Explorer 1

Location: Seychelles

Rating: 4.8/5 (51 reviews)

Explorer 1

About Explorer 1

Embark on an intimate diving expedition through the pristine waters of the Seychelles aboard the Explorer 1, a catamaran designed for unparalleled comfort and access to remote dive sites.

The Seychelles archipelago, a jewel in the Indian Ocean, beckons with its crystal-clear turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, and an abundance of marine life. This idyllic destination is renowned for its dramatic granite formations, lush islands, and a rich biodiversity that makes every dive an unforgettable experience. Exploring this pristine environment, the Explorer 1 catamaran offers an exclusive gateway to some of the most secluded and spectacular dive sites, from the iconic Desroches Drop with its vertical walls and caves to the remote Afrikan Banks and UNESCO-protected atolls. Diving from the Explorer 1 is an intimate and personalized adventure, catering to a maximum of just six guests. This small group size ensures focused attention from the naturalist guide and a flexible itinerary tailored to diver preferences and conditions. The vessel provides a dedicated dive deck, ensuring a smooth and organized experience for both recreational and technical divers. With Nitrox available, divers can extend their bottom time and maximize their exploration of the Seychelles' underwater wonders, which are teeming with sharks, manta rays, and kaleidoscopic schools of fish. Night dives are also a highlight, revealing a different cast of nocturnal creatures. Life aboard the Explorer 1 is designed for comfort and relaxation. Guests can retreat to one of the three air-conditioned cabins, each offering a private sanctuary after a day of exploration. Social spaces include an indoor saloon and an outdoor lounge, perfect for sharing stories or simply unwinding while enjoying the breathtaking ocean views. The sun deck invites guests to soak up the tropical sun, while the observation deck provides an ideal vantage point for spotting marine life or enjoying a sunset. Thoughtful amenities like complimentary toiletries and daily housekeeping enhance the onboard experience. Culinary delights are an integral part of the Explorer 1 experience. Guests are treated to a full-board meal plan featuring fine cuisine, with options for al fresco dining under the stars. The menu often includes local specialties, prepared with fresh ingredients, alongside international dishes. The crew is attentive to dietary needs, offering vegetarian options and accommodating other requests. Snacks are available throughout the day, and welcome cocktails set a festive tone. While soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are available as optional extras, the focus remains on providing a delightful and satisfying dining experience. Built in 2019, the Explorer 1 is a 17-meter catamaran meticulously designed for remote diving expeditions. She comfortably accommodates up to 6 guests across 3 cabins, ensuring a spacious and uncrowded atmosphere. Powered by two Yanmar turbo diesel 6-cylinder 440hp engines, she cruises efficiently at 10 to 12 knots, with a top speed of 15 knots, allowing swift travel between dive sites. Her substantial fuel capacity of 5000 liters and water capacity of 2000 liters, complemented by two watermakers producing 70 liters per hour each, ensure self-sufficiency for extended journeys. The Explorer 1 operates from Mahé, the largest island in the Seychelles, which serves as the primary embarkation and disembarkation point. Return airport transfers are included, simplifying the journey for guests. The best time to visit the Seychelles for diving is generally from March to May and September to November, when the seas are calm and visibility is excellent, though diving is possible year-round. This vessel is ideal for discerning divers seeking an intimate, eco-conscious, and adventurous exploration of the Seychelles' hidden underwater treasures, perfect for couples, small groups, and those who appreciate personalized service.

Vessel Specifications

  • Length: 17m
  • Guest capacity: 6
  • Year built: 2019
  • Nitrox: Available
  • WiFi: Available

Cabins

  • Master Cabin (sleeps 2) — Twin — The Aldabra Master Cabin provides a comfortable retreat with twin beds, ensuring a restful night's sleep. Guests will appreciate the convenience of a private bathroom and toilet within the cabin.
  • Double Cabin (sleeps 2) — Twin — The Granite cabin offers comfortable twin beds, ideal for friends or individual travelers. Guests in this cabin will have access to shared bathroom facilities.
  • Single Bunk Cabin (sleeps 2) — Twin — The Amirantes cabin offers a cozy arrangement with two single bunk beds, providing comfortable accommodation for two guests. This cabin shares bathroom facilities with other guests.

