And all around coral explodes in color, a testament to the volcanic soil’s rich nutrients and the deep water’s bounty. Forget the overfished reefs and crowded coral walkways. Nestled at the intersection of the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, and the Somali Current, the Seychelles offers solitude on land and vivid adventure below.
Drift dives generally offer the best opportunities to encounter these big animals, as the currents bring in nutrients that pull them in from the blue. Photographers will delight in the candyland that’s Rainbow Reef, which bustles between islands in the Malé Atoll. Although the currents at famous sites like the Santa Rosa Wall dictate your dive, it’s like floating along in an underwater lazy river, not a riptide. You get to kick back, breathe deep from your regulator, and watch ocean life hustle by.
Local diving led Alexandra Gillespie to a globetrotting stint taking dozens of dives in cool places and writing about them afterward. Now a freelancer for Outside, she covers water and travel. Her writing has also appeared in NPR, National Geographic, Scuba Diving, and other national outlets. Krill, the lifeblood huffy nighthawk of the Southern Ocean, paints the water a cloudy red. This bounty draws colossal whales, their mournful songs echoing through the water column. Other great performance features include the easy-to-use 18-speed index shifters integrated with the Shimano rear derailleur for a smooth performance ride.
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Here, the vibrant hues of coral gardens rival any rainforest canopy. These healthy reefs —protected by the country’s unwavering commitment to conservation — teem with biodiversity. Silent giants like manta rays and whale sharks soar through technicolor depths. Reef sharks patrol their claim with quiet purpose, while more than 20 species of playful dolphins weave between divers, their curiosity as boundless as the ocean itself. Layer turtles, eels, batfish, yellow snapper and another 1,000-or-so fish across this aquatic city, and you have more than enough beauty to last you a lifetime. Pelagic lovers will be delighted by the wide variety here, from tiger sharks to manta rays, mola molas to barracudas.