Aride

Aride is not a holiday destination with a hotel and beach facilities, but a reserve. A visit is a guided half-day excursion. The island is inhabited only by the reserve's staff, along with a few volunteers. Aride is managed by the Island Conservation Society, which uses the entrance fees for conservation projects and research. You can find more about the management and protected status on the page Aride Island Nature Reserve.

The usual route is from the north-east coast of Praslin, mostly from Côte d’Or (Anse Volbert), sometimes from Grand Anse. According to the operators, the crossing takes about 30 to 45 minutes. You book through your hotel or a boat operator (see Bootstouren), either as a group trip or with a private boat. Book early and keep a spare date free in case the island closes. How to get to Praslin is explained under Cat Cocos ferry and domestic flights. The ferry does not call at Aride itself.

Your boat anchors off the island. There you transfer to the reserve's small boat, which runs through the surf to the beach. This is meant to prevent rats, insects or plant seeds from being brought in from outside. The landing is wet, as you step out into shallow water. Wear sandals, protect your camera and phone in a waterproof bag and do not bring any luggage you do not need.

According to the reserve management, Aride is normally open from Monday to Friday. Weekend visits are possible by arrangement with the island manager. During the south-east trade wind season, especially from May to September, the island is often closed to all visitors. In strong surf it can also cancel at short notice. Landings take place in the morning and the return trip is in the early afternoon. The management sets the exact times, and your operator will tell you what they are.

The walk begins on the beach on the south side of the island and leads through coastal woodland with Pisonia trees up to the viewpoint. With explanations it takes about two hours over a distance of roughly 2 km. The climb is short but steep, and tiring in the heat. Afterwards there is usually time for a rest on the beach or a quick swim. If you have booked a barbecue lunch, you normally eat it in the visitors' shelter. For more walking ideas see Hiking in the Seychelles.

Aride has more breeding seabird species, and in greater numbers, than all the other granitic islands put together. You will see frigatebirds in the air above the slope, as well as noddies, fairy terns and white-tailed tropicbirds, often within easy reach of the path. Five of the land birds living here are found only in the Seychelles, including the Seychelles magpie-robin and the Seychelles warbler. There is no single peak season, as the breeding times of the different species vary. Ask your ranger what is nesting at the moment.

Wright's skink and the Seychelles skink occur here in exceptional numbers, along with the bronze gecko. Green and hawksbill turtles lay their eggs on the coast. Of the more than 100 recorded plant species, Wright's gardenia is the most important. It grows naturally only on Aride and is best seen in the higher, rocky parts of the island. Related plants, by contrast, have also been planted on other islands. You can read more about the species under Flora and fauna of the Seychelles and Nature and conservation.

• Sun protection, a hat and plenty of drinking water, as there is hardly any shade on the trail.
• Sturdy shoes or sandals with a good tread for the climb, plus swimwear for a break on the beach.
• A waterproof bag for the wet landing.
• Cash for the landing fee, if it is not included in the price.
• Binoculars: the birds often sit close, but you will see the frigatebirds high above much better with them.

If you are prone to seasickness, take a suitable remedy before departure. The crossing can be rough when it is windy. For help in an emergency and doctors on Praslin, see Hospital, clinics and emergency numbers, and for money matters Money and banks. There is no shop or restaurant on Aride, so arrange food and drink through your tour operator.

You cannot stay overnight on Aride itself. Stay and eat on Praslin: you will find accommodation under Holidays on Praslin and restaurants under Restaurants on Praslin. We present the beaches there under Dream beaches.

Aride is a morning excursion. The rest of the day can be combined with the neighbouring islands, for example Curieuse with its giant tortoises, Cousin as a second bird reserve, or La Digue. The months between October and April are the best time for a visit, as described under Best time to visit and Climate and weather. Diving and snorkelling around Aride can be arranged through the boats and dive centres on Praslin, see Diving and snorkelling.