Early January on Cosmoledo delivered a dynamic start to the new year, shaped by powerful spring tides, calmer neap phases, shifting weather, and a group of guests eager to embrace everything the atoll had to offer. From walking the surf on draining tides to sight fishing glassy flats, adapting to wind and rain, and balancing fishing with diving, snorkelling, and conservation work, Cosmoledo once again showcased its remarkable versatility.
Giant trevally were the dominant force across both weeks, with dramatic tidal movement creating ideal feeding corridors for these apex predators. As spring tides dried the flats, GTs pushed aggressively into shallow water, offering explosive opportunities on both the surf and inner flats.
Kylie, visiting the Seychelles for the first time and new to saltwater fly fishing, enjoyed a moment she will never forget by landing her first-ever giant trevally on fly, the perfect introduction to Cosmoledo. Ryan capped off the week by landing his own first GT on the final day. The following week delivered a wave of firsts for our anglers, John and Tom both landed their first giant trevally, quickly followed by additional fish as confidence grew. Malcolm soon joined them, landing his own first GT and adding more to his tally as the week progressed. Across both weeks, GTs were taken by guests walking the surf, wading the flats, and fishing from skiffs.
Permit made a rare but spectacular appearance during the second week, delivering one of the standout moments of the January period. After several sightings and cautious follows earlier in the week, Tom Bell’s persistence was rewarded in unforgettable fashion when he landed a massive 75cm permit on a crystal-clear sand flat. The fish, the biggest permit of the season so far, tested skill, patience, and composure, and quickly became one of the defining highlights of the fortnight.
Triggerfish action added variety and technical challenge to the flats fishing. Marcus Jr. opened the account with a moustache triggerfish during the spring tide push, followed by Jack, who also landed a moustache trigger while wading the flats. Bonefish featured steadily throughout both weeks, often appearing during windows when conditions made targeting other species more difficult. Janis landed a solid bonefish, while David Keens enjoyed multiple bonefish sessions, including a standout fish measuring 61cm. Tom and Malcolm Bell also added bonefish to their tallies, rounding out varied days on the flats.
Cosmoledo’s diversity was on full display with Christopher catching a beautiful saddleback grouper, adding an unexpected highlight to a flats session and showcasing the richness of the atoll’s ecosystems.
Beyond the fishing, both weeks offered exceptional eco-tourism experiences. Diving proved outstanding, with Margaret Maitland and David Keens completing a combined total of twenty-one dives. Grey reef sharks, potato grouper, shoals of batfish, and vibrant reef life dominated dives in the lee of the islands. Jennifer Spencer enjoyed a far more settled second week, completing ten dives and capturing remarkable encounters with pelagic fish, reef fish and nudibranchs.
Snorkelling, kayaking, island exploration, and conservation played a major role as well. Guests Venetia Stagg, Jana Busch, Dan Brown and Peter and Katrin Luethi embraced every aspect of island life, participating in extensive beach clean-ups, kayaking in the lagoon, and exploring the atoll by foot and boat, combining learning, adventure, and conservation into a well-rounded Cosmoledo experience.
Across spring tides and neaps, calm days and challenging weather, early January on Cosmoledo delivered exactly what this atoll is known for — diversity, adaptability, and unforgettable moments. From first-ever giant trevally and a season-defining permit to productive flats sessions, world-class diving, and hands-on conservation, guests experienced the full spectrum of what makes Cosmoledo such a special destination.