Here is an extraordinary cruise for those who enjoy the natural world and all its wonders and are looking for the opportunity to escape the British winter. Join us aboard the all-suite MS Island Sky and enjoy the warmth and beauty of the Indian Ocean as she undertakes exactly the type of itinerary that suits her many talents best. With the vessel’s purpose built Zodiacs we will land on otherwise inaccessible beaches, explore vast lagoons and coral reefs and encounter some of the most extraordinarily beautiful tropical scenery to be found anywhere in the world.
Sailing from Mauritius we will land on its nearest neighbour, Reunion, a little bit of France in the Indian Ocean and a stunning place to spend a day. We will discover the island’s truly awesome and dramatic scenery before we continue to Madagascar for five days of exploration of this incredibly verdant and beautiful island with its unique flora and fauna. During our time here there will be ample opportunity to discover the forests which are full of wildlife including the iconic lemur, chameleons and indigenous birdlife as well as to see the underwater world and village life. Continuing to the Seychelles we have a day and a half scheduled in the Aldabra islands. Aldabra is the last breeding ground of the giant tortoise and in addition to seeing some of these endearing creatures you should also encounter dolphins, turtles and whales as well as countless birds including the flightless rail, the last flightless bird in the Indian Ocean. Our expedition concludes in Tanzania where we visit Kilwa Kisiwani, a site of exceptional historical interest and discover atmospheric Zanzibar.
This expedition really is a veritable feast of beauty, the natural world and island culture. You will witness the bounty of the islands, the wildlife from the lemurs of Madagascar to the giant tortoises of Aldabra and an amazingly prolific birdlife.
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What to Expect
Flexibility is the key to an expedition cruise; sometimes the whole day’s schedule will be changed to maximise your experience, something that would not be possible on a large cruise ship. Each day holds something new and below is an extract from the ship’s log of a previous expedition which will provide you with an idea of what to expect.
Nosy Hara: Before breakfast, the ship entered the picturesque Nosy Hara archipelago and anchored just off one of the dozen or so stunning rocky islands. Impressive formations of jaggedly eroded limestone karst, known locally as tsingy, towered above picture-postcard beaches of white sand. As the tides were not in favour of going ashore at the main island of Nosy Hara before lunch, we landed in the early part of the morning on Nosy Anjambavola instead, where most people snorkelled or swam off a small beach of alluring soft sand. Others enjoyed the sun and explored the coastline. The remainder of the morning was spent Zodiac cruising around the nearby small islands with sightings of white-tailed tropicbirds and Madagascar black swifts soaring in the sky, not to mention the cherry on the cake: good views of the incredibly rare Madagascar fish eagle. Straight after lunch, snorkelling from a Zodiac platform in a different part of the reef was on offer. The coral here turned out to be some of the healthiest and most diverse seen so far on the trip, with many colourful reef fish weaving in between. Mid-afternoon, we landed on Nosy Hara for wildlife walks. Top of the list of target species here was the Nosy Hara stump-tailed chameleon, Brookesia micra, and we were successful in locating a specimen of this extraordinary minute creature, which measures 29mm fully grown. Amongst other wildlife found were a variety of geckos, several kinds of crabs, the Madagascar coucal, souimanga sunbirds, a scorpion, a young Madagascar ground boa, and countless green mantella frogs. Plants of note included Suarez aloes, flame trees, orchids, and Amorphophallus ankarana.
