Anse Lazio - Diving Holiday Destination

Anse Lazio (Seychelles)

The Seychelles forms a widely scattered archipelago of over 100 islands in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar. The Seychelles is home to no less than two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the legendary Vallée de Mai on Praslin where the wondrously shaped Coco-de-mer nut grows high on ancient palms and fabled Aldabra, the world’s largest raised coral atoll, first seen by early Arab seafarers of the 9th century B.C.

Seychelles, one of the world’s very last frontiers, promises adventure and breathtaking natural beauty in pristine surrounds still untouched by man. Seychelles is famous for having some of the best beaches in the world, pristine and uncrowded. Some are framed by age-old granite boulders. Others offer powder-soft sands, turquoise waters and sublime opportunities for swimming, snorkeling or pure relaxation.

There are great opportunities for island-hopping between the 16 islands that currently offer accommodation. These range from sumptuous 5-star resorts to rustic island lodges and cozy beachside bungalows. On your way, you will discover such gems as the legendary Vallée de Mai, home to the legendary Coco-de-Mer. You will also find proud national monuments, beautiful Creole houses, artists' studios, national reserves and marine parks, as well as breathtaking natural wonders above and beneath the waves. Various excursions will introduce you to the pleasures of glass-bottom boating, or enjoying a choice of water sports.

Praslin, with a population of 6,500 people, is Seychelles’ second largest island. It lies 45km to the northeast of Mahé and measures 10km by 3.7km. A leisurely tour around the island by car will take approximately 2 hours. Praslin is the site of the fabulous Vallée de Mai, one of Seychelles’s two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The island features truly exquisite beaches such as Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette, both appearing on the top-10 list of world’s best beaches in recent years.

Prior to settlement of the islands by the French in the mid-18th century, Praslin's Côte d'Or was a favourite haunt of pirates.

The entire island is ringed with beautiful secluded beaches, sporting coral reefs and crystal clear waters.

Climate

Climate: tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May). Seychelles’ enviable climate is always warm and without extremes. In this tropical haven the temperature seldom drops below 24°C or rises above 32°C. All but the remotest southern islands lie comfortably outside the cyclone belt making Seychelles’ a year round destination for sun worshippers and beach lovers.

In January and February the islands receive their life-giving rains. The periods of calm between the trade winds produce fairly warm and wind-free conditions throughout April and also in October. Conditions for swimming, snorkelling and especially diving are superb during April/May and October/November.

Dive Facts

Diving is possible all year round, with the best diving conditions being in March / April / May and September / October / November when seas are calmest, the visibility can be over 30 metres and water temperatures reach 29'C. Wetsuit: 3mm.

Dive Attractions

See more about Seychelles in our Dive Sites Directory, and Seychelles Dive Clubs & Tour Operators in our Dive Club Directory.

The Seychelles has a Marine life that owes its great diversity to the richness in plankton of the waters flooding these rocks. If you like tiny creatures, well, you’ll be served. Nudibranchs, shrimps, blenies, gobies, pipefish, to name just a few, playing hide & seek with you. If you like big creatures, well, you won’t be disappointed either. Stingrays, turtles, whitetip and nurse sharks, or groupers, finding “granite houses” to rest during the day. But don’t forget to raise the head and look all around, because you might see a group of eagle-rays passing-by, napoleons curiously looking at you, humphead parrotfish “crunshing” coral, barracudas showing their shiny teeth, or grey reef sharks cruising and waiting for the night to hunt. But above all, if it darkens suddenly around you, immediatly look up. It might just be a cloud, but it might as well be the biggest fish of the world that comes and says hello to us every year, the whale-shark.

Sites vary in depth from 8 to 30 metres and provide conditions for divers of all abilities. The inner island plateau is characterised by impressive granite formations, encrusting soft and hard corals, schools of fish and an assortment of wreck dives. The offshore dive sites are suitable for more experienced divers with the chance to encounter the larger visitors including whale sharks and giant stingrays. Reefs around the granitic 'Inner Islands' of Seychelles were impacted by the Indian Ocean coral bleaching event of 1998 however, due to the mainly granitic nature of our reefs the fish life is still abundant and the diving memorable.

Other

Currency: Seychelles rupee (SCR)

Language: There are three official languages in Seychelles: Creole (a lilting, French-based patois), English and French. Many Seychellois also speak fluent Italian or German.

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