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Mahé, the largest island of Seychelles, offers a diving experience that is both captivating and diverse, making it a must-visit for enthusiasts worldwide. Nestled amidst the stunning beaches of Beau Vallon, the dive sites here are famed for their impressive granite formations and vibrant coral gardens, showcasing both hard and soft corals in a dazzling array of colors. These underwater landscapes provide a stunning backdrop as you explore the turquoise, crystalline waters, home to a variety of marine life.

Divers can expect to encounter schools of batfish, barracudas, and turtles, as well as impressive pelagics like grey reef sharks, white tip sharks, and, if you're lucky, the majestic whale shark or a graceful manta ray. With over 50 named dive sites scattered around the island, Mahé caters to all kinds of diving preferences, from shore dives to boat and liveaboard experiences. Whether you're navigating through intricate coral reefs or exploring deeper walls and wrecks, the biodiversity and beauty of Mahé's underwater world promise an unforgettable adventure. Additionally, the island's welcoming locals and charming seaside resorts make it an ideal base for your Seychelles diving holiday, offering both relaxation and exploration in equal measure.

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Diving in Mahé

Mahé, the largest island of the Seychelles, offers exceptional dive sites for enthusiasts. Among the notable wreck dives is the Ennerdale Wreck, a British tanker resting on the ocean floor, home to diverse marine life like lionfish and groupers. This site is popular for its rich history and the vibrant underwater ecosystem it supports.

Dive travelers can explore popular shore dives at Baie Ternay, renowned for its clear waters and abundant coral gardens, perfect for spotting hawksbill turtles and rays. Night dives here reveal mesmerizing nocturnal marine behaviors, providing a different perspective on oceanic life. Mahé balances accessible shore dives with liveaboard options, ensuring divers can explore both coastal and remote underwater wonders.

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Dive Sites

The best Months to Dive in Mahé

Mahé, the largest island in Seychelles, offers exceptional diving conditions year-round. Water temperatures remain pleasantly warm, ranging from 26°C–29°C/79°F–84°F, making it ideal for divers in any season. Visibility generally varies between 15 to 30 meters/49 to 98 feet, providing clear views of the abundant marine life and coral reefs. Diving is possible throughout the year, but the period from May to October may present challenges due to the southeast trade winds. These can cause stronger currents and slightly reduced visibility. The calmer months from November to April offer optimal conditions, with lighter winds and gentler currents, perfect for exploring Mahé's underwater beauty.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Mahé

Mahé, the largest island of the Seychelles, offers a vibrant underwater ecosystem. Its coral reefs are home to a variety of common reef fish, including parrotfish, butterflyfish, and angelfish. Divers frequently encounter these colorful inhabitants, especially around popular dive sites like Beau Vallon and Anse Royale.

Seasonal highlights in Mahé’s waters include sightings of whale sharks, particularly from October to November, when these gentle giants are more likely to be seen. Hawksbill and green turtles are also notable residents, with nesting and hatching events occurring from December to March. Stingrays and eagle rays can be spotted throughout the year, increasing the allure for divers seeking encounters with larger marine species.

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 approx.: 200

Moray Eel

Moray Eel

990 Sightings
J
66
F
39
M
67
A
63
M
75
J
56
J
88
A
72
S
104
O
129
N
173
D
58
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle

487 Sightings
J
25
F
10
M
39
A
36
M
30
J
21
J
45
A
34
S
57
O
87
N
62
D
41

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

Eagle Ray

Eagle Ray

385 Sightings
J
11
F
41
M
48
A
38
M
49
J
11
J
18
A
13
S
22
O
30
N
82
D
22
Green Turtle

Green Turtle

383 Sightings
J
15
F
35
M
22
A
31
M
35
J
14
J
22
A
38
S
31
O
43
N
69
D
28

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

Barracuda

Barracuda

229 Sightings
J
7
F
23
M
26
A
20
M
15
J
9
J
4
A
12
S
14
O
34
N
54
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Octopus

Octopus

222 Sightings
J
20
F
28
M
23
A
31
M
10
J
1
J
3
A
9
S
11
O
37
N
39
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 600

Wrasse

Wrasse

101 Sightings
J
10
F
18
M
6
A
4
M
5
J
13
J
5
A
6
S
3
O
7
N
9
D
15
Whale Shark

Whale Shark

34 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
4
O
28
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Angelfish

