Aldebaran Wreck - Inner Islands

The Aldebaran Wreck, a deliberately scuttled fishing boat from 2008, sits upright on a sandy bottom, its mast reaching up towards the light. We love how the hull has been completely claimed by life in such a short time. You’ll find Montipora corals forming textured carpets along the decks, and the wheelhouse is often home to some chunky Argus Grouper watching you pass. Our favourite time to drop in is early morning, before the thermocline settles too deep, as that’s when we’ve seen the most activity with Dorado flashing by in the blue. At around 30 metres, it's a dive for those comfortable with depth, but the calm conditions usually mean you can take your time circling the 28-meter long vessel. Look closely for the smaller residents: Sandfish darting from cover, and we’ve found some surprisingly bold Dragonfish tucked into crevices. It’s an absorbing wreck dive, not for penetration, but for appreciating how quickly the ocean reclaims and repurposes.

Location
Inner Islands, Seychelles, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-4.612600, 55.396200
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Aldebaran Wreck

Year Sunk
2008
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
scuttled

Deliberately sunk in 2008, the Aldebaran Wreck is one of the premier deep dives in the Seychelles' Inner Islands. This 28-meter-long fishing boat was prepared and scuttled to create a thriving artificial reef, settling perfectly upright on a vast sandy plain. Its final resting position, with depths ranging from 28 to 40 meters, means this site is strictly for advanced divers with experience in deeper profiles and managing their bottom time effectively.

The wreck itself acts as an oasis in the sand, attracting a huge concentration of marine life. Divers are often greeted by large schools of fusiliers and snappers that cloud the superstructure. The sandy bottom is a prime location for spotting stingrays and eagle rays, while the wreck's nooks and crannies provide homes for moray eels, scorpionfish, and giant groupers. The Aldebaran is a testament to successful reef creation, offering a challenging and profoundly rewarding dive experience.

Marine Protected Area: Baie Ternay Marine National Park

Best Time to Dive in Inner Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Inner Islands occur in April, averaging 30.4°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 26.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.7°C
  • February: 29.0°C
  • March: 29.8°C
  • April: 30.4°C
  • May: 29.8°C
  • June: 28.5°C
  • July: 26.8°C
  • August: 26.6°C
  • September: 27.4°C
  • October: 28.3°C
  • November: 29.0°C
  • December: 29.1°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Inner Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to Aldebaran Wreck

Marine Life in Inner Islands

Home to 184 recorded species including 156 reef fish, 8 hard corals, 6 sharks & rays, 5 sea snails & nudibranchs, 4 whales & dolphins, 2 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Aldebaran Wreck

Based on average water temperature of 28.6°C, currents 11 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories