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Two scuba divers with gear exploring the deep blue ocean, captured under natural light.
📷 Sébastien Vincon · Pexels

Roche Grand Maman

3.5 — based on 13 community signals
4.2 12 species 26 contributors

Roche Grand Maman is a year-round dive site in Seychelles with 12 recorded species and active community interest.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

updated 4 months ago
BleachingRiskShore entryPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Blacktip reef shark

Top operators here

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Map

This spot Operators Airport Nearby spots
Roche Grand Maman location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
11 kn
Wave
1.5 m
Water
28.6°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: SE (67%)
Now: ESE (117°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.05m

Next: Low at 01:00 (+0.09m)

+0.9 m0 m-0.1 m
▼ 01:00 · +0.09m ▲ 09:00 · +0.7m ▼ 17:00 · +0.22m ▲ 21:00 · +0.27m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV9.2 · very high Air PM2.55 · good 06:08 18:13
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 13.4 1.58 9 17mm
09-20 16.9 1.64 9 13mm
09-21 17.5 1.58 9 13mm
09-22 18.6 1.54 9 1mm
09-23 15.3 1.4 9 0mm
09-24 13.3 1.24 9 3mm
09-25 15.4 1.06 9 15mm
⚠ Coral bleaching: Watch — favorable conditions

About this spot

Roche Grand Maman sits in the Baie Chevalier area of Seychelles, a destination known for warm tropical waters and diverse marine life. The site draws divers throughout the year, making it accessible for most seasonal travel plans. Local species observations total 12 recorded encounters, giving divers a solid sense of the marine biodiversity found here. The site is not within a Marine Protected Area, which means standard dive access applies without additional permit restrictions. However, coral bleaching remains a concern in the region, so current site conditions should be confirmed with local operators before booking. Water conditions and depth specifics vary, so a pre-dive briefing from an experienced local guide is essential. Community engagement is active, with three dive videos available that show real conditions and marine life. These resources offer authentic insight into what you'll encounter below the surface. Divers interested in exploring Seychelles' lesser-known reefs will find value in checking current conditions and connecting with local expertise.

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Marine life

Blacktip reef shark

Dive types

Reef

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 8149km · ~1874kg · €34

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 65/100
  • Visa: Visa-free · 90 days max
  • Flight: 11h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 9h east · 6 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Roche Grand Maman?

Roche Grand Maman is divable year-round. However, confirm current water and weather conditions with local operators, as tropical seasons can affect visibility and safety.

What depth and difficulty level should I expect?

Specific depth and difficulty ratings are not documented for this site. Contact local dive operators in Seychelles for current conditions and suitability for your certification level.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve species have been recorded at Roche Grand Maman. Check community videos and recent dive logs for current sightings, as marine life presence varies with season and time of day.

Do I need permits to dive here?

Roche Grand Maman is not within a Marine Protected Area, so no additional MPA permits are required. Standard dive access applies; book through established local operators.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Octopus Diving Centre

7 km
Dive centre

Whitetip Divers

6.4 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

27 records · 18 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Triaenodon obesus

Elasmobranchii · Carcharhinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
28 Feb 2026
×3records

Actinopyga mauritiana

Holothuroidea · Holothuriidae
GBIF
Last seen:
28 Feb 2026
×2records

Holothuria atra

Holothuroidea · Holothuriidae
GBIF
Last seen:
28 Feb 2026
×1records

Pastinachus ater

Elasmobranchii · Dasyatidae
GBIF
Last seen:
28 Feb 2026
×1records

Tridacna maxima

Bivalvia · Cardiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
20 Feb 2026
×1records

Octopus cyanea

Cephalopoda · Octopodidae
GBIF
Last seen:
20 Feb 2026
×1records

Taeniurops meyeni

Elasmobranchii · Dasyatidae
GBIF
Last seen:
17 Feb 2026
×1records

Carcharhinus melanopterus

Elasmobranchii · Carcharhinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
15 Feb 2026
×1records

Ocypode ryderi

Malacostraca · Ocypodidae
GBIF
Last seen:
11 Feb 2026
×2records

Nerita plicata

Gastropoda · Neritidae
GBIF
Last seen:
4 Feb 2026
×1records

Neosarmatium meinerti

Malacostraca · Sesarmidae
GBIF
Last seen:
2 Feb 2026
×4records

Geograpsus stormi

Malacostraca · Grapsidae
GBIF
Last seen:
1 Feb 2026
×1records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Du sexe contre de l'eau ... témoignage de victimes de violences sexuelles au Kenya

BBC Afrique

Life in Mauritius: The Country with the Happiest Citizens in Africa.

Cost Compass

Le surfeur Mick Fanning attaqué par un requin en pleine compétition

BFMTV

Local knowledge

OpenStreetMap Notes
  • "Forwarding anonymous report from #Mapycz user, please verify: Ticket price 270 SCR. https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/4414970495"

    Pan Perníček · 2025-03-20
  • "Forwarding anonymous report from #mapycom user, please verify: Ruins don't exists there. https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/309105871"

    Pan Perníček · 2026-03-25
  • "Forwarding anonymous report from #Mapy.cz user, please verify: There's Interisland Ferry Terminal."

    Pan Perníček · 2023-06-14
  • "Forwarding anonymous report from #Mapy.cz user, please verify: There's Petite Anse Lazio Beach. https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/1025352406"

    Pan Perníček · 2023-06-14
wind peaks Jul-Aug-Sep, calmest Mar-Nov-Apr, dry Feb-Nov.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jan (100/100) Worst: Jul (0/100) Now: Sep (73/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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