Mahé: Saint-Anne Marine Park and Moyenne Island Cruise

Highlights

• Take a tour to see the free roaming giant land tortoises on Moyenne Island, observing these gentle creatures in their natural habitat.
• Swim in an area that is teeming with marine life due to conservation efforts, exploring the diverse underwater ecosystem of St Anne Marine Park.
• Snap pictures of remote beaches to share with your friends and family, capturing the pristine beauty of the protected islands.
• Discover the history of the St Anne Marine Park Islands, learning about the French settlers and Seychellois ancestors who once called these islands home.
• Enjoy a flavorful Creole lunch featuring local cuisine and fresh ingredients, savoring authentic Seychelles flavors.
• Cruise along the picturesque islands of the marine park on a catamaran, enjoying stunning views of the protected waters and surrounding landscapes.

Tour Overview

This full day cruise combines marine exploration, cultural heritage, wildlife viewing, and relaxation, making it ideal if you want to experience the protected waters of St Anne Marine Park and visit the charming Moyenne Island in one comprehensive trip. Once home to French settlers, these islands are now a cherished relic of Seychelles, offering a perfect blend of history, marine exploration, and relaxation.

You will be picked up from specific pickup points on Mahé and transferred to the departure point, where you board a catamaran for your cruise through St Anne Marine Park. Your journey begins with a scenic route cruising along the picturesque islands of the marine park, enjoying stunning views of the protected waters. The tour includes snorkeling stops at coral reefs, where you can dive into crystal clear waters and explore the diverse underwater marine life. Conservation efforts have preserved many unique species native to Seychelles, making these waters particularly rich in marine biodiversity.

After snorkeling and swimming activities, you visit Moyenne Island, where you take a brief guided tour and encounter free roaming giant land tortoises. You have leisure time to relax on the small beach and soak in the serene environment before enjoying a flavorful Creole lunch, savoring local cuisine and fresh ingredients. The tour concludes with a leisurely and scenic return journey back to Mahé via catamaran, capping off a perfect day of exploration and relaxation in the protected marine park.

Typical Itinerary

1. Hotel pickup on Mahé - Meet your driver at specific pickup points on Mahé for transfer to the catamaran departure location.
2. Arrival at departure point - Arrive at the marina or departure point and meet your crew and guide, who will provide an introduction to the day's activities.
3. Catamaran departure - Board the catamaran and begin your cruise through St Anne Marine Park, setting out into the protected waters.
4. Scenic cruise through marine park - Cruise along the picturesque islands of the marine park, enjoying stunning views of the protected waters and surrounding landscapes.
5. First snorkeling stop - Stop at a coral reef for your first snorkeling session, diving into crystal clear waters to explore diverse underwater marine life.
6. Marine life exploration - Observe unique species native to Seychelles that have been preserved through conservation efforts, including colorful fish, corals, and other marine creatures.
7. Additional snorkeling stops - Continue cruising and stop occasionally at other coral reefs for more opportunities to snorkel and swim in the protected waters.
8. Cultural heritage information - Learn about the history and cultural significance of the St Anne Marine Park Islands, discovering treasures left behind by French settlers and Seychellois ancestors.
9. Arrival at Moyenne Island - Arrive at Moyenne Island and prepare to disembark for your guided tour and wildlife viewing.
10. Guided tour of Moyenne Island - Take a brief guided tour of Moyenne Island, learning about the island's history, ecosystem, and conservation efforts.
11. Giant tortoise encounter - Encounter free roaming giant land tortoises on Moyenne Island, observing these gentle creatures in their natural habitat and taking photos.
12. Leisure time on beach - Relax on the small beach of Moyenne Island, soaking in the serene environment and enjoying the pristine surroundings.
13. Creole lunch - Enjoy a flavorful Creole lunch featuring local cuisine and fresh ingredients, savoring authentic Seychelles flavors. Note that lunch arrangements are subject to change and may take place on Moyenne Island.
14. Free time for exploration - Spend additional time exploring Moyenne Island, taking photos of remote beaches, or simply relaxing before departure.
15. Return cruise to Mahé - Board the catamaran and begin your leisurely and scenic return journey back to Mahé, enjoying final views of the marine park.
16. Arrival at Mahé - Arrive back at the departure point and disembark from the catamaran, completing your marine park cruise.
17. Hotel drop off - Transfer back to your original pickup point on Mahé, arriving with unforgettable memories of your island adventure.

The exact timing at each stop, snorkeling locations, and lunch arrangements can vary based on weather conditions, sea conditions, and group preferences. Lunch arrangements are subject to change and may take place on Moyenne Island. The guide will adjust the schedule as needed to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, and snorkeling conditions may vary depending on tide and weather.

What's Included

• Full day cruise from Mahé to St Anne Marine Park and Moyenne Island, returning to Mahé.
• Roundtrip transportation from specific pickup points on Mahé, with hotel pickup and drop off included.
• Catamaran cruise through St Anne Marine Park, cruising along the picturesque islands and enjoying stunning views.
• Multiple snorkeling stops at coral reefs within the marine park, with opportunities to explore diverse underwater marine life.
• Guided tour of Moyenne Island, learning about the island's history, ecosystem, and conservation efforts.
• Visit to see free roaming giant land tortoises on Moyenne Island, observing these gentle creatures in their natural habitat.
• Flavorful Creole lunch featuring local cuisine and fresh ingredients, savoring authentic Seychelles flavors.
• Landing fees on Moyenne Island and St Anne Marine Park, which are included in the tour price.
• English and French speaking tour guide who provides information about cultural heritage, marine life, and island history throughout the day.
• Leisure time on Moyenne Island's small beach, allowing you to relax and soak in the serene environment.

Not Included

• Alcoholic drinks, which are available to purchase on board the catamaran if desired.
• Snorkeling gear, which you should bring with you, though some equipment may be available for rent at an additional cost.
• Personal expenses such as additional drinks, snacks, souvenirs, or shopping during the tour.
• Tips for the guide and crew, which are optional and based on your satisfaction with the tour.
• Personal items such as towels, swimwear, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, sun hats, sunscreen, waterproof cameras, comfortable clothes, beachwear, insect repellent, breathable clothing, and cash.
• Any additional activities, optional experiences, or equipment rentals not mentioned in the included items.

Accessibility & Practical Info

• This tour is not suitable for children under 2 years, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or people prone to seasickness due to boat travel, snorkeling activities, and island exploration.
• You should be comfortable swimming, using snorkeling equipment, getting on and off boats, and walking on beaches and island trails.
• Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a waterproof camera, comfortable clothes, beachwear, insect repellent, breathable clothing, cash, and your own snorkeling gear if you prefer.
• Please ensure that the names provided match the names on your passport, as this information may be required for entry to the marine park and Moyenne Island.
• Children under 2 years are not allowed on these sea excursions for safety reasons, so please make alternative arrangements if traveling with very young children.
• Lunch arrangements are subject to change and may take place on Moyenne Island, so be prepared for flexibility in the schedule.
• Snorkeling conditions may vary depending on tide and weather, and the crew will adjust locations as needed to ensure safe and enjoyable snorkeling experiences.
• Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase on board the catamaran, so bring cash if you wish to purchase beverages during the cruise.
• The tour includes landing fees on both Moyenne Island and St Anne Marine Park, so no additional fees are required on site.
• Roundtrip transportation is included from specific pickup points on Mahé, and you will be informed of your exact pickup location and time when booking.