The most northerly of the granitic islands, Aride is a strict nature reserve of 68 hectares where over 112 bird species have been recorded, including the most breeding species of any other island in the Seychelles.
These include frigatebirds, wedge-tailed and tropical shearwater, white-tailed and red-tailed tropicbird, brown and lesser noddy, and sooty, fairy, roseate and bridled tern.
Aride has possibly the highest density of lizards in the world, with seven species present including six endemics, and there are snake, terrapin and giant tortoise to boot. It is visited by many turtles for nesting purposes.
Aride is an important sanctuary for endemic species which on other islands have been wiped out due to introduced predators such as rats and cats. It can be visited on day trips from Praslin and cruise vessels. There is only one wet landing access point which can be difficult to approach in poor weather.
