Indian Ocean Wildlife

Hugging the coastline of Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique are some of the planet’s most stunning Indian Ocean islands and coral reefs, combining to create one of Earth’s largest fringing reefs that nourish huge populations of Indian Ocean wildlife including tropical fish, dugongs, sea turtles and sharks.

Wildlife in the Maldives

The Maldives are made up of 1,000 or more tropical islands, which form an archipelago of 26 atolls stretching across 90,000 square kilometres of azure waters of the Indian Ocean. The atolls are formed of live coral reefs and sand bars, sat upon a sharp underwater ridge that rises from the depths creating this unique and special natural phenomenon. Each atoll consists of a coral reef that surrounds a lagoon, with deep channels separating the reef ring. The reefs of the islands, brimming with marine life and colourful corals, protect the islands from wind and wave action of the encompassing oceans. The waters themselves are habitat for a number of small marine animals and microscopic plant cells, present as a result of the monsoon tides, which in turn attracts larger species that come to feast on the plenitude of food. Tiny shrimps, tropical fish, sharks and manta rays all glide through the warm island waters. Five of the seven species of turtle on earth are found in the Maldives; the islands are the ultimate snorkelling and diving paradise.

Marine Life in the Indian Ocean

The warm waters of the Seychelles and Maldives are home to vibrant coral reefs teeming with butterflyfish, angelfish, reef sharks, manta rays, and octopus. Outer islands offer encounters with larger species like hammerhead sharks and stingrays. Mauritius also boasts colourful reef life, including trumpetfish, clownfish, and boxfish.

Turtles and Tortoises

Five sea turtle species can be seen in the Maldives, while Seychelles islands like Fregate and Cousine are key nesting sites for hawksbill and green turtles. Aldabra is home to 2,200 giant tortoises, the world’s heaviest, living up to 200 years.

Island Wildlife Highlights

Seychelles protects nearly half its land for conservation, including UNESCO sites like Vallée de Mai and Aldabra. Endemic species include the white-throated rail and Gardiner’s frog. Mauritius is home to rare birds like the pink pigeon and echo parakeet, plus unique reptiles and fruit bats in the Black River Gorges National Park.