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An 11-Day Luxury Cruise from Zanzibar to the Seychelles

Zanzibar To Seychelles Luxury Cruise

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Duration

11 Days

Starts In

Zanzibar Island

Route

Zanzibar Island, Mahe Island

Few voyages span as much marine diversity as this crossing from Tanzania to the Seychelles. It begins in the warm shallows of Mafia Island, swimming alongside whale sharks in one of the only places on Earth where such encounters are reliably possible, then threads through Zanzibar's Swahili coastal culture before striking east across open ocean toward Aldabra — a coral atoll so remote it shelters more than 100,000 giant tortoises undisturbed by the modern world. Eleven days aboard Aqua Lares carry guests from one extraordinary ecosystem to another, closing at the conservation stronghold of D'Arros Island in the Seychelles' Amirantes Group. This is a journey for travelers who want their itinerary to match the scale of the ocean itself — vast, varied, and largely untouched.

CRUISE JOURNEY 11 Days / 10 Nights cruising from Zanzibar, Tanzania to Mahe Island, Seychelles. Includes arrival & departure transfers, 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
Transfers not mentioned in the itinerary
Travel insurance; please inquire with your Keytours travel consultant
Gratuities for drivers, guides, and escorts

Itinerary

Day
1

Day 1: Setting Sail — Zanzibar to the Indian Ocean

Board Aqua Lares at the Azam Marine terminal in Zanzibar and settle into your design suite as the ship's Cruise Director and Naturalist Guides welcome you aboard. As the vessel departs Stone Town's historic waterfront, panoramic sundeck views take in the coastline while the onboard team introduces the signature Aqua dining experience over your first meal at sea. Ahead lies a journey spanning two nations and two oceans' worth of marine life, beginning with Tanzania's most storied island.

Day
2

Day 2: Giants of Mafia Island — Kilindoni Bay & Mange

Mafia Island announces itself with calm, turquoise water and a reputation as the only place in Tanzania where whale sharks reliably gather. At Kilindoni Bay, slip into the water alongside these gentle giants — among the ocean's largest fish, and entirely harmless filter feeders — before returning aboard for lunch. The afternoon brings a dive or snorkel from the ship itself, followed by a sail to Mange, a pristine sandbank rising from the shallows off Mafia's coast. As the light softens, sundowners on the Outdoor Lounge close out the day with coastal views on all sides.

Day
3

Day 3: Reef and Village — Chole Bay

Chole Bay reveals itself in lagoon-clear water and coral gardens thick with tropical fish, best explored on a morning snorkel or dive. After lunch, step ashore for a cultural walk through a local village, where Swahili heritage, traditional crafts, and community-led conservation efforts offer a grounded counterpoint to the morning's underwater wonder. As evening settles in, sundowners provide space to reflect on a day that moved seamlessly between reef and shore.

Day
4

Day 4: Crossing Toward Seychelles — A Day at Sea

With Assumption Island still ahead, the day belongs to the ship itself. Unwind at the onboard spa or jacuzzi, or scan the skies for red-footed boobies working the waves for flying fish. Naturalist-led talks offer insight into the geology and ecology linking Tanzania's coast to the Seychelles' outer islands — two ecosystems, one ocean. World-class dining carries into evening, capped by stargazing from the Sun Deck as the ship continues east.

Day
5

Day 5: Stillness at the Edge — Assumption Island

Assumption offers a deliberate change of pace — a remote, largely untouched atoll where the day's agenda is simply presence. Watch turquoise water stretch to the horizon from the deck, retreat to your suite for quiet moments, or keep watch for seabirds and the occasional flash of marine life beneath the surface. Dinner and sundowners close the day in the stillness of one of the Indian Ocean's most secluded corners — a pause before Aldabra's spectacle tomorrow.

Day
6

Day 6: A Living Fortress — Aldabra Atoll

Wake to Aldabra, home to more than 100,000 giant tortoises roaming freely across its four islands — the largest such population found anywhere on the planet. Morning brings a visit to the Aldabra Research Station and the atoll's historic old settlement, followed by a snorkel or dive off the island's west side. The afternoon's drift dive reveals a thriving population of tropical fish, sharks, and sea turtles, with manta rays an occasional, unplanned bonus in these famously isolated waters.

Day
7

Day 7: The Underwater Grand Canyon — Astove Island

Astove's reputation rests on the Astove Wall, a four-mile drop-off draped in soft coral and patrolled by sharks, rays, and reef fish, with visibility stretching to 40 meters in ideal conditions. Regarded as among the finest dive sites in the Indian Ocean, it delivers a scale and clarity that feels closer to open-ocean wilderness than a typical reef dive — a genuine bucket-list stop for serious divers and curious snorkelers alike.

