Denis Private Island. Seychelles
Denis Private Island, PO Box 404, Victoria – Mahe, Seychelles
Coordinates in degrees decimal: 3.8053291 S, 55.6675756 E
Information provided by www.snorkeling-report.com and varied web-based sources. Images provided by Green Islands Foundation and Martine Mas.
Overview
Denis Island is located about 100km north of Mahe in the Seychelles. Daily 30 minute flights connect Mahé with the island. The island resort is very small with only 25 free standing cottages and no other occupants, other than staff. Denis Island Resort is working with the Green Island Foundation to promote sustainability and nature conservation. https://greenislandsfoundation.blogspot.com/)
The water can be entered from the sandy beach at any point around the island. However, two areas in particular are recommended due to the ease of access and the richness of marine life.
The east coast of the island has a coral reef edge about 300m from shore, with a lagoon behind it providing sheltered snorkelling. Belle Etoile beach gives access to this area of lagoon. In the shallow (<2m deep) and crystal-clear waters of the lagoon, numerous coral growths may be found, surrounded by a wide range of reef fish. This area is ideal for beginners but it is not advisable to cross the reef edge due to the strong currents and potentially large waves.
The House Reef sits off the north west coast of the island but localised currents can make it difficult to access at times, so enter off the Bois Blanc beach, on the west side of the island and approach from the south. In this area you will find significant coral patches and seagrass beds, which are open to the ocean with no reef edge. Encounters are almost guaranteed with hawksbill and green turtles, which come to feed and rest on the seagrass (all year round) and lay their eggs on the beach (from November to February). Spotted eagle rays, juvenile blacktip reef sharks and nurse sharks can also be seen very easily, but may be more difficult to get close to.
The areas off both the northern and southern (Muraille Bon Dieu) tips of the island can also be explored, but are more rocky and the latter may have an uncomfortable swell at times.
Climate and sea conditions
The climate on Denis Island is generally uniform, with max daily temperatures ranging from 32C in April and 28C in July. Seawater temperatures are also uniformly comfortable ranging from 26C in July to 30C in April. Rainfall is heaviest from November to January, with the least in July. The windiest period is June to September, with most wind coming from the south east and south south east, resulting in an increase in the swell from this direction, over and above that created by the Indian Ocean ground swell. Winds are rarely above 17knots. Maximum tidal range is 1.58m so please determine your exit point when entering on a falling tide.
Completed with the cooperation of the resort.
