Glassbottom boat & Crystalkayak SteAnneMarinePark Snorkeling

The best part of this full-day marine park trip is the variety. You are not stuck doing one long snorkel session. The day moves from fish feeding and reef watching to a sandbank, crystal kayaking, a Creole barbecue, giant tortoises, and a second snorkel stop.

I especially like the two separate snorkeling sessions, since the water and sea life can look different from one site to the next. I also like the relaxed island-hopping pace, with time to sit on the sand rather than racing from one photo stop to another. The main thing to check is the boat setup: some departures use a fast motorboat and then a separate glassbottom boat for about 30 minutes, rather than one glassbottom boat for the entire trip.

Key points before you book

• Two snorkeling stops: You get a first reef session after fish feeding, then a second and final snorkel before returning to Eden Island.
• The glassbottom boat plan may vary: Some departures have used a comfortable fast boat plus a separate glassbottom boat at the park.
• A real island-hopping day: The route includes the marine park, the sandbank between Round and Long islands, Cerf Island, and a tortoise visit.
• Lunch is part of the experience: Expect a Creole mix barbecue buffet with water and juice on Cerf Island.
• The wildlife is never guaranteed: Fish and reef life are central to the day, but sightings of turtles or a small shark depend on nature.
• Budget for extra charges: The €15 marine park fee and the Moyenne Island entry ticket are not included in the $92 price.

What the $92 price buys you

At $92 per person, this is priced as a full-day outing rather than a short boat ride. Your fee covers boat transport from Eden Island and back, snorkeling equipment, fish feeding, the crystal kayak activity, the sandbank stop, lunch, and the giant tortoise visit on Cerf Island.

That package offers decent value if you want several Seychelles experiences in one day. Booking each piece separately would take more planning, and the boat transfers connect the stops in a sensible order. The day also includes lunch, which matters in a place where a long excursion can otherwise become expensive once you add food and drinks.

You still need to add the €15 government marine park fee. Entry to Moyenne Island is also extra. That second charge deserves a careful check before booking, since the itinerary refers to Moyenne Island while the main route also includes Cerf Island and the sandbank between Round and Long islands.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a long, serious snorkeling session. Each snorkeling stop is described as a shorter session, and the day includes several land and boat activities. You are paying for variety, not just time in the water.

Starting at Eden Island at 9:45am

The meeting point is the Eden Island marine jetty. Pickup is included for hotels in the northern part of Mahé, with a company vehicle and driver identifying you. Pickup from the south of the island is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the jetty.

The stated meeting time is 9:45am for a 10am departure. Allow extra patience at the start. One departure left about an hour late after an unclear meeting process, which created a poor first impression. The crew on the water recovered the day, but a delayed start can shorten time at the stops.

I would confirm the pickup time and exact meeting point through the operator before the morning of the trip. The company communicates in English and French, and contact through WhatsApp has been useful for sorting out arrangements.

The boat ride to Sainte Anne Marine Park takes about 20 minutes. The boat used may depend on the departure. A recent setup used a comfortable, fast motorboat carrying nine people, then brought the group onto a smaller glassbottom boat for roughly 30 minutes. That arrangement can be better for getting around quickly, but it is worth knowing if a glassbottom boat is your main reason for booking.

Fish feeding and the first look below the surface

The first activity is fish feeding, followed by time to take photographs. This gives you a quick introduction to the marine park before you put on your mask and snorkel.

Fish feeding is easy to enjoy, but it is also the part of the day where responsible behavior matters most. Follow the crew’s instructions and avoid grabbing, chasing, or handling sea life. The point is to see the fish at close range without turning the stop into a wrestling match with nature.

The glassbottom boat adds another way to see the reef if you prefer to stay dry for part of the morning. Guides may point out coral and marine animals through the viewing panels. One particularly strong aspect of the experience is the explanation given by the crew, with the sea and its wildlife treated as something to respect rather than scenery for quick photographs.

