Ile au Vache - Inner Islands

Mali Mali is one of our favourites in Coiba, even with its often-average visibility. It’s an underwater mountain, shaped like a triangle, that we love to drift around. You start around 13 metres, then drop to a max of 21 metres. We’ve seen Reef sharks here, often patrolling the deeper parts, and there are always turtles around. Keep an eye out for the unusual residents too, like the Bloody Frogfish and Masked Moray eels tucked into the coral. What makes Mali Mali special for us isn't just the occasional big pelagic, it's the smaller, harder-to-spot stuff. Look for seahorses clinging to the Cauliflower coral, and the quick darting movements of Pacific Creolefish. The site really suits divers who appreciate a slow, methodical search as much as a wide-angle view. It’s a good spot for photographers who like a mix of macro and medium shots, though the current can pick up, so be prepared to hold your position.

Location
Inner Islands, Seychelles, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-4.684400, 55.432100
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Ile aux Vaches

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 Ile au Vache

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 Ile au Vache

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