Glassbottom boat & Crystalkayak SteAnneMarinePark Snorkeling

The best part of this Ste Anne Marine Park day is its variety. You get two snorkeling stops, a fish-feeding session, a sandbank visit, a short glass-bottom boat ride, lunch on Cerf Island, and time with giant tortoises. It packs several classic Seychelles moments into one outing without leaving you to arrange separate boat trips.

I like the chance to see the park both above and below the water, and I like that the day includes a proper Creole barbecue rather than only a packet lunch. The crew can make the difference too. Captains Collin and Yohan have been singled out for clear explanations and warm service. The main drawback is that the schedule can slip in bad weather, and one departure was delayed by about an hour.

Key points to know before booking

• Two snorkeling stops: You swim at different reef sites, with equipment supplied and time set aside for fish, coral, and possible turtle sightings.
• A short glass-bottom boat segment: The main transfer boat may not have a glass floor. A separate glass-bottom boat ride of about 30 minutes can take place at the park.
• Sandbank and crystal kayak: The sandbank between Round Island and Long Island is a scenic pause for photos, swimming, and a crystal kayak ride when conditions allow.
• Creole barbecue on Cerf Island: Lunch includes a Creole mix barbecue buffet with water and juice, served on the island.
• Giant tortoises: You visit the tortoises inland on Cerf Island, with the option to feed them.
• Extra costs and weather limits: The marine park fee is €15, Moyenne Island entry costs extra, and landing on Moyenne depends on the sea and weather.

A full day on the water from Eden Island

This is a long, active outing, not a quick boat excursion. You meet at the Eden Island marine jetty at 9:45 a.m., with departure planned for 10 a.m. The return to the same marina is scheduled for about 4 p.m.

The boat ride into Ste Anne Marine Park takes roughly 20 minutes. That short crossing matters because you reach the island group quickly, leaving most of the day for swimming and island stops rather than sitting in transit.

Pickup is included if you are staying in the north of Mahé. If you are staying in the south, you need to arrange your own way to Eden Island. The company uses a bus or car with its driver identifying the passenger, so have your booking details ready and confirm the meeting point before the morning of the tour.

The group is described as private, but one boat outing carried nine people. That gives you a useful picture of the likely feel: personal enough for crew interaction, but not a solitary charter. If a quiet, small-boat day matters to you, ask SEY AMA for the expected group size when booking.

The glass-bottom boat is not always the main boat

The name of this experience can create a slightly misleading expectation. The transfer boat is a modern motorboat, but it may not have a glass floor. Instead, a separate glass-bottom boat can be used for around 30 minutes at the marine park.

That arrangement has a practical advantage. A fast open boat gets you to the islands more quickly and can make the ride more comfortable than spending the entire day on a slow glass-bottom craft. The glass-bottom portion then gives you a focused look at the water without taking over the schedule.

Use the glass-bottom ride as an introduction to the park, not as the main wildlife activity. The best underwater viewing comes during the snorkeling sessions, when you are in the water at reef sites rather than looking down through a panel.

The crew may explain the coral and sea life during the boat viewing. Guides speak English and French. Names associated with the outing include Collin and Yohan, who have been praised for clear explanations and lively hosting. As with any sea-life trip, the quality of the viewing depends on water clarity, sunlight, and the animals choosing to appear.

Fish feeding comes first

The first activity in the park is fish feeding, combined with time for photographs. This is an easy way to get oriented to the marine setting before your first swim.

You should understand what fish feeding can and cannot offer. It brings fish close to the boat and gives you a reliable photo opportunity, but it is less natural than watching animals find food on their own. The snorkeling afterward is the stronger part for seeing how the reef functions.

Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and avoid focusing only on pictures. The crew’s explanations and the changing water below the boat are part of the point of this first stop. If you prefer wildlife encounters with minimal interference, treat the feeding as a brief activity and save your attention for the reef.

First snorkeling: the main water experience

After the fish-feeding stop, you put on the supplied snorkeling equipment and enter the water at one of the park’s reef sites. The exact location can change with sea conditions, which is useful in a marine park where water quality and safety matter more than following a rigid route.