Itineraries

Mahe Tour Cruise

Duration: 5 nights

Mini Cruise East Granite (La Digue - Mahe)

Duration: 3N

Embarkation: La Digue or Praslin, Seychelles

This mini-cruise explores the key sites around La Digue and Praslin, offering dives in the less-frequented waters of Frégate Island. Guests will also spend a night in the protected and picturesque Coco Island Marine Park, known for abundant turtles and vibrant reef life. The itinerary focuses on a variety of dive sites, providing diverse underwater experiences in the Seychelles.

Mahe Tour Cruise (Mahe - Mahe)

Duration: 5 nights

Embarkation: Mahe, Seychelles

Explore the vibrant underwater world around Mahe and nearby islands on this dedicated diving cruise. The itinerary includes a variety of dive sites, from rich banks to historic wrecks, offering diverse marine encounters. Guests will experience a mix of day and night dives, with opportunities to discover the unique ecosystems of Seychelles. The trip balances thrilling dives with relaxing moments on board, ensuring a memorable liveaboard experience.

Mini Cruise East Granite (La Digue - Mahe)

Duration: 2 nights

Embarkation: La Digue or Praslin, Seychelles

This mini-cruise in the East Granite region of Seychelles offers a delightful journey to discover the picturesque islands of Praslin and La Digue. Guests will have the opportunity to explore key sites for diving and snorkeling, including the marine park at Coco Island. The itinerary also highlights a unique experience of spending a night at Coco Island, known for its "photogenic" area and abundant marine life such as turtles and "fish baths". This cruise provides an intimate experience, focusing

Mini Cruise East Granite (La Digue - Mahe)

Duration: 3 nights

Embarkation: La Digue or Praslin, Seychelles

This mini-cruise explores the key dive sites around Praslin and the less-frequented Frégate Island. A highlight is an overnight stay at Coco Island, a protected marine park known for its abundant turtles and vibrant marine life. The itinerary promises dives at various locations, including Marianne, Albatros, the Sisters, and Coco, with a special focus on the waters surrounding Frégate Island.

Mahe Tour Cruise (Mahe - Mahe)

Duration: 5 nights

Embarkation: Mahe, Seychelles

Embark on a captivating 5-night diving cruise around the Seychelles, starting and ending in Mahe. This itinerary offers a range of underwater experiences, from vibrant reef dives to intriguing wreck explorations, complemented by night diving opportunities. Explore diverse sites known for their abundant marine life and unique geological formations. The journey combines exhilarating dives with comfortable onboard living, providing an unforgettable Seychelles adventure.

Mahe Tour Cruise (Mahe - Mahe)

Duration: 6 nights

Embarkation: Mahe, Seychelles

Explore the inner islands of the Seychelles on a tour that reveals dramatic granite formations and fringing coral reefs. This itinerary focuses on the Mahé plateau, offering a chance to encounter a variety of reef fish, turtles, and the occasional reef shark. Drift dives along current-swept walls are common, alongside calmer shallower sites ideal for underwater photography. Expect warm, clear waters and a blend of vibrant reef ecosystems with the unique geological landscape of the Seychelles.

Mahe Tour Cruise (Mahe - Mahe)

Duration: 5 nights

Embarkation: Mahe, Seychelles

Discover the underwater treasures of Seychelles on this immersive liveaboard journey around Mahé. The itinerary explores diverse dive sites, from vibrant banks teeming with fish to historical wrecks, offering both day and night diving opportunities. This trip is ideal for certified divers seeking an intimate experience in the Indian Ocean's rich marine environment, combining captivating underwater exploration with the convenience of liveaboard living.

Granite Tour Cruise (Mahé - Mahé)

Duration: 6 nights

Embarkation: Mahe, Seychelles

This unique liveaboard journey in the Seychelles caters to divers of all skill levels, including those new to diving. The itinerary focuses on the picturesque granite islands, exploring serene dive sites around Mahé, Frégate, Praslin, and La Digue. The cruise is strategically designed to maximize time between sites, offering a diverse array of underwater explorations. Guests can enjoy pristine diving conditions with vibrant marine life, often in locations with very low attendance.

