Sainte Anne Marine National Park
A protected group of islands off Victoria, the first marine park in the Indian Ocean.
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Sainte Anne Marine National Park was declared in 1973, the first of its kind in the Indian Ocean, and it covers the group of islands lying a few kilometres off Victoria: Sainte Anne, Cerf, Moyenne, Round and Long. The water between them is shallow with seagrass and coral patches, and hawksbill turtles feed in it. Glass-bottom boats and snorkelling trips run from Mahé and most visits combine two or three of the islands.
What you actually see
- The island group - Sainte Anne, Cerf, Moyenne, Round and Long within the park.
- The seagrass beds - the shallows where hawksbill turtles feed.
- The coral patches - snorkelling ground between the islands.
- The 1973 designation - the first marine national park in the Indian Ocean.
When to go
April to May and October to November are calmest and clearest. Trips run year round from Mahé. Visibility drops in the monsoon months.
Honest expectations
Coral in the park has been badly damaged by bleaching and much of it is dead. Trips are crowded and follow a fixed circuit. Park fees are charged on top of the boat cost.
Nearby
Moyenne Island is in the park, and Victoria is on Mahé opposite.
What to pack for Sainte Anne Marine National Park
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.