Dive Site: Napoleon

About Napoleon

Napoleon is a renowned dive site located off Alphonse Island in the Seychelles, celebrated for its rich biodiversity and stunning underwater topography. It stands out among the Outer Islands' diverse dive offerings, which are characterized by largely uninhabited coral atolls and reef islands. This site is particularly valued for its vibrant soft coral gardens that thrive in the nutrient-rich waters. The underwater landscape of Napoleon is teeming with various fish species, making it a lively and visually captivating dive. Divers can expect to see an impressive quantity of marine life navigating through the colorful corals. While the Outer Islands generally feature big drop-offs, walls, pinnacles, caves, and canyons, Napoleon specifically highlights flourishing soft corals. The site also presents opportunities for macro photography, showcasing smaller, intricate marine creatures alongside the larger pelagics. Encounters with manta rays are a notable highlight, adding to the allure for divers seeking diverse marine experiences. Visiting Napoleon typically involves liveaboard access, as it is situated within the more remote Outer Islands, offering a pristine and peaceful dive environment.

Dive site facts: Napoleon

Depth

8–30 m

Current

Variable, potentially strong in Outer Islands

Visibility

15–30 m (excellent)

Water temperature

19–27°C (Outer Islands)

Entry

Liveaboard / Boat

Level

Suitable for experienced divers

Dive type

Reef, pelagic, macro, soft coral

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Alphonse Island, Outer Islands, Seychelles

Coordinates

7.3075° S, 52.7093° E

Conditions & Currents

While specific current information for Napoleon is not detailed, sites in the Outer Islands of Seychelles, particularly those with significant drop-offs, can experience varied conditions. General diving conditions in the Seychelles typically feature mild currents, especially around the Inner Islands. However, more remote sites, like those in the Outer Islands, might encounter stronger currents due to open ocean exposure, which can attract large pelagic species. Divers should be prepared for potential current fluctuations, which may necessitate drift diving techniques or awareness of entry and exit strategies depending on daily conditions. Water temperatures are generally warm, ranging from 19 to 27°C in the Outer Islands, making a full wetsuit advisable for comfort during longer dives or in cooler thermoclines. Visibility in the Seychelles is generally excellent, often exceeding 30 meter

Marine life & sighting chances

Soft Corals

common

Manta Ray

occasional

Angelfish

common

Butterflyfish

common

Octopus

common

Lionfish

common

Nudibranch

common

Mantis Shrimp

common

Napoleon Wrasse

common

Parrotfish

common

Stingray

common

Reef Shark

common

Green Turtle

common

Hawksbill Turtle

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving at Napoleon, located off Alphonse Island, typically involves boat entry as part of a liveaboard itinerary, common for exploring the remote Outer Islands. The site is known for its beautiful soft corals and abundant fish life, extending through various depths within the 8 to 30 meter range. Divers will navigate through vibrant reef structures, keeping an eye out for both macro subjects nestled within the corals and larger marine life. The profile often includes exploring the extensive soft coral gardens, which are the main draw. Given the potential for manta ray encounters, divers may spend time observing these pelagics in open water areas. Safety stops are generally performed over the reef or in mid-water, depending on conditions and the specific route taken by the dive guide, ensuring a gradual ascent after exploring the site's rich biodiversity.

Underwater photography

Napoleon offers diverse photography opportunities, especially given its abundance of soft corals and fish life. For wide-angle shots, consider a fisheye or wide-angle lens to capture the expansive soft coral gardens and schools of fish. Strobes are essential to bring out the true colors of the corals and marine creatures in these vibrant environments. For macro enthusiasts, there are plenty of smaller subjects like nudibranchs, mantis shrimp, and other cryptic reef life to focus on, requiring a macro lens and potentially a snoot for dramatic lighting. Buoyancy control is paramount to avoid damaging the delicate soft corals and to maintain clear shots. Always approach marine life slowly and respectfully, allowing subjects to habituate to your presence rather than chasing them.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• One Tree Island

  One Tree Island is a well-known, shallow dive site located off the coast of Mahé, the largest of the Seychelles' Inner Islands.

• Trois Bancs

  Trois Bancs is a remarkable dive site in the Seychelles' Inner Islands, distinguished by its unique topography of three granite-based reefs.

• North Island

  North Island is an exclusive dive location within the Seychelles, known for its pristine underwater environment and the opportunity to…

Getting there & logistics

Accessing Napoleon, situated off Alphonse Island in the remote Outer Islands, primarily requires a liveaboard trip. The main international gateway to the Seychelles is Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on Mahé. From Mahé, further travel to the Outer Islands is typically arranged via internal flights or specialized liveaboard connections. Liveaboards provide the most practical means to explore these distant, pristine dive sites, often combining several Outer Island locations into multi-day itineraries. While specific permit fees for Napoleon itself are not detailed, marine park fees may apply to diving in certain protected areas within the Seychelles. It's advisable for divers to confirm these details with their liveaboard operator. Travelers should also consider that repair facilities for personal dive gear might be limited in these more remote areas, so it is wise to ensure all equipment is in good working order.

Safety & environment

For diving in the Seychelles, including remote sites like Napoleon, comprehensive dive insurance covering emergency medical treatment and evacuation is crucial. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Mahé, which can be a significant distance from Alphonse Island, highlighting the need for robust emergency plans from liveaboard operators. Site-specific hazards at Napoleon include potential currents, which may require divers to have experience with drift diving. Water temperatures in the Outer Islands can range from 19 to 27°C, suggesting a full wetsuit for comfort and protection against thermoclines. Always follow your dive guide's instructions, maintain proper buoyancy to protect the delicate coral ecosystems, and adhere to a conservative dive plan to minimize risks in this remote location.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Napoleon FAQ

Liveaboards diving Napoleon

These liveaboards may visit Napoleon on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Explorer 1

Seychelles

6 guests17 m

$522/day

Sea Pearl

Seychelles

16 guests36 m

$211/day

Sea Bird and Sea Star

Seychelles

18 guests42 m

$287/day