Tropical Expedition 
Diving 
Deluxe Stateroom
19 m2
2
Adventure in Madagascar
Port Louis - Victoria, Mahé
Dates:
25/03/2023
to
09/04/2023
Other available dates
days
nights on board
PONANT invites you on an expedition cruise in the Indian Ocean to discover “the island continent” of Madagascar. From Mauritius to the Seychelles, set off for 16 days aboard Le Bougainville, between beaches, dives, encounters with local populations and the discovery of endemic fauna and flora in rarely visited places of stunning natural beauty.
From Port Louis, on the island of Mauritius, you will first sail to Réunion, before reaching the shores of Madagascar.
Out at sea await turquoise waters, the magnificent coral reefs and the natural pools of Nosy Ve, an islet of white sand that shelters a large colony of red-tailed tropicbirds.
You will discover the wild expanses of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in the south-west of Madagascar. Along the immense beaches edged with dunes in Sarodrano, you will experience an exceptional encounter with one of the planet’s last “sea nomad” people, the Vezo. You will discover their fishing villages and ancestral maritime know-how.
Near the mouth of the river Onilahu, Tulear enjoys an exceptional flora that will delight botanical lovers.
After exploring the picturesque and sumptuous city of Belo sur Mer, you will join Majunga where you will visit Ankarafantsika National Park, home to numerous bird and lemur species
Your ship will then set sail for the northern tip of Madagascar. You will be dazzled by the beauty of the deserted beaches and preserved coral reefs of the idyllic islets in the Nosy Tanikely, Nosy Komba and Nosy Hara marine parks, renowned for their fabulous underwater life.
Le Bougainville will then sail for the island of La Digue, a veritable post card of the Seychelles: palm trees, granite rocks, white sand and crystal-clear waters. Finally you will reach Victoria on the island of Mahé, where your fabulous trip in the Indian Ocean ends.
The encounters with the wildlife described above illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.
Ref : EG250323
Your itinerary
A cruise discovering the incredible natural riches of Madagascar and its people with their authentic traditions. Outings and shore visits in Zodiac® inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist...
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Additional services
For more peace of mind, PONANT selects stays and flights then takes care of your transfers for your trip as well as shore visits before and after the cruise.
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LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
LE LYRIAL
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10/08/2023 to the 26/08/2023
LE JACQUES-CARTIER
LE LYRIAL
*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Services provided
- 24h room service
- Inclusive Wi-Fi Internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Hermès top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar included
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Two ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Expedition programmes include activities such as Zodiac® outings and landings (sometimes with "wet landings"), moderate walks to more active hikes, all accompanied by your expedition team of naturalist guides.
Ports of call, visited sites, outings and landings will depend on weather conditions, winds and the state of the sea. These can force a change of plans at any time. The Captain and the Expedition Leader may at any time cancel or stop any activity, or even modify the itinerary. The final itinerary will be confirmed by the Captain, who will take into account the touristic quality of the sites and above all, the safety of the passengers. His decision will be based on advice from experts and authorities.
Travelling to isolated regions is an exhilarating experience. In remote areas, please remember that you are far from modern hospitals with full medical facilities, thus evacuation is extremely expensive. Without adequate medical coverage, all expenses will have to be immediately paid with your personal funds. We urge you to subscribe to full coverage insurance, choose your insurance company very carefully, be extremely vigilant and ensure your insurance is fully comprehensive, especially if you are insured by your credit card. PONANT offers an insurance contract with extensive guarantees, please contact us for more information.
Clothing tips:
- Cotton comfortable and light-weight shorts/bermuda shorts
- Light weight long trousers
- Long-sleeved breathable SPF50+ shirts
- Cotton short sleeved T-shirt
- Aquatic UV long-sleeved T-shirt for sun protection during snorkeling or swimming
- Aquatic non-slip sandals
- Windproof, waterproof and breathable outer layer
- Broad brimmed anti-UV hat with strap and veil to protect the neck
- Comfortable walking shoes
Accessories:
- Highly protective sunglasses.
- Sunscreen and after-sun with high SPF index & insect repellent
- Binoculars (strongly recommended for wildlife viewing).
- Small waterproof backpack (to protect your camera from water).
