Aride’s elevated, heavily wooded topography and granite cliffs teeming with seabirds are visually striking, creating a powerful image of the natural world. This is the most northerly of the Seychelles granitic islands, 9 kilometres north of Praslin and at 71 hectares, it is the largest nature reserve of the islands on the Seychelles Bank. There is a small freshwater marsh and a single 800 metre long beach on the southern side, the remainder of the coastline consisting of granite cliffs and boulders.The island rises to 134 metres, covered in native woodland with small glades and many granitic outcrops. The dramatic northern cliffs are the highest point and last rocky outcrops before Asia, thousands of kilometres to the north.
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History
Aride was once a leper station. Later, seabirds and eggs were heavily exploited, and forest cover depleted. Legally protected since 1973, it is now probably the most natural island of Seychelles. |
Flora & Fauna
Aride holds the world’s largest population of two seabird species, five endemic land birds, huge numbers of frigatebirds and it is the last natural site in the world for the shrub, Wright’s Gardenia. |
ICS Activity
ICS has operated a conservation centre on Aride since 2003. Monitoring work focuses on seabirds, endemic land birds, turtles, restoration of natural vegetation and the marine ecosystem. |
In 1787 the French commandant of Seychelles described Aride as ‘… no more than a pile of rocks’ covered with a few bushes, with no regular source of fresh water and no easy landing. These features were a barrier for Aride to escape much of the trauma suffered by almost every other tropical island in the world following the arrival of humans. From 1818 to 1829 Aride was used as a leper colony. The naturalist Edward Percival Wright visiting in 1867 found that the plateau had been cleared for agriculture, mainly cotton and melons. His name lives on to this day in the form of plentiful Wright’s Skinks and Wright’s Gardenia which now only grows naturally on Aride. In 1883, Marianne North, botanist and artist, described a ‘scorching island’ with a single big tree. Large areas of native woodland were replaced by coconut plantation and other crops were grown. Terns were encouraged to breed by removal of large areas of vegetation so that eggs and birds could be exploited. By the late 1960s the island was no longer commercially viable. Christopher Cadbury donated funds for Royal Society for Wildlife Trusts (RSWT) of UK to purchase the island in 1973 . ICS became managers in 2003 after successfully completing conservation targets set by RSWT the island was given to ICS.
Aride is one of the most important seabird colonies in the Indian Ocean, with around half a million birds of up to 10 species. These include the world’s largest populations of Tropical Shearwater and Lesser Noddy and Seychelles largest population of Roseate Tern (the world’s greatest of race arideensis). There is a spectacular roost of thousands of non-breeding frigatebirds of two species. There are five endemic land birds including the world’s largest population of Seychelles Warbler. Up to 200 endemic Seychelles Fruit Bats roost on the island dependent on the presence of flowering and fruiting trees. Aride supports a range of endemic reptiles, including exceptional densities of Wright’s Skink and Seychelles Skink. About 30 Hawksbill and few Green Turtles nest along the beach crest. Seychelles Whip Spider, Giant Millipede and venomous Giant Centipede are prominent among the invertebrates, while the water stick-insect Ranatra grandocula is endemic to Seychelles and the spider Aridella bowleri is known only from Aride. Of the more than 100 plant species recorded at Aride, most significant is Wright’s Gardenia, an elegant small tree with over 1,000 individuals. Although introduced to other Seychelles islands, this is the world’s only naturally-occurring and self-sustaining population. The widespread and locally abundant Peponium sp. may also prove to be endemic. Offshore, Bottle-nosed Dolphins are seen regularly, while Spinner Dolphin, Sperm Whale and Humpback Whale are sometimes seen.
Aride is one of the most important seabird colonies in the Indian Ocean, with around half a million birds of up to 10 species. These include the world’s largest populations of Tropical Shearwater and Lesser Noddy and Seychelles largest population of Roseate Tern (the world’s greatest of race arideensis). There is a spectacular roost of thousands of non-breeding frigatebirds of two species. There are five endemic land birds including the world’s largest population of Seychelles Warbler. Up to 200 endemic Seychelles Fruit Bats roost on the island dependent on the presence of flowering and fruiting trees. Aride supports a range of endemic reptiles, including exceptional densities of Wright’s Skink and Seychelles Skink. About 30 Hawksbill and few Green Turtles nest along the beach crest. Seychelles Whip Spider, Giant Millipede and venomous Giant Centipede are prominent among the invertebrates, while the water stick-insect Ranatra grandocula is endemic to Seychelles and the spider Aridella bowleri is known only from Aride. Of the more than 100 plant species recorded at Aride, most significant is Wright’s Gardenia, an elegant small tree with over 1,000 individuals. Although introduced to other Seychelles islands, this is the world’s only naturally-occurring and self-sustaining population. The widespread and locally abundant Peponium sp. may also prove to be endemic. Offshore, Bottle-nosed Dolphins are seen regularly, while Spinner Dolphin, Sperm Whale and Humpback Whale are sometimes seen.
ICS employs around 8 island staff to manage research, conservation and tourism, assisted by 2-3 volunteers. Monitoring work focuses on seabirds, endemic land birds, turtles, restoration of natural vegetation and the marine ecosystem. ICS guards the island from introduction of invasive alien species, while conserving and restoring intact ecosystems. We encourage scientific research to increase knowledge of natural processes and contribute to a greater understanding of regional and global climate change. We also promote public awareness and education of the importance of conservation. A small conservation settlement on the south coast is the only human development. Controlled, low-impact tourism provides income towards management of the reserve.
Visit ArideAride Island Special Reserve is open to tourists during the NW Monsoon season from October to May. Landing on the island is an exhilarating boat ride as our experienced boat operators bring you ashore. Access to the island is strictly restricted to Aride boats, please do not try and access yourself, even by swimming ashore. This is to ensure we minimise the risk of alien and invasive species that could destroy the pristine ecosystem of Aride Island.
Booking is essential to avoid disappointment. |
Island Gallery
