Aldabras Dive Tours

DIVE THE
ALDABRAS
WITH REEFCOMBER TOURS

These islands are the most remote and hardest to access in the Seychelles region. Their names have a magical ring to them, and most deservedly so. Few people will ever have the chance to visit and dive these islands located 1150kms from Mahe. This remoteness and their inhospitability have safeguarded them for centuries against man's interference. Island exploration: These islands are an explorer's dream, we are accompanied on visits to the islands by one of the island's research staff to ensure that you have the best chance of seeing all the unique fauna and flora, as well as the large giant tortoises and nesting green turtles. Aldabra also boasts an impressive avia-fauna with 12 species of bird unique to these islands, including the flightless White Throated Rail, a close relative of the Dodo.

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Diving opportunities :

Diving on Aldabras terraced walls is dramatic, as you can expect to see dozens of Green Turtles on their pilgrimage to the beach. The diving highlight of this atoll is the stunning drift dives through the channels to the vast lagoon: join schools of snappers, surgeon-fish and stingrays as they drift effortlessly into the lagoon at speeds of up to 6 knots. There are several routes for the tidal streams to flow in and out of the lagoons.
The "Main Channel" is perhaps the most impressive, but dives must be carefully planned. The steep sides provide a refuge for tremendous schools of bump head parrot fish and a multitude of reef fish. The more gentle " Passe Houareau" offers the possibility of head-on encounters with giant groupers who park themselves on the ridges to face the oncoming tide. It is an extraordinary sight complimented by the squadrons of eagle rays swooping in formation up and down the slopes.
The Aldabras outer reefs are miles and miles of pristine coral formations, forests of yellow, brown, pink and purple fans provide a backdrop for an amazing diversity of marine life. All of the larger fish are present in great numbers as well as a surprise visit by hammerheads or silvertip shark. The Stingray City of the Aldabras is an unexplained natural phenomenon, a gathering place for a variety of species of rays. Perhaps the most impressive of all is the large species of grouper which govern the reef, completely undisturbed by visitors. With nightdives scheduled to complete your diving experience, you have a better understanding of the delicate ecosystem of the Aldabras.
110kms south east of Aldabra is the Atoll of Cosmoledo. It offers a wonderland of wall diving experiences. Some of the largest hard coral formations in the Seychelles are found along these wilderness reefs, along with huge gorgonian fans, massive barrel sponges and a watchful guard of inquisitive potato bass. pelagics such as dog tooth tuna and jacks swim in and out of view. The settlement reef off the island of Astove bears witness to the transient passage of man with an impressive array of discarded chains and anchors from ships which unsuccessfully tried to anchor on the vertical walls. The massive brown gorgonian fans stretch down into the depths, while the reef top is incised with crevasses and caves each with its own surprises, and always at the back of your mind are the tales of ghosts of wrecked pirate ships. Green turtles abound as do shoals of iridescent fish and hammerhead sharks occasionally appear out of the blue. A variety of pelagics cruise the drop-off and there is a good chance of spotting mantas or mating turtles. Giant morays seem to inhabit every nook and cranny in the reef with their busy cleaner shrimp.

Cost : R46 380 pp sharing

What's Included ?

* Return economy flights - Johannesburg - Mahe - Johannesburg
* Return charter flights Mahe - Assumption - Mahe
* 7 nights aboard the live - aboard INDIAN OCEAN EXPLORER
* Unlimited diving on the boat
* All meals on the boat
* Transfers

Not included in the price: Departure taxes from Johannesburg and Seychelles, transfers, beverages throughout, tipping, Dive equipment hire, personal expenses.

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