Sea Pearl

Boat

Sea Pearl was built back in 1915 in Vlaardingen, Netherlands as a sailing-fishing vessel named "Dirk". In 1930 she was the last sailing vessel in the Dutch Herring fleet. After decades of fishing the North Sea she was redesigned in 1991 into a schooner rigged sailing ship, sailing the Caribbean Islands and Canada under the name "Regina Chatarina". In 1999, she was completely refitted and renamed “Sea Pearl” and delivered to Seychelles to commence charter operations around the islands of Seychelles.

Sea Pearl has a main air-conditioned saloon, as well as a covered open-air back deck/leisure area, a padded sundeck and netting on the bow which serve as suspended hammocks for guests to relax and unwind.

The chefs use fresh local ingredients to create an enticing blend of authentic Creole cuisine and international favourites. Each chef plans out their own menus for every cruise week, encouraging diverse and creative creations for every meal. Meals can be enjoyed in the air-conditioned saloon for seated dining, or picnic-style on the back deck lounge area or sun deck.

The stewardesses are always at the ready to serve drinks from our bar, be it for an afternoon refreshment, an aperitif at sunset or a glass of wine with dinner. However, in order to create an atmosphere in which our passengers can feel at home onboard, we also allow self-service at our bar - guests are welcome to help themselves to drinks from the refrigerator at the bar by simply marking down their selections, which will be added to their bar bill for settlement at the end of the cruise.

Sea Pearl offers a number of special niche programs have been developed to cater for charter groups seeking a more specific activity to enjoy in the islands, such as bird- watching, sport-fishing, hiking, diving and more: cruises can be tailored to almost any special interest.

Sea Pearl is equipped with two dive compressors, 16 cylinders + refills, weights, assorted wet suits (shorties) and 8 full diving sets for hire (guests are also welcome to bring their own equipment).

Cabin

Sea Pearl features 8 air-conditioned guest cabins, it can welcome up to 16 guests.

All cabins are air-conditioned with a washbasin as well as reading lights, storage cupboard and power connections for charging computers and cameras or using other electronic devices such as hair-dryers.

6 Double Cabins :
Located on the lower deck, each cabin comes with one double bed and one single bed in bunk style, portholes, use shared bathroom.

2 Twin Cabins :
Located on the lower deck, each cabin comes with two single bunk beds, portholes, use shared bathroom.

Shared Bathrooms :
Located on the lower deck, there are 4 showers, 3 toilets separately from the cabins and guests share these facilities during the cruise.

Diving

• Diving is offered as a supplement on regular trip.
• Diving packages are available for pre-booking only.
• Diving is included 3 dives a day on diving safari trips.
• No dive provided on the day of arrival and departure.
• All diving will provide experienced guide to lead the dive.

Other information

• Nitrox：Not available at the moment.
• 15L Tanks：Available with surcharge.
• Technical Dive:Not available at the moment.
• Dive Equipment Rental：Available with surcharge.
• Dive insurance：Divers must have valid dive insurance
• Wi-Fi Internet ：Not available at the moment.
• Laundry Service：Available with surcharge.
• Massage Service：Not available at the moment.
• Payment on board：Cash only (Euro is preferred)
• Crew Number：8, include 1 dive guide

From November to April, weekly 7-night cruises depart every Saturday from Port Victoria, Mahé venturing throughout most of the inner island archipelago.

From May to October, a shorter 6-night cruise is offered From Praslin island.

Both itineraries are ideal options for individuals, couples and small families who seek the advantages of a yacht experience without bearing the costs of chartering an entire boat.

Charters are also available for up to 16 pax for groups of Friends, family or executives who wish to discover the islands privately in their own way.

Most of the dive sites we’ll visit feature large granite rock formations that create different passages and caves. These are home to a rich population of tropical fish, large numbers of pelagic species such as sharks, barracudas, jacks and tunas as well as rays and turtles.

Seychelles 8D/7N Diving Safari

Day 1 - Diving & Crossing
Embarkation at the Inter-Island Quay at 10:30hrs, followed by the Captain's welcome briefing. Depart Port Victoria at 12:00hrs, sailing from Mahé to a late afternoon anchorage at Round Island, just off the isle of Praslin. In the evening, introduce yourself to Creole cuisine with a welcome barbecue dinner onboard.

Day 2 - Diving & Visit to Vallee de Mai, Praslin
Sail to Praslin, Seychelles' second-largest inhabited island, for disembarkation to the famous World Heritage Site, the Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve. This ancient forest is home to the curiously shaped double coconut, the coco de mer, as well as the Black Parrot, unique to Praslin. Explore the valley's eerie pathways beneath its canopy of massive palms, before returning onboard for afternoon opportunities to dive, snorkel or enjoy other water sports.

Day 3 - Diving & Visit to La Digue
Sail to La Digue, a sleepy island community where ox-carts and bicycles still remain the most common mode of transportation throughout the island. La Digue is home to the endemic Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher, and is perhaps most famous for its massive granite boulder formations at Anse Source d'Argent, which is thought to be the most photographed beach on earth. Explore the island, perhaps stopping by Union Estate, a sprawling network of traditional island activities, including a copra mill, vanilla plantation, and shipyard.

Day 4 - Diving & Island visit
The vessel sails toward Grande Soeur and Petite Soeur (the Sisters). The waters surrounding these two uninhabited private islands provide excellent diving, meanwhile non-diver guests will have the opportunity to visit the island. In the afternoon, visit Coco Island, one of Seychelles’ tiny granite jewels, a fantastic spot for snorkeling within a kaleidoscope of tropical fish.

Day 5 - Diving & Visit to Aride
Sail to Booby Island for a morning of diving and water sports. After lunch, sail to Aride Island, a globally important nature reserve with more native bird species than any other island, including five endemics and the world's largest population of 3 species (Lesser Noddy, Audubon's Shearwater and Seychelles Warbler). The nature trail leads to a spectacular cliff-top view with the largest frigatebird roost outside of Aldabra. Aride is the only natural location in the world for Wright's Gardenia and 400 species of fish have been recorded around the island.

Day 6 - Diving & Visit to Curieuse, St. Pierre
Disembark at Curieuse for a visit of this virtually uninhabited island. Experience the island's vast mangrove forests and its giant tortoise farm, along with the historic ruins of this former leper colony. After a barbecue lunch on the island, enjoy an array of water sports or simply relax and enjoy the island's beautiful beach and turquoise waters.

Day 7 - Diving & Crossing
After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely sail back towards Mahé, with a last stop at Ile Seche for more diving/ or snorkeling, followed by a farewell barbecue. The vessel then sails into Port Victoria for an overnight stay.

Day 8 - Disembarkation
Disembarkation at 08.30am at Inter Island Quay, Mahé.