Scuba Diving the Seychelles Liveaboards

Updated September 8, 2022

This is the nineteenth in a series that introduces and describes the various dive services and sites for worldwide liveaboard dive safaris.  The focus in this one is on Seychelles liveaboards.

In addition to this liveaboard series, the best worldwide dive resort locations and services are reviewed in their own series.  To check them out, or other liveaboards, click on Liveaboards / Resorts on the menu at the top and choose a title.

Have you ever been diving in the Seychelles?  If so, I’d love to know about your experience.  What dive shop or liveaboard did you use?  Which dive spots are the best and what are the conditions there regarding the visibility, current, water temperature, sea life attractions, etc.?  Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll all learn something we can use.

Scuba Diving the Seychelles – Diving, Snorkeling, and Island Tours

Country Background

Seychelles is a 115 island archipelago set 480 km (300 miles) from the east coast of Africa, 4 to 10 degrees below the equator, that tip to tip extends over 1,100 km (687.5 miles) in length.  The 41 inner islands are granite-based with surrounding coral walls, pinnacles, and canyons that have been hell on passing ships while providing a rich habitat for over 1,000 species of fish. The outer 74 islands are atolls or with a coral foundation.  Onshore, there is also a variety of unique flora and fauna.  UNESCO has designated two World Heritage Sites in Seychelles and the world’s largest coral atoll, Aldabra, is part of the archipelago.

Most human inhabitants are located on the main inner islands, Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue, where the bulk of the resorts are also located.  The vast majority of islands are not inhabited and besides the big three, only Alphonse and Desroches have accommodations.

Undersea World

While not world-class for corals, perhaps in part due to the granite foundation, the reef is pristine and the rich sea life has benefited greatly from the banning of spear and dynamite fishing in the 1960s.  The inner island substrate is made up of a shallow plateau, suitable for snorkeling, kayaking, and beginner scuba divers, deep drop-offs, and a number of well-preserved wrecks.

The plurality of the local operators is on the north side of Mahe, doing most of their diving there and not going to the south side very often.  There are 30 sites north of Mahe, about a dozen good sites around Praslin and La Digue, and 75 in all on the inner islands.  The number of divers is low enough that sites are not crowded.  The best ones are reputed to be Aldabra Atoll (outer islands),  Shark Bank, and the Ennerdale Wreck.

The difficulty level of diving is suitable for beginners with only a few requiring advanced skills.  Most liveaboards offer open water diver courses and even discover scuba diving.  The most popular courses offered are the advanced open water and specialty underwater photography certifications.  Many excellent snorkeling locations are available and passengers are encouraged to participate.

The smaller critters and macro life are quite fascinating.  There are also numerous brightly colored reef fish like surgeonfish, rabbitfish, lionfish, parrotfish, and batfish, but the main draw is this long list of larger attractions:  hawksbill and green turtles, swordfish, marlin and sailfish, barracuda, giant grouper, grey, and whitetip reef sharks, bull sharks, hammerheads, stingrays, Napoleon wrasses, whale sharks and manta and eagle rays.

Seasons and Conditions

It is always warm and diving is good year-round with the calmest seas and best visibility from March through May.  It is the coolest and windiest in the monsoon season of July and August.  October and November are the best time for mantas and whale sharks.  Water temperatures range from 78-84° F (26-29° C) requiring no more than 3mm of protection and oftentimes only a shortie.

Visibility is almost always good at 65-100ft (20-30m).  From June to October, rougher surface conditions cause a decrease in vis to the lower end of the range.

Seychelles Liveaboard Dive Boats

There are 5 great liveaboard boats cruising the Seychelle’s inner islands.  They all are friendly to snorkelers, kids, and non-diving passengers and offer extensive land touring.  Facilities and services are outstanding on all even though pricing is fairly reasonable.  Of the 5, the MY Pegasos doesn’t offer scuba diving, focusing more on land-based touring and shallow water activities.

• MV Galatea
• SY Sea Bird
• SY Sea Star
• SV Sea Pearl
• MY Pegasos

MV Galatea

• September – June dives the Seychelles
• 8-day itineraries include: Praslin, La Digue, Curieuse, Little Sister, and Grand Sister
• Selected dive sites:  Coral Garden, Aquarium, Twin Barges, Aldebaran, Bay Ternay National Marine Park, Shark Bank, Bobby Island, Mariane, Sister Bank, Coco Island, Ave Maria, Brissaire (sites may vary)
• Amenities include: leisure deck, audio & video entertainment, air-conditioned saloon, aircon cabins, sun deck, indoor saloon, warm water showers, outdoor dining, en-suite bathrooms
• Western and local food
• The crew speaks English, German, French, and Italian
• Onboard kayaks
• Non-diver (snorkeler) friendly
• Diving is separately priced
• Dive courses available
• 1 x 7m diving boat and 1 x dinghy

