From Mahé to Moyenne: A Day Trip to Seychelles’ Enchanting Private Island

In 1962, British newspaper editor Brendon Grimshaw paid £8,000 for a 25-acre granite island off the coast of Mahé that had been abandoned for nearly half a century. Over the next five decades, working alongside Seychellois friend René Antoine Lafortune, Grimshaw planted more than 16,000 trees, introduced Aldabra giant tortoises, and built a trail network by hand — transforming a neglected outcrop into a conservation sanctuary that would later be declared a national park.

Today, Moyenne Island sits inside Sainte Anne Marine National Park, roughly four kilometres northeast of Victoria harbour. It’s a day-trip destination that draws visitors not for luxury resorts or postcard beaches, but for something rarer: a conservation story you can walk through. Here’s how to plan your visit from Mahé and what to expect when you step ashore.

The World’s Smallest National Park

How does a neglected outcrop become a national park? In Moyenne’s case, it took one man’s obsession. Brendon Grimshaw, a British newspaper editor, bought the island in 1962 for £8,000 when it was covered in impenetrable scrub with no infrastructure. He worked for decades alongside René Antoine Lafortune, building trails by hand, planting hardwood trees, and introducing Aldabra giant tortoises. In the early 2000s, Grimshaw turned down a $50 million offer from a developer. The Seychelles government later declared Moyenne a national park, and the Moyenne Foundation now manages it as a conservation sanctuary. Grimshaw died in 2012 at 86 and is buried on the island, alongside grave markers that predate his ownership.

The island’s interior trail system — about 1.2 kilometres of paths through dense Seychellois hardwood forest — is the best way to experience his legacy. The canopy was planted tree by tree, species by species, over decades. Today, breadfruit, takamaka, and casuarina shade the route, and tortoises move through the undergrowth with calm indifference.

Boat from Mahé: Logistics and Reality

The crossing from Victoria to Moyenne takes about 20 minutes by motorised boat, but the experience depends heavily on which tour you book and when you go. Most operators run Sainte Anne Marine Park excursions from the Victoria waterfront area near the Inter-Island Ferry terminal. Departures are typically between 09:00 and 09:30. Mason’s Travel is one of the longer-established operators, and Creole Travel Services offers a well-known “Starfish” catamaran tour that combines Moyenne with snorkeling stops and a Creole lunch.

Book at least 48 to 72 hours in advance during July, August, and the Christmas period. Operators cap group sizes, and better-run excursions with smaller boats and longer island dwell times fill first. The difference between a 12-person boat with 2.5 hours on Moyenne and a 30-person catamaran with 90 minutes is substantial — confirm the dwell time before you book.

As the comparison table above shows, options range from budget guided tours to all-inclusive catamaran cruises. If you book a standard packaged excursion, the park entry fee for Sainte Anne Marine National Park is a separate charge — confirm whether the operator includes it in the quoted price or adds it at the dock.

Walk the Interior Trail Before You Touch the Water

Do the interior trail first — before the heat builds and before other groups arrive. The full loop takes 60 to 90 minutes at a pace that allows genuine engagement. The path winds through mature hardwood forest where tortoises are most consistently found; I’ve never visited without seeing at least six to eight tortoises on this stretch. The surface is uneven in places, with exposed granite roots and loose gravel on descent sections — closed shoes or sturdy sandals are genuinely necessary.

Key sights along the way include historic grave markers, Grimshaw’s own grave, and a viewpoint with a “big drop” over the coast. The trail loops back to the beach area, so you’re not retracing steps. After the walk, the western beach is reasonable for swimming and snorkeling, but the reef fringing the island has suffered from bleaching. Coral coverage is patchy, and visibility on days with swell or boat traffic often drops below 8 metres. Bring your own mask and snorkel if possible — rental equipment from operators varies in quality.

If your operator gives you 2.5 hours on Moyenne (the minimum adequate), allocate roughly 75 minutes to the trail, 45 minutes to swimming or snorkeling, and 30 minutes to lunch near the beach. If they only give 90 minutes, you’ll have to choose — and the trail should win.

Over 100 Giant Tortoises Call This Place Home

You won’t have to search for the Aldabra giant tortoises — they use the same trails you do. The population has grown steadily under the Foundation’s management, and some individuals are well over a century old. The largest tortoises tend to shelter in denser vegetation during midday heat, which is why morning visits give you more active animals in more open positions.