Nosy Mangabe: Our afternoon Zodiac landing was made onto the picturesque beach of coarse orange sand in a protected bay on the eastern side of the island. We were greeted by the rich sounds, sights and scents of the rainforest – the chirps and beeps of myriad frogs echoing through the trees from every direction. From here we split into groups, with a challenging longer walk heading to Plage des Hollandais (Dutch Beach), a beach with some fascinating 17th-century Dutch sailors’ inscriptions carved on the rocks. The majority of guests opted for a gentle amble through the rainforest along a flat path following the curve of the bay southwards and ending at a fishermen’s hut. Wildlife was much in evidence in every corner of the island. The forest echoed with the cacophonous alarm calls of black-and-white ruffed lemurs. Green-backed mantellas – Madagascar’s answer to the poison dart frogs of the New World – hopped around in the leaf litter on the forest floor or perched atop the flooded stumps of giant bamboo that they use as nurseries for their offspring. Perhaps most astounding of all were the fimbriated leaf-tailed geckos resting head-downwards on thin trunks. These superbly well camouflaged reptiles can exceed 25cm in length but blend in so extraordinarily well with their surroundings that some guests were convinced the guides were pulling their leg when pointing them out! A panther chameleon was spotted resting on a branch. Madagascar forest nymphs and other pretty butterflies flitted around the understory in search of patches of sunlight in which to rest and warm up. Those with an ornithological bent were particularly elated to see the elegant Madagascar paradise flycatcher among other avian forest residents.
Island Sky
The MS Island Sky is one of our two flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Hebridean Sky. Both vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them two of the finest small ships in the world.
Itinerary
Day 1 London to Mauritius.
Fly by scheduled indirect flight.
Day 2 Mauritius.
Arrive this morning and transfer directly to the MS Island Sky. Settle into your suite and spend a leisurely day on board. This evening enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we set sail this evening.
Day 3 Reunion Island.
We arrive at breakfast in Reunion where we have a choice of excursions. On a full day tour we will visit the central highlands where spectacularly rugged peaks of volcanoes cradle huge amphitheatres known as cirques, where mountains tower to over 10,000 feet and beautiful waterfalls plummet hundreds of feet. The rich soil and mellow climate produce a lush and verdant landscape which is dotted with villages and towns with a uniquely French atmosphere. Fields of sugar cane and plantations of tropical fruits, vanilla and all manner of spices perfume the air. We will enjoy views from the Nez des Boeuf and see the Piton de la Fournaise crater. After enjoying a creole lunch in a local restaurant we will visit ‘La Cite du Volcan’ museum. Alternatively, enjoy a morning tour to a vanilla plantation in Saint Andre where we learn about the history and culture of this integral part of Reunion’s heritage. Continue to Salazie, a verdant landscape and home to many waterfalls including the ‘Voile de la Mariee’ before spending some free time in Saint Denis on the way back to the ship. This afternoon is at leisure before we set sail this evening.
Day 4 At Sea.
Spend the day at sea as we sail towards Madagascar. Maybe join a lecture or find a spot on deck to relax.
Days 5 & 6 Masoala National Park & Nosy Mangabe, Madagascar.
We will spend two days exploring from our anchorage in Antongil Bay. We discover Nosy Mangabe, a 520-hectare island reserve and one of the most diverse areas of virgin rainforest in Madagascar which has also been an important research centre since the mid-1960s when several aye-ayes and other lemurs were released into the forest. We will use our Zodiacs to land on the other beach next to the forest and organise a series of nature walks looking at the varied trees, plants and ferns and we hope to spot chameleon, lizards and black and white ruffed lemur. For the birders, we will keep an eye out for Madagascar buzzard, kingfisher and paradise flycatchers. We will also explore Madagascar’s largest protected National Park, the Masoala Peninsula, which comprises of coastal rainforest, flooded forests, marsh and mangroves. We may be lucky enough to encounter a group of locally endemic red-ruffed lemur. The park is also home to various species of brightly coloured Mantella frogs, all manner of extraordinary chameleons and is a refuge for the endangered Madagascar red owl, Madagascar serpent eagle and many endemic bird species. A range of walks for all levels will be on offer, as well as a visit to the local village.
Day 7 Domaine de Bobangira.
