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Le Bougainville, 10 Night Madagascar and Seychelles: Natural Treasures of the Indian Ocean – with Smithsonian Journeys ex Nosy Be, Madagasc
Cruise Le Bougainville, 10 Night Madagascar and Seychelles: Natural Treasures of the Indian Ocean – with Smithsonian Journeys ex Nosy Be, Madagasc
Cruise Line Ponant
Ship Le Bougainville
Destination India & Indian Ocean
Brief Description 10 Night Cruise sailing from Nosy Be, Madagascar onboard Le Bougainville
Type of Cruise Luxury
Departure Date 07 Jan 2026
Cruise Description In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.

This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.

The western reaches of the Indian Ocean contain some of the most beautiful tropical islands in the world, and this 11-day voyage aboard Le Bougainville introduces the very best of them, as you sail from northern Madagascar through more than 1,000 miles of the Seychelles Archipelago. Along the way, you will encounter coral reefs teeming with fish, colonies of seabirds breeding and nesting on jagged volcanic cliffs, lush vegetation, unbelievably picturesque beaches, and the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of an expansive open sea.

From Nosy Be in northern Madagascar, spend your first day exploring two islands: Nosy Tanikely, a tiny islet with a magnificent white sand beach on an unbelievably blue lagoon with an exceptional diversity of marine and terrestrial life; and the "lemur island" of Nosy Komba, covered in dense tropical rainforest that is the ideal habitat for the small mammals that are emblematic of Madagascar.

Le Bougainville arrives next at Nosy Hara, a marine protected area and national park remarkably rich in wildlife: 279 species of coral fish, 108 species of corals, 5 species of sea turtles, whales, dolphins, 31 species of birds, and 18 species of reptiles including the smallest chameleon in the world.

Rounding the northern tip of Madagascar, your experience continues with a full day in Diego Suarez, the second-largest bay in the world, after Rio de Janeiro. The city (renamed Antsiranana in 1975), was an important naval outpost for the French until the late 20th century, and their influence remains clearly evident in the colonial architecture of the old town. But the primary attraction of the region is the bay itself. Comprising several smaller bays, including the famous Emerald Sea Lagoon and Andovazaha Bay, home to emblematic Sugarloaf Island, Diego Suarez offers splendid beaches, panoramic views, and an inviting, laid-back approach to life.

Your ship sails next towards Seychelles and two pristine atolls in the heart of the Outer Islands of the Seychelles. From the beaches of Assumption Island, watch for sea turtles which use its pristine beaches to breed and lay eggs. Saint-François, covered in coconut trees, provides ideal habitat for myriad birds and is a splendid location for both hiking and snorkeling. You head next to Remire Island, prized for its extraordinary biodiversity, especially its rich marine life.

Le Bougainville continues north to a group of small granite islands, where you spend a day immersed in the essence of a tropical paradise—turquoise waters inviting you to swim, vegetation sheltering native fauna, and beaches of fine sand fringed with coconut trees. Explore the bird sanctuary of Aride Island, where more than 1.25 million seabirds breed, and La Digue, home to the iconic picture-postcard beach at Anse Source d'Argent.

Your cruise ends the following day in Victoria, the capital of Seychelles on the island of Mahé.

The encounters with the wildlife described above illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.
Sailing Dates
07 Jan 2026
Category Single Twin Triple Quad
PR4 AU $28,250 AU $15,690 ‐ ‐
PR5 AU $29,560 AU $16,340 ‐ ‐
PR6 AU $31,180 AU $17,150 ‐ ‐
DS6 AU $42,800 AU $22,960 AU $13,040 ‐
DS4 AU $42,800 AU $22,960 AU $13,040 ‐
DS3 AU $42,800 AU $22,960 AU $13,040 ‐
PS5 AU $57,360 AU $30,240 AU $16,680 ‐
PS6 AU $60,280 AU $31,700 AU $17,410 ‐
PV5 AU $63,200 AU $33,160 AU $18,140 ‐
PV6 AU $63,200 AU $33,160 AU $18,140 ‐
Cruise Itinerary
Date Port Arrive Depart
7 Jan 2026 Nosy Be, Madagascar
8 Jan 2026 Nosy Tanikely
8 Jan 2026 Nosy Komba, Madagascar
9 Jan 2026 Nosy Hara, Madagascar
10 Jan 2026 Diego Suarez, Madagascar
11 Jan 2026 At Sea    
12 Jan 2026 At Sea    
13 Jan 2026 At Sea    
14 Jan 2026 Saint Francois Is., Seychelles
15 Jan 2026 Rémire Island, Seychelles
16 Jan 2026 Aride, Seychelles
16 Jan 2026 La Digue, Seychelles
17 Jan 2026 Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

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