Spanning six decks, the 77.4 metre yacht called Aqua Lares can carry 30 passengers across 12 design suites and three twin cabins. Suites range from 13 to 66 square metres, including three Owner’s Suites.
The line revealed that with a gross tonnage of 2,400, Aqua Lares has the highest gross tonnage-to-guest ratio in the fleet.
The yacht will have five tenders - three 6.5-metre Zodiacs and two 8.5-metre Rafnar Tenders – and paddle boards, kayaks, snorkelling and diving gear and mountain bikes.
Social spaces include a panoramic sun deck with bar and lounge, a cinema, boutique, gym, saloon, indoor dining room and a shaded outdoor dining area. Wellness spaces feature two Jacuzzis, a sauna, massage room, and spa.
A crew of 33 – including three naturalist guides – ensures "world-class service and experience-rich adventures on land and underwater", said the line.
Each year Aqua Lares will offer five-, nine-, 10- and 11-night voyages through the Seychelles, Aldabra Atoll and Zanzibar, Tanzania between November and April. Prices for a five-night sailing start from $9,000 per person, based on double occupancy.
The five-night itinerary explores the Seychelles’ inner islands, including Praline and La Digue, while the nine-night cruise explores the archipelago’s outer islands – a secluded chain that is only accessible by sea.
The extended 10- and 11-night itineraries link the Seychelles with the Zanzibar Archipelago and Tanzania.
Sailing between Mahe and Zanzibar, these Indian Ocean voyages include stops at Aldabra, Remire, Farquhar, and Astove – home to the four-mile-long Astove Wall, teem with reef sharks, rays and marine life.
Francesco Galli Zugaro, the line’s founder and chief executive, said: "The launch of Aqua Lares marks an exciting new chapter for Aqua Expeditions – uniting our commitment to luxury exploration with the thrill of discovering uncharted frontiers.
"East Africa has held a special place in my heart since my first safari at age seven, and it’s surreal to now return with our own expedition yacht."
He added: "From the wild beauty of the Seychelles to Aldabra Atoll’s 150,000 giant tortoises, this region offers a rare kind of adventure – one that perfectly complements our voyages in the Galapagos and Indonesia."
Earlier this year, French cruise line Ponant acquired a majority stake in Aqua Expeditions to help the small-ship line expand its footprint globally.
As part of the deal, Zugaro remained a shareholder and continued to lead the line as a standalone business unit.
At the time, Ponant Explorations Group, which is backed by the Pinault family’s investment company Artemis Group, described buying a majority share in Aqua as “a strategic acquisition”.
Aqua Expeditions also operates vessels in Galapagos, Indonesia, Peru and on the Mekong.
