National park · Seychelles
Aldabra Atoll
Visit Aldabra if you can join a cruise that offers a shore visit: book a tour that lands on Picard Island, walk the short trail to the viewpoint (30 min), and see giant tortoises; otherwise skip as there is no regular access.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
380 km² (147 sq mi)147 sq mi (380 km²)
approximate
Established
1981
Best months
Apr–Jun
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- African islands ↗Sleep on the island you fly home from the night before your long-haul departure; inter-island flights and ferries in this region are cancelled or rescheduled often enough to break a same-day connection.
- African islands ↗In the Indian Ocean islands book flexible rates for December to March: a cyclone warning can shut airports, ferries and roads for two or three days.
- Seychelles ↗Seychelles requires a travel authorisation for visitors; apply only on the official government portal and check the rules for your passport before you fly.
- Seychelles ↗Check with a travel clinic whether a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from or through a country with yellow fever risk.
- Seychelles ↗Do not take shells, coral or coco de mer nuts without an export permit; the Vallée de Mai and Aldabra are protected sites.
At a glance
- Country
- Seychelles
- Area
- 380 km² (147 sq mi)147 sq mi (380 km²)
- Second‑largest atoll, includes lagoon and islands.
- Established
- 1981
- Best months
- Apr–Jun
- Permits
- For some areas
Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Outer Seychelles, is the world’s second‑largest coral atoll and hosts the largest population of giant tortoises. Access is limited to approved cruise operators that can land on Picard Island, where a short, flat nature walk leads to a viewpoint and the resident research station. The atoll’s dry climate, rich wildlife and pristine lagoon make it a remote destination for wildlife viewing, snorkeling and guided walks, but there are no tourist facilities or overnight accommodation.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1982
Size and age
380 km² (147 sq mi)147 sq mi (380 km²) · national park since 1981
Second‑largest atoll, includes lagoon and islands.
Why go
- World‑heritage atoll with the largest population of giant tortoises.
- Rare wildlife including coconut crabs, sea turtles and endemic birds.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanNorthwest monsoon brings rain but wildlife active.
- FebRainy season, good for birdwatching.
- MarEnd of monsoon, cooler.
- AprTransition to dry, pleasant.
- MayDry, warm, ideal for walking.
- JunDry, low humidity.
- JulSouth‑easterly trade winds, occasional storms.
- AugWindy, sea conditions can affect boat access.
- SepWindy, boat schedules may be limited.
- OctWind eases, still dry.
- NovStart of northwest monsoon, occasional rain.
- DecRainy but wildlife active.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giant Aldabra tortoisesAll year · Hundreds seen on walking paths. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Coconut crabs, sea turtles, endemic birdsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Mahé (Seychelles main island)
Fly to Mahé, then take an inter‑island cruise that includes Aldabra as a day‑trip.
4–6 h total (flight + cruise)
Open the page →
From Assumption Island (nearest airfield)
Charter private boat from Assumption to Aldabra (rare, check availability).
≈1 h by sea
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Picard Island (main visitor zone) | Small settlement, research station, short walking paths, viewpoint. | Access only via approved cruise; guided walk. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate centre of Picard Island, the only visited part of Aldabra.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shore visit permit (via cruise operator) | Free | person | Cost included in cruise price; check with operator. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Shore visit permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Permitted access only
- Landing allowed only with approved cruise; no independent visits.check
- Guides
- A guide from the cruise operator must accompany any shore walk.
- Camping
- Not allowed; no facilities on the atoll.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited.
- Wildlife disturbance
- Do not approach tortoises or disturb nesting turtles.
Where to stay
Near the park
Mahé islands
Hotels and guesthouses; base for cruise departures.
Safety
Remote location high
Heat and sun exposure medium
Sea conditions medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Picard Island paths are flat but may be uneven; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Use operators that follow the Aldabra conservation guidelines.
- Do not leave waste; take all rubbish back to the boat.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Aldabra?
Entry is included in the price of an approved cruise; there is no separate park ticket.
What are the best hikes in Aldabra?
The short nature walk on Picard Island (≈30 min) to the viewpoint is the only marked trail; it is flat and easy.
When is the best time to visit Aldabra?
April to June offers dry, warm weather and stable sea conditions, making boat access and walks most comfortable.
Can I stay overnight on Aldabra?
No tourist accommodation exists; visitors stay on Mahé or other Seychelles islands.
Do I need a visa to visit Aldabra?
Visa requirements are the same as for the Seychelles; most tourists receive a visitor’s permit on arrival.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Aldabra Atoll
Loading…
Was this useful?