Praslin & La Digue
If you are looking to get even further off the beaten path during your Seychelles vacation, staying on the islands of Praslin or La Digue offer just that.
Explore Granitic Islands
The Granitic Islands of the Seychelles, particularly Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue, offer a diving experience that is both stunning and diverse. These lush inner islands are not only home to vibrant communities but also serve as gateways to nearly 50 exceptional dive sites. With options for both beginners and advanced divers, these islands host an array of professional dive centers ready to guide adventurers into the crystalline waters of the Indian Ocean.
Diving around Mahé provides a tapestry of underwater wonders, from the vibrant marine life of Bay Ternay Marine Park to the thrilling currents around granite reefs. Here, divers can glide alongside sea turtles, humphead parrotfish, and stingrays on shallow reefs, or experience the rush of being swept along towering pinnacles and caverns where reef sharks and, seasonally, whale sharks make their appearances. Praslin and La Digue extend the diving adventure with their own set of nearly 20 dive sites, offering daily trips for those eager to explore more.
What makes diving in the Granitic Islands truly special is the combination of accessible shore dives and exhilarating boat and liveaboard options, all set against the backdrop of the islands' breathtaking scenery. Whether navigating gentle currents over colorful reefs or harnessing the power of stronger currents offshore, divers will find a rich marine tapestry that keeps them coming back for more, all year round.
Places to explore
Courses and Events
Dive Activity
Diving in Granitic Islands
The Granitic Islands, a stunning group of islands in the Seychelles, offer diverse diving experiences for enthusiasts. Among the top dive sites is "The Ennerdale Wreck," a renowned site for wreck diving enthusiasts. This British oil tanker, which sank in 1970, now lies in relatively shallow waters, attracting a myriad of marine life, including barracudas and groupers. Another notable site is "Shark Bank," famous for its large pelagic visitors like grey reef sharks and manta rays, providing thrilling encounters for divers. For those preferring shore dives, "Baie Ternay Marine Park" offers easy access and is known for its vibrant coral gardens and diverse marine species. Unique experiences such as night dives allow divers to witness nocturnal marine life behavior, adding to the allure of these islands. The Granitic Islands strike a perfect balance between shore diving and liveaboard options, catering to a wide range of diving preferences and ensuring unforgettable underwater adventures.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Granitic Islands
The Granitic Islands, part of the Seychelles archipelago, offer a diverse marine ecosystem teeming with life. Divers exploring these waters can commonly encounter vibrant reef fish such as angelfish, butterflyfish, and parrotfish. These species are prevalent year-round, providing consistent viewing opportunities at popular dive sites. Seasonally, the marine life spectacle intensifies with sightings of larger marine animals. During certain months, divers may have the chance to swim alongside whale sharks and manta rays, particularly from September to November. Sea turtles, including the hawksbill and green turtle, are also spotted frequently, with nesting seasons offering unique viewing experiences. The likelihood of encountering these majestic creatures varies, with some sites renowned for regular visits.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
1.8k Sightings
J
133
F
122
M
147
A
118
M
96
J
108
J
114
A
146
S
188
O
257
N
256
D
136
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle
973 Sightings
J
78
F
61
M
84
A
64
M
56
J
31
J
44
A
68
S
117
O
162
N
140
D
68
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
781 Sightings
J
68
F
70
M
45
A
66
M
47
J
41
J
23
A
64
S
74
O
96
N
126
D
61
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 25
iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray
735 Sightings
J
38
F
82
M
99
A
67
M
46
J
41
J
21
A
22
S
65
O
86
N
124
D
44
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
610 Sightings
J
48
F
68
M
81
A
51
M
28
J
11
J
9
A
37
S
68
O
103
N
74
D
32
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
328 Sightings
J
18
F
39
M
36
A
20
M
17
J
21
J
7
A
11
S
21
O
52
N
65
D
21
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
238 Sightings
J
12
F
24
M
23
A
29
M
5
J
29
J
11
A
10
S
14
O
19
N
37
D
25
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
1.7k Sightings
J
110
F
133
M
162
A
113
M
80
J
116
J
124
A
124
S
153
O
217
N
239
D
149
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 100
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
1.7k Sightings
J
126
F
132
M
161
A
110
M
83
J
105
J
101
A
132
S
151
O
233
N
205
D
115
iStock-June Jacobsen
Whitetip Reef Shark
1.5k Sightings
J
98
F
126
M
157
A
106
M
98
J
75
J
73
A
98
S
128
O
230
N
226
D
85
The best Months to Dive in Granitic Islands
The Granitic Islands offer year-round diving opportunities, with conditions varying by season. From December to March, water temperatures range from 26°C–30°C/79°F–86°F, providing warm diving experiences. Visibility during this period is generally good, averaging 15–25 meters/49–82 feet, though occasional currents may affect clarity.
From April to November, temperatures drop to 24°C–28°C/75°F–82°F, with visibility slightly reduced to 10–20 meters/33–66 feet due to increased plankton. Winds and currents are more pronounced during these months, particularly from June to September, making some sites less favorable. Despite these variations, diving is feasible year-round, with optimal conditions typically found in the earlier part of the year.
