A note from Dom
The Seychelles offer divers an interesting topography.  It's the only mid-ocean island destination which offers both granite-based reefs as well as the more common carbonate tropical reefs.  Here you'll find colourful reef fish, along with sea turtles, eels, rays, sharks and other creatures. Of course, Seychelles has had its share of problems over the past years, with coral bleaching and pirate activity, and I have hesitated to recommend the destination.  But, we have recently begun working again with our old friends at Silhouette Cruises, who offer diving on their cruises on the Sea Bird and Sea Star.  In addition, they are offering a fabulous opportunity to participate in an expedition in September on Maya's Dugong, to dive/snorkel with the great giants of the oceans, the Whale Sharks.  You can read more about this expedition by clicking here. Travellers can also discover the northwest region of Madagascar aboard this completely refitted Maya's Dugong.  With 9 cabins and a maximum of 24 passengers, expedition cruises aboard the vessel are also small enough to allow guests to choose wildlife treks, diving or simply relaxing. Most of the details you need are here on our Seychelles and Madagascar pages, but don't hesitate to contact us with questions or to book.  Cheers, Dom	Madagascar Overview Maya's Dugong Madagascar Itinerary Seychelles Overview Sea Star & Sea Bird Whale Shark Expedition
Seychelles Overview
The Inner Islands of the Seychelles, are the remains of a submerged mountain range which rest on a shallow plateau with prolific marine life.   The Inner Islands’ marine life reveals an abundance of fish even on shallow inshore reefs and features different types of Butterfly fish and Angel fish, Soldier fish, Squirrel fish and Sweepers among many others. The island reefs are also havens for many invertebrates including Octopus, Spiny Lobster and a plethora of Nudibranchs, such as the Spanish Dancer.   Sites with regular current flows support fan corals and colorful tree coral formations while more remote sites shelter the larger fish species, such as the Napoleon Wrasse, Giant Grouper, Reef Sharks and Ribbon-tailed Stingrays. Most spectacular are the plankton-eating Whale Sharks found all year around the Inner Islands, with peak sightings in August, and October through January.   The Outer Islands to the south of the archipelago are all coralline or sand cays and mainly uninhabited, presenting the experienced diver with excellent opportunities to explore where few have gone before, on a variety of cavern and wall dives, drop-off dives and drift diving opportunities.   Aldabra, the world's largest raised coral atoll, is the finest surviving tropical atoll ecosystem on earth. The giant tortoises on the island form by far the world's largest population and the marine life is prolific. The last surviving flightless bird of the Indian Ocean, the Aldabra rail, is found only here as are many other unique land birds and it is a vital breeding ground for turtles and seabirds.
Silhouette Cruises
The itineraries allow divers daily access to some of the more unusual and harder to reach of Seychelles diving sites, in addition to the reputed and more well-known Seychelles diving sites. Some dives are organized using the vessels’ dinghy to bring divers further afield, while aboard our modern sailing yachts of Sea Star and Sea Bird, dives can be launched directly from the boats’ rear platforms for the convenience of guests. All of the vessels in the Silhouette Cruises fleet operate as certified PADI dive centres, with a full range of equipment onboard including 18 x 12L aluminum dive cylinders, 2 dive compressors, assorted size wet suits (shorties) and 7 full diving sets for hire. An experienced PADI dive instructor with Indian Ocean experience is onboard each cruise as well, to ensure divers get the most out of the best Seychelles diving sites. Night dives are also a must-do for divers keen on maximizing their Seychelles diving experience, with some of the sea’s more curious creatures venturing out after the sun sets.
SEA BIRD and SEA STAR
SEA BIRD   9 Fully air-conditioned cabins: 3 Cabins with double bed and en-suite shower/toilet 6 Cabins with double bed + single bed and en-suite shower/toilet   Salon and Bar plus Dining Salon   SEA STAR   9 Fully air-conditioned cabins: 1 Honeymoon cove cabin with double bed with en-suite shower/toilet 4 Cabins with double bed and en-suite shower/toilet 4 Cabins with double bed + single bed and en-suite shower/toilet  Salon with Bar and Dining Salon
MAYA'S DUGONG
THE BOAT The M.V. Maya’s Dugong is an oceanographic vessel with the space and comfort of a modern yacht, combined with the durability and functionality required for scientific and long-distance expeditions.   Originally built as a research vessel by the Canadian Government in 1966, the Maya’s Dugong was completely retro-fitted as a private yacht in the ‘90s before being overhauled once again to accommodate cabin cruise voyages. It now serves as an oceanographic and expedition cruising vessel throughout the Indian Ocean.   Large public areas and facilities allow for maximum enjoyment of guests’ time onboard Maya’s Dugong. A spacious dining salon and lounge hosts guests in air conditioned comfort for meals and entertainment, and the outdoor leisure deck provides opportunities for al fresco dining and also serves as a comfortable observation deck.   There is also plenty of open deck space onboard for sun bathing and relaxing, and the spacious bridge allows for one to take in the adventure with a captain’s eye view of all the surroundings.   Also available onboard: Flat-screen TV in the Dining Salon/Lounge DVD player & Stereo Games, cards, small library Ice Machine Laundry Service (extra charge) ACCOMMODATION   All cabins are equipped with air conditioning, reading lights and a storage cupboard. Accommodation is offered across three categories:   COMMANDER CABINS x3 These well-appointed cabins are the largest and most comfortable that Maya’s Dugong has to offer. Situated on the top two decks of the vessel, these cabins boast en-suite bathrooms/showers as well as windows from which to view the beautiful coastal surrounds. Two of the Commander Cabins feature a double-bed plus an extra single bed, while one Commander Cabin offers two single beds in the cabin.   EXPLORER CABINS x4 Classic and comfortable, these cabins are situated below the main public-area decks. Complete with en-suite bathrooms/showers, there is one Explorer Cabin offering a double-bed plus a single bed, and three Explorer Cabins with two single beds and an extra fold-out bunk.   MARINER CABINS x2 Maya’s Dugong also offers smaller cabins, typically reserved for scientists and naturalists, with 3 single bunks per cabin, with shared bathroom facilities between the two cabins.   FOOD Great food is served all day, from the cooked-to-order breakfast to the plentiful lunch and dinner buffets.  You'll find local produce and Melanesian specialties with combined on a menu designed to please everyone.   Cold water and fruit juice are available throughout the day as part of the cruise cost. A full range of beverages are also available onboard at extra charge, including mineral water, soft drinks, beer, wine, spirits and champagne. Price list available on request CREW Maya’s Dugong boasts a high staff-to-guest ratio to ensure all of our passengers are well looked-after throughout the expedition. In addition to the captain, engineer, and two deckhands, all expedition cruises are staffed with two stewardesses, a dive instructor and a dedicated chef, as well as the naturalist tour leader. For more about her Madagascar program, click here.     For more about her Seychelles program, click here.