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Aldabra
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The Aldabra group is made up of the islands of Aldabra, Astove, Cosmoledo and Assumption.
These are the most southerly islands of Seychelles about 1110 km from Mahé. Few people will
ever have the chance to visit these remote islands.
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Aldabra: Aldabra is the worlds largest atoll and has been designated a World Heritage
Site. It is home to the world's largest population of giant tortoises as well as a host of rare and
endemic animal species. Dozens of green turtles migrate to the beaches to nest. The highlight
here is the exciting drift dives through the channels into Aldabra's vast lagoon at speeds up to
six knots. Surprise small reef shark, turtles and stingrays on their effortlessly way into the lagoon.
Lately there have been reports of a group of manatees that have been spotted and have the
marine scientific community very excited.
The last remaining flightless bird of the Indian Ocean, the white-throated rail, is found only on
Aldabra. Huge colonies of spectacular Lesser and great frigate-birds breed alongside red-footed
boobies in the mangroves which border the northern rim of a huge lagoon. The shallow waters
are patrolled by dimorphic egrets, found only on Madagascar and the Aldabra group of islands.
Along the shoreline, the Aldabra sacred Ibis together with a whole host of black-napped and
crested terns including caspians may be seen. Other birds include the greater flamingo and the
malagasy kestrel.
The steep walls around the raised limestone islands of Aldabra atoll have rarely been dived.
Fish life is prolific while over 2000 green turtles breed on the beaches each year. Dolphins and
occasionally whales can be seen offshore.
The atoll consists of 13 islands which make up about one third of Seychelles' land mass. It is a
raised atoll, with two distinct terraces at four metres and eight metres above the sea. The
shoreline is marked with many mushroom-shaped islands of limestone.
Aldabra remains under strict supervision of the Seychelles Island Foundation.
Cosmoledo: 110 km Southeast of Aldabra lies the atoll of Cosmoledo, a virtually
unsurveyed ring of 12 islands. The reefs are littered with wrecks. Marine life is prolific on the
Cosmoledo wall.
Astove: This deserted island South of Cosmoledo, has been linked to stories of lost
treasure as
well as a documented slave republic and is the final resting place of many shipwrecks. An almost
perfect ring atoll with only one entrance into the lagoon. Diving
is recommended for advanced divers only. Green turtles abound.
Assumption:30 km South of Aldabra lies Assumption with an airstrip that services the region
on chartered flights only.
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