Name: Paradise Isles of the Indian Ocean
Brand: Swan Hellenic
SKU: D3024101610

Itinerary

Victoria, the capital of Seychelles, is a vibrant city on Mahé Island's northeastern side, blending diverse cultures and traditions. Attractions include the bustling stalls of Victoria Market, the Hindu shrine of Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple and the colourful "Jivan Imports" store. The Victoria Botanical Garden features Aldabra giant tortoises and 200 plant species, including unique trees like the coco-de-mer.

Tiny Bijoutier Island is renowned for its serene beaches. The remote Outer Islands are graced with a palm-fringed shoreline and exquisite white sand. This circular islet is accessible only during high tide and boasts shallow, crystalline waters. It serves as a haven for frigatebirds, wedge-tailed shearwaters, and a nesting ground for turtles. Spotted tiger cowrie shells and giant crabs add to the island's natural charm.

Snorkeling with Swan Hellenic Expedition Team

Included

Join an exciting Bijoutier Island snorkelling adventure guided by onboard marine biologists
Dive into the crystal-clear lagoon, encountering vibrant schools of fish, graceful turtles, and majestic rays
Immerse yourself in the thriving coral reef ecosystem, offering an up-close encounter with the mesmerizing underwater world

Nature Walk with Swan Hellenic Expedition Team

Included

Explore the pristine shores of Bijoutier Island, a remote Outer Islands gem
Discover tiger cowrie shells and scuttling giant crabs on the powdery white sand
Watch graceful frigatebirds soaring above and spot bustling heron colonies along the shoreline

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Astove Island, in Astove Atoll, was once a copra oil plantation but is now a pristine nature reserve with a vibrant lagoon and white beaches. Mangroves fringe the shallows, and giant Aldabra tortoises freely roam the interior. The vertical reef, Astove Wall, is known for dramatic cliff faces, making it one of the world's best dive sites. Nutrient-rich currents attract prized fish like Indo-Pacific permit, barracuda and bluefin trevally.

Cosmoledo Atoll in the Seychelles comprises islands known for white sand flats, lagoon edges and channels, home to fish like bonefish, milkfish, permit, triggerfish, trevally and more. Hawksbill and green turtles nest on beaches. An important bird area, Cosmoledo has the Seychelles' largest colonies of all three booby species, including the last brown booby population, plus many terns, frigatebirds and other endemic birds.

Aldabra, a massive raised coral atoll consisting of 13 islands encircling a lagoon, is home to the world's largest colony of 100,000 giant tortoises. The isolated archipelago features a protected landscape with hundreds of flowering plant and fern species. Endemic Aldabra drongos and pink flamingos are often seen. The white-throated rail, the last remaining flightless bird in the Indian Ocean, scours this unique habitat.

Zodiac Cruise with Swan Hellenic Expedition Team

Included

Zodiac cruise the magnificent coral limestone formations nearby sandy beaches
Explore the coastal world of this magic atoll
Keep a watchful eye out for wading pink flamingos, adding to the magical experience of this unique destination

Snorkeling with Swan Hellenic Expedition Team

Included

Drift snorkel with your expedition team, from one end of the channel to the other end
Slowly drift over Aldabra's pristine marine world
Watch for the possibility of encountering elusive sharks as you snorkel in this captivating paradise

Nature Walk with Swan Hellenic Expedition Team

Included

Go ashore at this remote research station and learn about intriguing scientific projects in this untouched wilderness
Learn about the Giant Tortoise, the living legends of Aldabra Atoll
Try to spot the Aldabra drongo, a rare and elusive bird found only on the Aldabra Atoll

The kidney-shaped Assumption Island, a part of the Aldabra Group located over 1,000 km southwest of Mahé, is renowned for its diverse butterfly species, such as the belenois aldabrensis. The island is also home to giant tortoises, Assumption day geckos, and hosts nesting sea turtles near the shoreline. A tranquil white-sand beach stretches for miles alongside brilliantly turquoise water on the west coast.

Cosmopolitan Zanzibar Island, or Unguja, known as the Spice Island, features Zanzibar City's UNESCO-listed Stone Town(Mji Mkongwe)—a lively warren of narrow streets with 18th- and 19th-century buildings. Highlights include the Old Fort, the House of Wonders, and a spice market with stalls heaped with locally grown spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. Nearby, Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is home to the red colobus monkey, unique to Zanzibar.

