk). Transfer back to the airport will be provided. Tonight, board your international return flight to your home city.

Arrive in your home city and go through immigration and customs. Welcome home!