After a morning at sea we arrive over lunch at the port of Vohemar, our base for an afternoon at the Domaine de Bobangira. This reserve on the Indian Ocean has wild, unspoiled beaches and forests rich in biodiversity having about 40% of endemic flora to the region. Declared as a protected private nature reserve in 2017 by the national forestry department, it is home to fat-tailed dwarf lemurs, the diurnal white-headed lemur, Brookesia and various species of chameleons. There are also large centenarian canarium bujiga trees in the park, locally known as mandrirofo, a type of tree used in Madagascar to build fishing pirogues.
Day 8 Diego Suarez.
This morning we will enter the dramatic harbour of Diego Suarez. Also known as Antsiranana, the town has a cosmopolitan mix of inhabitants including Creoles, Indians, Chinese, Comorans and Arabs. This morning, choose from a city tour taking in the Commonwealth Cemetery, the faded colonial grandeur of Place Joffre, and a baobab viewpoint at French Mountain; or alternatively, drive up to Amber Mountain National Park at an elevation of 3,200ft, where we will divide into short and long walking parties to explore the pristine rainforest. In the towering vegetation, we may spot Sanford’s brown and crowned lemurs, as well as chameleons, stunningly well camouflaged leaf-tailed geckos, and an array of endemic birds.
Day 9 Nosy Hara.
Having sailed around the northern tip of Madagascar we will find a number of strangely shaped limestone islets that dot the aquamarine sea. Depending on tides and sea conditions, the expedition team will pick the most suitable island for landing in this marine reserve archipelago. We hope to offer swimming and snorkelling over the diverse coral reefs, as well as woodland walks to find extraordinary flora and fauna including one of the world’s smallest reptiles. Zodiac cruises around the picturesque islands offer a good chance of sighting not just elegant tropicbirds but also the magnificent Madagascar fish eagle, one of Africa’s rarest birds.
Days 10 & 11 Aldabra Islands, Seychelles.
Arriving in the Outer Seychelles we have a day and a half to enjoy the Aldabra group of islands and our itinerary will be in the hands of our Expedition Leader and Captain who will monitor the local conditions to ensure we maximise our time here. Whilst our itinerary is flexible, we hope to call at the island of Assumption which was ruthlessly plundered for its vast deposits of guano in the early 20th century. Happily, peace has returned and the wildlife of rare birds and green turtles are once again in abundance. Our time here will be spent beachcombing, on nature walks or snorkelling. We will also plan time on Aldabra, the island referred to by Sir Julian Huxley as “One of nature’s treasures and should belong to the whole world”. Aldabra is unique and every time we call we find something new of interest. Our exploration will be guided by the tides and sightings have been made of the extremely rare white throated rail and the atoll is also home to the world’s second largest colony of frigate birds and the largest crab, the coconut crab. Whilst exploring by Zodiac it is difficult to know in which direction to look. The clear blue seas abound with life, the skies are alive with varied birdlife and ashore giant land tortoises forage as they have done for millions of years. We hope to explore Picard Island with a short walk to see some of the numerous tortoises and robber crabs or swim in the lagoon, a vast 17 mile stretch of shallow clear water. From our Zodiacs we can watch the everchanging undersea world and snorkel in colourful coral waters.
Day 12 At Sea.
Spend a leisurely day on board as we continue our journey through the Indian Ocean en-route to Tanzania.
Day 13 Kilwa Kisiwani, Tanzania.
This morning we anchor off Kilwa Kisiwani, a site of exceptional historical interest, where the atmospheric ruins represent a wide sweep of East African coastal history, from the heights of the Swahili and Shirazi trading civilisation to the darker days of slavery and the uprisings against German rule. Once one of Africa’s wealthiest towns, Kilwa Kisiwani is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains the world’s most extensive and best-preserved Swahili ruins. We will spend the morning on a walking tour and see the prominent fort and the Great Mosque which stood at the heart of this ancient city which was once the largest in East Africa. This afternoon we hope to find a local beach to offer the chance to swim, snorkel or take a stroll.
Day 14 Latham Island.
