The island of Assumption lies 1,140km south west of Mahé, some 40km west southwest of Aldabra, and is nearly 7km long and 2.5km wide. There is little activity on the island although an airstrip was built in 1990 with aircraft from Mahé serving the island on a charter basis, chiefly for scientists visiting neighbouring Aldabra. Assumption is a nesting site for turtles and its surrounding waters, accessible mainly by chartered yacht, are excellent for diving.