Permit· Aldabra· Seychelles
Aldabra Atoll UNESCO World Heritage Site (SIF Permit)
9° 25.0′ S · 46° 21.0′ E
The world's largest raised coral atoll and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982, run by the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) as a Special Reserve, with the world's largest giant tortoise population (about 100,000). It lies about 620 nm SW of Victoria.
Practical
You may not anchor in Aldabra waters or go ashore without written clearance from SIF head office and the Seychelles Port Authority, including Health Commission clearance. Request it with SIF's Clearance Request Form (July 2025 version), attach your port clearance and the certificate of your last antifouling, and declare any pets. Impact fee: SIF's visitor info gives USD 250 per day per passenger and crew, but its FAQ also quotes EUR 200; confirm with info@sif.sc (2026). On arrival identify yourself; within 1 km of shore you answer to the Island Manager, and an SIF officer boards before any activity. All visitors must be accompanied by SIF staff ashore, and if you do not anchor in the designated area you must give SIF staff overnight accommodation aboard. No fishing anywhere in the Special Reserve, no helicopters, no drones without approval, no lights shone into the sea at night, and no ballast-water discharge. Remove all your waste. Coordinate is the Wikipedia atoll position.
Best for
The ultimate permitted landfall in the western Indian Ocean
Season
Most visits in the calm transition months; NW monsoon November-March brings the heaviest rain
Nearby
- Aldabra Lagoon Tour and Grand Poche Frigatebird ColonyRight here
- Aldabra Main Channel (Grande Passe) Drift Dive7.1 NM away
- Aldabra White-Throated Rail (Picard)8.2 NM away
- Aldabra Giant Tortoises (Picard)8.6 NM away
- Aldabra Research Station and Lighthouse8.7 NM away
- Aldabra Visitor Impact Fee (SIF)8.7 NM away
- Aldabra Designated Anchorage (Picard Research Station)9.2 NM away
- Assumption Reefs ('The Silent World')20.7 NM away