Also known as Fungu Kizimkazi, this uninhabited coral island measures just 7.5 acres but is an important breeding ground for many bird species and one of the most important areas in the Indian Ocean for masked booby, brown noddy, sooty tern and greater crested tern. Weather permitting, we will use our Zodiacs to cruise the island to view these colonies and also offer the chance to snorkel on the fringing reef surrounding the island.
Day 15 Zanzibar.
Zanzibar’s harbour, crowded with dhows, very much sets the scene for our visit to this Arab-style city with its long narrow streets, bazaars, houses with overhanging balconies and intricately carved doorways. On a morning walking tour, soak up the timeless atmosphere of Stone Town including Livingstone House, Sultan’s Palace, the slave market and the Old Fort. The afternoon is free to relax and explore independently or join a tour of a spice farm to experience the various fruits and spices cultivated on the island. Alternatively, travel to Jozani Forest which sustains a variety of wildlife and birds, including the rare red colobus monkey, indigenous to the island.
Day 16 Dar es Salaam to London.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
Day 17 London.
Arrive this morning.
Dates and Prices
2 to 18 January 2026 | ||
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Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
Magellan Deck Standard Suites | £10995 | £10495 |
Columbus Deck Superior Suites | £11295 | £10795 |
Marco Polo Deck Premium Suites | £11695 | £11195 |
Marco Polo Deck Corner Suites | £11995 | £11495 |
Erikson Deck Deluxe Balcony Suites | £13495 | £12995 |
Explorer Deck Owner's Balcony Suite | £13995 | £13495 |
Explorer Deck Island Suite | £14595 | £14095 |
Magellan Deck Standard for sole occupancy | £12995 | £12495 |
Columbus Deck Superior for sole occupancy | £13295 | £12795 |
Tour Reference Code: SCISK02012026
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • 14 nights aboard the MS Island Sky on a full board basis • House wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner • Noble Caledonia expedition team • Shore excursions • Gratuities • Transfers • Airport taxes • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance, Tanzanian visa.
During this expedition you will be visiting out of the way destinations and will be accompanied by an expedition team. Landings and excursions will be made by Zodiac landing craft. The use of Zodiacs will be key to the operation of the itinerary as shown. If you have any queries pertaining to the use of Zodiacs or the level of fitness required for this voyage, please do not hesitate to ask one of our experienced travel consultants.
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Deckplan
Island Sky
The MS Island Sky is one of our two flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Hebridean Sky. Both vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them two of the finest small ships in the world.
Skys Video Tour
Video Library
What to Expect
Flexibility is the key to an expedition cruise; sometimes the whole day’s schedule will be changed to maximise your experience, something that would not be possible on a large cruise ship. Each day holds something new and below is an extract from the ship’s log of a previous expedition which will provide you with an idea of what to expect.
Nosy Hara: Before breakfast, the ship entered the picturesque Nosy Hara archipelago and anchored just off one of the dozen or so stunning rocky islands. Impressive formations of jaggedly eroded limestone karst, known locally as tsingy, towered above picture-postcard beaches of white sand. As the tides were not in favour of going ashore at the main island of Nosy Hara before lunch, we landed in the early part of the morning on Nosy Anjambavola instead, where most people snorkelled or swam off a small beach of alluring soft sand. Others enjoyed the sun and explored the coastline. The remainder of the morning was spent Zodiac cruising around the nearby small islands with sightings of white-tailed tropicbirds and Madagascar black swifts soaring in the sky, not to mention the cherry on the cake: good views of the incredibly rare Madagascar fish eagle. Straight after lunch, snorkelling from a Zodiac platform in a different part of the reef was on offer. The coral here turned out to be some of the healthiest and most diverse seen so far on the trip, with many colourful reef fish weaving in between. Mid-afternoon, we landed on Nosy Hara for wildlife walks. Top of the list of target species here was the Nosy Hara stump-tailed chameleon, Brookesia micra, and we were successful in locating a specimen of this extraordinary minute creature, which measures 29mm fully grown. Amongst other wildlife found were a variety of geckos, several kinds of crabs, the Madagascar coucal, souimanga sunbirds, a scorpion, a young Madagascar ground boa, and countless green mantella frogs. Plants of note included Suarez aloes, flame trees, orchids, and Amorphophallus ankarana.