The glassbottom segment can feel brief if you expected a full morning below the boat. One practical approach is to think of it as a useful introduction and rest period between active water stops.

The first snorkeling session in Sainte Anne Marine Park

After fish feeding, you get the first proper snorkel. The focus is the park’s reef life, with fish of different sizes and colors reported at the snorkeling sites.

You may see sea turtles, and lucky groups have also spotted a small shark. Those sightings are never promised, and the guides cannot control where animals appear. That is the honest way to frame the experience: you are visiting a living reef, not an aquarium with scheduled appearances.

The crew can explain the coral and animals you see, which adds value to the swim. You are not simply dropped into the water and left to work out what you are looking at. Still, conditions depend heavily on weather, water visibility, and the behavior of the animals on the day.

The snorkeling is best for someone comfortable in open water and happy with a planned group activity. It is not a good match for someone with strong motion sickness, respiratory problems, vertigo, epilepsy, or difficulty in the water. Snorkeling gear is included, though the preparation list also advises bringing your own gear if you prefer familiar equipment.

Bring a towel, swimwear, a change of clothes, a hat, sunglasses, and a camera. Sun protection matters, but you will also want a dry layer for the boat ride back.

The sandbank between Round and Long islands

After the first reef stop, the boat heads to the sandbank between Round and Long islands. This is the day’s slower interlude, a chance to step off the boat, look around, and enjoy the pale strip of sand surrounded by open water.

The sandbank is dependent on weather. If conditions are poor, disembarkation at Moyenne Island may also be changed or canceled. That flexibility is sensible in a tropical setting, but it means the advertised route should not be treated as fixed in every detail.

The crystal kayak is available on request. It gives you a different view of the water, especially when the bottom is clear enough to see through the kayak. This is a short, visual activity rather than a major paddling expedition, so I would not book the tour solely for kayaking.

You will want to protect your phone and camera around the sandbank. Bring cash for any personal needs, and do not count on a shop or full service stop here. The supplied information lists food, drinks, and snacks among the things to bring, even though lunch and water and juice are included later.

Cerf Island barbecue and a proper pause

Lunch takes place on Cerf Island and is described as a Creole mix barbecue buffet. Water and juice are included. The meal is served in a beach setting, with shade available, and the food is a useful break after the morning in the sun and water.

This is one of the more appealing details of the trip because it gives the day a local flavor rather than treating lunch as a forgettable packed meal. A barbecue with Creole dishes fits the setting, and it lets you slow down before the afternoon activities.

Special diets should be reported in advance. Do not assume that the buffet can be changed at the last minute. If you need extra snacks, bring them, particularly if you have a strict diet or prefer to eat between scheduled stops.

The lunch stop also helps balance the activity level. You have already been on a boat and in the water, and the pause keeps the day from feeling like a string of rushed transitions. If you want a quiet beach day, however, remember that this is still a structured excursion with a departure schedule.

Giant tortoises on Cerf Island

After lunch, you visit the giant tortoises on the island. The tortoise stop gives the day a land-based wildlife moment and breaks up the marine activities.

You may be allowed to feed the tortoises, following the crew’s instructions. This is a memorable part of the itinerary, especially for families and anyone who wants more than fish and coral. The tortoises are not a guaranteed substitute for sea turtles, though. They are a separate encounter, and the two experiences complement each other.

The visit is also a reminder that this excursion covers more than Sainte Anne Marine Park’s underwater scenery. You get reef life, island views, sand, a barbecue, and land animals in one route. That variety explains why the tour can work well for a mixed group with different interests.

If you are mainly interested in marine biology, the tortoise stop may feel like a detour. If you enjoy wildlife in general, it is a worthwhile change of pace.

The second snorkel before the ride home

The final major activity is a second snorkeling stop. It takes place after lunch and the tortoise visit, then the boat returns to Eden Island for about 4pm.

