Aldabra Group
This groups of islands is located over 1000km southwest from the main island of Mahé and about 360km north of Madagascar. Four islands make up this group – the Aldabra Atoll, Assumption, Astove and Cosmoledo.
Aldabra Atoll
Probably the most famous of the Aldabra group is the Aldabra Atoll. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and situated approximately 1150km from Mahé. The Aldabra Atoll is actually made up of many smaller islands, the four main ones being Grand Terre, Malabar, Picard and Polymnie. These were originally the crater ridges of a volcano formed millions of years ago. Once completely submerged, the atoll is flat with the highest point being a mere 8 metres above sea level.
The lagoon could in fact fit the whole of Mahé within it. The Aldabra Atoll is the second-largest raised coral atoll in the world.
Aldabra Atoll has the world’s largest colony of giant tortoises in the world with a population of about 150,000. Various types of birds can also be found there, including sea-swallows, herons, flamingos and tropical red-tail birds. In addition to this, the Aldabra Snail, once thought to be extinct, makes the island its home, along with the flying fox and a number of flowering plants.
Diving in the waters is a spectacular sight as it’s filled with various marine life, including rays, black-tip sharks, manatees, a number of reef fish, dolphins and many more.
Assomption (Assumption Island)
Assomption (Assumption Island) is about 11km² and situated 30km southeast of the Aldabra Atoll.
The island was once used for copra and guano production, but over the years was ecologically destroyed. Efforts continue to try and rehabilitate the vegetation and wildlife on the island.
There are only a few inhabitants of the island and is mostly used as a day-trip location for cruises.
Cosmoledo Atoll
The Cosmoledo Atoll comprises of dozens of islands, creating an almost circular shape. It is situated about 115km southeast of Aldabra and over 1000km away from Mahé with a total land area of about 5.1km². The lagoon is measured at around 16km long and 11km wide.
The island is home to a number of species of birds, holding the Indian Ocean’s largest colony of red-footed bobbys.
Astove Atoll
Astove Atoll lies 160km southwest of Aldabra Atoll and is the southernmost island of the Seychelles. The atoll is a single stretch of land encircling a 9.5km² shallow lagoon.
Learn about the different islands:
Aldabra Group
Aldabra Atoll
Assomption
Cosmoledo
Astove
Alphonse
St. Francois
Bijoutier
Farquhar
Providence
St. Pierre
Deroches
African Banks
Rémire
D’Arros
St. Joseph Atoll
Poivre Atoll
Étoile
Boudeuse
Marie-Louise
Coëtivy
Île Platte
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