Astove Coral House, Aldabra, Astove and Cosmoledo

It is often said that the Seychelles’ idyllic beauty is mirrored below the waves, and the further out you explore, the more obvious this becomes. In fact, around these remote islands and atolls, located around 1,000-kilometres from Mahe, the stunning underwater scenery is so pristine it can easily outshine the islands themselves. Combining sheltered lagoons and shallow banks covered in coral, with towering walls that plunge to the depths of the open ocean, the diving at these seldom visited destinations is nothing short of breath-taking. Plumes of colourful anthias give way to mahi mahi, wahoo and dogtooth tuna, while huge potato grouper, passing sharks, and the occasional pod of whales can appear at any time.

Diving Aldabra Atoll

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and protected natural reserve, you need prior approval from the Seychelles Island Foundation to dive at Aldabra Atoll, but it’s well worth the effort. Coral reefs, drop-offs, and caves are found on the atoll’s outer walls, while the channels provide adrenaline-inducing drifts into the inner lagoon. These tidal currents are alive with marine life of all kinds, including giant morays, jacks, barracudas, and groupers, as well as large sea turtles, eagle rays, and reef sharks. Occasional dugong sightings have also been reported here in recent years.

Diving Astove Atoll

Astove is arguably home to some of the best scuba diving in the world and is sure to both challenge and excite divers of all levels. Diving here is dominated by an impressive six-kilometre wall on the island’s northwest side which drops vertically from waist-deep waters to depths of 100-metres or more - all just a short distance from the shore! The wall is scarred with fissures and adorned with some of the Seychelles’ most colourful soft corals, creating a stunning spectacle in the crystal-clear visibility. And, of course, the deep water has the potential to lure larger pelagic species in from the open ocean.

Diving Cosmoledo Atoll

Cosmoledo Atoll offers some of the world’s last true frontier diving, with just a handful of known sites, and many more yet to be mapped out. The shallow channels which separate these 19 wild islands feature less dramatic topography than elsewhere in the region but make up for it with some of the healthiest hard coral reefs found anywhere in the Seychelles. Thanks to these thriving reefs, Cosmoledo is often billed as one of the best macro diving destinations in the Outer Islands, with Seychelles anemonefish, pipefish, leaf scorpionfish, and nudibranchs galore. 

But the interesting species certainly don’t stop with the small stuff. Some 15 species of morays can be found here, along with barracuda, batfish, and large schools of bluelined, humpback and bohar snapper which frequently encircle divers. Deeper sections can also draw in trevally and dogtooth tuna on the hunt, as well as passing sharks such as silvertips, grey reef sharks, nurse sharks, and even the occasional hammerheads.

All images courtesy of Blue Safari Seychelles.