Parc National Marin de Sainte Anne · 세이셸 마헤 (빅토리아 앞바다)
Location
Overview
Just a 10-minute boat ride from Victoria harbour, this six-island reserve is Seychelles' first marine national park and the Indian Ocean's first protected area (established 1973). Its shallow, sheltered lagoons (1-6m) hold coral gardens and vast seagrass meadows that draw 150+ species of reef fish — parrotfish, butterflyfish, triggerfish, damselfish — alongside green and hawksbill turtles, making it a beginner-friendly snorkelling icon with visibility typically 8-20m and up to 30m on calm days. From April to December plankton blooms pull in manta and eagle rays, and as of 2026 it remains the flagship destination for glass-bottom-boat and half-day snorkel tours out of Mahé.
The richest zone is the Sainte Anne Channel between Sainte Anne and Moyenne islands, home to 150+ marine species over vivid coral
Green and hawksbill turtles grazing the extensive seagrass meadows are a realistic sighting, not a rarity
Manta rays, spotted eagle rays and bluespotted ribbontail rays arrive with the plankton from April to December
Shallow, protected 1-6m lagoon ideal for families and first-timers; glass-bottom boats let non-swimmers see the reef
The only marked snorkel trail in Seychelles (Cerf Island) and half-day tours just 10 minutes from Victoria
Good to know
SafetyModerate currents can occur even when the sea looks calm, and this is a busy channel with tour boats, glass-bottom boats and mooring lines. Never snorkel alone, carry a float or buoy, stay near your boat or the beach, and keep watch for boat traffic.
SafetyWatch for sea urchins, fire coral and stinging creatures — wear a rashguard and touch or stand on nothing. Long spells in the water can chill you, and a fogging mask can trigger panic in beginners, so pace yourself and don't push it.
SeasonThe best conditions fall in the inter-monsoon transitions (April-May and October-November), when seas are calmest and visibility reaches 20-30m. The May-September southeast trade winds and December-March northwest monsoon can bring chop and cloudier water.
SeasonManta rays visit from April to December when plankton peaks, and sightings of turtles or mantas are a natural occurrence that can never be guaranteed.
RulesThis is a protected marine national park: non-residents over 12 pay a Rs200 conservation fee (confirm current fee and the 9am-5pm hours locally). Don't collect shells or coral or feed fish, use reef-safe sunscreen, and respect the hawksbill nesting closures on some beaches.
MannersKeep your distance from turtles and manta rays — never touch, chase or block their path — and never stand on or kick the coral.
CautionBook with a properly licensed operator and, before boarding, confirm the price, whether the park fee is included, and what the trip covers (number of snorkel stops, meals). Avoid informal touts on the beach.
Practical info
Reach the park on a half- or full-day boat tour from Victoria on Mahé (about a 10-minute crossing, roughly US$50pp and often including a glass-bottom boat), or enter straight off the beach if you stay at an in-park resort such as Cerf Island Resort or Club Med. April-May and October-November are calmest, mantas run April-December, and you should confirm current prices, hours, licensing and whether the park conservation fee is included when you book.
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