Our first stop in the Seychelles was in the Aldabra Group of the Outer Islands, a remote coralline cluster in the Southwest portion of the Indian Ocean. There are four key islands and atolls in the Aldabra Group:
- Cosmoledo Atoll: Includes the Seychelles’ largest breeding colony of boobies and offers excellent diving
- Aldabra Atoll: A World heritage site, Aldabra is one of the world’s largest coral atolls, featuring a large shallow lagoon surrounded by coral reef.
- Astove Atoll: Known for its dramatic “wall dives” and rich marine life, often described as an underwater Grand Canyon.
- Assumption Island: A remote, uninhabited island that has no traditional port facilities, shops, or local infrastructure. Visits are strictly maintained, with unit expedition style boats – either Zodiacs or tender boats. Wildlife includes giant tortoises, turtles, zombie crabs, sunbirds and skinks
Our day was to be jammed pack of exploring seabird nesting, snorkeling and wet landings (more on this later) on the beach of Assumption Island. Just before dawn, we went to the Main Lounge on Deck 3 for a quick coffee and yogurt. After getting official visitation permission from the local authorities as well as a bio-pre check of our footwear, gear, etc to make sure they were clean of potential pollutants, we headed down to the Zodiac boarding platform:
screenshot from internet
The Indian Ocean was quiet and calm, with sea birds providing an escort as we made our way through the oncoming dawn:
- A massif is a large distinct block of the Earth’s crust bounded by faults
- The total land area is quite small- approximately 3.2 miles while the lagoon and reef area is 90 miles.
- The lagoon is relatively shallow
- Red Footed Booby: Largest colony in the Seychelles, with over 15,000 pairs.
- Masked Booby
- Brown Booby: the atoll has the last remaining breeding population in the Seychelles.
- Sooty Tern: Up to a million pairs nest here
- Other Seabirds: Lesser Noddy, Brown Noddy, White-tailed Tropicbird, and Lesser and Great Frigatebirds
I have been an avid “birder” for many years, and have met up with Boobbie’s before – in the Galapagos:
I did have some reservations about getting decent photos (this was before my zoom camera died) considering we were on a moving Zodiac going past little islands:
I loved the “bird trees:”
There were also many frigates – another species I had met in the Galapagos. The males have large throat pouches that turns a vibrant red during mating season. When inflated, this pouch is balloon-like and used to attract mating females:
Next up: our first snorkel!
#
Exciting adventure!