Aldabra Atoll, the world's largest raised atoll, is 680 mi/1,100 km southwest of Mahe and is often called a "living natural-history museum."
A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is one of only two places in the world where giant tortoises are found naturally (the other is the Galapagos Islands) and is home to the rare white-throated rail.
There are no tourist facilities on the island, and the only inhabitants are the small group of people maintaining a scientific research station there. Some small cruise ships, yachts and live-on dive boats visit, but any shore landings have to be accompanied by an expedition leader in association with the island's warden.
Aldabra is managed by the Seychelles Island Foundation (http://www.sif.sc), which is developing the atoll into an ecotourism attraction with strictly-regulated policies. http://www.aldabra.org.
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