Victoria: St. Anne Marine Park and Cerf Island with Lunch

Highlights

• Explore the remarkable coral garden in St Anne Marine National Park, home to hundreds of coral varieties and diverse marine life.
• Discover the underwater world from a glass bottom boat, viewing colorful reefs and fish species without getting wet.
• Snorkel in crystal clear waters at multiple stops within the marine park, observing fish in their natural habitats and feeding them by hand.
• Visit Cerf Island, a flora and fauna reserve home to giant land tortoises, and enjoy a delicious Creole barbecue lunch on the beach.
• Explore sand banks during low tide at Long Island and Round Island, perfect for swimming and observing ray fish.
• Optional visit to Moyenne Island to see thousands of tortoises and explore walking trails for an additional fee.

Tour Overview

This full day marine park excursion combines underwater viewing, snorkeling, island visits and beach time, making it ideal if you want to experience the protected waters of St Anne Marine National Park and enjoy a relaxed day on Cerf Island. You will be picked up from your hotel or accommodation in Victoria or nearby areas, then travel by van for about 45 minutes to Eden Island Marina, where the tour begins.

From the marina, you board a glass bottom boat and set out into St Anne Marine National Park, one of Seychelles' oldest marine protected areas. The boat allows you to view the coral reefs and marine life through viewing windows below deck, and you will make several stops for snorkeling where you can observe hundreds of fish species, colorful corals, and even feed fish by hand. The tour includes stops at sand banks during low tide at Long Island and Round Island, where you can swim in shallow clear waters and spot ray fish.

After snorkeling and swimming activities, you disembark on Cerf Island, a small island reserve known for its giant land tortoises and beautiful beaches. Here you enjoy a traditional Creole barbecue lunch served on the beach, with time to relax, explore the island trails, and observe the tortoises. The tour concludes with a return boat journey back to Eden Island Marina, followed by van transfer back to your pickup point.

Typical Itinerary

1. Hotel pickup - Meet your guide at your hotel or accommodation in Victoria or nearby areas. Pickup times are between 9:30 and 10:00 AM, and communication is done via WhatsApp the day before the excursion.
2. Van transfer to Eden Island Marina - Travel by van for about 45 minutes to Eden Island Marina, where the glass bottom boat departs. Guests staying in the South, West or East areas may pay an additional fee for extended transfers.
3. Glass bottom boat departure - Board the glass bottom boat and set out into St Anne Marine National Park, enjoying views of the protected waters and surrounding islands.
4. Marine life viewing - Spend about 30 minutes viewing the underwater world through the glass bottom boat, observing coral reefs and fish species without getting wet.
5. First snorkeling stop - Disembark for about 30 minutes of snorkeling in the marine park, observing fish in their natural habitats and feeding them by hand.
6. Sand bank exploration - Visit sand banks during low tide at Long Island and Round Island, spending about 1.5 hours swimming in clear shallow waters and observing ray fish.
7. Optional Moyenne Island visit - If selected, visit Moyenne Island for about 30 minutes to explore walking trails and see thousands of tortoises. This requires an additional fee paid on site.
8. Arrival at Cerf Island - Disembark on Cerf Island, a flora and fauna reserve home to giant land tortoises, and prepare for lunch.
9. Creole barbecue lunch - Enjoy a delicious traditional Creole barbecue lunch served on the beach, with two bottles of water included. Additional drinks and beers are available for purchase.
10. Free time on Cerf Island - Spend about two hours exploring the island trails, observing tortoises, relaxing on the beach, or swimming in the clear waters.
11. Final snorkeling stop - Return to the boat for one more snorkeling session lasting about 45 minutes before heading back to the marina.
12. Return to Eden Island Marina - Cruise back to Eden Island Marina by boat, then board the van for transfer back to your original pickup point.

The exact timing at each stop, snorkeling locations, and optional activities can vary based on weather conditions, tide times, and group preferences. The tour operates even in light rain, and the guide will adjust the schedule as needed to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Optional activities like kayaking, Moyenne Island visit, and private lunch tables can be booked in advance for an additional fee.

What's Included

• Full day tour from Victoria to St Anne Marine National Park and Cerf Island, returning to your pickup point.
• Glass bottom boat cruise through St Anne Marine National Park with underwater viewing opportunities.
• Multiple snorkeling stops at different locations within the marine park with time to observe marine life.
• Snorkeling gear including masks, snorkels and fins provided for use during the tour.
• Traditional Creole barbecue lunch served on Cerf Island beach, including two bottles of water per person.
• Free hotel pickup and drop off for guests staying in the Northern areas of Mahé.
• English and French speaking tour guide who provides information and assistance throughout the day.
• Access to Cerf Island trails and wildlife viewing areas.
• Government taxes included in the tour price.

Not Included

• Extended transfer fees for guests staying in the South, West or East areas of Mahé, which cost an additional fee payable on site.
• Optional Moyenne Island visit, which requires an additional entry fee paid on site if you want to explore the trails and see tortoises.
• Additional drinks and beers beyond the two included water bottles, which are available for purchase on Cerf Island.
• Optional kayaking activity, which can be booked in advance for an additional fee.
• Private lunch table without queuing, which can be reserved in advance for an additional fee.
• Personal items such as towels, swimwear, sunscreen, water shoes, hats, and any additional snacks.
• Tips for the guide, which are optional and can be paid by credit card if cash is not available.
• Any additional activities, shopping, or optional experiences not mentioned in the included items.

Accessibility & Practical Info

• This tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments due to getting on and off boats, walking on beaches and island trails, and snorkeling activities.
• You should be comfortable swimming, using snorkeling equipment, and walking on sandy beaches and uneven terrain.
• Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, water shoes, and your own snorkeling gear if you prefer, though equipment is provided.
• The tour operates even in light rain, and departures proceed unless weather conditions are unsafe. The guide will communicate any changes via WhatsApp.
• Optional activities like Moyenne Island visit, kayaking, and private lunch tables require additional fees paid on site. Cash is preferred, but credit cards are also accepted.
• Pickup times are between 9:30 and 10:00 AM, and you will receive WhatsApp communication the day before the excursion with exact pickup times and meeting points.
• Guests staying in the South, West or East areas of Mahé will pay an additional transfer fee on site for extended pickup distances.
• Luggage or large bags are not allowed on the tour, so bring only essential items in a small bag.
• Tips for guides can be paid by credit card if you prefer not to carry cash, and are based on your satisfaction with the tour.