Aqua Expeditions, which is known for operating its charter vessels in off-the-beaten-track destinations, is adding experiences in the Seychelles and Zanzibar, an island off the coast of Tanzania, starting in 2025.
Inaugural departures on these vessels will be at the end of the year, in December 2025, with four itineraries offered that range from five to 14 nights apiece. Those experiences can be booked at the stateroom level.
Historically, Aqua Expeditions has also allowed charter clients to book an entire vessel for a private experience, for clients who wish to charter exclusively with personal friends and family.
“It has always been a dream of mine to venture into East Africa and explore this part of the world on a luxury expedition ship,” Francesco Galli Zugaro, CEO and founder of Aqua Expeditions, stated in a press release. “I am excited to finally be able to showcase the beauty of the Indian Ocean and the famous Aldabra Atoll. Few travelers have heard of or even seen this magical place that is home to over 150,000 giant tortoises. Considered the Galapagos of Africa, this island group is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna, and to some of the most amazing marine life in the world.”
The new Seychelles itineraries can be combined with a 14-day exploration of the Seychelles archipelago that also includes the Tanzanian islands. Itinerary stops are expected to be made at Aldabra, Cosmoledo, Astove, Furquhar Atol, Kilwa Kisiwani and Pemba.
Also on the itinerary are destinations such as the African Banks, which are rarely explored by other charter yachts.
“East Africa presents a compelling blend of familiar sights and unexplored frontiers,” Zugaro added. “We find giant tortoises roaming the beaches, like we do in the Galapagos, where we sail Aqua Mare. Diving into history, we see remnants of a centuries-old spice trade, much like the Spice Islands that Aqua Blu explores in Indonesia. At the same time, we are treated to sights never seen before, from the raised coral atoll of Aldabra to marine life unique to Seychelles and reef walls akin to the Grand Canyon.”
Where did Aqua Expeditions get its start? In the Peruvian Amazon in 2007. Since then, the company has grown to cruise in eight destinations with three river ships and two yachts. The company typically offers crew-guest ratios of one-to-one, allowing for an upscale experience in truly remote locales.
How to book a charter on board: click over to aquaexpeditions.com
