There’s more to Alphonse Island than fly fishing, as many of our non-angling guests will know. We’ve just received this fun report of activities during July. It’s worth noting that between July and September visitors to this Seychellois wonderland can take advantage of the Island Season special offer.
July brought it’s usual steady south-easterly winds, keeping the ocean lively and full of energy all month. The team made the most of it, getting out on the water time and again for a range of activities. The breeze also stirred in slightly cooler water, averaging around 25 degrees, softening visibility on dives just a touch but shark sightings more than made up for it, staying consistent on almost every outing, with multiple grey reef, lemon, and nurse sharks, plus the odd whitetip reef shark joining snorkels and dives too.
The standout sightings so far this month have been a sunfish (Mola mola) breaching during a Blue Safari, and a lovely pod of melon-headed whales passing by.
Tides and winds varied through July, from slightly neap tides with lighter 17 to 18 knot breezes to some incredible weather windows along the way, and guests made the most of every one of them.
Weekly highlights and guest achievements
One highlight was a spell of good weather that let the team adapt schedules and get across to Bijoutier for a visit. Lee completed his Discover Scuba Diving qualification, experiencing Alphonse’s underwater world for the first time, while his nephew Blaze joined in and racked up four dives during his stay, in between his work alongside ICS. Across the month, visibility was excellent and water temperatures held at a pleasant 26 degrees, with rays, massive Napoleon wrasse, and grey reef sharks among the standout sightings.
The island staff and Blaze also pitched in on a big beach clean-up, collecting heaps of ocean trash washed up on the southern beaches facing the lagoon, a great effort from everyone involved.
Discover Scuba Diver went to Lee, while Activity Trooper, Eco Warrior & Diver of the Month went to Blaze, our conservationist in the making. Margaritta took the honours for Cocktail Making Class Participant.
We also said goodbye to Sheila and Bruce, who joined us for the entirety of July and have well and truly become part of the Blue Safari Island family.
The Boat House
The Boat House is one of Alphonse Island’s best-kept secrets. Once a week, guests gather here for sundowners. It’s a short cycle from the lodge out to the island’s north-western tip, where an old coral building meets the sunset.
Built in 1947 as the island’s original receiving store, it kept the atoll supplied for decades before a fallen tree and the encroaching coastal bush left it dormant and salt weathered.
A simple bar, cocktails, and arguably the best sunset view on the island, it’s a great feet in the sand, drink in hand spot to watch the sun go down over the water.
If you our report on Alphonse Island 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.
