Uncover The Beauty Of Sainte Anne Marine Park

Sainte Anne Marine National Park sits a few kilometres off the east coast of Mahé, directly across from Victoria and Eden Island, but the water you glide over tells a complicated story. When the park was established in March 1973 — the first marine protected area in the West Indian Ocean — the reefs that earned that protection were dense with living coral. Today, the El Niño weather event of 1998 bleached an estimated 90 percent of the Seychelles’ corals, and recovery has been slow. What remains, however, is worth understanding on its own terms: a network of six islands, a concentrated zone of marine life, and a restoration effort that has seen measurable gains.

The park covers Sainte Anne, Moyenne, Cerf, Round, Long, and Cachet islands. Most visitors experience it on a half-day or full-day boat trip that departs from Victoria Harbour or Eden Island, and the snorkelling, the history of Moyenne Island, and the Creole barbecue lunch tend to dominate the itinerary. This article breaks down what each island offers, how the tours run, and where the restoration work is happening — so you can decide which parts of the park are worth your time.

Sainte Anne Marine Park: orientation and six islands

The park’s geography is straightforward, but each island serves a different purpose for visitors.

Sainte Anne Island is the largest, and it once hosted a luxury resort, though it also served at various times as a whaling station and a leper colony. Most day-trippers do not land here. Moyenne Island, at roughly 9.9 hectares, is the star of the park — a private island turned conservation project. Cerf Island offers small guesthouses and beaches. Round Island is now home to a private resort, and Cachet Island is the smallest and largely uninhabited. Long Island formerly operated as a quarantine station. The boat ride from Mahé to any of these islands takes between 15 and 30 minutes, which makes the park an easy morning or afternoon excursion even if you are based near Victoria or Beau Vallon.

Where to snorkel and what you will see

The best snorkelling in the park is concentrated around two islands, and the marine life you encounter depends heavily on where the boat stops.

Cerf Island: the deeper reef edge

The first snorkelling stop on most tours is a stretch of coral reef on the west side of Cerf Island. The shallow areas are accessible to beginners, but the deeper sections of the reef sit at roughly 10 to 12 metres, which rewards stronger swimmers with larger fish and more intact coral formations. Parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish are common. Occasional sightings of green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles occur here, and small reef sharks pass through without much interest in humans. The limitation: this is the most visited spot in the park, and on peak days you may share the water with several groups. The MCSS Coral Restoration Program has recorded a 10 percent increase in coral cover, fish density, and diversity in this area since the programme began, which suggests that the bleaching damage is not static — recovery is happening, slowly.

Moyenne Island: shallow reefs and giant tortoises

The waters around Moyenne Island are shallower and calmer, making them a better choice for less confident snorkellers. Brain corals and delicate fan corals are visible in patches. The island itself is the main draw for many visitors: Brendon Grimshaw purchased it in the 1960s for £8,000 and single-handedly planted over 16,000 trees here. He also introduced several Aldabra giant tortoises, which now roam the island. A small museum and a so-called “pirate’s grave” sit on the hiking trails. The turtle breeding programme on the island adds another layer — you may see hatchlings in the right season. The drawback: the island’s trails are short, and you can cover them in under an hour, so do not expect a full day of exploration.

Practical planning for the park

Tours vary in quality, duration, and inclusions. Most operators depart from the Marine Charter next to the Seychelles Yacht Club in Victoria or from Eden Island. The table below compares the standard offerings.

Note: Prices are approximate and vary by operator, season, and group size. Confirm inclusions before booking.

Getting there and best time to go

Most boat trips to the park set sail from the Marine Charter in Victoria or Eden Island. If you are staying on Beau Vallon, some operators include hotel transfers. The boat ride itself takes 15 to 30 minutes. For the clearest water and best snorkelling conditions, target the inter-monsoon periods of April to May and October to November. Outside these windows, the southeast trade winds (June–September) churn up sediment and reduce visibility, while the northwest monsoon (December–March) brings rain and stronger currents.