Day
8

Day 8: Uncharted Reefs — Providence Atoll

Providence unfolds in shades of azure, its lagoon and surrounding reefs still largely unmapped by recreational diving. Snorkelers and divers here explore coral formations few outsiders have ever seen, while red-footed boobies and other seabirds wheel above the atoll's low-lying cays — a place where wildlife still vastly outnumbers visitors.

Day
9

Day 9: Mangroves and Coconut Groves — Saint-François Atoll

Morning tenders deliver you to Saint-François Atoll, where mangrove channels shelter juvenile sharks, scuttling crabs, and wading crab plovers, alongside snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and paddleboarding across an expansive barrier reef. After lunch, continue exploring the wider Alphonse group, where a lush coconut forest gives way to hard coral gardens just offshore, teeming with marine life along the shoreline.

Day
10

Day 10: A Conservation Frontier — D'Arros Island

D'Arros closes the expedition on a high note — a secluded coral cay in the Amirantes Group managed by the Save Our Seas Foundation, where sustained conservation work has produced one of the richest marine environments in the Indian Ocean. Begin with a dive or snorkel at St Joseph Channel among rays and reef sharks, then spend the afternoon at Turtle Town, where hawksbill and green turtles move unhurried through the shallows. A final dinner on board toasts a journey that began with whale sharks off Zanzibar and closed among some of the most protected waters on Earth.

Day
11

Day 11: Homeward Waters — Return to Mahé

A final breakfast on board offers a last look back at the extraordinary distance covered — from Mafia Island's whale sharks to Aldabra's tortoise-covered shores. Aqua Lares arrives at L'Escale Marina on Mahé, closing an 11-day crossing between two of the Indian Ocean's most remarkable marine frontiers.

Dates & Prices

9 of Dec, 2026

Wednesday

13 of Jan, 2027

Wednesday

17 of Feb, 2027

Wednesday

24 of Mar, 2027

Wednesday

17 of Nov, 2027

Wednesday

26 of Jan, 2028

Wednesday

1 of Mar, 2028

Wednesday

5 of Apr, 2028

Wednesday

29 of Nov, 2028

Wednesday

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Zanzibar to Seychelles Luxury Cruise itinerary include?

The Zanzibar to Seychelles Luxury Cruise itinerary includes a comprehensive range of services designed for a luxurious experience. Key inclusions are: - Accommodations aboard Aqua Lares as per the itinerary - All onboard meals, including buffet breakfast, lunch, dinner, and midnight snacks - Select alcoholic drinks and house wines - Twice daily excursions with expert local guides - Kayaking and paddleboarding equipment - Unlimited access to high-speed WiFi onboard - Keytours 24-hour emergency assistance. Please note that items of a personal nature, travel insurance, and gratuities are not included.

How do travelers move between Zanzibar and the Seychelles during this tour?

Travelers will embark on the Aqua Lares cruise, which provides a seamless journey from Zanzibar Island, Tanzania, to Mahe Island, Seychelles. The cruise includes multiple stops at various islands, such as Mafia Island and Aldabra Atoll, allowing guests to explore diverse marine environments and engage in activities like snorkeling and diving. All transfers between destinations are conducted aboard the cruise ship, ensuring a comfortable and scenic travel experience.

Can I customize my accommodations or excursions on this package?

Yes, accommodations and excursions can be customized based on your preferences. Keytours Vacations offers the flexibility to tailor your experience, whether you wish to upgrade your cabin or select specific excursions that align with your interests. It’s best to discuss your customization options with a Keytours travel consultant when planning your trip.

What types of activities can I expect during the Zanzibar to Seychelles Luxury Cruise?

This itinerary offers a variety of activities focused on adventure and exploration. Guests can enjoy: - Snorkeling and diving in pristine waters, including encounters with whale sharks and giant tortoises - Cultural walks through local villages to learn about Swahili heritage - Kayaking and paddleboarding in serene lagoons - Naturalist-led talks about the unique ecosystems of the Indian Ocean - Relaxation aboard the ship, including access to onboard amenities like the spa and jacuzzi.

Is travel insurance included in the Zanzibar to Seychelles Luxury Cruise package?

No, travel insurance is not included in this package. It is highly recommended that travelers purchase travel insurance to cover unexpected events or emergencies. You can inquire about travel insurance options with your Keytours travel consultant when booking your cruise.

What should travelers know about the physical activity level of this tour?

The Zanzibar to Seychelles Luxury Cruise involves a moderate level of physical activity. Activities such as snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and cultural walks may require a reasonable level of fitness. Travelers should be prepared for some walking, as well as swimming and water sports. However, there are also opportunities to relax on the ship and enjoy leisure time, making it suitable for a range of fitness levels.

Are gratuities for guides and staff included in the tour price?

No, gratuities for drivers, guides, and escorts are not included in the tour price. It is customary to provide gratuities for excellent service, and the amount is at the discretion of the traveler. Guests may wish to budget for these additional expenses during their trip.

Book Your Trip

Include Flights?

Yes

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