Aldabra Atoll
Diving on Aldabra in the Seychelles
Aldabra is an atoll of four large coral islands located around a thousand kilometres south-west of Mahé. These islands encircle a shallow lagoon that is large enough to fit Mahé inside it. Due to its inaccessibility to humans, Aldabra is in an incredibly unspoilt condition; at least 150 thousand giant turtles live here, which is the largest population in the world. This was also the reason why UNESCO added Aldabra Atoll to the World Heritage List.
Unique flora and fauna on Aldabra
Aldabra is the second largest atoll in the world; Kiritmati is the largest. Up until the end of the 19th century, only Arabian seamen had been able to reach the atoll, and they named the island Aldabra. Since 1874, the largest island has been permanently inhabited by seasonal workers from Mahé, who catch fish, mine guano and extract copra.
The islands of the Aldabra Atoll support a large quantity of unique flora and fauna, and the lagoon has the largest biodiversity in the entire archipelago. In addition to giant turtles, this is also home to green and hawksbill turtles, and rare birds including the white-throated rail, which is the last living flightless bird in the Indian Ocean.
Diving from live aboard in Aldabra
In order to protect the vulnerable ecosystem, strict rules are in place regarding access to Aldabra. These rules and the island's inaccessible geographical location make Aldabra an extremely exclusive destination that is generally only reserved for scientists. It is possible, however, to take a multiple-week diving holiday on board a ‘live aboard'.
