Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Seychelles
Billed as one of the Indian Ocean's great diving destinations, the Seychelles almost rivals
the Maldives, though it's much less hyped - all the better for you. You don't need to be a
strong diver - there are sites for all levels.
There's excellent diving off Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, the three main islands, as well
as off the other inner islands. The strong point is the underwater scenery, complete with big
granite boulders and seamounts - it's as atmospheric as on land.
Where to Dive
Mahé
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Shark Bank
Mahé's signature dive, for experienced divers only. The name is misleading, because there are very few
sharks around this 30m-tall granite plateau 9km off Beau Vallon (Mahé). Instead, you'll encounter brissant rays the size
of Mini Mokes, eagle rays, barracuda, batfish and teeming yellow snapper and big-eyes. There is nearly always a strong
current at this site.
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Îlot
This granite outcrop just off north Mahé consists of several large boulders topped by a tuft of palm trees. The cur-
rent in the channel can be quite strong, but the cluster of boulders yields one of the highest densities of fish life in the
Seychelles. Golden cup coral festoons the canyons and gullies, and gorgonians and other soft corals abound. You're sure
to see yellow-spotted burr fish, turtles, anemones and clownfish, peppered moray eels, Spanish dancer nudibranchs and
thousands of hingeback shrimps. Îlot is about a 15-minute boat ride from Beau Vallon.
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Brissare Rocks
About 5km north of Mahé, this granite pinnacle is accessed from Beau Vallon. The site features abund-
ant fire coral and great concentrations of yellow snapper, wrasse, parrotfish and fusiliers, as well as groupers and eagle
rays. It's covered with bright orange sponges and white gorgonians.
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Twin Barges
If you need a break from offshore dives, these two adjoining shipwrecks will keep you happy. They sit
upright on the seabed in about 20m in Beau Vallon bay.
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Aldebaran
This boat was scuttled in 2010 off Anse Major, the maximum depth is 40m. It shelters moray eels, groupers
and rays.
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Alice in Wonderland
Famous for its healthy coral formations. Off Anse à la Mouche.
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Jailhouse Rock
A high-voltage drift dive for experienced divers with prolific fish life. Off Pointe Lazare.
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Shark Point
Whitetips, nurse sharks and grey reef sharks are commonly sighted here. Off Pointe Lazare.
Praslin & La Digue
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Aride Bank
Off Aride Island, this pristine site can be accessed from Praslin if you don't mind the tedious 30-minute
boat trip to get to the site. A hot fave among local divemasters, it features rays, snappers, nurse sharks, jacks, barracudas
and Napoleon wrasses as well as magnificent seafans.