Aldabra's four main islands

Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles

The coral atoll's four islands, home to more than 100,000 giant tortoises.

Places in Aldabra's four main islands

Island Sky expedition dining room Fine dining aboard the 59-cabin, 92-passenger Island Sky expedition vessel.
Expedition ship coffee lounge A coffee lounge aboard the expedition vessel between shore excursions.
Island Sky observation bar An observation bar aboard the expedition vessel with atoll views.

Best time to visit: April to November, the drier, cooler months with calmer seas ideal for zodiac landings and lagoon exploration.
Getting around: Access is exclusively via permitted expedition cruise ships departing from Mahé or other Seychelles Outer Islands ports; once at Aldabra, private tenders and zodiacs are the only way to explore the atoll's lagoon, mangrove forests, and four islands under expert guide supervision.
Currency: Seychellois Rupee (SCR)
Language: Seychellois Creole, English and French (all official).
Timezone: SCT (UTC+4)
Current trends: Aldabra Atoll continues to be one of the most tightly regulated ultra-exotic destinations in the world, with mandatory Seychelles Islands Foundation permits and a small number of expedition cruise operators like the 92-passenger Island Sky controlling access to protect its population of more than 100,000 giant tortoises; expert-led zodiac excursions into the atoll's lagoon and mangrove forests remain the defining way to experience its UNESCO World Heritage ecosystem.

Aldabra lagoon and mangroves — Explored aboard private tenders, revealing marine life including sharks and manta rays.
Aldabra coastal walking trails — Expert-led walks along the coast revealing unique flora and rare bird species like the red-footed booby.