There’s more to Alphonse Island than fly fishing, as many of our non-angling guests will know. We’ve just received another great report of the wildlife highlights, this time over the festive period – which is a brilliant time to visit this Seychellois wonderland.
Alphonse Island a Wildlife Wonderland
The festive season on Alphonse Island has been nothing short of magical, with picture-perfect weather and extraordinary wildlife sightings that have made this period one for the books. From December through to January, guests were treated to ideal conditions, including clear blue skies, gentle breezes, and calm seas that created a truly idyllic setting for all who visited. A notable shift in water temperature, dipping to an unusually cool 20°C, provided a unique opportunity to experience unexpected marine life in the area, adding an exciting element to the season’s adventures. Despite the rarity of this drop in temperature, it only enhanced the already exceptional experiences guests had throughout the month.
Manta rays continued to dazzle guests during the festive season, with numerous sightings, particularly within the lagoon. One of the most breathtaking moments came on Friday, December 13th, when up to 20 manta rays were observed feeding and mating in La Passe Channel. This rare spectacle unfolded in front of guests on their way to a Flats Lunch, and the experience was captured on film, providing stunning footage for the 360 photo project. The sight of the mantas in such a large group, engaged in both feeding and courtship, was a rare and unforgettable moment, underscoring the magical biodiversity of Alphonse Island.
This season’s colder waters brought exciting new opportunities to witness marine life that is rarely seen around the island. Notably there were larger schools of dogtooth tuna and bonito were spotted, likely attracted by the colder thermoclines in the water. Shark activity also peaked, with nurse sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and grey reef sharks making regular appearances, likely drawn closer to the island by the temperature shift.
Blue Safari trips proved successful, with sightings of melon-headed whales and a resident pod of over 200 spinner dolphins, offering guests thrilling encounters. Bluewater fishing trips also revealed mobula rays (devil rays) near the island—a rare sight, as these rays are typically more pelagic and not often observed near the island. Schools of yellowfin tuna were also spotted, which was rare as they too are usually found in deeper waters, and were likely brought closer to the reefs by recent upwellings.
This festive season was another exciting month for turtle sightings, with a special highlight being the Hawksbill turtle nest eruption on December 28th, when hatchlings emerged and made their way to the sea. This rare and magical event captivated all who witnessed it. Adding to the excitement, a female green turtle, previously tagged in 2018, was spotted once again around the atoll, marking a special reunion and showcasing the flourishing marine life around Alphonse Island.
Birdwatchers were treated to several remarkable moments during the festive season. An Eleanora’s falcon was found stranded and successfully rehabilitated at ICS before being released back into the wild. This rare event was a testament to the island’s dedication to wildlife conservation. Additionally, the season marked the first-ever sighting of a Great Spotted Cuckoo on the outer islands—an exciting first for the Alphonse group, adding to the richness of the birdwatching experience.
If you our report on Alphonse Island as a wildlife wonderland has caught your eye and you would like more information on this stunning location please contact Charlotte Chilcott or Peter McLeod or call us on +44 1980 847389. Alternatively click HERE if you would like us to contact you.