Highlights Of Stone Town

Included

04 h 00 m

Visit Stone Town, a fine example of a Swahili Coastal trading town, and delve into its Afro-Asian history
See the piled-high tropical fruits and inhale the aroma of freshly ground spices neatly packed at the colourful City Market
Take time to learn about the "dark ages" at the East Africa Slave Exhibition, a collection of photographs that documents the role Zanzibar played in it

Sandbank Dhow Adventure

Optional

06 h 00 m

Explore Zanzibar's splendid beaches and marine life on a traditional dhow boat and snorkelling adventure to the Sandbank
Relax at Pange Sandbank with a coconut drink before your guided snorkeling session on a nearby reef and explore the vibrant marine life
Enjoy a delectable seafood lunch buffet, complemented by coffee and Amarula liqueur, followed by swimming or relaxation on the beach

Half Day Jozani Forest

Optional

03 h 30 m

Visit the only natural reserve in Zanzibar, which houses the largest portion of the island's mature forest, mangrove forests and saltmarshes
Get a rare opportunity to view the endangered Red Colobus Monkey, while learning about local flora and fauna on a guided nature trail
Walk across the unique mangrove boardwalk over the swamps to see tropical fish and crabs among the mangrove roots

Ruins and Spices of Zanzibar

Optional

04 h 45 m

Explore the Palace Museum in Kibweni, immersing yourself in the island's rich history
Discover the archipelago's spice legacy, which once produced 90% of the world's cloves
Continue to the lush countryside to smell, taste, touch and see different spice plants as well seasonal fruits, some unique to Zanzibar

Cloaked in lush vegetation, hilly Pemba Island is famed for its clove farms, peaceful islets and white-sand beaches. The island’s biodiverse forests are a haven for grazing blue duiker (small antelope) and the Pemba flying fox, identifiable by its distinctive rusty-red fur and enormous wingspan stretching over five feet. Offshore, vibrantly coloured coral teems with marine life including green turtles, whitetip reef sharks and nudibranchs.

Flying foxes of Pemba

Optional

04 h 40 m

Journey through picturesque landscapes, passing lush countryside and local villages
Discover the Pemba Flying Fox, one of the largest fruit bat species, endemic to Pemba Island, and learn about their remarkable recovery from near-extinction
Explore Chake Chake, the island's largest town and administrative capital, and visit the Chake town market, where tropical fruits and spices abound

A Swahili settlement and former trading hub dating back 700 years, Lamu is a storied seafront town on Lamu Island. Clusters of ornate, well-preserved buildings built from coral stone and mangrove timber fill its maze of narrow streets. Tiny alleyways reveal intricately carved wooden doors, arcaded facades and hidden courtyards. The fort and museum are fantastic places to learn about Swahili culture. Dhow cruises visit neighbouring Manda island.

Exploring Lamu

Included

03 h 00 m

Stroll through the narrow alleys lined with intricately carved Swahili style doors
Listen to the fascinating tales of Lamu's past, revealing the influence of Arab, Indian, and European traders who left an indelible mark on this coastal gem
Explore the vibrant Lamu Museum, where artifacts and exhibits transport you back in time

A dynamic coastal metropolis, Mombasa's rich history comes from a beguiling blend of cultures. Over centuries, Arabs, Portuguese, Asians, and British settlers coexisted in the old town, blending African, European, and Asian architectural styles. Perched above the sea, Fort Jesus was built by the Portuguese in the 1590s to protect the city, while the bustling spice market is packed with fragrant stalls selling pepper, ginger and cardamom.

Choose

YOUR SUITE TYPE

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Oceanview D4

20 m²

Oceanview Staterooms measure 20m²(215ft²) and can accommodate two guests. They feature two single beds or a double bed, a bedroom with living room area, and a luxurious bathroom.

Oceanview M4

20 m²

Oceanview Staterooms measure 20m² (215ft²) and can accommodate two guests. They feature two single beds or a double bed, a bedroom with living room area, and a luxurious bathroom.

Balcony D5

25 m²

Balcony Staterooms measure 25m² (269ft²) – including a 5m² (54ft²) private balcony – and can accommodate two or three guests. They feature two single beds or a double bed, bedroom with living room area, and a luxurious bathroom.

Balcony M5

25 m²

Balcony D6

25 m²

Junior Suite

32 m²

Junior Suites measure 32-36m² (344-388ft²) – including a 6m² (65ft²) private balcony – and can accommodate two guests. They feature a king size bed, have a separate living room area, and luxurious en-suite bathroom.

Suite

41 m²

Suites measure 41m² (441ft²) – including a 5m² (54ft²) private balcony – and can accommodate two or three guests. They feature a king size bed, and have a separate living room, with a flame-effect fireplace. There’s also a luxurious ensuite bathroom with separate bath tub and a walk-in shower.

Premium Suite

41 m²

Premium Suites measure 41m² (441ft²) – including 8m² (86ft²) private balcony – and can accommodate two guests. They feature a king size bed, separate living room, and flame-effect fireplace. There’s also a luxurious ensuite bathroom – with separate bath tub and shower – and a walk-in wardrobe.