Hop aboard your luxury yacht at 1pm in Mahé, the largest island in the Seychelles archipelago, and get to know the crew and your fellow travellers. You’ll have time to settle into your cabin before setting off on the first leg of your journey to the nearby Sainte Anne Marine Park – a group of six granite islands containing some of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the Seychelles. After the boat anchors here for the night, enjoy a delicious welcome dinner on deck.

The Sainte Anne Marine Park is one of the best places to snorkel in the Seychelles, with seagrass meadows and coral gardens that are home to a rich variety of species. Keep an eye out for hawksbill sea turtles, manta rays, eagle rays and, if you’re really fortunate, bottlenose dolphins. You’ll also see an array of tropical fish, such as angelfish, parrotfish and oriental sweetlips. In the afternoon, cruise over to Cocos Island – another prime snorkelling spot – before anchoring in the harbour of La Digue. 

La Digue features some of the most idyllic scenery in the Seychelles – and you’ll have the option to explore it by bike or on foot. Venture into the jungle-covered interior, swim in secluded coves and soak up the sun on white-sand beaches dotted with unusual granite formations. The island is only 10sqkm (4sqmi), so you can cover most of it in a day. Alternatively, unwind on deck and make the most of the spacious lounging and bathing areas on the yacht. 

Set sail to Cousin Island, a former coconut and cinnamon plantation transformed by intensive conservation work since 1968 into a haven for birds. You’ll see species such as the endemic Seychelles warbler, Seychelles magpie robin and Seychelles sunbird, plus a handful of aldabra giant tortoises. After lunch, head to the island of Praslin, where you can hike through the Vallée de Mai – a Unesco-listed nature reserve characterised by ancient palm forests, including the endemic coco de mer palm, which produces the largest seed of any plant in the world. 

Today is all about relaxation as you sail to the private island of Grande Soeur, where you’ll find deserted, white-sand beaches. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the island and tuck into a barbecue lunch on the beach. Spend the afternoon as you wish: catching some rays, swimming in the crystal-clear water, snorkelling among tropical fish and sea turtles or exploring more of the island. Hop back on board and continue to your destination for the night – either Anse Petite Cour, in Praslin, or the island of Curieuse. 

Curieuse is one of the only places where some 300 Aldabra giant tortoises roam in the wild. You’ll have a chance to observe these creatures up close before moving on to St Pierre – an uninhabited rocky islet just off the north coast of Praslin. It makes a postcard-worthy picture, so have your camera at the ready. Snorkel here for an hour or two before returning to Praslin, where you’ll drop anchor for the night.

Make the most of your final full day in the Seychelles on the majestic beaches of Praslin. With Anse Volbert, Lazio and Georgette among the most popular spots, there's no shortage. Swim, snorkel and practise the art of being present at leisure. Later, you’ll sail back to Mahé and cap the final night of your trip with a farewell dinner on deck. 

Disembark by 8.30am as your Seychelles cruise comes to an end. Bid farewell to your new friends and make your way to the airport to begin your journey home – or perhaps choose to extend your stay.