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📷 Debal Das · Pexels

Aldabra — Main Passage

Aldabra's Main Passage is an advanced drift dive through a narrow channel connecting the atoll's lagoon to the open ocean, drawing pelagic species and strong currents.

⭐ Best for advanced divers chasing chasing pelagics.

updated 4 months ago
Dificultad
Avanzado
Profundidad
15–40 m
AdvancedOnlyDrift divePelagic hotspotMPA
+2 más
BoatOnlySeasonal

De un vistazo

Actividad
dive
Dificultad
advanced
Profundidad
15–40 m

Mapa

Este spot Aeropuerto Spots cercanos
© OpenStreetMap · CARTO
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Condiciones hoy

Condiciones

Open-Meteo
Viento
22.1 kn
Olas
2.14 m
Agua
25.4°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: ESE (81%)
Now: SE (127°)
Marea (7 días)
amplitud: 2.5m

Próxima: Baja a las 02:00 (-0.22m)

+1.5 m0 m-1.0 m
▼ 02:00 · -0.22m ▲ 09:00 · +0.84m ▼ 15:00 · -0.01m ▲ 21:00 · +0.38m
Sáb 19Dom 20Lun 21Mar 22Mié 23Jue 24Vie 25
UV9 · very high Aire PM2.510 · good 06:46 18:50
Día Viento Olas UV Lluvia
09-19 24.4 2.36 9 0mm
09-20 23.4 2.3 9 0mm
09-21 24.2 2.44 9 0mm
09-22 24.3 2.12 9 0mm
09-23 19.9 1.7 9 0mm
09-24 19.9 1.46 9 1mm
09-25 21.8 1.18 9 0mm

About this spot

Aldabra Main Passage sits at the heart of one of the world's most remote atolls. This advanced dive shoots through a narrow channel where lagoon water exchanges with the Indian Ocean, creating a natural funnel for large pelagics and reef predators. Divers work through depths of 15 to 40 metres in a drift scenario, reading the current to stay safe and maximize sightings. The passage itself is the atoll's beating heart. Massive tides pump water in and out twice daily, bringing nutrition and life. Sharks, rays, and schools of jacks are common here. The channel walls drop fast, often showing the geological bones of the atoll—clean coral heads and rocky formations that have stood for centuries. Access is restricted. Aldabra sits inside a UNESCO World Heritage Site and marine reserve, with tight regulations on visitor numbers and dive operators. Most divers arrive by liveaboard or arranged tour. Weather windows matter; the atoll can be cut off for months. Logistics are complex and expensive, but the isolation guarantees pristine conditions and minimal crowds. This is not a casual dive. Strong currents, deep depths, and remote location mean solid training and experience are non-negotiable. Divers should be comfortable with drift diving, navigation, and self-rescue in blue water. The reward is wilderness diving at its rawest.

Tipos de buceo

DerivaArrecifePelágico

Esenciales del viaje

Todo lo que necesitas antes de hacer la maleta — checklist, sol, logística.

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
Información de sostenibilidad
🌍 CO2 footprint MAD ↔ 7546km · ~1736kg · €31

Desde tu país de salida

Estados Unidos
Puntuación de origen: 65/100
  • Visado: Sin visado · 90 días máx.
  • Vuelo: 11h · directo
  • Jet-lag: 9h este · 6 días de recuperación

Preguntas frecuentes

When is the best time to dive Aldabra Main Passage?

Aldabra is a year-round destination, though specific seasonal conditions are not well documented. Weather windows can close for extended periods, particularly during monsoon transitions. Check with tour operators for current conditions and typical accessibility by season.

What depth and difficulty level is this dive?

Main Passage is an advanced dive with depths ranging from 15 to 40 metres. It is a drift dive in a fast-moving channel with unpredictable currents. Prior drift diving experience and solid buoyancy control are essential.

What marine life can I expect to see?

The passage attracts large pelagics, sharks, rays, and dense schooling fish because of the nutrient-rich water exchange. Specific species records are limited, but the atoll is known for robust shark populations and diverse reef predators.

How do I access Aldabra and what permits are required?

Aldabra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in a strict marine reserve with controlled access. Dives are arranged through authorized tour operators and liveaboards. Visitor numbers are limited, and permits are managed by the Seychelles authorities. Advance booking is essential.

Observaciones verificadas de especies marinas

20 registros · 14 especies · fuentes: OBIS, GBIF

Calcinus laevimanus

Malacostraca · Diogenidae
GBIF
Última observación:
19 mar 2026
×1registros

Thelenota ananas

Holothuroidea · Stichopodidae
GBIF
Última observación:
18 mar 2026
×2registros

Cassis cornuta

Gastropoda · Cassidae
GBIF
Última observación:
18 mar 2026
×1registros

Ocypode Weber, 1795

Malacostraca · Ocypodidae
GBIF
Última observación:
15 mar 2026
×2registros

Geograpsus crinipes

Malacostraca · Grapsidae
GBIF
Última observación:
15 mar 2026
×1registros

Geograpsus grayi

Malacostraca · Grapsidae
GBIF
Última observación:
15 mar 2026
×1registros

Isopora palifera

Anthozoa · Acroporidae
GBIF
Última observación:
14 mar 2026
×1registros

Gardineroseris planulata

Anthozoa · Agariciidae
GBIF
Última observación:
14 mar 2026
×1registros

Carcharhinus melanopterus

Elasmobranchii · Carcharhinidae
GBIF
Última observación:
15 mar 2025
×1registros

Geograpsus grayi

Malacostraca · Grapsidae
GBIF
Última observación:
10 ene 2024
×1registros

Carcharhinus melanopterus

Elasmobranchii · Carcharhinidae
GBIF
Última observación:
26 dic 2023
×1registros

Geograpsus crinipes

Malacostraca · Grapsidae
GBIF
Última observación:
28 nov 2023
×1registros

Datos: 187.991 observaciones de OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) y GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

One of the most isolated ecoregions in the World , ALDABRA: Seychelles: Amazing Planet (4K) 2023

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