PONANT, the global leader in luxury expeditions, offers a new perspective on the riches of the Seychelles, aboard Le Bougainville, one of the PONANT EXPLORERS, a new generation of small ships designed to reach far-flung lands.
With its 115 islands, the Seychelles archipelago is a dream destination for adventurous travellers in search of tranquillity and fabulous landscapes: tropical forests, ecological reserves and granite ridges forming extraordinary panoramas, sandy beaches, turquoise waters with coral sea beds, not to mention the endemic fauna and flora unlike any other in the world!
Aboard Le Bougainville, a ship in the PONANT EXPLORERS series, guests will be able to enjoy new travel experiences in the Seychelles in exceptional conditions: intimate, smaller-capacity (only 92 staterooms and suites), design, innovative technology and respect for the environment.
Guests will be able to appreciate all the riches of this sublime archipelago’s subaquatic world from the “Blue Eye” multi-sensory underwater lounge that is unique to PONANT. To allow the spirit and the gaze to dive into the spectacle unfolding outside, guests simply need to take a seat on one of the Body Listening sofas, which enable unprecedented unique sensory perception through corporal resonance, open their eyes and admire the subaquatic world thanks to underwater projectors that are non-intrusive on the marine biosphere. For a unique acoustic immersion experience, these views are combined with state-of-the-art hydrophones so as to retransmit the natural symphony of the ocean depths.
Another exclusive technological prowess, particularly appropriate for this destination, is the flexible, 3-position marina platform that lets guests get as close as possible to the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean: a fully-fitted sundeck for sunbathing, drinking in the blue of the archipelago; a submersible mini-port enabling direct access to the flotilla of Zodiac boats on-board; or skimming the water to enable water sports. A myriad of customised activities completes this exceptional programme, such as swimming in the sea, kayaking, paddle boarding, diving, snorkelling, water-skiing, fishing, and more.
3 brand-new itineraries
The Essential Seychelles
From Mahé, guests will embark on an 8-night expedition cruise to the heart of these paradisiacal islands. They will discover the Sainte Anne Marine National Park, whose coral reefs are home to stunning species, guaranteeing unforgettable snorkelling. But also Curieuse Island, reputed for its red earth, passing via Praslin, then Grande Sœur Island. Guests will have the opportunity of visiting the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, with its sea coconuts, and admiring the beaches of these stunning islands, guaranteeing moments of relaxation that will make your Seychelles dream come true.
Aboard Le Bougainville, departing 3 to 11 January 2020, 9 days / 8 nights, from AU$5,910 pp twin share in a Deluxe Stateroom with ocean views and private balcony.
The Seychelles and Aldabra Atoll
Come aboard for a 12-night expedition cruise to discover the most beautiful islands of the Seychelles. Leaving from Victoria, the archipelago’s capital, you will immediately be charmed by the idyllic landscapes, with their exceptional flora and fauna.
The port of call in the marine park of Curieuse Island will be an opportunity to discover the hundreds of Aldabra giant tortoises that live there, before visiting the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, as well as the island of Aride. Another high point of the itinerary: the port of call at Aldabra, a gigantic emerged atoll listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where, since February 2019, PONANT has been supporting the Aldabra Clean Up Project to fight against plastic pollution.
Aboard Le Bougainville, from 28 February to 11 March 2020, 12 nights, from AU$10,890 pp twin share in a Prestige Stateroom, Deck 5 with ocean views and private balcony.
The Vanilla Islands
A brand-new expedition cruise to the “Vanilla Islands” from Mahé in the Seychelles to Nosy Be in Madagascar, via the Comoros Islands and Mayotte. This 9-night itinerary will be an opportunity to discover little-known places of breathtaking natural beauty, original fauna and flora, as well as to meet the locals. After discovering La Digue, the small islands of Alphonse and Astove, then the Aldabra Atoll, a natural sanctuary listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ship will set sail for the Glorioso Islands, Mohéli in the Comoros Islands, with its incredible biodiversity, and then towards Mayotte. This small French archipelago protected by a double barrier reef is home to incredibly rich fauna: dolphins, rays, giant turtles… The cruise will end in Madagascar, the island continent reputed for its beautiful primary forests where rosewood, camphor wood and ylang-ylang flourish.
Aboard Le Bougainville, from 11 to 20 March 2020 or from 20 to 29 March 2020, 9 nights, from AU$8,890 pp twin share in a Prestige Stateroom, Deck 4, with ocean views and private balcony.
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