Aride Island - Seychelles - Experience the best of Seychelles in one day

Aride is the northernmost of the granitic islands in the Seychelles Archipelago and measures only 1,6km long and 0,6km wide. The island is managed as a nature reserve by the Island Conservation Society of Seychelles and the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts of the UK. Apart from a few conservation workers, Aride is uninhabited.

Ten species of seabirds regularly breed on Aride, and with over 1.25 million individual birds, the island hosts one of the most important seabird populations in the Indian Ocean. These include the world's largest colony of Lesser Noddies and Audubon's Shearwater, the world's only hilltop colony of Sooty Terns and the Indian Ocean's largest colony of Roseate Terns. Brown Noddies, Fairy Terns, Wedge-tailed Tropicbirds and Red-tailed Tropicbirds also breed on the island. A 200-metre cliff on the north side of the island provides a spectacular view over the territory of Frigate Birds, the highest concentration in the granitic Seychelles.

A few Seychelles Warblers introduced from Cousin Island in 1988 have multiplied on Aride to become the world's largest population of the species. This reintroduction was a huge success for Aride Island Nature Reserve. In 2002 the Seychelles Fody was also introduced from Cousin Island as well as the Seychelles Magpie Robin from Frégate Island.

The island is largely covered by native woodland, including the endemic Wrights Gardenia - a beautiful bush that occurs only on Aride. It grows up to four metres and has trumpet-shaped white flowers with magenta spots. It is said that this fragrant flower is one of the most beautiful in the Seychelles.

Aride Island with its two species of gecko, three species of skink and two species of harmless snake is home to the highest density of lizards in the world.

Aride National Park includes 200 metres of surrounding seas, a beautiful coral reef and over 400 species of fish. The Hawksbill and Green Turtle regularly lay their eggs on Aride's two beaches. The very long beach of Cote Desiree is located on the south side of the island. The second but much smaller beach of Ti Anse appears only during low tide.

Aride Island Nature Reserve is open to visitors on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Visits on other days may be possible but only under special circumstances and by prior arrangement. Aride can only be reached by boat or helicopter. Please contact our reservations staff to arrange your helicopter flight to Aride.

Further information:

Aride Island's homepage can be viewed at www.arideisland.net which contains in-depth information about the ongoing conservation projects and volunteering efforts on the island.

Cote Desiree is a very long and beautiful sand stretch of up to 1036 steps depending on the monsoon. A sheltered barbecue facility offers visitors a resting place after a fascinating snorkelling experience or nature hike.

Photo libraries:

Beach and fauna (20 photos)

Frigate birds and nature (20 photos)

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