Seychelles offers superb diving, with granite boulders forming underwater canyons, swim-throughs, drop-offs and walls teeming with fish, alongside coral reefs. Mahe has the widest choice of dive centres and sites, including reefs, wrecks and marine-park diving, while Praslin and La Digue offer excellent granite reef diving. The remote outer islands give pristine bucket-list diving on liveaboards. Expect reef fish, turtles, rays, morays and, in season, whale sharks. The calm transition months of April to May and October to November give the clearest water and best visibility.
Beneath the postcard surface, Seychelles is a superb diving destination. The same granite that shapes the islands above the water continues below it, creating boulder-strewn reefs, swim-throughs, drop-offs and walls teeming with life. From easy reef dives for beginners to dramatic deeper sites, here is a guide to where and how to dive the islands.
What makes diving here special
The character of Seychelles diving comes from its geology. Huge granite boulders tumble underwater into canyons, arches and swim-throughs that schools of fish pour through, while patches of coral reef add colour and life. Add warm, often clear water and a healthy abundance of marine life, and you have diving that suits everyone from first-timers to seasoned divers.
Diving around Mahe
Mahe has the widest choice of dive centres and sites, with granite reefs, wrecks and marine-park diving within easy reach. The protected waters and varied sites make it a great base for a mix of gentle and more adventurous dives, and the dive centres cater to everyone from introductory divers to the experienced.
Diving around Praslin and La Digue
The waters around Praslin and La Digue offer excellent granite reef diving, with sites rich in fish and the occasional larger visitor. Boat dives reach spots around the smaller islands and reefs nearby, and the inner-island diving here is consistently rewarding.
The outer islands
For serious divers, the remote outer islands and atolls offer some of the most pristine, untouched diving in the Indian Ocean, reached on liveaboards or dedicated trips to the far-flung islands. These are bucket-list expeditions rather than day trips, planned well in advance.
What you’ll see
Expect clouds of reef fish, snappers and fusiliers pouring through the granite swim-throughs, turtles, rays, moray eels and a colourful supporting cast over the coral. Larger pelagics pass through too, and at the right time of year the islands see whale sharks, the gentle giants that draw divers and snorkelers alike.
The best time to dive
Diving is good year round, but the calm transition months of April to May and October to November typically give the clearest water and best visibility, as the seas are gentle and the conditions settled. The dive centres will steer you to the best sites for the conditions on the day.
Tips for diving in Seychelles
- Choose a reputable dive centre and be honest about your experience level.
- Try an introductory dive if you are new, as the calm, clear water is ideal for learning.
- Dive in the calm months for the best visibility if you can.
- Protect the reef, with good buoyancy, no touching, and reef-safe sunscreen.
Plan your diving
Base yourself near the dive centres on Mahe or Praslin, build a couple of dive days into your trip, see more things to do for the wider range of water activities, and browse our directory for a place to stay near the water.
Frequently asked questions
Is Seychelles good for scuba diving?
Yes, superb. The granite that shapes the islands continues underwater into boulder reefs, swim-throughs and drop-offs teeming with fish, with warm, often clear water. It suits everyone from first-timers on an introductory dive to experienced divers.
Where are the best dive sites in Seychelles?
Mahe has the widest choice of dive centres and sites, including granite reefs, wrecks and marine-park diving. Praslin and La Digue offer excellent reef diving, and the remote outer islands give pristine bucket-list diving on liveaboards.
What will I see diving in Seychelles?
Clouds of reef fish pouring through granite swim-throughs, turtles, rays, moray eels and colourful coral life, with larger pelagics passing through and, at the right time of year, whale sharks, the gentle giants that draw divers and snorkelers alike.
When is the best time to dive in Seychelles?
Diving is good year round, but the calm transition months of April to May and October to November typically give the clearest water and best visibility, with gentle seas and settled conditions.
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