The snorkeling is the strongest reason to choose this trip. The marine life may include fish in many sizes and colors, coral, sea turtles, and, on a fortunate day, even a small shark. No responsible operator can promise those sightings. The guides explain that they cannot control where wildlife goes, and that is the right expectation to bring.

You should be comfortable getting in and out of a boat and swimming in open seawater. The trip is not suitable for people with serious motion sickness, respiratory problems, epilepsy, vertigo, or mobility limitations. Snorkeling equipment is included, but the packing list also recommends bringing your own gear if you prefer a familiar mask or snorkel.

The first session is a good time to judge the conditions. If the current, swell, or visibility feels difficult, tell the crew early. This is a full-day outing, and pacing yourself will make the second snorkeling stop more enjoyable.

The sandbank between Round Island and Long Island

The boat then heads to the sandbank between Round Island and Long Island. This is the day’s natural pause, with time to look around, take pictures, swim, and relax on the exposed sand when conditions permit.

Sandbanks are shaped by tides and weather, so the exact appearance and amount of dry sand can change. Do not expect a permanent beach with facilities. Bring sun protection, water, and a towel, and follow the crew’s instructions about where to stand and swim.

The crystal kayak is available on request. This is a nice extra for anyone who wants a different view of the shallow water. A clear kayak lets you look down as you paddle, although its value depends on calm conditions and water clarity. You may prefer it as a short scenic activity rather than a long paddle.

The sandbank stop also gives the day some breathing room. After the boat ride and first swim, you can slow down before lunch. That relaxed rhythm is one of the better features of the schedule.

Creole barbecue lunch on Cerf Island

Lunch takes place on Cerf Island and includes a Creole mix barbecue buffet, water, and juice. The meal is served in a beach setting with shade, according to the available details. That combination is more useful than it may sound: you get a proper break, local-style food, and a chance to dry off before the afternoon activities.

Tell the company about any special diet before the tour. Do not wait until lunch, since the meal is prepared in advance and the operator needs notice.

Bring snacks if you tend to eat often or if you are traveling with children. The packing guidance also lists food, drinks, and cash. Even with lunch included, extra water and a small snack can make a full day in the sun easier.

The barbecue is not a fine-dining event, and it is not meant to be. Think of it as a practical island meal that fits the setting. You are eating near the sea, with a warm Creole flavor profile and enough time to rest. That is a good match for a boat day.

Meeting the giant tortoises on Cerf

After lunch, you visit the giant tortoises in the interior part of Cerf Island. This changes the pace again, moving you from the sea to a land-based animal encounter.

You may be allowed to feed the tortoises. Follow the guide’s instructions closely, especially about food and how to approach the animals. Giant tortoises are calm, but their size and strength deserve respect. Do not assume that a slow animal wants to be touched.

This is one of the most memorable parts for people who want more than snorkeling. It also helps balance the day for anyone in your group who is less confident in the water. The visit is not a substitute for a wildlife reserve tour, but it gives you time with a distinctive Seychelles species in a setting connected to the island.

If you are expecting Moyenne Island specifically, read the booking details carefully. The itinerary includes Cerf Island for lunch and tortoises, while Moyenne Island disembarkation is weather-dependent and its entry ticket costs extra. That distinction can affect your expectations and your final budget.

The final snorkeling stop

The second and last snorkeling session comes after the tortoise visit. It is a smart position in the day because you have already had lunch and a land break before returning to the water.

The crew may choose another site based on sea conditions. A second location gives you a chance to see different coral and fish, rather than repeating the same view. It also gives you a second opportunity for sea turtles or other wildlife, though sightings remain uncertain.

Do not treat the final swim as an afterthought. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, save some energy for it. Wear a swimsuit under your clothes, keep your towel and change of clothes accessible, and use sun protection between stops. By late afternoon, wind and salt can make a dry layer very welcome.

The boat then returns to Eden Island marina, with the tour due to finish around 4 p.m. Delays are possible. One outing began about an hour late because of a poor welcome and communication at the jetty, so confirm the meeting arrangements and leave some flexibility after the scheduled return.

