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Seychelles Marine Life Making a Comeback

Seychelles Marine Life Making a Comeback

Written by Leisure Pro Staff
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Published on October 11, 2015

An island nation located in the Indian Ocean near Madagascar, Seychelles has taken quite a blow from nature over the last couple of decades. Massive quantities of this country’s coral population suffered from extensive bleaching due to the warming effects of El Nino in 1998. Nearly 90 percent of the corals were wiped out. More bleaching occurred in 2002 and 2003, only to be followed by the deadly tsunami that struck the area in December of 2004. One of the results of this unfortunate string of events was a general “nothing to see here” response from the dive community.

The good news is that the closely monitored reefs and Seychelles marine life seem to be returning to their former state of health. In a 2014 survey, researchers found that about half of the reef sites in the region now have similar amounts of coral to pre-1998 levels. The north and west coasts of the main island of Mahe’ seem to be recovering particularly well, which could be due in part to the natural growth rate of certain species of coral.

What does this mean for the curious scuba diver? The Seychelles government takes great care to protect its ocean environment. Safeguards for sea turtles and a ban on shark finning means you’re very likely to be able to swim alongside a wide array of creatures. Bumphead parrotfish, butterflyfish, octopus, reef sharks, stingrays, hawksbill turtles, and green turtles are all common sights. Near the more remote outer islands you could encounter sailfish, oceanic whitetip and nurse sharks, manta rays, and even whale sharks. Hammerheads occasionally put in a special guest appearance as well.

Dive sites range in depth from about 25 to 100 feet and there are numerous options for both beginners and advanced levels. With its warm, shallow waters, you can dive Seychelles year round, but the calmest waters are enjoyed during March, April, and May, and again in September, October, and November. During the June/July/August monsoon season, strong winds make access to some of the more remote dive sites difficult, as well as the cooling waters providing an increase in plankton which causes reduced visibility. The offset is the influx of whale sharks coming into feast on the plankton. If you want to get an up close look at these gargantuan beauties, that time of year is practically a sure bet. Planning next year’s dives? Get Seychelles on that list!

Leisure Pro Staff

Leisure Pro Staff

Marketing Director for LeisurePro