Name: Paradise Islands of the Indian Ocean
Brand: Swan Hellenic
SKU: D2523102411

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.

Ringed by white sand and topped with thick vegetation, Poivre Island is known for its astonishing array of marine life and birds. Part of a remote atoll 268 km southwest of Mahé, it’s a nesting ground for multiple species, including wading whimbrels and darting red fodies. Hawksbill and green turtles glide beneath the water and bury their eggs on the island’s beaches.

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.

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.

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.

Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.

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

Included

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.

Paradise Islands of the Indian Ocean

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