What the $92 price really covers

At $92 per person, the price is fair if you want a full package rather than a single snorkeling trip. You receive boat transfers, snorkeling equipment, fish feeding, the sandbank visit, a crystal kayak option, lunch, and the Cerf Island tortoise visit.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for transport, food, and multiple boat excursions. Two snorkeling stops alone give the day more substance than a short reef trip. The island hopping also means you are paying for a sequence of settings, not only time in the water.

The advertised price does not include the €15 marine park fee. Moyenne Island entry is also extra. These costs are important because they can change the final amount, particularly if you are booking for a family or group.

Pickup is included only for people staying in the north of Mahé. If you are staying south, add transport to Eden Island when comparing prices with other tours. The reserve-now, pay-later option and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance are useful safeguards, but weather can still force a reschedule.

Weather, sea conditions, and what to pack

This is a tropical sea outing, so weather is not a minor detail. Rough conditions may change the route, delay departure, or prevent disembarkation on Moyenne Island. The company can reschedule if the weather is not suitable.

Pack for sun, spray, swimming, and a few hours on land:

• Swimsuit and beachwear
• Towel and a full change of clothes
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Camera in a waterproof case
• Insect repellent
• Cash
• Water and snacks
• Snorkeling gear if you prefer your own

The instructions list both a hat and sun hat, which is simply a reminder to take serious sun protection. Avoid large bags and oversize luggage. Pets are not allowed except assistance dogs, and the outing does not accept weapons, sharp objects, fireworks, explosives, alcohol, drugs, or open flames.

The boat portion may feel uncomfortable if you suffer from motion sickness. Bring only medication that is suitable for you and already familiar, since the operator does not promise calm seas.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this trip if you want a broad introduction to the marine park and prefer a planned day with several stops. It suits active couples, families with older children, and small groups who want snorkeling plus island scenery and animals.

It is also a good fit if you want guides on hand. English and French are available, and the crew provides explanations during the marine activities. Clear briefings matter when you are moving between boats, sand, reef, and island paths.

I would think twice if you want a slow, quiet beach day or a dedicated glass-bottom boat trip. The glass-bottom portion may be short, and the day involves several transitions. It is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with electric wheelchairs or mobility scooters, or people with major respiratory, seizure, vertigo, or motion-sickness concerns.

The private-group label should also be clarified before payment if privacy is important. A boat carrying nine people can still feel friendly and manageable, but it is not the same as having a boat for just two or four people.

Should you book the Ste Anne Marine Park day?

Book it if you want variety and you are happy to accept the normal uncertainty of a sea-based wildlife outing. The two snorkeling stops, tortoises, Creole barbecue, sandbank, and short glass-bottom ride give you a full picture of the islands in one day.

Before paying, confirm three things: the final group size, whether the glass-bottom boat is operating that day, and whether Moyenne Island entry is part of your plan. Also budget for the €15 marine park fee and possible Moyenne admission.

I would not choose it for the glass-bottom boat alone. I would choose it for the complete mix of reef time, island hopping, lunch, and tortoises. If the weather cooperates and the morning pickup runs on time, this is a well-filled day with strong value at $92.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at the Eden Island marine jetty. Boarding is scheduled for 9:45 a.m., with departure planned for 10 a.m.

What time does the tour finish?

The boat is scheduled to return to Eden Island marina at about 4 p.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for people staying in the north of Mahé. Pickup from the south of the island is not included.

Is the marine park entrance fee included?

No. The €15 Ste Anne Marine Park fee is an additional government tax.

Is Moyenne Island entry included?

No. The entry ticket to Moyenne Island costs extra. Landing there also depends on the weather.

How many times do I snorkel?

There are two snorkeling sessions. The first takes place after the fish-feeding activity, and the second is the final main activity before returning to Eden Island.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, though you may bring your own gear if you prefer.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a Creole mix barbecue buffet on Cerf Island, accompanied by water and juice.

Can I feed the giant tortoises?

The itinerary includes visiting and feeding the giant tortoises on Cerf Island. Follow the crew’s instructions during the visit.

What languages do the guides speak?

The tour is offered in English and French.

Can the tour be cancelled for bad weather?

Yes. The trip depends on tropical weather and may be rescheduled if conditions are not suitable. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.