The warm, protected waters of Seychelles are full of life. Snorkellers and divers see clouds of reef fish, parrotfish, angelfish and butterflyfish, along with rays, hawksbill and green turtles, harmless reef sharks, octopus and moray eels, with whale sharks passing Mahe around October and November. The Ste Anne and Baie Ternay marine parks and the granite sites give the easiest and richest viewing.
Marine life
Turtles, rays and a thousand fish, just offshore.
For many people the real Seychelles is underwater. Step off a beach into the warm, clear water of a marine park and a whole world opens up, fish in every colour, turtles cruising past, rays gliding over the sand. You do not need to dive to see it, much of the best marine life sits in shallow water you can reach with a mask and snorkel.
The reef fish
The everyday spectacle is the fish. Expect clouds of bright reef fish, parrotfish crunching coral, angelfish and butterflyfish, sergeant majors, snapper and wrasse, and shimmering shoals of fusiliers over the granite. In the protected parks they are used to snorkellers and let you drift right among them.
Turtles, rays and bigger animals
Hawksbill and green turtles feed on the reefs and are a common, thrilling sight for a calm snorkeller. Rays, including eagle rays and stingrays, glide over the sandy patches, and harmless reef sharks patrol some sites. Octopus, moray eels and lobster hide in the rocks. The headline visitor is the whale shark, the gentle giant that passes Mahe around October and November.
The coral and the granite
Seychelles reefs mix living coral with the dramatic underwater granite that defines the islands. Coral has suffered from past warm-water bleaching events and is recovering in many places, helped by the marine parks. The granite boulders and pinnacles, draped in soft coral and sponge, are a signature you will not see in most reef destinations.
The best places to see it
- Ste Anne Marine Park, just off Mahe near Victoria, easy and shallow, ideal for snorkelling day trips.
- Baie Ternay Marine Park, near Beau Vallon, rich and protected.
- St Pierre islet, off Praslin’s Cote d’Or, a classic snorkelling stop.
- Curieuse and the granite dive sites for divers wanting more.
Snorkelling versus diving
You can see a huge amount with just a mask in the shallow parks, which makes the marine life accessible to families and non-divers. Diving opens up the deeper granite sites, wrecks and bigger fish. Many people do both, a relaxed snorkel one day and a guided dive the next.
Watch responsibly
Reefs are fragile and animals are protected. Do not touch or stand on coral, keep your distance from turtles and rays, never chase marine life, and use reef-safe sunscreen. Good operators brief you, and the marine parks exist precisely to keep this richness alive.
How to plan
Base near Beau Vallon or Cote d’Or for easy access to the parks, book a snorkelling or boat trip for the best sites, and time a trip for October to November if whale sharks are your dream. Browse verified stays in our directory and look at boat and snorkelling trips to reach the marine parks.
Frequently asked questions
What marine life can you see in Seychelles?
Clouds of reef fish, parrotfish, angelfish and butterflyfish, plus hawksbill and green turtles, rays, harmless reef sharks, octopus and moray eels, with whale sharks passing Mahe around October and November.
Where is the best snorkelling in Seychelles?
The Ste Anne and Baie Ternay marine parks near Mahe, the St Pierre islet off Praslin's Cote d'Or, and around Curieuse. The shallow, protected parks are easiest and richest for snorkellers.
Can you see whale sharks in Seychelles?
Yes, in season. Whale sharks, the gentle giants, pass Mahe in numbers around October and November. Encounters are usually by snorkelling and depend on weather and luck, but they are a real draw.
Do you need to dive to see Seychelles marine life?
No. Much of the best marine life is in shallow water you can reach with a mask and snorkel in the protected parks. Diving adds the deeper granite sites and wrecks, and many people do both.
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