Sky News has been granted rare access to one of the world's most heavily protected coral atolls.

Aldabra, a remote island in the Indian Ocean, is a UNESCO world heritage site and is at the centre of a strict marine protected area.

We will be broadcasting live from the Indian Ocean on 18, 19 and 20 March at 8am on Sky News and Sky Atlantic.

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To be allowed ashore we had to follow tight biosecurity controls, including disinfecting our equipment to avoid contaminating the near-pristine environment.

We were shown around by scientists and conservationists at the research station, which is run by the Seychelles Islands Foundation.


Image: Aldabra in the Indian Ocean is one of the world's most heavily protected coral atolls

Jude Brice, the station manager, took us by boat to the thriving coral reef that rings the island.

He said: "For me it is another world. It is so lively. It's just incredible."

Image: Shark swimming off the coast of Aldabra in the Seychelles

There are huge numbers of fish on the reef, and because there is no commercial fishing they grow to their natural size.

They also appear to have no fear of humans. A batfish the size of a dinner plate came so close it was well within touching distance.

Blacktip reef sharks seem similarly unfazed. A dozen of the sleek, and curious, creatures danced around me as I walked in shin-deep water.

The sheer number of apex predators indicates a healthy reef with plenty of food.

Image: A ray swimming around the corals off the coast of Aldabra

Baited cameras on the seabed have videoed hammerheads, grey reef, lemon and nurse sharks.

Jake Letori, the marine scientist who runs the baited camera research, said the cameras give an insight to natural shark behaviour.

He explained: "You can get 12, 15 or more grey reef sharks circling the canister, taking turns to come down. Some go straight for the bait canister, rip it off, or lift up the rig."

Image: Sharks swimming around a baited camera near Aldabra

The coral in Aldabra has recovered far more quickly than in other Seychelles islands from the 2016 bleaching event when warm water spread across the Indian Ocean.

It's thought the ban on commercial fishing means there's plenty of herbivores to graze on algae that would otherwise smother the reef.

Image: April Burt is a researcher on the island

April Burt, from Queen's College Oxford, is studying the reef. She said strict marine protection can take the pressure off coral.

She said: "Aldabra may act as a nursery, a place where coral will be able to spew out their larvae to repopulate those other areas that are not so lucky to be protected.

"That may ensure the persistence of coral reefs in the future."

:: Sky News will broadcast live from 300m down in the Indian Ocean at 8am on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The series will examine the impact of climate change and plastic pollution. It includes the deepest-ever live news programme from submersibles.

:: Sky's Ocean Rescue campaign encourages people to reduce their single-use plastics. You can find out more about the campaign and how to get involved at www.skyoceanrescue.com.