Check it on Liveaboard.com

SY Sea Bird

• Year-round dives the Seychelles
• 8-day itineraries include: Round Island, Praslin, World Heritage Site, the Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve, La Digue, Grande Soeur and Petite Soeur (the Sisters), Coco Island, Booby Island, Aride Island, Curieuse, St. Pierre, St. Anne (itinerary may vary)
• Amenities include: laundry service, leisure deck, shaded diving deck, warm water showers, outdoor dining, audio & video entertainment, library, air-conditioned saloon, aircon cabins, sun deck, indoor saloon
• Separate rinse for u/w camera, charging stations
• Western and local food
• The crew speaks English and French
• Non-diver (snorkeler) friendly
• Onboard kayaks
• Diving is separately priced
• Dive courses available
• Tenders for diving

Check it on Liveaboard.com

SY Sea Star

• Year-round dives the Seychelles
• 8-day itineraries include: Round Island, Praslin, World Heritage Site, the Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve, La Digue, Grande Soeur and Petite Soeur (the Sisters), Coco Island, Booby Island, Aride Island, Curieuse, St. Pierre, St. Anne (stops may vary)
• Amenities include: laundry service, leisure deck, shaded diving deck, warm water showers, outdoor dining, audio & video entertainment, library, air-conditioned saloon, aircon cabins, sun deck, indoor saloon, en-suite bathrooms
• Separate rinse for u/w camera, charging stations
• Western and local food
• The crew speaks English and French
• Non-diver (Snorkeler) friendly
• Onboard kayaks
• Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
• Diving is separately priced
• Dive courses available
• Tenders for diving

Check at Liveaboard.com

SV Sea Pearl

• Year-round dives the Seychelles
• 8-day itineraries include: Round Island, Praslin, World Heritage Site, the Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve, La Digue, Grande Soeur and Petite Soeur (the Sisters), Coco Island, Booby Island, Aride Island, Curieuse, St. Pierre (stops may vary)
• Amenities include: laundry service, leisure deck, shaded diving deck, warm water showers, outdoor dining, audio & video entertainment, library, air-conditioned saloon, aircon cabins, sun deck, indoor saloon, en-suite bathrooms
• Separate rinse for u/w camera, charging stations
• Western and local food
• Onboard kayaks
• Non-diver (snorkeler) friendly
• Diving is separately priced
• Dive courses available
• Tenders for diving

Check it at Liveaboard.com

MY Pegasos

• Year-round cruises the Seychelles
• Island hopping itinerary includes: Mahe Inter Island Quay, St Anne Island, Curieuse, Cousin Island, Anse Lazio, Aride, St Pierre, Baie St Anne, Praslin, Felicite or Grand Soeur, La Digue, – Moyenne Island
• Amenities include: laundry service, massage, leisure deck, shaded diving deck, warm water showers, outdoor dining, audio & video entertainment, TV in the cabin, paid internet, library, air-conditioned saloon, aircon cabins, sun deck, indoor saloon, en-suite bathrooms
• Western and local food
• The crew speaks English, French, and Russian
• Snorkeling
• No scuba diving (island hopping, land tours, snorkeling only)

Check it at Liveaboard.com

	MV Galatea	SY Sea Bird	SY Sea Star	SV Sea Pearl	MY Pegasos
Length	30 m	42 m	40 m	36 m	45 m
Guests	14	18	18	16	44
Equipment	€10/dive	€190/7 days	€190/7 days	€30/day	No
Nitrox	No	No	No	No	No
Diving Package	€180/6 dives	€196/8 dives	€196/8 dives	€196/8 dives	No Diving
Dive Courses On Board	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Snorkeling, Kayaking Available	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Snorkeling only
Price/Day	$344	$219	$219	$161	$219
	MV Galatea	SY Sea Bird	SY Sea Star	SV Sea Pearl	MY Pegasos

Seychelles Resorts and Hotels

Seychelles has a number of dive shops and more than 200 hotels and resorts starting at $50 per night.  Before and after your cruise you may want to spend some time taking advantage of the sun, beach, and nightlife activities by hooking up with a local resort.

The website linked below has the details and can arrange a booking for the lodging.  You can easily find the location on the map provided on this site.  Their rates are guaranteed to be the lowest and it is free to cancel or change dates.

• Seychelles Lodging

Seychelles Photos

With the attractive coral reefs, exciting megafauna including manta and eagle rays, turtles, hammerhead and whale sharks, pelagics, intriguing macro critters, reef tropicals, and fascinating onshore scenery, as well, there are many excellent photo opportunities.  For information and reviews of dive cameras, click here:

• Best Underwater Cameras Compared and Reviewed

Scuba Diving Trip Insurance

A cushion for emergencies provides peace of mind when on vacation.  I recommend this diving insurance as they have worldwide coverage and provide scuba divers quality insurance and medical assistance service.

Feedback and Comments

I hope you found this post on Seychelles scuba diving interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section.  I’d love to know of any experience you have.  If there is no comments section directly below, click here:  >>comments<<