- Camelbak (backpack with water pockets)
- Walking poles (highly recommended).
Please note:
During your visits to some local communities, all guests will be required to dress respectfully. Ladies must have their shoulders and thighs covered. Gentlemen should have their shoulders covered also.
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
Depending on the itinerary and the program of your cruise, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
TECHNICAL OUTFITS:
- Shorts / bermudas
- Light weight long trousers
- Wind and waterproof light “breathable” outer layer
- Sweater/pullover for the evening
- Short and long sleeved cotton shirts
- Waterproof UV long sleeved T-shirt
- Long sleeved cotton shirt for sun protection during Zodiac excursions and excursions ashore
- Ankle canvas shoes (which dry quickly and protect ankles)
- Aquatic shoes for wet landings on shore
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses with high UV filter
- Binoculars
- Walking poles
- Small waterproof backpack
- Camelbak (backpack with water pockets)
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Sun portective hat/cap with strap and veil to protect the neck
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Mosquito and insect repellent
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Diving - Expedition Cruise
Supervision of the dives
Your dives will be led by your PONANT instructor. He will take care of your safety and that all goes smoothly. On some diving sites, as in natural reserves or if the local regulations require it, a local guide will escort the diving.
Level required for scuba diving on this cruise
The minimum level required for scuba diving on this cruise is 2 star CMAS or the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or equivalent). The certification card, the diving log book and a recent medical certificate (less than 12 months) must be presented at the beginning of the cruise to our main diving instructor.
Process of the dives (certified divers)
The instructor reserves the right to check divers’ ability for maximum safety. As we will dive in remote places, the dives will be done without decompression stop. A safety stop of 3 minutes at 5 metres will be mandatory. The depth that can be reached will depend on the certification of the divers:
- For those with PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certificate (or equivalent), the maximum depth can be up to 25 metres.
- If two PADI Advanced Open Water Divers (or equivalent) wish to dive together independently, they must have a briefing first. They must have dive computers and are allowed to go to a maximum depth of 20 metres.
Duration of the dives
The diving activity lasts from 2 to 3 hours, which includes the journey to the diving site and the diving. This duration may vary according to the site, the level of divers, weather conditions and the number of participants. For experienced divers, the duration of dives varies between 35 and 60 minutes depending on the site, the diver’s experience and consumption.
Supplied equipment
- Diving wetsuit
- Stabilising jacket
- Regulator with octopus and pressure gauge
- Diving computer (for divers mastering their use)
- Fins,
Mask and snorkel: for health reasons due to Covid-19, we strongly recommend that you come on board with your own mask and snorkel .As an exception, you will be able to borrow them in accordance with sanitary conditions.
The passenger may participate in scuba diving activities, subject to compliance with certain conditions established in accordance with the health, scientific and medical measures applicable on the day of the dive.
* within the limit of available stock.
Fauna and flora of the Indian Ocean
The fauna of the Indian Ocean is very varied. During the various dives, divers can observe various species of benthic fauna such as napoleon fish, oriental sweetlips, blackspotted sweetlips, batfish and pelagic fauna such as manta rays, gray reef sharks, dolphin fish,rainbow runner as well as endemic wildlife such as different soft corals.
cuba diving activities on this cruise
|
CALLS |
DIVES |
DISCOVER SCUBA DIVING |
|
MAURITIUS – Port Louis |
NO |
NO |
|
LA REUNION – Port de la Pointe des Galets |
YES |
NO |
|
MADAGASCAR – Nosy Ve |
YES |
NO |
|
MADAGASCAR – Sarodrano |
YES |
NO |
|
MADAGASCAR – Toliara |
YES |
NO |
|
MADAGASCAR – Belo sur Mer |
YES |
NO |
|
MADAGASCAR – Majunga |
NO |
NO |
|
MADAGASCAR – Nosy Tanikely |
YES |
NO |
|
MADAGASCAR – Nosy Komba |
YES |
NO |
|
MADAGASCAR – Nosy Hara |
YES |
NO |
|
SEYCHELLES – La Digue Island |
YES |
NO |
|
SEYCHELLES – Victoria Mahé |
NO |
NO |
These sites are indicative. The proposed diving excursions may be changed depending on weather and safety conditions and the number of divers.
