Ranked second worldwide for biodiversity.
A recognition with the scent of eternity for one of the last untouched paradises on Earth: Aldabra Atoll, a jewel of the Seychelles archipelago, has recently been ranked second in the world among all UNESCO marine World Heritage Sites for biodiversity, according to a global study promoted by UNESCO and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. With its 830 recorded marine species—many of them endemic—and an extraordinary abundance of terrestrial fauna, Aldabra remains a one-of-a-kind natural sanctuary, inaccessible to mass tourism and permanently inhabited only by scientists from the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF).
Four main islands—Grande Terre, Malabar, Picard, and Polymnie—and a scattering of smaller islets form a ring around an inner lagoon that empties and fills twice a day, creating a natural phenomenon that has fascinated biologists and oceanographers for decades. The tidal cycle, which flows through the atoll’s four main channels, helps shape a dynamic and perfectly balanced ecosystem, unique in the world.
This paradise offers no accommodations and can only be visited through a limited number of select expeditions each year, with access strictly regulated by environmental protocols. Authorized visitors may enjoy unique experiences such as drift diving along its pristine seabeds, while all forms of fishing are strictly prohibited to preserve its extraordinary ecosystem.
Aldabra, named by Arab sailors who once called the archipelago “Atollo al Chadra” (The Green Island), is home to the world’s largest population of wild giant tortoises, over 97 species of endemic birds, the enigmatic coconut crab, and the flying fox—the only native mammal of the atoll. Among its most remarkable stories is that of the Aldabra snail, declared extinct in 1997 and rediscovered in 2014—a symbol of the remarkable resilience of this remote corner of the world.
Legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau described Aldabra as “a one-of-a-kind earthly paradise,” capturing its essence in his Oscar-winning documentary The Silent World in 1956. Today, that enchantment remains intact, thanks to strict environmental protection and highly restricted access.
With a circumference of 100 kilometers, Aldabra is the largest raised coral atoll on the planet—a remote treasure trove of priceless natural wonders. In an era when untouched beauty is increasingly rare, the outer islands of the Seychelles emerge as true wild sanctuaries: places where nature still dictates the rules and that rightfully represent the final frontier of sustainable tourism in the Indian Ocean.
Recently, Aldabra’s scientists participated in a groundbreaking global project on eDNA (environmental DNA) to map the marine biodiversity of UNESCO sites. The initiative aims to create a snapshot of the future of marine life, uniting science and conservation for generations to come.
Aldabra is a privilege. A place few will ever visit, but which lives vividly in the imagination of all who dream of raw, powerful, and untamed nature. A journey to the edge of the Earth that leaves a lasting mark on both heart and conscience.
