Saint Brandon Archipelago
Explore one of the last natural sanctuaries of the Indian Ocean, 268 nautical miles from the island of Maurice.
Duration
10 days
Ideal seasons
Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Style
Navigation & Cruises
Comfort
Charm & Character
Travelers
Couple, Solo, With friends
The spirit of travel
At 268 nautical miles northeast of Mauritius, the Saint Brandon archipelago stretches like a string of preserved coral islets. Crystal-clear waters reveal some of the most intact reefs in the Indian Ocean, where eagle rays and reef sharks swim. Each anchorage reveals a new face of this eden: Coco Island and its endless beaches, Avocaire Island where seabird colonies nest, Raphael Island which houses the fishermen's village.
This Cargados Carajos archipelago, open since 2017 to a limited number of visitors, remains true to its status as a sanctuary. Vestiges of former installations testify to an era when only Mauritian fishermen dared to brave these distant waters. Even today, line fishing and diving reveal exceptional marine biodiversity, far from any mass tourism.
This catamaran cruise offers total immersion in one of the most preserved ecosystems in the western Indian Ocean, where each island tells a different story of time and the elements.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Transfer to Port-Louis
Cargados Carajos (St. Brandon)
St. Brandon
Arrival at the southern island, off Grand Capitaine, early in the morning to drop anchor. Once anchored and after breakfast, guests are free to relax and rest after the long journey or go ashore to stretch their legs on "the southern island" or "Petit Capitaine".
This is where we will pick up the fiberglass boat that will be used throughout the stay in Saint-Brandon for fishing and exploring the archipelago. The highlight is snorkeling in the passage between the southern island and Petit Capitaine island, where you can see eagle rays and sharks.
Night and dinner at anchor.
One of the most beautiful beaches of St. Brandon
Wake up early and go "hunting" for crayfish on the reef. This activity can last a few hours and must be done at low tide. Those who want to go snorkeling or fishing can do so before lunch.
Then, departure for our next anchorage near Coco Island. A stop on the beach will allow you to discover one of the most beautiful beaches of Saint-Brandon which stretches for several kilometers. It is a nesting ground for turtles where new tracks can be seen.
Night and dinner at the anchorage.
Avocaire Island
Night and dinner at anchorage.
After breakfast, the catamaran will change anchorage to allow you to continue exploring the archipelago. Avocaire Island and Tec Tec Island as well as Paul Island will be our neighbors at night, not far from Coco Island.
You will be able to go ashore on Tec Tec Island and Avocaire Island or even on Paul Island to walk and discover the bird colonies nesting on the ground as well as discover the ruins of former installations.
Raphael Island
Early in the morning we will head north towards the Raphael island which is home to the fishing village, the weather station and the coast guard post. We will then navigate towards the great northern pass to head to the Tortoise island side to drop anchor.
This area is ideal for fishing and the drop-offs offer magnificent diving spots. Night and dinner at anchor
Tortuga Island
The southern island
Return to Mauritius
Arrival in Mauritius
Price per person
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- International flights
- Personal expenses
- Tips
Included
- The complete stay (nights aboard the catamaran in all-inclusive and the two nights in a 3* hotel on half board)
- Airport-hotel-airport transfer
- The transfer to the hotel-marina-hotel
- The visa for St Brandon (mandatory for St Brandon as it is a control measure, only 400 visas per year)
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and Canada traveling to Mauritius for a tourism stay. Entry rules may change, and we recommend that you verify information with official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Mauritius, your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months after the date of entry into the country and must have at least one blank page for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn, or altered pages).
Visa-exempt tourist stay
Nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and Canada benefit from a visa exemption for tourism stays in Mauritius.
To date, this exemption allows a stay of up to 90 days upon entry into the country. An extension may possibly be requested on-site from the Mauritian immigration services, within a maximum total duration of 180 days per year.
The authorities may also request:
an exit ticket from the country (return or onward flight),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of the stay,
accommodation booking confirmation for the duration of your trip.
Arrival form
Before your arrival, it may be necessary to complete an arrival form implemented by the Mauritian authorities. This document allows you to transmit certain information necessary for entry into the country to the immigration services:
passport information
flight details
address of your first accommodation in Mauritius
We recommend that you verify with the Mauritian authorities or your airline whether this form must be completed online before your arrival or submitted on board the aircraft.
Health and vaccinations
No vaccine is mandatory to enter Mauritius for travelers from Europe or Canada. However, health authorities recommend ensuring that you are up to date with routine vaccinations (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles).
Mauritius is considered malaria-free. Precautions against mosquitoes are nevertheless recommended, particularly due to the risk of dengue and chikungunya. It is recommended that you consult a doctor or vaccination center before departure to obtain personalized advice.
Traveling with children
Minors must be holders of their own valid passport covering the duration of the stay.
In certain European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an authorization for departure from the country may be required according to the regulations of the country of residence.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Affected travelers should inquire with the embassy or consulate of Mauritius in their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to be insured for repatriation assistance and foreign medical expenses.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific policy developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The comprehensive insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that best suits you:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complementary Credit Card
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claims declaration procedures is available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the claims declaration procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
To stay in Mauritius, a valid passport for at least 6 months beyond your entry date and a return ticket are required. Visa exemptions exist for certain nationalities, but stay durations vary depending on your nationality. Check with the Mauritian consular authorities applicable to your nationality for precise entry conditions before booking your trip.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, budget between 200 and 350 euros per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transfers and activities. International flights (900-1400 euros return) are additional. Maurice combines pristine beaches, creole gardens and upscale hospitality.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each trip to the traveler's profile. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, engaging and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our local English-speaking guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, your budget and your dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You refine every detail together until you have the perfect version. You confirm and depart with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) guarantee which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on site throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Port Louis and Plaines Wilhems
A Nomadays advisor will get back to you to refine this project — itinerary, dates, budget, wishes — and propose a tailor-made version suited to your trip.