Mini Cruise Bird North Atolls (By Granite East) (Mahé - Praslin-La Digue)

Duration: 3 nights

Embarkation: Mahe, Seychelles

This mini cruise explores the bird-rich northern atolls of Seychelles, venturing from Mahé to Praslin and La Digue. Divers will encounter diverse underwater landscapes, including granite towers, coral plateaus, and steep drop-offs. The itinerary provides opportunities to spot various pelagic species and reef inhabitants, making it ideal for those seeking a blend of scenic beauty and vibrant marine life. Expect a journey through some of Seychelles' most iconic dive destinations.

Upcoming Departures

  • 2026-08-03 → 2026-08-04 — Mini-Cruise 2 days Shark-Giant Rays & Wrecks · $1391/person · 0 spots left
  • 2026-08-06 → 2026-08-08 — Mini-Cruise 3 Days Wrecks & Sharks & Rays · $1789/person · 0 spots left
  • 2026-08-10 → 2026-08-15 — Mahe Tour Cruise · $3580/person · 6 spots left
  • 2026-08-10 → 2026-08-16 — Granite tour Cruise · $4177/person · 0 spots left
  • 2026-08-20 → 2026-08-22 — Mini-Cruise 3 Days Wrecks & Sharks & Rays · $1789/person · 0 spots left
  • 2026-08-24 → 2026-08-30 — Granite tour Cruise · $4177/person · 0 spots left
  • 2026-08-24 → 2026-08-29 — Mahe Tour Cruise · $3580/person · 6 spots left
  • 2026-08-31 → 2026-09-01 — Mini-Cruise 2 days Shark-Giant Rays & Wrecks · $1391/person · 0 spots left
  • 2026-09-03 → 2026-09-05 — Mini-Cruise 3 Days Wrecks & Sharks & Rays · $1789/person · 6 spots left
  • 2026-09-07 → 2026-09-13 — Granite tour Cruise · $4177/person · 6 spots left
  • 2026-09-07 → 2026-09-12 — Mahe Tour Cruise · $3580/person · 4 spots left
  • 2026-09-14 → 2026-09-15 — Mini-Cruise 2 days Shark-Giant Rays & Wrecks · $1391/person · 6 spots left
  • 2026-09-17 → 2026-09-19 — Mini-Cruise 3 Days Wrecks & Sharks & Rays · $1789/person · 6 spots left
  • 2026-09-21 → 2026-09-27 — Granite tour Cruise · $4177/person · 6 spots left
  • 2026-09-21 → 2026-09-26 — Mahe Tour Cruise · $3580/person · 6 spots left
  • 2026-09-28 → 2026-10-01 — Mini-Cruise Bird North Atolls (by Granite East) · $2784/person · 2 spots left
  • 2026-09-28 → 2026-10-03 — Expedition Denis-Bird Atolls · $4177/person · 2 spots left
  • 2026-10-05 → 2026-10-10 — Expedition Denis-Bird Atolls · $4177/person · 2 spots left
  • 2026-10-05 → 2026-10-08 — Mini-Cruise Bird North Atolls (by Granite East) · $2784/person · 2 spots left
  • 2026-10-12 → 2026-10-17 — Expedition Denis-Bird Atolls · $4177/person · 6 spots left
  • 2026-10-12 → 2026-10-15 — Mini-Cruise Bird North Atolls (by Granite East) · $2784/person · 6 spots left
  • 2026-10-19 → 2026-10-24 — Expedition Denis-Bird Atolls · $4177/person · 6 spots left
  • 2026-10-19 → 2026-10-22 — Mini-Cruise Bird North Atolls (by Granite East) · $2784/person · 6 spots left
  • 2026-10-26 → 2026-10-31 — Expedition Denis-Bird Atolls · $4177/person · 6 spots left
  • 2026-10-26 → 2026-10-29 — Mini-Cruise Bird North Atolls (by Granite East) · $2784/person · 6 spots left
  • 2026-11-02 → 2026-11-05 — Mini-Cruise Bird North Atolls (by Granite East) · $2784/person · 6 spots left
  • 2026-11-02 → 2026-11-07 — Expedition Denis-Bird Atolls · $4177/person · 6 spots left
  • 2026-11-09 → 2026-11-12 — Mini-Cruise Bird North Atolls (by Granite East) · $2784/person · 6 spots left
  • 2026-11-09 → 2026-11-14 — Expedition Denis-Bird Atolls · $4177/person · 6 spots left
  • 2026-11-16 → 2026-11-19 — Mini-Cruise Bird North Atolls (by Granite East) · $2784/person · 6 spots left