Alphonse Island

Alphonse combines one of the Indian Ocean's most productive Bonefish fisheries with a full-service island resort only an hour's flight from Mahé. Anglers fish the hard white sand flats of neighboring St. François Atoll, where no more than 12 anglers fish each day, while non-angling partners and children enjoy a dive center, a spa, and a full program of snorkeling, conservation, and island activities on Alphonse. The more remote outer atolls are built around small groups of experienced anglers chasing GTs or Bumphead Parrotfish, while Alphonse suits mixed groups, families, and anglers of every level, and it is where Milkfish on the fly was pioneered. Alphonse can also be paired with a week on Cosmoledo, Farquhar, Providence, or Astove.

St. François holds an exceptionally dense Bonefish population, and fish are found tailing in singles and doubles, cruising in pods, and moving in large schools as they leave the flats on a falling tide. Most fish run 4 to 6 pounds, with larger fish possible, and double-digit days are common for anglers who cast reasonably well. The firm white sand flats are easy to wade, which makes Alphonse an excellent place to learn saltwater sight fishing, while experienced anglers can spend their time picking out larger singles. Lighter winds and good light make the fishing easier, while overcast or windy days make spotting fish harder at any time of year.

Yes. Alphonse is where Milkfish on the fly began. The island's guides developed the flies and techniques used to catch them, and Blue Safari reports that more Milkfish are caught and released on these atolls than at all other destinations combined. Milkfish feed on plankton and algae, so they are targeted when conditions bring them up to feed near the surface, using small algae-style flies such as the Milkydream on a 10-weight. They are fast, powerful, and acrobatic, and a good fish can take you deep into your backing. Feeding activity varies, so treat Milkfish as a prized opportunity rather than a daily guarantee.

Giant Trevally are encountered consistently on the flats and channel edges, though Alphonse holds fewer GTs than Cosmoledo or Astove. Indo-Pacific Permit are spread across the fishery and remain one of the hardest fish in saltwater fly fishing, so landing one should be treated as a highlight of the week. Moustache Triggerfish, the largest of the triggers caught here, and Yellowmargin Triggerfish tail on the flats and reef edges, Bluefin Trevally are common, and large, solitary Barracuda hunt the Bonefish schools. Offshore, Sailfish are found close to the Alphonse mooring, along with Wahoo, Dogtooth Tuna, and Yellowfin Tuna, but bluewater fishing is booked separately at an additional charge, so let us know before booking if it is a priority.

Alphonse is fished year-round, but the experience changes with the season. The main season runs from September to May, when no more than 12 anglers fish St. François each day. The transitional months of October and November and of March and April often bring lighter winds and excellent visibility, while December through February brings heat, humidity, lighter variable winds, and passing showers. From May to September, the Explorer season brings strong southeast trade winds, often 20 to 25 knots, with a smaller group of anglers and weekly charter flights. Bonefish are available throughout the year, and tides shape each week more than the month, so we can help you choose dates that suit your goals and your tolerance for wind.

Alphonse is one of the best Seychelles destinations for newer saltwater anglers. Abundant Bonefish provide plenty of shots to practice spotting fish and making quick, accurate casts, and the hard white sand bottom makes for easy wading. Most of each day is still spent on foot in strong tropical sun and heat, with midday temperatures around 90°F, so good fitness and stamina help. Casting practice with a 9-weight in the wind before the trip will pay off, and anglers who want to target GTs should be comfortable casting a 12-weight.

Each morning, all fishing guests ride the mothership from Alphonse to St. François Atoll, about an hour away, where they transfer to 16- to 18-foot skiffs. The standard package includes two anglers per guide and skiff, solo anglers are paired with another angler, and guides rotate through the week. Most of the fishing is done wading, with the skiffs used to move between flats and to fish channels and coral heads. All Blue Safari guides speak English, are STCW-qualified skippers with first aid training, and carry VHF radios on the water. A private skiff can be booked for an additional charge, subject to availability, with a limit of two per week; see Rates & Packages for current pricing. Anglers are also welcome to fish the Alphonse flats unguided on the afternoon they arrive.

Blue Safari recommends two 9-foot 9-weight rods for Bonefish and Permit, one 9-foot 10-weight for Triggerfish and Milkfish, and two 9-foot 12-weight rods for GTs, Bluefin Trevally, and Barracuda, so you have a spare in both key weights. Pair each rod with a large-arbor saltwater reel with a smooth, strong drag, backed with 200 to 300 meters of 50 lb braid on the lighter outfits and 300 meters of 80 lb braid on the 12-weights, and use tropical weight-forward floating lines throughout. Pack fluorocarbon tippet from 15 to 30 lb, plus 100 lb mono and 150 lb shock leader for GTs. Recommended flies include Gotchas, Golden Knights, Pillow Talks, and Fleeing Crabs for Bonefish; Alphlexo Crabs, Fishient Crabs, Merkins, and shrimp patterns for Permit and Triggerfish; Milkydreams for Milkfish; and GT Brush Flies, Flaming Lamborghinis, Bucktail Deceivers, and Barrel Poppers for GTs. Loaner Thomas & Thomas rods with Shilton reels are available if reserved in advance, and flies, lines, and tackle can be purchased or pre-ordered at the lodge's fly shop. Flats wading boots with thick soles and ankle support are essential, as neoprene dive booties do not protect against coral, stonefish, and cone shells.

Guests fly internationally to Mahé and should arrive at least one day before the charter to Alphonse, which typically departs on Saturdays, with additional flights on selected Wednesdays, and takes about an hour. Checked luggage on the charter is strictly limited to 20 kg (44 lbs) per person, plus 5 kg (11 lbs) of carry-on, so soft bags are recommended, and excess luggage can be stored on Mahé. No visa is required for a holiday visit, but every visitor needs an approved Seychelles Travel Authorization, which can be applied for no earlier than 29 days before arrival. A yellow fever certificate is required if you are arriving from an endemic region, and proof of from-scene-of-accident medical evacuation coverage must be provided to Blue Safari before arrival. The Seychelles and Alphonse are malaria-free.

Yes, and Alphonse is the Blue Safari destination best suited to them. Children of all ages are welcome, with a children's program for ages 12 and under, special menus, and child minders available at an additional charge. The island's PADI dive center offers more than 30 dive sites and courses from beginner to Divemaster, and a set number of dives is included with each stay. Other included activities range from manta ray and sailfish snorkeling trips, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding to a St. François nature hike, a Bijoutier Island visit, a flats lunch on a St. François sandbank, yoga, and turtle patrols and giant tortoise feeding with the Island Conservation Society. Spa treatments, surfing, and private charters are available at an extra cost, and some activities run only once a week depending on tides.

The standard fly fishing package gives each angler a private Beach Bungalow, which suits solo anglers and couples. Two anglers who want to share a room, or an angler traveling with a partner who wants more space, can choose one of the five one-bedroom Beach Villas, which add a large lounge and private pool. Families and groups can book one of the two four-bedroom Beach Retreats, each with four en-suite bedrooms, a full kitchen, a private plunge pool, and room for up to eight adults and four children. Villas and Retreats are limited, so it pays to plan well in advance, and we can price any combination of anglers and non-anglers.

Medical emergencies and evacuations can happen in remote destinations, which is why we strongly recommend enrolling with Global Rescue before your trip. Global Rescue provides industry-leading medical and security evacuation services, and they also offer comprehensive travel insurance plans serviced through IMG. This all-in-one solution allows anglers to secure both emergency evacuation coverage and travel insurance through a single provider, helping ensure you’re protected if something unexpected occurs before or during your trip.