Aldabra Atoll
Location: Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles
Year of Inscription: 1982
Criteria: (vii) To contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance;
(ix)to be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals;
(x)to contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.
Overview: Aldabra Atoll is a remote coral atoll in the Seychelles, located in the western Indian Ocean. It is the world's second-largest coral atoll, covering an area of 155 square miles (400 square kilometers) and is home to a unique and rich ecosystem. Aldabra Atoll is one of the most isolated and untouched islands in the world, with a stunning natural beauty that attracts nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts from around the globe.
Prominent Features: Some of the prominent features of Aldabra Atoll are:
The Lagoon: The atoll is made up of four large coral islands surrounding a central lagoon, which is one of the largest in the world.
Flora and Fauna: Aldabra Atoll is home to a unique and diverse ecosystem, with several species of plants and animals that are found nowhere else in the world, such as the giant Aldabra tortoise and the flightless rail.
Bird Sanctuaries: The atoll is also home to several bird sanctuaries, including the Aldabra Drongo and the Aldabra Fody.
Beaches: The atoll has several stunning beaches, including the Anse Amour beach, which is popular with tourists.
History: Aldabra Atoll has been inhabited by humans in the past, but is currently uninhabited, except for a small number of researchers and conservationists. The atoll has been protected as a nature reserve since 1981.
Fun Fact: Aldabra Atoll is home to the world's largest population of giant Aldabra tortoises, with an estimated 100,000 individuals living on the atoll.
Family-Friendly Activities: Families can explore the atoll and observe the unique and diverse wildlife, take guided nature walks and boat trips, and visit the beaches for swimming and snorkeling.
Entry Fees: For tourists fees range from 12 to 50 USD per person per day.
How to Reach It: The only way to reach Aldabra Atoll is by chartered flights or private boats. Visitors can take a flight from the Seychelles' capital, Victoria, to Assumption Island, which is the nearest island to Aldabra Atoll, and then take a chartered flight or boat to the atoll.
Where to Stay: Accommodation options on Aldabra Atoll are limited and only available for researchers and conservationists. Visitors can stay on nearby islands or in the Seychelles and take day trips to Aldabra Atoll.
Next Stop: Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve
Year of Inscription: 1982
Criteria: (vii) To contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance;
(ix)to be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals;
(x)to contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.
Overview: Aldabra Atoll is a remote coral atoll in the Seychelles, located in the western Indian Ocean. It is the world's second-largest coral atoll, covering an area of 155 square miles (400 square kilometers) and is home to a unique and rich ecosystem. Aldabra Atoll is one of the most isolated and untouched islands in the world, with a stunning natural beauty that attracts nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts from around the globe.
Prominent Features: Some of the prominent features of Aldabra Atoll are:
The Lagoon: The atoll is made up of four large coral islands surrounding a central lagoon, which is one of the largest in the world.
Flora and Fauna: Aldabra Atoll is home to a unique and diverse ecosystem, with several species of plants and animals that are found nowhere else in the world, such as the giant Aldabra tortoise and the flightless rail.
Bird Sanctuaries: The atoll is also home to several bird sanctuaries, including the Aldabra Drongo and the Aldabra Fody.
Beaches: The atoll has several stunning beaches, including the Anse Amour beach, which is popular with tourists.
History: Aldabra Atoll has been inhabited by humans in the past, but is currently uninhabited, except for a small number of researchers and conservationists. The atoll has been protected as a nature reserve since 1981.
Fun Fact: Aldabra Atoll is home to the world's largest population of giant Aldabra tortoises, with an estimated 100,000 individuals living on the atoll.
Family-Friendly Activities: Families can explore the atoll and observe the unique and diverse wildlife, take guided nature walks and boat trips, and visit the beaches for swimming and snorkeling.
Entry Fees: For tourists fees range from 12 to 50 USD per person per day.
How to Reach It: The only way to reach Aldabra Atoll is by chartered flights or private boats. Visitors can take a flight from the Seychelles' capital, Victoria, to Assumption Island, which is the nearest island to Aldabra Atoll, and then take a chartered flight or boat to the atoll.
Where to Stay: Accommodation options on Aldabra Atoll are limited and only available for researchers and conservationists. Visitors can stay on nearby islands or in the Seychelles and take day trips to Aldabra Atoll.
Next Stop: Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve