Aldabra Atoll is one of the world most extraordinary wildlife destinations, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the outer Seychelles whose untouched reef and inland scrub shelter the planet largest population of Aldabra giant tortoises. For families chartering in the Indian Ocean, Aldabra offers a rare combination of genuine wildlife encounter, exceptional snorkelling and an almost complete absence of crowds. The five family-friendly yachts available for this voyage carry the range to cross from Mahe and the shallow-water capability to enter the atoll lagoon on the correct tidal window.
Family charters to Aldabra typically cost between 100,000 and 300,000 euros per week before the advance provisioning allowance, which covers fuel for the long ocean passage, Seychelles Islands Foundation entry fees and provisions. Most family itineraries combine Aldabra with Cosmoledo Atoll, adding bonefishing and lagoon swimming to the programme, and with Astove Island on the return passage. The outer Seychelles season runs year-round, with April and November as the transitional months.
The approach from Mahe crosses the Seychelles Bank and passes through the Amirantes group before reaching the outer atolls. Families typically spend three to five days at Aldabra, with guided walks led by resident Seychelles Islands Foundation scientists who explain the tortoise ecology and point out nesting frigatebirds and red-footed boobies. Kayaking and paddleboarding inside the lagoon are constant activities, with manta rays and turtles visible in the clear water beneath the tender.
