Get-at-able paradise

This archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean made up of around 116 islands is a dream destination for lovers of idyllic beaches, turquoise waters and multicolored fish.
Some 995 miles or 1600 km to the east of the Kenyan coast, the ecosystem of the archipelago is really well safeguarded with the Seychelles authorities doing their utmost to preserve the extraordinary natural heritage that is the wealth of this terrestrial and aquatic paradise.
The islands are divided into two main groups:
The Granitic islands that are 42 in number, where the majority of the population live. This is the case, for example for the main island Mahé with its capital, Victoria as well as for Praslin, La Digue, Silhouette and Curieuse etc. all names of which dreams are made.
Then come the coral islands that are grouped geographically and are mainly to the south of the granitic ones.

First are the Amirantes made up of 29 coral islands including Poivre, Desroches, Alphonse, African Banks and St Joseph Atoll.
Further on are the “Outer Islands” with the Farquhar group and its 12 fishing paradisiacal coral islands. Ten of these make up Farquhar Atoll while the last two are Providence Atoll.
The last group to the west of the Farquhar group is the Aldabra group, one of the biggest atolls in the world and above all, a UNESCO world heritage site world biosphere reserve. This extraordinary site is blessed with an incredible wealth of fauna, in particular a large colony of giant tortoise. There are 46 islets set around this coralline circle. Cosmoledo Atoll like Assumption and Astove are part of the Aldabra area.

St. Joseph

St Joseph Atoll forms a point to the south east of Les Amirantes. A drop-off of over 1640 ft or 500 m in depth around half a mile or 1 km from the reef going down to over 1094 yards or 1000m a few hundred yards further on, characterizes it and give excellent opportunities for diving and pelagic fishing. Well-known for its concentrations of sailfish, the surrounding area also regularly plays host to almost overwhelming numbers of yellowfin. The Atoll is oval and is 4.3 miles or 7 km long by 2.7 miles 4.4 km wide, it covers a surface area of 14 square miles or 22.53 km2 of which over half is made up of the immense peripheral reef flat that surrounds it. The lagoon is completely enclosed by the surrounding reef so there is no navigable pass for a big boat. The water in the lagoon itself is quite shallow, often between 2 and 4 meters deep, which is perfect for the abundant bonefish here. Fourteen sandy islets are listed the most important of which are: St Joseph Island, Fouquet Island and Ressource Island. St Joseph, which is uninhabited, remains one of the most beautiful and well-preserved places in the Amirante Islands.

Farquhar

Over 500 miles or 800 kilometers to the south of Mahé, the Seychelles’ main island, is Farquhar Atoll. It is made up of 10 islands including Lapins, Manaha and Goëlettes where hundreds of thousands of sea birds come to breed, sandbanks and an extensive lagoon where some flats are miles long!
Because it is so remote Farquhar shelters an extraordinary diversity of wildlife. A great many birds, as well as incredible marine life with an exceptional reef barrier where over 200 varieties of fish have been observed. Here you will meet different species of turtle which come to lay on the isolated beaches of the end-of-the-world atoll every day.
You can only get to Farquhar by private flight from Mahé, otherwise it takes three days sailing non-stop for the journey there and again for the journey back!
A visit to this atoll is a wonderful opportunity to treat yourself to an unforgettable fishing cruise. Come here for record breaking fish including big bonefish, enormous trevally and a really wide variety of other species.

Cosmoledo

Cosmoledo Atoll, 650 miles or 1050 kilometers to the south west of Mahé, is a spread of over 1140 acres or 460 hectares of sand and coconut palms. Its far reaching lagoon covers over 37066 acres or 15000 hectares.
Because it is so out of the way, just like Farquhar, Cosmoledo is reputed for being home to absolutely extraordinary fauna: there is a very big bird colony, the largest community of Booby (a big and rare bird) in the Indian Ocean, as well as the largest colony of green turtle after Aldabra Atoll.
Scientists have stated seeing several endemic species of turtle and bird, making this marine Eden one of the biggest marine animal reserves in the Indian Ocean.

Providence

This is the second atoll in size in the Farquhar group. It is an enormous reef of over 25 miles or 40 km long and sometimes up to 6 miles or 10 km wide. There are only two islands, one at each end of this immense reef barrier, meaning that it covers over 77 square miles or 200 km2, only half a mile squared 1.5 km2 of which is submerged. This makes Providence an inhospitable place that has had very few visits over the most recent decades, which has protected its incredible reef where bonefish, trevally, napoleon and grouper etc. live in peace.
Inaccessible and protected, Providence is a challenge for thrill-seeking sports fishermen.
Providence Island is at the very northern end of the reef and covers only 2.5 miles or 4 km in length for 13120ft or 400m in width. Cerf Island is at the southern tip and is about the same length but with a width that varies from 1640 ft or 500 m to less than 164ft or 50 m.
It takes one night’s sailing to get to this atoll from Farquhar atoll, which is further to the south.