Liveaboard Diving in Seychelles, Granite reefs, coral atolls and big-animal encounters in warm, clear water

Sail the Inner and Outer Islands by yacht or schooner, perfect for first liveaboards and seasoned divers, with beaches and island tours for non-divers

Why choose Seychelles for a liveaboard

• Two reef worlds in one trip. Granite island reefs around the Inner Islands, plus classic coral reefs on the remote Outer Islands.
• Wildlife that delivers. Reef sharks, turtles and schools of bumphead parrotfish inshore, with sailfish, silvertips, oceanic whitetips, manta rays and whale sharks offshore.
• Easy logistics and comfort. Modern yachts and traditional schooners, typically 8 days and 7 nights, with some dive boats carrying up to 18 guests.
• Land and water fun. Nature-reserve walks, national-park treks, sightseeing, plus snorkelling, kayaking and stand-up paddle on many itineraries.
• Fewer crowds. A wide island spread, quiet anchorages and relaxed sailing between dives.

Where you will dive

• Inner Islands, shallow plateau, 8 to 30 metres.
  Granite reefs and boulders with angelfish, butterflyfish, octopus, lionfish, nudibranchs, mantis shrimp, batfish, moray eels and reef sharks.

1. Mahé. Diverse sites including a few wrecks. Whale sharks are seen in October and November. North Mahé’s Beau Vallon area is a scenic favourite.
2. La Digue. Slow-paced island life and iconic Anse Source d’Argent with pink granite boulders.
3. Grande Soeur and Petite Soeur. Sister islands with the Sister Bank dive.
4. Curieuse. Stop to meet giant land tortoises.
5. Praslin. Access to Vallée de Mai UNESCO site, home of the Coco de Mer, and Anse Lazio, one of the world’s best beaches.

• Outer Islands, remote blue water. Drop-offs, walls, pinnacles, wrecks and canyons with Napoleon wrasse, schools of bumphead parrotfish, stingrays, reef sharks and green or hawksbill turtles. Keep an eye in the blue for sailfish, silvertips, oceanic whitetips, manta rays, whale sharks and the occasional hammerhead.

How a typical week runs

• Trip length and dives. Most liveaboards run 8 days and 7 nights and include up to 10 dives per trip. Some dive boats offer extra day dives and night dives for a surcharge.
• Mixed activities. Many itineraries include beach time and island visits between dives, ideal for non-divers and families.

New to liveaboards

• Simple routine. Briefing, buddy checks, dive. Then eat, rest and repeat.
• Less faff more diving. Your kit stays set up on the dive deck. Crew handle fills and logistics.
• Matched to your level. Guides pick sites for the day’s conditions and your experience.

Who this suits

• Confident beginners and up. The Inner Islands offer easy depths and gentle profiles.
• Intermediate and experienced divers. Outer Island walls, drop-offs and blue-water fish life add challenge and reward.
• Underwater photographers. Granite boulders, canyons, wreck structure and big-animal passes give colour and scale.

Conditions and best time to go

• Year-round destination. Best months for calm seas are March to May and September to November, with water about 29 °C and visibility up to 30 m.
• South-East Monsoon. July to August brings stronger winds and rougher surface conditions. Water cools to about 25 °C and whale sharks arrive to feed on plankton.
• Air temperatures. Usually 24 to 32 °C.
• Depths and currents. Typical depths 8 to 30 m, currents vary by site.

Getting there and departures

• Fly into Seychelles International Airport, Victoria, Mahé. Regular long-haul connections via airlines such as Air Seychelles, Emirates, Etihad, Kenya Airways and others.
• Domestic hops. Air Seychelles runs frequent Mahé–Praslin flights.
• Ports of departure. Boats may depart Mahé, Anse Possession, Praslin, or Inter-Island Quay, Port Victoria. Confirm your exact port and transfer arrangements.
• Typical travel times. From the UK or Germany allow about 13 hours, from the USA 18 to 30 hours, from Asia (Singapore) about 10 hours. Transfers to and from the boat may carry extra fees.

Practical tips

• Costs and inclusions. You'll find both budget and premium itineraries. Expect possible extras for land excursions and marine-park fees.
• Diving extras. Gear rental often charged extra per dive. Some boats include a set number of dives, with extra and night dives at a surcharge. Nitrox is not widely available, so check in advance.
• Experience level. A minimum of about 50 logged dives is recommended. Open Water divers may face limits on some sites. Most boats run a check dive on day one.
• Safety. The only recompression chamber is on Silhouette Island, reachable by a 45-minute boat or 15-minute helicopter from Mahé. All staff are usually First Aid trained and there are clinics on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.
• Insurance. Every diver should carry dive insurance.
• Power. 220–240 V using the British three-pin 13-amp plug.
• Money and language. Currency is the Seychellois Rupee. Languages are Seychellois Creole, English and French.
• Health. No compulsory vaccines. Standard protections like Hepatitis A and B, influenza and measles are advised. No malaria risk. Yellow fever certificate required if you transited an infected area in the previous six days. Drink bottled water.
• Visas. Visa-free entry. Bring a valid passport, proof of onward travel and sufficient funds. A visitor’s permit for one month is issued on arrival.

Why a Seychelles liveaboard is worth it

• You get two styles of reef in one voyage. Photogenic granite gardens and remote coral drop-offs.
• You make the most of conditions. Calm-season crossings reach the best Outer Island sites and October to November brings prime whale shark action.
• You add island magic. Beach landings, UNESCO forest walks and tortoise encounters between dives.

If you want warm, clear Indian Ocean diving with granite boulders, coral walls, wrecks and real chances for whale sharks and mantas, Seychelles liveaboards deliver. You will dive more, relax more between dive sites and come home with a full logbook and a bigger smile.