Dive Site: Silhouette North Point

About Silhouette North Point

Silhouette North Point is a captivating dive site situated off Silhouette Island in the Seychelles, characterized by its distinctive submerged boulder fields and vibrant fringing coral reefs. The topography features dramatic granite formations, which create unique underwater landscapes adorned with soft corals and sea fans. This site is part of the Inner Islands, known for their shallower depths and gentler conditions compared to the remote Outer Islands. Marine life here is diverse and abundant year-round, with common sightings including reef sharks, eagle rays, and marine turtles gracefully navigating the waters. Divers can also expect to encounter schooling reef fish, various colourful fish species, and occasional migratory pelagics like manta rays. While whale shark encounters are possible, they are less frequent than experienced in the past, primarily during the September to November season. The dive experience at Silhouette North Point is generally manageable, with conditions suitable for a range of divers. However, some sites in the vicinity, like Shark Bank, are known for strong currents, attracting larger pelagic species. Overall, the Inner Islands, including Silhouette, provide accessible diving with average depths between 8-30 meters, making it an excellent location for exploring the unique granite-based and carbonate tropical reefs of the Seychelles.

Dive site facts: Silhouette North Point

Depth

5–30 m

Typical dive

15–25 m, 45–60 min

Current

Mild to strong

Visibility

15–30 m

Water temperature

26–29°C

Entry

Boat / drift

Level

Intermediate to Advanced

Dive type

Reef, drift, pelagic encounters

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Inner Islands, Seychelles

Coordinates

-4.46, 55.22

Conditions & Currents

Currents at Silhouette North Point can range from mild to strong, making drift diving a common practice here. The strength and direction of the current are heavily influenced by the prevailing monsoons and tidal movements, which also dictate visibility. Divers should be prepared for varying conditions and follow their guide's instructions for entry and exit procedures, often involving negative entries to avoid surface chop. The currents are a key factor in attracting the large pelagic species seen at the site, requiring divers to be proficient in current navigation and buoyancy control to fully enjoy the experience. Surface currents can make boat pick-ups more challenging, so maintaining situational awareness and deploying an SMB are crucial for safety.

Marine life & sighting chances

Whitetip reef shark

common

Eagle ray

common

Schooling batfish

common

Green sea turtle

common

Hawksbill sea turtle

common

Napoleon wrasse

occasional

Humphead parrotfish

occasional

Grouper

common

Whale shark

August-November · occasional

Giant moray eel

common

Octopus

occasional

Lionfish

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at Silhouette North Point typically begin with a negative entry due to potential surface chop and currents, ensuring divers quickly reach the more stable depths. The dive profile usually follows a drift along the granite reef formations, starting at approximately 15 meters and gradually descending to around 25-30 meters. Divers will explore overhangs and small caves, keeping an eye out for pelagic life in the blue. The mid-dive turn point is determined by air consumption and current strength, leading to a slow ascent along the reef slope. The safety stop is often performed as a controlled drift at 5 meters, with divers maintaining visual contact with their buddy and the dive guide. An SMB deployment is standard procedure to signal the boat for pick-up.

Underwater photography

Silhouette North Point offers fantastic opportunities for wide-angle photography, especially with the dramatic granite structures and potential for large pelagic encounters like whale sharks and eagle rays. A fisheye lens or a wide rectilinear lens would be ideal for capturing the expansive underwater topography and schooling fish. For macro subjects, the coral gardens and smaller crevices hold interesting reef fish, nudibranchs, and other invertebrates; a macro lens will reveal these hidden gems. Given the potential for strong currents, excellent buoyancy control is essential to avoid stirring up sediment and to maintain stable shots. Utilize strobes to bring out the vibrant colors of the corals and marine life, ensuring subjects are well-lit against the clear Seychelles waters.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Conception Island

  Conception Island is a rugged, uninhabited landmass situated approximately two kilometers west of Mahé, the primary island of Seychelles.

• Shark Bank (Mahé)

  Shark Bank, located approximately 8 kilometers northwest of Mahé in open water, is a submerged granite plateau that rises from depths…

• Brissare Rocks (Mahé)

  Brissare Rocks, located just north of Mahé, is a renowned dive site in Seychelles, widely considered one of Mahé's top five.

• L'Ilot

  L'Ilot is a small, granite island located approximately half a kilometer from Mahé, easily accessible from Beau Vallon.

• Twin Barges Wreck

  The Twin Barges Wreck, located near Mahé Island, offers a captivating dive into an artificial reef created when two barges were…

Getting there & logistics

Access to Silhouette North Point is typically via liveaboard or day boats departing from Mahé, the main island where Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) is located. Direct flights to SEZ are available from major hubs like Dubai, Paris, and Frankfurt. Liveaboards often depart from Victoria Harbour and combine diving at Silhouette with other Inner Island sites, with trip lengths varying from 7 to 10 days. Day trips are also possible from Silhouette Island resorts. No specific diving permits are usually required beyond general marine park fees, which are often included in liveaboard or dive center packages. It is advisable to pre-book transfers from the airport to your departure port or accommodation.

Safety & environment

Diving in the Seychelles, particularly at sites with currents like Silhouette North Point, requires adherence to strict safety protocols. Always dive with adequate insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation and recompression chamber treatments, as the nearest chamber is located on Mahé. Be aware of currents and maintain good buoyancy control; deploy an SMB promptly upon surfacing to alert the boat crew. Listen carefully to all dive briefings, especially regarding entry, exit, and emergency procedures. Avoid touching marine life or coral formations. Ensure your equipment is well-maintained, and always dive within your certification limits. Strong currents can necessitate negative entries and may make surface conditions challenging, so proper planning and communication with your dive guide are paramount.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Silhouette North Point FAQ

Liveaboards diving Silhouette North Point

These liveaboards may visit Silhouette North Point 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

$286/day