Seychelles protects its richest reefs as marine national parks, where the snorkeling and marine life are at their best. The Sainte Anne park off Mahe is the most visited, reached by boat with glass-bottom viewing and snorkeling with turtles. Port Launay and Baie Ternay on Mahe's calm west coast offer sheltered snorkeling from the shore, and the protected waters around Curieuse off Praslin combine giant tortoises with snorkeling at St Pierre or Coco Island. The parks charge a fee that funds conservation. Never touch coral, use reef-safe sunscreen, and keep your distance from turtles.
Some of the best of Seychelles is underwater, and the country protects its richest stretches of reef and sea as marine national parks. These protected areas are where the snorkeling and the marine life are at their finest, where turtles graze and the coral is given a chance to thrive. Here is a guide to the main marine parks and how to experience them.
Sainte Anne Marine National Park
Just off Victoria on Mahe, the Sainte Anne Marine National Park is the most visited and the easiest to reach, a protected cluster of six islands. Organised boat trips mix glass-bottom viewing for those who prefer to stay dry, snorkeling stops over coral and seagrass where green turtles gather, and time ashore on a beach. It is gentle, family-friendly and the simplest introduction to the underwater islands.
Port Launay and Baie Ternay
On the calm northwest and west coast of Mahe, these adjoining protected bays offer sheltered, accessible water that is excellent for snorkeling straight from the shore. It is a quieter, greener corner of the island and a gentle alternative to a boat trip for seeing reef life.
Curieuse Marine National Park
Off the northeast of Praslin, the waters around Curieuse Island are protected too, and a day trip there usually combines the island’s free-roaming giant tortoises and mangrove trail with snorkeling at nearby St Pierre or Coco Island, some of the clearest, most fish-filled water in the country.
What lives in the parks
The protected reefs teem with life. Expect clouds of parrotfish, angelfish and butterflyfish, green and hawksbill turtles, rays gliding over the sand, and harmless reef sharks. The protection these areas receive is exactly why the life is so abundant, and why a snorkeling trip here is so rewarding.
Visiting responsibly
- Pay the park fee. Marine parks charge a landing or entry fee that funds their conservation, which is why the reefs stay healthy.
- Never touch or stand on coral. It is fragile and alive. Float above it.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen, as ordinary sunscreens harm the coral.
- Keep your distance from turtles and wildlife. Watch, do not chase or touch, and let turtles surface freely.
- Take nothing and leave nothing. No shells, no litter.
How to visit
The easiest way into the marine parks is on an organised boat trip, which provides the gear and knows the best spots and conditions. Pair a park day with the rest of your island time, see more things to do for the boat trips, and base yourself near the calm bays by booking a stay through our directory.
Frequently asked questions
What are the marine national parks in Seychelles?
The main ones are the Sainte Anne Marine National Park off Mahe, the adjoining Port Launay and Baie Ternay parks on Mahe's west coast, and the protected waters around Curieuse Island off Praslin. They protect the richest reefs and marine life.
Where is the best snorkeling in the Seychelles marine parks?
The Sainte Anne park off Mahe for an easy boat trip with turtles, Port Launay and Baie Ternay for sheltered shore snorkeling, and the waters around Curieuse off Praslin, often combined with St Pierre or Coco Island, for some of the clearest water.
Is there a fee for the marine parks in Seychelles?
Yes, the marine parks charge a landing or entry fee that funds their conservation work, which is why the reefs stay healthy and the marine life so abundant. Organised boat trips usually include or handle the fee.
What will I see in the Seychelles marine parks?
Clouds of parrotfish, angelfish and butterflyfish, green and hawksbill turtles, rays over the sand, and harmless reef sharks. The protection these areas receive is exactly why the marine life is so rich and rewarding to snorkel among.
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