Aldabra: Lagoon, Coral Reefs and Giant Tortoises

Four large coral islands enclose a shallow lagoon at Aldabra; a coral reef lies around the outside. This shape defines the character of the atoll: lagoon, islands and reef form a connected landscape in which water and coral habitats are central. Aldabra is also the only remaining habitat of giant tortoises. UNESCO describes them as the last survivors of a life form that once also occurred on other islands in the Indian Ocean.

Lagoon, Reef and Habitats

Aldabra’s marine habitats include coral reefs, seagrass meadows and mangrove mudflats. They show only limited human influence. Those interested in the atoll’s nature will find more than a single type of landscape here: the shallow lagoon lies within the coral islands, while reefs surround the atoll; seagrass and mangrove mudflats add to the picture of its marine habitats. Together with its special importance as a habitat for giant tortoises, this natural environment makes Aldabra a destination whose appeal lies above all in its landscape and biodiversity.

The scale is also a useful part of getting your bearings. In the Seychelles, Aldabra is the largest island. The atoll measures about 35 by 15 kilometres; its land area is around 155 square kilometres. The protected area covers a total of 2,559 square kilometres, including the lagoon and the land and marine protected areas. Aldabra was inscribed as a UNESCO Marine World Heritage Site in 1982. These figures make the atoll’s dimensions clear without equating the lagoon or surrounding habitats with the land area.

Getting There and Staying On Board

Visitors reach Aldabra aboard liveaboard vessels. The atoll has no runway, harbour, jetty or helipad. The Seychelles Islands Foundation pursues a limited and strictly controlled tourism policy to protect Aldabra and its biodiversity. For travel planning, it is therefore essential to arrange accommodation on board the vessel: it picks visitors up from Assumption or brings them from Mahé to Aldabra. The Seychelles Islands Foundation does not provide visitor accommodation. The vessel and on-board accommodation go together when planning your stay; a holiday rental on the island is not the accommodation model described here.

Historical Tour Descriptions

A guide from September 2020 describes a historical tour that begins at the Research Station. From there, it follows a coastal path along Settlement Beach towards Old Settlement. The description thus links the coastal route with a historical destination. The remains visited on this tour include buildings from the early 20th century. They served a different purpose from today’s research station.

The guide also describes a Backpath tour. It leads behind the Research Station, away from the buildings and into overgrown field areas. Along the way, it passes a tidal pool into which seawater flows, and crosses fossil coral that provides a foundation for habitats and species. The two descriptions focus on different things: the coastal path runs along Settlement Beach towards Old Settlement; the Backpath tour draws attention to field areas, tidal pools and fossil coral.

Discover more destinations: Desroches.

Go to the main travel overview: Outer Islands.