Best Scuba Diving Sites in Seychelles
Dive into Paradise
Scattered far and wide around the Indian Ocean, 115 islands make up Seychelles. Many of these wonderful islands provide a great opportunity for scuba diving, snorkelling, and taking part in other water activities. But finding the best scuba diving sites in Seychelles without a guide could prove difficult.
Luckily, we’ve come up with the ultimate list of the top scuba diving sites in Seychelles. These dive spots vary in depth, equipment needed, underwater attractions, and skill level. That is to say, once you’re done with our list, you’ll be more than ready to go exploring after you’ve had a relaxing and enchanting stay at the Club Med Seychelles.
Exploring Seychelles' Marine Life
Before you go off on an exhilarating adventure, there are a few things to know. First off, the best time to go scuba diving in Seychelles is during April, October, and November. The waters are quite calm then, which means that boats can take you to some more remote spots where you can often see manta rays and sharks. The calm waters also mean greater visibility and more scuba diving opportunities.
However, if you’re in Seychelles from May to September, expect the weather to be cooler and more humid. Even though visibility is lower due to the southeast monsoon, this is the best period to see whale sharks.
The warmest weather is from December to March, with the water temperature staying steady between 25–29°C.
The three main diving islands in Seychelles are Mahé, La Digue, and Praslin, making up the inner islands. There are also dive centres on the outer islands and you can go scuba diving by liveaboard.
When diving in Seychelles, you’re bound to see an abundance of marine life, including reef sharks, hawksbill turtles, whale sharks, nurse sharks, eels, octopi, tuna, parrotfish, and much more.
During your Seychelles holiday, you should keep in mind that the medical facilities are limited there. Doctors are often unavailable on remote islands, where you will do a lot of diving, so take extra care and precautions.
Mahé
Depending on your skills, location, and free time, you’ll have access to dozens of scuba diving sites in Seychelles. Here are some of the best and most popular ones across Mahé, La Digue, Praslin, and the outer islands.
Home to the Seychelles International Airport, you’ll probably go through Mahé once you arrive on holiday. Luckily, many tour operators offer trips and some of the best scuba diving sites in Seychelles can be found here.
To see the spectacular marine life, including whale sharks, you often don’t need to go below 12 metres. One of the best dive sites in Mahé is Beau Vallon, which is in the northwest corner of the island.
There’s also Shark Bank, a granite plateau with massive boulders, which is only 8 kilometres northwest of Mahé. The Shark Bank is home to white-tip reef sharks, grey stingrays, barracuda, humphead wrasse, parrotfish, turtles, and whale sharks.
If you want to go a bit deeper and see some spectacular sites, you can check out some of the famous wrecks there. There’s the Ennerdale wreck at 30 metres, the Dredger wreck at 25 metres, and the Aldebaran wreck between 30–40 metres below.
Anse Soleil
If you like variety in your snorkelling, then Anse Soleil is the ideal place for you. The 300-metre-long beach offers direct access to the sea without coral reefs in the way, which means there’s a greater diversity of species to view.
The angelfish in particular love this spot and you'll see different types happily swimming around your head. The fluorescent blue coral beds are also a highlight of the trip. However, watch out for the strong winds after June as they make the area more dangerous.
Praslin
The second largest island in the Seychelles, scuba diving in Praslin is an experience like no other. Just a quick boat ride away from two of the best scuba diving sites in Seychelles, Praslin has a lot to offer.
Aride Island, home to the Aride Bank, is a nature reserve surrounded by protected waters. There, you can spot nurse sharks hiding away between rocks in crystal blue waters. There is also Booby Island or Booby Rock where you can see reef sharks, lobsters, and octopi. If you do decide to visit Booby Island, be careful as the currents can get pretty intense.
La Digue
La Digue is an incredible island to explore, both on land and underwater. There are no cars on the island and the only mode of transport is bikes. What’s more, there are tons of excellent dive sites around the entire island.
A top dive destination near La Digue is Marianne Island, home to grey reef sharks, moray eels, snappers, and turtles. The Sister Reef is another unique diving experience, with depths of 24 metres.
If you’d also like to do some snorkelling when in La Digue, you can check out Anse Severe, Anse Gaulettes, and Anse Source d’Argent.
Coco Island Marine Park
Near La Digue island, there is a marine park whose protection has allowed many species of fish and coral to survive and thrive. In particular, it's good for those who’d love a closer encounter with turtles.
Book a boat to take you to the spot but watch out for adverse weather conditions. Once there, you'll be rewarded with dense and varied shoals of multicoloured creatures, including damel fish and parrotfish, as well as the rainbow hues of oceanic plant life at its finest.
Anse Source d'Argent
Start your underwater journey at Anse Source d'Argent and enjoy one of the finest and most photographed beaches in the world before plunging into the water and enjoying a protected lagoon full of massive granite boulders.
Once in the ocean, you'll find yourself amongst a swarming mass of fish that can be easily seen in the clear water. The depth rarely goes above waist high, which means that it's a great site for beginners.
Outer Islands
For those with loftier budgets, doing trips to the outer islands can be an incredible way to see some of the best dive sites in the Seychelles. The three most popular islands include Desroches, Alphonse, and Astove, all with their own unique charms.
Many of the outer islands in the Seychelles, including those we listed, feature impressive wall dives. Not only that, but they’re the perfect places to see some of the most beautiful and exotic marine life in the country.
Seychelles' Underwater Wonders with Club Med
From first dives to sea excursions and courses, scuba diving with Club Med Seychelles is an experience like no other. No matter if you’re a beginner or an experienced pro, our on-demand diving has something for everyone.
When you book scuba diving with Club Med, you will have access to state-of-the-art equipment, including:
Diving cylinder
Diving regulator
Lead belt
Mask, fins, and tuba
Stab jacket
Wetsuit
Not only that but all dives and excursions are supervised by qualified and experienced PADI instructors. The on-demand offer includes first dives and beginner courses for kids and adults. There are also certified diver packages with equipment and guests can choose between doing 5 or 10 dives.
In addition to access to the best scuba diving sites in Seychelles, Club Med also features a Scuba Diving Centre. The Resort Diving Centre offers divers the best conditions to enjoy the sport. What’s more, a Club Med doctor, specializing in scuba diving, will attend all dives on site.
So don’t wait any longer and book your stay with Club Med Seychelles today and start exploring the underwater spectacles these islands have to offer!