Two snorkeling sessions are a strong design choice. If the first site has poor visibility or fewer animals, the second gives you another chance. If you already saw turtles or colorful fish in the morning, the later stop still gives you time to enjoy the water without making the entire day dependent on one reef.

The drawback is that the second swim comes late in a long day. You may be tired from the sun, boat movement, and morning activity. Bring water, use sun protection, and keep some energy for the final stop rather than treating lunch as the end of the active portion.

The return to Eden Island is scheduled for 4pm, though weather and sea conditions can affect the timing. Rescheduling is possible if the weather is not suitable.

Crew, group size, and the feel of the day

The experience is sold as a private group, though the actual boat arrangement can vary. One recent departure carried nine people, which provided a comfortable amount of room on a fast motorboat. Ask about the planned boat and group size if space is important to you.

Crew quality matters on a water-based tour. Captains Collin and Yohan have been praised for clear explanations, good activity management, and a friendly manner. That is especially useful during snorkeling, fish feeding, and tortoise visits, where simple instructions help protect both people and animals.

The language options are English and French. If you need to explain a dietary requirement, health concern, or pickup detail, do it before the tour rather than waiting until boarding.

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve without paying immediately. Those terms help if your Seychelles plans are still shifting, but they do not remove the weather risk. A tropical marine trip can be changed when conditions are unsafe.

Who will get the most from this excursion

I would choose this tour if you want a well-rounded day on the water rather than a specialist snorkeling charter. It suits couples, families, and small groups who like to mix active time with easy sightseeing.

It is also a good choice if you want local food and wildlife included. The Creole barbecue and giant tortoises make the outing feel broader than a boat transfer to a reef.

You should think twice if you dislike boat motion, need wheelchair access, or have a condition affected by snorkeling, motion, or balance. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with vertigo, respiratory issues, epilepsy, altitude sickness, or motion sickness.

The day also requires flexibility. The sandbank, Moyenne Island access, boat type, and schedule can be affected by weather. Seychelles rewards that attitude, but you should not book this expecting every stop to happen in exactly the stated order.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Pack light. Large bags and oversize luggage are not allowed, and mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs, weapons, fireworks, explosives, and pets are prohibited. Assistance dogs are allowed according to the stated rules.

Bring:

• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Swimwear and a change of clothes
• Towel and beachwear
• Camera
• Insect repellent
• Cash
• Snacks and extra drinks if needed
• Your preferred snorkeling gear, if you have it

Alcohol, drugs, intoxication, and making fires are not allowed. The boat and island stops are not the place to carry bulky luggage, so leave suitcases at your accommodation.

Should you book the Sainte Anne marine park trip?

Book it if you want a busy but relaxed full day that combines two snorkels, a sandbank, kayaking, a Creole meal, and giant tortoises. At $92, it is a fair package price once you value the boat transfers, lunch, equipment, and range of stops, but remember the separate marine park and possible Moyenne Island fees.

I would confirm three things before paying: the exact glassbottom boat arrangement, the pickup plan if you stay in southern Mahé, and whether Moyenne Island entry will apply to your route. If you are happy with a weather-dependent schedule and do not need every minute in the water, SEY AMA’s outing offers a generous slice of Seychelles in one day.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at the Eden Island marine jetty, with boarding at 9:45am and planned departure at 10am.

When does the tour finish?

The planned return to Eden Island is at 4pm.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in the northern area of Mahé. Pickup and drop-off from the south of the island are not included.

Are snorkeling equipment and the boat transfer included?

Yes. The tour includes boat transport to Sainte Anne Marine Park and back, plus snorkeling equipment and the snorkeling activities.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Creole mix barbecue buffet is included on Cerf Island, along with water and juice. Tell the operator about any special diet in advance.

Are the marine park and Moyenne Island fees included?

No. The €15 marine park fee is extra, and the entry ticket to Moyenne Island is also extra.

Can the itinerary change because of weather?

Yes. The tour depends on tropical weather. Rescheduling may happen when conditions are unfavorable, and disembarkation at Moyenne Island depends on the weather.