Nosy Mangabe: Our afternoon Zodiac landing was made onto the picturesque beach of coarse orange sand in a protected bay on the eastern side of the island. We were greeted by the rich sounds, sights and scents of the rainforest – the chirps and beeps of myriad frogs echoing through the trees from every direction. From here we split into groups, with a challenging longer walk heading to Plage des Hollandais (Dutch Beach), a beach with some fascinating 17th-century Dutch sailors’ inscriptions carved on the rocks. The majority of guests opted for a gentle amble through the rainforest along a flat path following the curve of the bay southwards and ending at a fishermen’s hut. Wildlife was much in evidence in every corner of the island. The forest echoed with the cacophonous alarm calls of black-and-white ruffed lemurs. Green-backed mantellas – Madagascar’s answer to the poison dart frogs of the New World – hopped around in the leaf litter on the forest floor or perched atop the flooded stumps of giant bamboo that they use as nurseries for their offspring. Perhaps most astounding of all were the fimbriated leaf-tailed geckos resting head-downwards on thin trunks. These superbly well camouflaged reptiles can exceed 25cm in length but blend in so extraordinarily well with their surroundings that some guests were convinced the guides were pulling their leg when pointing them out! A panther chameleon was spotted resting on a branch. Madagascar forest nymphs and other pretty butterflies flitted around the understory in search of patches of sunlight in which to rest and warm up. Those with an ornithological bent were particularly elated to see the elegant Madagascar paradise flycatcher among other avian forest residents.
Also of Interest
Passage through the Seychelles
Island Hopping through the beautiful Seychelles aboard the MS Hebridean Sky
Hebridean Sky
Itinerary at a glance
- Dar es Salaam / Zanzibar / Kilwa Kisiwani / Aldabra / Farquhar Islands / Alphonse Islands / Amirante / Aride / Curieuse / Praslin / Grande Soeur / Mahe
Indian Ocean Odyssey
An epic voyage from the Seychelles to South Africa including Madagascar aboard the MS Hebridean Sky
Hebridean Sky
Itinerary at a glance
- Mahe / Praslin / Sride / Alphonse Islands / Aldabra Islands / Nosy Tanihely / Morondava / Tulear / Richards Bay
South Africa & Namibia by Sea
A voyage around Southern Africa from Richards Bay to Walvis Bay aboard the MS Hebridean Sky
Hebridean Sky
Itinerary at a glance
- Richards Bay / Durban / Gqeberha / Mossel Bay / Cape Town / Luderitz / Walvis bay / Johannesburg
Passage to the Seychelles
Island Hopping through Tanzania & the beautiful Seychelles aboard the MS Island Sky
Island Sky
Itinerary at a glance
- Dar es Salaam / Zanzibar / Latham Island / Kilwa Kisiwani / Aldabra Islands / Farquahar group / Alphonse Islands / Amirante Islands / Inner Seychelles / Mahe
Passage from Mahe to Mumbai
A voyage from the Seychelles to India’s Malabar Coast including the Maldives & Lakshadweep Islands aboard the MS Island Sky
Island Sky
Itinerary at a glance
- Mahe / Inner Seychelles / Maldives / Cochin / Lakshadweep Islands / Goa / Mumbai
Across the Bay of Bengal
A voyage from Sri Lanka to Thailand including the Andaman Islands aboard the MS Island Sky
Island Sky
Itinerary at a glance
- Colombo / Galle / Bundala National Park / Yala National Park / Kataragama / Trincomalee / Polonnaruwa / Andaman Islands / Phuket
Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000