Beyond tortoises, the island supports Seychelles sunbirds, Madagascar fodies, and Seychelles blue pigeons, plus fruit bats and various skink species. Birdlife is present but not exceptional by Seychelles standards — Cousin Island, with its managed seabird colony, is categorically superior for serious birdwatching. Moyenne’s appeal is the setting itself: tortoises moving through planted forest that didn’t exist fifty years ago.

Lunch on the Island: Creole Flavours and a Beach Dog

The island’s only restaurant is the Jolly Rodger, an outdoor spot with a tiki bar and seating under the trees. Lunch is a buffet of local Seychellois fare — grilled fish, octopus curry, coconut rice, and grilled meats. Vegetarian options are usually available. The food is quite good, and there’s plenty of it. A small fruit-based dessert rounds out the meal.

One unexpected highlight is the resident beach dog, who belongs to the restaurant owner. It runs in the water, rolls in the sand, and generally adds to the relaxed atmosphere. After lunch, you have time for one last swim before the tender boat returns you to the catamaran.

What to Pack and When to Go

Moyenne isn’t a resort island — there are no shops, no sun loungers, and no bar. Come prepared. Essentials include sunscreen with high SPF, a hat and sunglasses, sturdy shoes or reef shoes for the trail and snorkeling, a reusable water bottle (fresh water on the island is limited), insect repellent, and your own snorkel mask if you have one. The boat will have basic restrooms, but there’s no place to change, so wear your swimsuit under a cover-up.

The best time for a calm crossing and pleasant weather is during the transition months of late April and October, when seas are calmest, crowds are thinner, and tortoises are more active in the cooler morning temperatures. The dry season from May to September offers more sun but can bring rough seas, especially in June through August. July and August are the busiest months, driven by European school holidays, and the island handles volume poorly — 25 acres with 30 people feels very different from the same island with 12. If you visit during June–August, check the sea state forecast the evening before and be prepared to reschedule; most operators are flexible when conditions turn.

For a hassle-free booking, consider a Seychelles day cruise on Viator that includes Moyenne Island. These tours bundle transport, park fees, and lunch into one price.

Heads up: some links here are affiliate links — costs you nothing extra. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Note: Prices and hours are based on the research available and may change. Confirm current details with your tour operator before booking.

Before You Visit Moyenne Island

How much time do I need on the island?

Minimum 2 hours. If your tour gives only 90 minutes, that’s the floor — you’ll have to choose between the trail and the beach. Allocate 75 minutes for the interior walk, 45 for swimming or snorkeling, and 30 for lunch.

Is the snorkeling any good?

It’s frequently oversold by operators. Coral coverage near Moyenne has suffered from bleaching, and visibility often drops below 8 metres on days with swell or boat traffic. Go for the land experience, not the water. If world-class snorkeling is your priority, a day trip to the outer islands will deliver a categorically better experience.

Can I visit without a tour?

Independent access via private boat charter is possible but costs significantly more and requires advance arrangement. Park entry fees apply on top of the boat transfer. For most visitors, a packaged excursion is the most practical and cost-effective option.

What’s the best month to visit?

Late April and October offer the best combination of calm seas, manageable temperatures, and reasonable marine visibility. July and August are the busiest and roughest months. If you visit during June–August, check the sea state forecast the evening before and be prepared to reschedule.

Is it suitable for young children?

Curieuse Island offers a more structured tortoise encounter with a ranger-station feeding area that’s better for younger kids. Moyenne is fine for older children who can handle uneven trails and are happy to see tortoises roaming freely. Children under 2 are not allowed on sea excursions per standard tour policies.

More Than a Day Trip

Moyenne Island is a 25-acre reminder that travel doesn’t have to be about luxury to be memorable. Grimshaw’s fifty-year project — the trees, the tortoises, the trails — turned a forgotten rock into a sanctuary that asks you to slow down and pay attention. If you’re on Mahé for more than a few days, make the crossing. For more of Seychelles’ unique conservation stories, read our guide to sustainable Seychelles.

References

Koek. “Moyenne Island Excursion.” Koek Seychelles, 2024. ↗

For another side of Seychelles, explore the biodiversity of Morne Seychellois National Park or catch a sunset from one of the island’s best viewing points.