| Aldabra, the world's largest coral atoll, is situated in | | | | islets at the West Channels between South and |
| the Aldabra Group of islands in the Indian Ocean | | | | Polymnie Islands. The islands consist of limestone |
| belonging to outer islands of Seychelles. Aldabra was | | | | uplands, sand dunes and beaches based on the |
| designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on | | | | remains of a coral reef. |
| November 19, 1982 and is administered from Mahe | | | | Aldabra has a number of endemic plant species. The |
| by the Seychelles Island Foundation. Visitors should | | | | higher areas are covered in species of pemphis, thick |
| obtain prior written permission from SIF, for visiting | | | | coastal shrubs, while the lower areas which are home |
| Aldabra. It is isolated and untouched by humans and | | | | to the giant tortoises, are a mixture of trees, shrubs, |
| retains distinctive island fauna including the Aldabra | | | | herbs and grasses. They are also known for Coconut |
| Giant Tortoise, population of which is around 152000. | | | | crab, the world's largest land crab, and hammerhead |
| Aldabra Atoll is comprised of four large coral islands | | | | sharks, manta rays, barracuda and as a breeding |
| enclosing a shallow lagoon and surrounded by a coral | | | | ground for green turtles and hawksbill turtles. Birds of |
| reef. It is 34 km long, 14.5 km wide, and has a land | | | | Aldabra include the Aldabra rail, the last surviving |
| area of 155.4 km². The lagoon measures 224 | | | | flightless bird of the Indian Ocean region, and the |
| km² in area, of which roughly two thirds fall dry | | | | endangered Malagasy Sacred Ibis as well as large |
| during low tide. The atoll consists of a ring of four | | | | numbers of nesting seabirds. The atoll is comprised of |
| larger islands. | | | | four large coral islands which enclose a shallow lagoon; |
| The island is more than 700 miles from Mahe, the | | | | the group of islands is itself surrounded by a coral |
| principal island of the Seychelles and is closer to the | | | | reef. Due to difficulties of access and the atoll's |
| coast of Africa and is 265 miles northwest of | | | | isolation, Aldabra has been protected from human |
| Madagascar and a similar distance northeast from the | | | | influence and thus retains some 152,000 giant |
| Comoro Islands. The Research Officer, Island | | | | tortoises, the world's largest population of this reptile. |
| Manager and their rangers and staff reside in Picard, | | | | To visit and explore the Aldabra Atoll - a UNESCO |
| on the southwestern tip of West Island. There is no | | | | World Heritage Site, in Seychelles, you'll find superior |
| other permanent population. | | | | Seychelles Hotels to meet your accommodation |
| Additionally, there are some forty smaller islands and | | | | needs with Seychelles Holidays. |
| rocks, all inside the lagoon, except a few very small | | | | |