Angelfish

842 Sightings
J
49
F
51
M
66
A
64
M
53
J
62
J
66
A
66
S
76
O
91
N
128
D
70

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

Parrotfish

Parrotfish

697 Sightings
J
54
F
47
M
51
A
53
M
41
J
41
J
39
A
61
S
64
O
101
N
99
D
46

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish

687 Sightings
J
41
F
34
M
60
A
27
M
44
J
51
J
51
A
52
S
63
O
92
N
106
D
66

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

Lionfish

Lionfish

578 Sightings
J
49
F
27
M
17
A
46
M
29
J
33
J
46
A
56
S
48
O
86
N
115
D
26

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

Stingrays

Stingrays

432 Sightings
J
20
F
33
M
34
A
35
M
32
J
24
J
17
A
29
S
36
O
61
N
87
D
24
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark

421 Sightings
J
15
F
36
M
38
A
32
M
28
J
19
J
19
A
25
S
27
O
71
N
93
D
18

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Bannerfish

Bannerfish

348 Sightings
J
21
F
23
M
8
A
27
M
19
J
25
J
27
A
43
S
41
O
41
N
44
D
29

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 28

Clownfish

Clownfish

337 Sightings
J
35
F
16
M
24
A
13
M
27
J
23
J
18
A
21
S
39
O
29
N
64
D
28

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish

322 Sightings
J
26
F
17
M
20
A
17
M
18
J
19
J
11
A
18
S
32
O
42
N
75
D
27

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish

284 Sightings
J
33
F
6
M
10
A
10
M
9
J
16
J
10
A
29
S
42
O
44
N
54
D
21

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pufferfish

Pufferfish

276 Sightings
J
17
F
18
M
8
A
13
M
16
J
27
J
14
A
15
S
6
O
53
N
66
D
23

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Stonefish

Stonefish

205 Sightings
J
24
F
12
M
4
A
14
M
4
J
8
J
5
A
24
S
21
O
30
N
40
D
19

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts

195 Sightings
J
22
F
11
M
10
A
8
M
21
J
8
J
7
A
21
S
30
O
22
N
19
D
16

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Soldierfish

Soldierfish

174 Sightings
J
11
F
19
M
12
A
8
M
12
J
16
J
9
A
13
S
13
O
15
N
20
D
26

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

Boxfish

Boxfish

144 Sightings
J
15
F
10
M
11
A
9
M
14
J
6
J
3
A
13
S
7
O
25
N
24
D
7
Grey Reef Shark

Grey Reef Shark

135 Sightings
J
7
F
9
M
16
A
11
M
11
J
0
J
0
A
4
S
23
O
28
N
23
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

Snapper

Snapper

132 Sightings
J
12
F
11
M
14
A
12
M
5
J
10
J
5
A
4
S
5
O
10
N
27
D
17

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish

128 Sightings
J
24
F
3
M
5
A
8
M
12
J
13
J
5
A
3
S
8
O
18
N
18
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Triggerfish

Triggerfish

126 Sightings
J
11
F
10
M
11
A
3
M
9
J
12
J
2
A
13
S
15
O
9
N
12
D
19

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Goatfish

Goatfish

125 Sightings
J
14
F
14
M
8
A
13
M
10
J
5
J
7
A
6
S
10
O
4
N
17
D
17

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Damselfish

Damselfish

88 Sightings
J
7
F
5
M
13
A
6
M
7
J
6
J
10
A
5
S
3
O
6
N
14
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Jackfish

Jackfish

84 Sightings
J
6
F
13
M
9
A
3
M
1
J
7
J
1
A
5
S
6
O
14
N
10
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 2

Nurse Shark

Nurse Shark

57 Sightings
J
2
F
6
M
0
A
2
M
4
J
9
J
0
A
3
S
5
O
13
N
13
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3000

Nudibranch

Nudibranch

52 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
15
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
3
A
9
S
9
O
4
N
2
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets

47 Sightings
J
2
F
5
M
3
A
3
M
3
J
0
J
0
A
2
S
2
O
6
N
14
D
7

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pipefish

Pipefish

45 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
5
M
0
J
3
J
6
A
11
S
6
O
2
N
3
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 55

Lobster

Lobster

43 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
2
A
1
M
10
J
2
J
0
A
0
S
4
O
13
N
7
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Tuna

Tuna

37 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
2
J
2
A
0
S
4
O
4
N
20
D
3
Blacktip Reef Shark

Blacktip Reef Shark

31 Sightings
J
1
F
6
M
6
A
4
M
3
J
0
J
2
A
1
S
4
O
2
N
2
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Spiny Lobster

Spiny Lobster

29 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
3
A
3
M
6
J
0
J
0
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
10
D
3