Overview
Fact File
| Capital | Victoria |
| Population | 99,500 |
| Languages | English, French, Seychellois |
| Time | GMT+4 |
| International Dialling Code | +248 |
| Currency | Seychellois Rupee (SCR) |
| Tourist Board | |
| International Airports | Seychelles International Airport (SEZ), Prasin Island Airport (PRI) |
About The Diving
The Seychelles has a refreshingly enlightened approach to conservation and as such nearly half of the country has protected National Park status, the fantastic marine life and healthy reef has earned the Seychelles a reputation for great diving. Mahé is a good base for diving holidays with many great dive sites to the north of the island.
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Dive Highlights
Shark Bank
Shark Bank is a granite plateau 8km northwest of Mahé. With massive boulders acting as shelter for the marine life, it attracts schools of barracuda and jacks, sea turtles, white tip sharks and the magnificent whale shark between October and December.
Dredger Wreck
Starting at 18m and dropping to 26m, the Dredger is covered in coral and home to prolific underwater life. Shoals of batfish, snapper and jacks surround the small wreck and black grouper make the odd inquisitive approach.
Marianne Island
Suitable for all divers, this area offers a huge diversity of species, including grey sharks, large jacks and whale sharks in season.
Fishermans Cove Reef
Beautiful hard coral in excellent health makes this a colourful dive full of life, suitable for beginners and experienced divers alike. The feeding hawksbill turtles make this a spot a firm favourite.
Aldebran Wreck
The Aldebran was scuttled in 2008 after being confiscated for illegal fishing, and rests upright on the sand with a max depth of 40m. Now populated by macro and benthic life as well as attracting sharks and dolphins and the occasional guitarfish, it is a great spot for underwater photography.
Ennerdale Wreck
A great dive for the more experienced, the Ennerdale is a British Oil tanker which sank in 1970. With current at depth this is a more challenging dive, but well worth the effort. Reef and bull sharks can be seen here.
Aldabra Atoll
This UNESCO site is a raised coral reef surrounded by a lagoon, the reef continues into the depths for some stunning dives with visibility in excess of 50m. Advanced divers can do drift dives in the channel, where thresher sharks can be seen. On the surface interval the island’s giant tortoise population can be visited. This location is only accessible by liveaboard.
When To Go
The water is always warm with temperatures between 25-29°C all year. The calmest seas and best visibility are in April, October and November. During these months boats are more likely to be able to reach remoter spots and there are chances to dive with manta rays and sharks. The Southeast monsoon from May to September brings cooler weather, plankton and lower visibility, which also brings with it the whale sharks.