The Outer Islands are situated beyond the Seychelles plateau. They comprise 72 low-lying sand cays and atolls lying anywhere between 230km and 1150km from Mahé.

Less visited than their granitic cousins due to their relative remoteness, these miniature worlds, some little more than sand spits or lonely rocky outcrops, offer untouched habitats for many species of wildlife. Only two islands among the Outer Island groups, Alphonse and Desroches, currently offer accommodation. There are also opportunities for sailing, fishing and diving in places where few have gone before.

The Outer Islands of the Seychelles offer year-round diving in waters mainly outside the cyclone belt. Dive centres around the country cater to both novice and experienced divers, offering a number of specialised courses, in clear turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. The marine environment teems with fish and coral and is also diverse, with expansive reefs, walls, pinnacles, drop offs, wrecks and canyons.  

Batfish, Credit