Advanced Diving in the Seychelles

In the battle for supremacy among the idyllic archipelagos of the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles, an African nation, is stepping out of the shadow of its Asian neighbour, the Maldives, proving itself as one of the world’s diving heavyweights. Situated a thousand miles east of the African mainland, this rugged and remote archipelago boasts dive sites that match the Maldives in terms of diversity and splendour. When it comes to advanced diving in the Seychelles, this island nation has a slew of world-class dive sites up its sleeve. While the Inner Islands, including Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, grab the lion’s share of visitors and offer interesting wreck dives, the more remote Outer Islands, in-cluding Desroches Island and the Aldabra group, present opportunities of encountering thresher sharks and silvertips in deep, crystal-clear azure water.

Mahé

As the nation's capital and the main entry point, the island of Mahé offers excellent diving opportunities for both seasoned divers and those looking for more introductory exploration. For those seeking advanced diving in the Seychelles, two notable sites, the wreck of the RFA Ennerdale and Shark Bank, await.

The RFA Ennerdale sank in 1970 after striking uncharted granite pinnacles off the coast of Mahé Island and now rests in 30 metres of water. Among Mahé's wrecks, this dive site's depth and occasional currents that make it more suitable for advanced divers.

Situated offshore, Shark Bank is known for its stronger currents, adding an extra layer of thrill for divers. Counted among the more advanced diving in the Seychelles, this site offers good chances of seeing nurse and whitetip reef sharks, as well as huge groupers, marlin, sailfish, eagle rays, wahoo and huge pods of dolphins. Between October and November, there's also a chance to spot elusive whale sharks.

Desroches

Venturing southwest from Mahé will lead you to Desroches Island, one of the Seychelles' most beautiful and luxurious private islands. The diving is spectacular, with a trip out to D'Arros Island and St. Joseph Atoll among the pick of the bunch. D'Arros and St. Joseph are separated by a deep, one-kilometre-wide channel, and the area is known for its abundance of resident reef sharks and graceful manta rays.

While the diving in this area is truly spectacular, it is important to note that the deep waters and dynamic currents make it more suitable for experienced divers. With its remarkable biodiversity, Desroches Island and its surrounding waters are often touted as one of the Seychelles' finest diving destinations.

Aldabra

As well as superb diving, the Aldabra group of islands also boasts the largest population of giant tortoises in the world, earning it the title of the 'Galapagos of the Indian Ocean.' Sitting to the north of the Mozambique Channel, Aldabra is one of the world's largest atolls and home to some of the best advanced diving in the Seychelles. Once described by Sir David Attenborough as 'the loneliest of islands, far from the paths of shipping and cut off from the rest of the world,' this UNESCO World Heritage Site and protected natural reserve is characterized by deep walls and current-swept channels.

Those looking to explore the best advanced diving in the Seychelles can dive in the company of big turtles, eagle rays and reef sharks. If luck is on your side, you may even catch a glimpse of the unmistakeable tail of a thresher shark slicing through the water. The icing on the cake? You will likely have these incredible sites all to yourself.

Our team of intrepid dive travel specialists have voyaged to the remote corners of the Seychelles, all in the name of research (tough gig). We're on hand to help you devise your dream Seychellois itinerary to explore the best advanced dive sites in the western reaches of the Indian Ocean.