On the northwest coast of Mauritius, you'll find Port Louis, the country's vibrant and diverse capital. This bustling city, once a stop on the route to India, is rich in cultural and historical sites. Be sure to explore the city's market, where you can taste local flavors and browse various handicrafts. Don't miss Fort Adelaide, a 16th-century citadel perched on the hills of Port Louis. Recognized as a national heritage monument, it offers stunning views of the area. Nearby, the Pamplemousse Botanical Garden showcases numerous plant species from around the world.

At the end of the 19th century, it took seven years to build the port at Pointe des Galets, leading to the establishment of the town now known as Le Port. This area, also called "Port-Réunion," is the main port on the island of La Réunion. It's the only port in France with five functions: naval base, passenger terminal, commercial port, fishing port, and marina. The old town of Le Port showcases the area's rich transport history. You can visit the former house of the Réunion Railway and Port Company (built-in 1878), its marine cemetery, and its bustling covered market.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call can also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they can visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest, and entertainment.

Between its sumptuous landscapes, its legendary mountain ranges, and its idyllic beaches, Fort Dauphin is a kind of paradise on earth. Nestled on the south-east tip of Madagascar, the former fishing village is as fascinating for its rich history, marked by a strong colonial past, as it is for its exceptional natural environment. More commonly known as “Tôlagnaro”, it shelters spectacular biodiversity with the majestic Pic Saint-Louis as a natural sanctuary. Like a sugar loaf standing 529 meters (1,736 feet) high and overlooking the town, this mountain is home to exceptional flora: ravenalas, raffia palms, orchids, and periwinkles all intermingle in a breathtaking setting.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call can also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they can visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest, and entertainment.

Five kilometers out to sea from the Malagasy village of Anakao, Nosy Ve is an unspoiled paradise of exceptional wild beauty. Located on a two-kilometer (1.2 miles) long coral bank, this island is unique in that it is home to a colony of endemic birds commonly called red-tailed tropicbirds. This nature reserve, a nesting site for rare birds, is unique because it is this species’ only reproduction site. The duckboards installed on the island can enable you to observe the birds hidden from view under the forest of Madagascar jewel. This Eden dotted with natural pools is also a setting for coral, fish, and sea turtles you can discover while snorkeling.

Sarodrano is a small village in the southwest of Madagascar in the province of Atsimo-Andrefana, at the mouth of the Onilahy River. This village of Vezo fishermen possesses the authentic and unspoiled charm of remote places. You can be surprised by the dexterity with which these “nomads of the sea” steer their outrigger canoes to fish, or keep up their ancestral traditions like seaweed cultivation. If the tide allows it, you can also have the possibility of discovering the sacred cave of Sarodrano, a natural freshwater pool separated from the sea by just 10 meters (33 feet) of rocks.

Located to the southwest of the island of Madagascar, near the mouth of the River Onilahy, Toliara is a port town that opens onto the Mozambique Channel. Inhabited for several centuries, becoming prosperous during the colonial period in the 19th century, Toliara is a cheerful town with unspoiled nature and exceptional flora that can certainly appeal to fans of botany. The Antsokay Arboretum botanical garden with nearly 1,000 Madagascar plant species, 90% of which are endemic, is worth a fragrant and charming detour. Cultural heritage can not be outdone, with the interesting museums of Mahafaly ethnology and the Museum of the Sea.

In the southwest of the Menabe Region, in the district of Morondava, you can marvel at the picturesque beauty of Belo sur Mer. This peninsula edged with mangroves alternates fine sandy beaches with rocks plunging into a sea whose shades fall between deep blue and crystal-clear green. This fishing village is renowned for its dhows, the traditional sailing boats of Madagascar, which are built in situ, in the local artisanal boatyard. The choreography of these vessels coming and going on the beach sets the pace of life in the village, bestowing it with a unique charm.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call can also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they can visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest, and entertainment.

A lively and cosmopolitan town on the west coast of Madagascar, Majunga, also called Mahajanga, is a port of call rich in discoveries. The former capital of the Sakalava kingdom, then a significant interchange due to its prime position between Africa and the Middle East, the city displays an interesting cultural patchwork. Also renowned for its outstanding natural sites, this port of call can provide you with the opportunity to discover Ankarafantsika National Park, home to many endemic animal and plant species, or the Cirque Rouge, immense red sandstone formations classified as national heritage.

During your cruise, your ship can stop in Nosy Komba, otherwise known as “lemur island”. Not far from the Madagascar mainland, this volcanic island shaped like a gigantic turtle shell is covered in dense tropical rainforest. This vegetation is home to amusing black lemurs – furry orange-brown and black creatures that are surprisingly agile and call to each other from amongst the trees. The many small beaches and the emerald-colored water make Nosy Komba a natural gem that only a select few visit.

Nosy Be (from the Malagasy: Nosy meaning island and Be meaning large), in the Mozambique Channel, is located near the north-eastern coastlines of Madagascar. A former French protectorate, known under the promising name of “the scented island”, of volcanic origin, it is located on a maritime route with access to India and Asia. Cosmopolitan, a boulevard of encounters, its mixed-race and multicultural population still remembers its past as a significant trading post. Today, its 321 km² enchant lovers of nature and idyllic beaches. Its sumptuous primary forest is home to animals that are endemic to the island as well as surprising flora.

After breakfast, bid farewell to your fellow travelers as you disembark in Nosy Be today. Then, head to the airport for your flight home.