Seychelles
The world's largest raised coral atoll, almost untouched since its formation, then an entirely coral private island
Seychelles
A journey between two extremes of the Seychellois archipelago: Aldabra, the world's largest raised coral atoll, UNESCO-listed and so remote that it welcomes only a tiny number of visitors each year, home to the planet's largest population of giant tortoises, then Denis Island, a private coral islet in the north of the archipelago, where palm trees and white sand compose a more classic but equally preserved picture.
When
April-May | Oct-Nov
Price
From 12 000€ excl. flights
(based on 2 people sharing)
How long
7 nights
Ideal length
Days 1-2
The first chapter unfolds at Aldabra, a raised coral atoll so vast it could contain the island of Manhattan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site accessible only by boat after several days' sailing from Mahé. The site's extreme isolation, protected from any mass tourism development, has allowed over one hundred thousand giant tortoises, the world's largest population, to thrive with virtually no human interference for centuries.
Day 1
Arrival at the atoll after several days at sea
Landing on Aldabra after the boat crossing from Mahé, a meeting with the resident scientific team running the research station that has operated on the atoll since the 1970s.
Day 2
Among the giant tortoises of Aldabra
An on-foot exploration of the atoll among tens of thousands of giant tortoises in complete freedom, then a kayak paddle through the inner lagoon, the atoll's blue lung, closed to all fishing activity.
Days 1-2
A return to the north of the archipelago and Denis Island, a private coral islet barely a kilometre and a half long, entirely surrounded by a shallow turquoise lagoon. Unlike the granite islands at the archipelago's heart, Denis, of recent coral formation, offers a flatter landscape but translucent water ideal for snorkelling directly from the beach, with no boat excursion needed.
Day 1
Snorkelling from the beach
A flight to Denis Island, a first snorkelling outing directly from the beach in a shallow lagoon populated by clownfish and green turtles.
Day 2
The lighthouse and traditional fishing
A visit to the island's historic lighthouse, built in 1910, then a traditional big-game fishing outing with local sailors, before a closing dinner with feet in the sand.
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