Rates
This activity must be pre-booked before departure with your travel advisor. Any reservation made after this deadline will only be confirmed once on board and subject to availability.
Price per person
- Dives:
- Exploration (1 dive): €80
- Excellence Package (3 dives): €225
- Passion Package (6 dives): €420
Highlights
- A cruise discovering the incredible natural riches of Madagascar and its people with their authentic traditions.
- Outings and shore visits in Zodiac® inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Biosphere Reserves in the south-west of Madagascar (Belo sur Mer, the coastline of Toliara and Sarodrano, Nosy Ve), the area of Pitons, cirques and remparts of Reunion Island.
- A variety of idyllic landscapes: coral reefs, lagoons, rainforests or thorny forests, white-sand beaches, granite islands, volcanoes.
- In the Seychelles, Anse Source d’Argent, the most famous beach of La Digue, surrounded by large blocks of granite and edged with coconut palms.
- In Madagascar, a rich and preserved endemic flora and fauna: multi-coloured fish and green turtles, lemurs (ring-tailed and red ruffed), baobabs, chameleons, red-tailed tropicbirds, radiated tortoises.
- An exceptional encounter with one of the planet’s last “sea nomad” people, the Vezo.
- Possibility of diving (PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent) with an experienced instructor on board and of snorkelling with your expedition team.
Ports of Call & Excursions
25 March 2023 - Port Louis
Embarkation 25/03/2023 from 16:00 to 17:00
Departure 25/03/2023 at 19:00
On the north-west coast of Mauritius, discover Port Louis, the country’s multicultural capital. Constantly in movement, the city, which was once a port of call on the route to India, is home to many cultural and historic treasures. In addition to the city’s market where you will be able to discover all the local flavours and many handicrafts, make sure that you visit Fort Adelaide. Nestling on the heights of Port Louis, this citadel built in the 16th century, classified as a national heritage monument, offers sumptuous views over the surroundings. Not far from there, the Pamplemousse Botanical Garden will reveal to you its countless plant species, coming from all four corners of the world.
26 March 2023 - Pointe des Galets
Arrival 26/03/2023
Departure 26/03/2023
At the end of the 19th century, the construction of the port of Pointe des Galets lasted seven years, with the town called Le Port emerging in its wake. You’ll also hear the name “Port-Réunion” used to designate the Pointe des Galets, which is the main port on the island of La Réunion. In fact, it is the only port in France that has five functions: naval base, passenger terminal, commercial port, fishing port and marina. The old town of the Port conjures up the area’s rich history, which is connected to transport. Here you’ll be able to discover the former house of the Réunion Railway and Port Company (1878), its marine cemetery and its teeming covered market.
27 March 2023 28 March 2023 - At sea
Arrival 27/03/2023
Departure 28/03/2023
During your day 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 centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, 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 will be able to 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.
29 March 2023 - Nosy Ve
Arrival 29/03/2023
Departure 29/03/2023
Five kilometres out to sea from the Malagasy village of Anakao, Nosy Ve is an unspoilt paradise of exceptional wild beauty. Located on a two-kilometre (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 tropicbird. 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 will 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 snorkelling.
30 March 2023 - Sarodrano
Arrival 30/03/2023
Departure 30/03/2023
Sarodrano is a small village in the south-west 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 will 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 will also have the possibility of discovering the sacred cave of Sarodrano, a natural fresh water pool separated from the sea by just 10 metres (33 feet) of rocks.
30 March 2023 31 March 2023 - Toliara
Arrival 30/03/2023
Departure 31/03/2023
Located to the south-west 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 unspoilt nature and exceptional flora that will 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 will not be outdone, with the interesting museums of Mahafaly ethnology and the Museum of the Sea.
1 April 2023 - Belo sur Mer
Arrival 01/04/2023
Departure 01/04/2023
In the south west of the Menabe Region, in the district of Morondava, you will 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.
2 April 2023 - At sea
Arrival 02/04/2023
Departure 02/04/2023
During your day 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 centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, 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 will be able to 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.
3 April 2023 - Majunga
Arrival 03/04/2023
Departure 03/04/2023
A lively and cosmopolitan town on the west coast of Madagascar, Majunga, also called Mahajanga, will be 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 will 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.