As well as being the world's largest raised atoll, Aldabra is also one of only two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Seychelles. After many years of being declared off limits by the FCO due to Somali pirates, Aldabra has recently been declared safe to sail to again. Yet apart from occasional brief visits by cruise liners, Aldabra can only be visited aboard the M/V Maya's Dugong.    

Islands visited include Desroches, Alphonse, Cosmoledo, Assumption, Astove, Bijoutier and St Joseph. There will be amazing coral reefs to snorkel and dive on, and wild islands with white sand beaches to explore. All shore excursions and diving and snorkelling trips are included.

The M/V Maya's Dugong is a small expedition ship with seven cabins sleeping up to 14 guests. She undertakes an annual two-week cruise ex-Mahe (the Seychelles' main island), visiting many idyllic islands and atolls en route and spending three full days at Aldabra itself.

The 2017 and early 2018 cruise departures filled fast, so the operators have scheduled a second date for 2018: Departure from Mahe on 28 April, returning on 12 May.  This will be the only available departure for 2018. The price for the cruise itself will be:

Explorer Cabin - £9,950 per person sharing cabin.

Commander Cabin - £10,495 per person sharing cabin.

Single Supplement is 50% of sharing price. Including all meals, snorkelling (not diving) equipment, PADI dive guide, shore visits, other activities.

Flights on Emirates via Dubai in Economy are not loaded yet, but should be around £800 return.

Both classes of cabin are already going quickly, so an early enquiry is highly recommended.