Seychelles, 2024. We left Bird Island before sunrise and headed back seven hours towards Praslin. Our next destination? A group of islands that don’t look real… and helped recharge our stoke-o-meter!
The granite islands of Seychelles are the kind of place that makes you squint twice. Big stone sculptures rising from glassy blue water, shaped like something out of a dream—or a high-budget sci-fi set. We were half convinced the whole thing was airbrushed styrofoam. But nope. It’s rock. Ancient, stubborn, very real granite rock.
Why Granite in the middle of the ocean?
Seychelles is home to the only oceanic granite islands in the entire world.
Normally, granite lives on continents. That’s because it forms deep underground from slowly cooled magma, which eventually pushes its way to the surface—like in Yosemite, back in California.
But these granite islands? They’re a fluke of epic geological proportions.
About 180 million years ago, Seychelles was part of the supercontinent Gondwana, locked in place next to Africa, India, and Madagascar. When Gondwana broke apart, tectonic plates shifted like giant puzzle pieces. India broke off and rammed into Asia (hi, Himalayas), while Seychelles and Madagascar drifted into the Indian Ocean—taking their granite roots with them.
And just like that, a chunk of ancient continental crust ended up marooned in the middle of the sea.
Granite Above, Magic Below
Underwater, the granite creates real special formations.
We snorkeled from St. Pierre to Coco Island National Park, weaving through reefs and carving paths through underwater granite tunnels. One second you’re squeezing through a crack in the rock; the next, you’re popping into open blue playgrounds.
It felt like swimming inside cathedrals of rock with encrusted coral. Then the best part? Sea turtles, rays, and fish come right up to us. The marine life is unperturbed by our presence. These are some of the benefits of protected areas! Check out the latest Green Coco episode on Youtube to see stunning shots of turtles and granite underwater formations.
Just Us and the Ocean
Diving in these tiny granite islands helped us forget the boat problems — the busted jib furler, the alternator issues — and enjoy the moment.
We were still in our first shakedown cruise, there would be tons and tons of work ahead, but for now we could enjoy and recharge.
So yeah, when you see a pile of rocks in the middle of the ocean, take a moment and ask yourself: “I wonder what’s below the surface…?” There might be some surprises from 180-million-years ago.
Thanks for following the voyage!
—The Green Coco Expedition Team
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