Critically EndangeredGiant Clam
Tridacna gigas
Near Aldabra
One of the largest coral atolls in the world: a ring of four islands enclosing a shallow lagoon, some 34 km long by 14 wide, surrounded by a fringing reef. The islands rise on a limestone bed between 0.6 and 1.6 km thick and today stand about 8 m above sea level.
Depth
5–30 m
Recommended level
Advanced Open Water
Average visibility
25 m
The second largest raised coral atoll in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with access limited to some 1,000 visitors a year.
Special reserve managed since 1981 by the Seychelles Islands Foundation under national parks legislation; no resource extraction or habitat destruction. The MPA has been extended some 30 km in every direction. Ramsar Wetland of International Importance since 2009
World Heritage Site (Aldabra Atoll, inscribed in 1982)
Isolation and the lack of fresh water saved it: passing ships paid it little attention and its ecosystem remains virtually intact. In 2001 it was chosen as one of the ten pilot sites for the UNESCO/IUCN project on assessing management effectiveness. Its conservation has been funded in part through debt-for-nature swaps.
Sources consulted: UNESCO World Heritage Centre (ficha 185); IUCN; UNEP-WCMC World Heritage Datasheet; africanworldheritagesites.org
1 park within 30 km.
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0 km away
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Same country: Seychelles
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Water temperature
27 °C
Current
Strong
Access
Liveaboard
Best season
April-May, Oct-Nov
Recommended certification
Advanced Open Water
Approx. price
250 USD / dive
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