Nosy Be, meaning "Large Island" in Malagasy, is situated in the Mozambique Channel off Madagascar's northeastern coast. Once a French protectorate and known as "the scented island," this volcanic paradise is positioned along a historic maritime route connecting India and Asia. Today, Nosy Be's cosmopolitan atmosphere reflects its rich past as a vibrant trading post, with its diverse population preserving the island's multicultural heritage. Spanning 321 km², it captivates nature enthusiasts with its lush primary forests, unique wildlife, and breathtaking beaches, offering a haven for those seeking natural beauty and tranquility.

In the Nosy Be archipelago, you can find Nosy Tanikely, known as the "island of little earth." This uninhabited island boasts a beautiful white sand beach and a lagoon with crystal-clear waters. It is home to exceptional marine and land biodiversity, earning it the status of a "marine and coastal protected area" since 2010. The island is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Hiking enthusiasts can enjoy a scenic walk to the island's summit, where they can see an old lighthouse built in the early 20th century and take in stunning views of the ocean and nearby islands.

During your cruise, your ship stops 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.

Its limestone rock formations rising from the waters, or marine “tsingies” typical of Madagascar, make Nosy Hara both exceptional and immediately recognizable. Located to the north-west of Madagascar, the island is a protected area due to its incredible biodiversity. It is a veritable open-air aquarium inhabited by around 280 marine species. The rocky columns edged with gorgeous white sand and pebble beaches fading into shades of deep blue make an idyllic place cut off from the world. Succumb to the charms of this untouched jewel that welcomes you into its stunning decor for a special experience. This is an ideal location for snorkeling.

A jewel on the north coast of Madagascar, Diego Suarez, also known as Antsiranana, reveals itself in all of its splendor, from its idyllic beaches to its turquoise waters and its mountains. Enjoy the gentleness of its heavenly stretches of fine sand and fall under the spell of its pristine landscapes where nature reigns supreme. Diego Suarez is not only a nature sanctuary home to certain endemic species such as the brookesia micra, one of the world’s smallest chameleons, it is also a dream location for hikers. You have the opportunity to discover the Red Tsingy, to the north of the town. Carved out by the Irodo River, this canyon reveals huge ochre rock formations. A captivating sight.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to 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 shop in the boutique or 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. It is an enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest, and entertainment.

Assumption Island is part of the Aldabra group (Outer Islands), situated in the south-west of the Seychelles. Discovered in the mid-18th century by the French captain Nicolas Morphey, this bean-shaped island covered in dunes and shrubs is relatively flat. A handful of people live there, in a small village in the island’s west. The island’s beaches are a major egg-laying and breeding site for sea turtles. The surrounding waters are ideal for scuba diving. This is where Jacques-Yves Cousteau filmed some of the scenes for his famous documentary film “The Silent World”, released in 1956.

In the heart of the Outer Islands of the Seychelles, St. François Atoll paints the Indian Ocean in an infinite palette of blues. In the heart of the Outer Islands of the Seychelles, St. François Atoll paints the Indian Ocean in an infinite palette of blues. This coral atoll, made up of the Bijoutier and St. François islands, is exactly what people imagine when they think of the Seychelles. Formed around volcanos having vanished into the abyssal depths of the Indian Ocean, its islands are protected by splendid and fragile coral reefs. Here, the population is composed of myriad birds on land and of sea turtles and a multitude of fish in the water, making this the ideal place for hiking or snorkeling. Here, the population is composed of myriad birds on land and of sea turtles and a multitude of fish in the water, making this the ideal place for hiking or snorkeling.

Remire Island is like a piece of confetti in the Indian Ocean and is a captivating place to visit. Located in the Outer Islands of the Seychelles, it is prized for its unique biodiversity, including its exceptionally rich underwater life. The rare inhabitants of this tropical islet watch over its preservation, and a walk amidst its lush vegetation, home to delightful birds, delight fans of unspoiled areas. For those who love snorkeling, a myriad of colorful fish live among the coral reefs that border the island.

Aride is an island in Seychelles situated a few kilometers north-west of Praslin. Listed as a nature reserve, this pearl of the Indian Ocean seduces you with the beauty of its landscapes of wild cliffs and fine-sand beaches. Protected from human impact and sometimes called “bird capital”, it is home to several endemic plants as well as exceptional wildlife. Most notably, it is the refuge of an impressive number of seabirds (Seychelles magpie-robins, terns, noddies, and more), and reptiles, such as Wright’s skinks, which can be found in the island’s wooded areas. Sea turtles can also be observed on the island’s beaches.

La Digue Island is a veritable concentration of all the beauty of the Seychelles. Located 6 km southeast of Praslin, this small piece of land that looks like paradise is the third-largest island in the Seychelles, despite its modest size (5 km by 3 km)! Turquoise waters just asking you to swim in them, lush vegetation sheltering giant tortoises, beaches of fine sand fringed with coconut trees and surrounded with those emblematic large granite rocks with their pink highlights like at the famous Anse Source d’Argent: the perfect picture postcard… Authentic and preserved, the island follows a peaceful rhythm, with the only means of transport along its little roads being bikes or traditional oxcarts.

Discover Mahé, the main island of the Seychelles and also the largest of the archipelago, home to the capital, Victoria. Mahé has almost 70 beaches of fine sand, framed by the emblematic granite rocks, and whose crystal clear waters are renowned for their rich underwater life. The island is also famous for its splendid mountain panoramas accessible on hikes, such as the Morne Seychellois, which is 905 meters high and overlooks the Indian Ocean. Mahé is also an island full of history where fine colonial properties rub shoulders with Creole houses - and don’t forget the marvelous Botanical Gardens in Victoria.