What the tours include and what they skip

The standard full-day tour includes two snorkelling stops, a visit to Moyenne Island, and a traditional Creole BBQ lunch prepared by the boat driver and guide. Lunch typically features grilled fish, rice, and tropical fruit. Some operators offer guided glass-bottom boat rides for non-snorkellers, and a few include a sunset cruise return trip to Mahé. What most tours do not include: time on Sainte Anne Island, Round Island, or Long Island. These islands are either privately managed, restricted, or lack visitor infrastructure. Cachet Island is too small for landing. If you want to stay overnight, the best-rated private island resort in the park is JA Enchanted Island Resort on Round Island, but it comes at a premium.

On the ground: what to know before you go

The park presents a few practical realities that are worth factoring into your expectations.

Packing and reef etiquette

The park has ‘no fishing’ zones, but enforcement is light. Bring reef-safe sunscreen — standard sunscreen damages coral, and the park’s restoration programme depends on limiting additional stress. A rash guard or lightweight wetsuit is useful even in warm water because the sun exposure on the boat is intense. If you plan to film or photograph the reef, a compact action camera with stabilisation is more practical than a phone in a dry bag. The DJI Osmo Action 6 bundle includes multiple mounts and extra batteries, which solves the problem of running out of power mid-tour.

What I would do

If I had one day in the park, I would book a full-day tour that includes Moyenne Island and two snorkel stops, and I would bring my own mask and snorkel — the provided gear on budget boats often leaks or fogs. I would also skip any tour that advertises a glass-bottom boat as a substitute for snorkelling; the water is clear enough that you miss the best part by staying dry.

Customs and local etiquette

The Seychellois are generally relaxed about dress and behaviour, but swimwear is not appropriate in the village areas on Cerf or Moyenne. Cover up with a sarong or shorts when walking on the islands. Tipping is not mandatory, but rounding up the boat fare or leaving 10 percent for good service is appreciated.

Sainte Anne Marine Park: visitor questions

How long does a typical Sainte Anne Marine Park tour last?

Half-day tours run 3 to 4 hours. Full-day tours last 5 to 6 hours and usually include a Creole barbecue lunch and a stop on Moyenne Island.

Can I visit Sainte Anne Marine Park without a tour?

Independent access is difficult because the islands have limited public ferry services. Most visitors book through a licensed operator who handles park entry fees, transport, and landing permissions.

Is the coral in Sainte Anne Marine Park worth seeing after the bleaching?

The coral cover is lower than it was before 1998, but fish density and diversity have improved. The reef is still active — just not as visually dense as Seychelles’ outer atolls like Aldabra.

Are there sharks in Sainte Anne Marine Park?

Small, harmless reef sharks are occasionally spotted. They are not aggressive and typically remain in deeper channels away from snorkellers.

What is the best island to visit in Sainte Anne Marine Park?

Moyenne Island stands out for its Aldabra giant tortoises and the history of Brendon Grimshaw’s reforestation. Cerf Island offers the best snorkelling of the six islands.

Closing thoughts

Sainte Anne Marine Park works best as a compact, accessible introduction to Seychelles’ marine environment — not as a replacement for the outer islands or the dive sites near Praslin and La Digue. The park’s value lies in its proximity to Victoria, the concentration of wildlife on Moyenne, and the measurable impact of the coral restoration programme. For travellers with limited time on Mahé, it is the most efficient way to see reef fish, giant tortoises, and the Creole coastline without an overnight trip. For a broader island-hopping perspective, the Mahé-Praslin-La Digue island-hopping itinerary on this site covers how the park fits into a longer Seychelles trip.

Sources and further reading

Sainte Anne Marine National Park guide. We Seek Travel, accessed 2025.

Sainte Anne Marine National Park: snorkeling and island exploration. Must See Spots, accessed 2025.

Exploring Seychelles St. Anne Marine Park. Inside Seychelles, accessed 2025.