Overview
Off the coast of Mahé (near Victoria) lies the Sainte Anne Marine National Park, a group of small islands. Hotels have been built on a few of them, mostly in recent years.
Ste. Anne is the largest island in the park of the same name. It lies about 5 km off the east coast of Mahé, very close to its neighbours Cerf, Round and Moyenne. Six islands make up the park: Ste. Anne, Cerf, Moyenne, Round, Long Island and Île Cachée. It has been protected since 1973 and is regarded as the first marine protected area in the south-western Indian Ocean.
Discovered in 1742 by the famous explorer Lazare Picault, Ste. Anne was one of the first islands settled by the French, before they took possession of Mahé. Later the island was home to a commercial whaling station and, in the Second World War, a defensive position.
Getting there and getting around
By boat from Mahé
The national park can only be reached by sea. From Victoria the crossing takes about 10 minutes. If you are a hotel guest, the resort arranges the transfer. From the airport on Mahé it is only a short drive to the jetty. How to get there is explained under Airport transfer. If you are visiting the island without staying at the hotel, the easiest way to plan the trip is through a tour operator.
On a boat tour
Most excursions leave from Victoria, either at Marine Charter or at the jetty on Eden Island. They usually stop at several snorkelling spots, often including Moyenne, Cerf or Long Island. You will find an overview under Boat tours. When booking, check whether the park entry fee is included in the price. On guided tours it often is.
| Tour variant | Duration (approx.) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Half-day tour (private) | 4 hours | Morning or afternoon, several snorkelling stops |
| Full-day tour (Reef Safari, glass-bottom boat) | 6 to 7 hours | Usually with lunch, often with a stop at Moyenne |
| Semi-submarine | 1 hour | Reef and fish through the glass panels, without going into the water |
On the island
The island is about 2 km long and 1 km wide. The resort is in the south-west, with a small settlement for staff and rangers beside it. Distances within the resort are long, so expect some lengthy walks or use the resort's vehicles.
Beaches, snorkelling and nature
Besides countless coconut palms and three coco de mer palms, the slopes are covered with lush wild cinnamon, as well as casuarinas and related species. Trees and shrubs from the neighbouring islands can also be found here.
The two main beaches in the south are over a kilometre long and so quiet that even the shy sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. Older descriptions mention three stretches of beach: Anse Royale in front of the pool, Grande Anse on the west coast and Anse Tourtues in the south-east. If you see tracks in the sand or nests, keep your distance and avoid light and noise on the beach at night.
Snorkelling in the park
The park has one of the largest seagrass meadows among the granite islands, which is why you often see green turtles feeding there. With luck you may come across hawksbill turtles or dolphins. Depending on the tour, you snorkel from the boat or from the beach. Do not stand on seagrass or coral, and do not touch the reefs. The park authority asks visitors to take nothing away but photos and memories. To find out which months bring calm water, see Best time to visit and Diving and snorkelling.
The neighbouring islands
On Moyenne many giant tortoises live, Cerf has restaurants and small places to stay, and Round Island is a hotel island in its own right. All of them are just a few minutes away by boat and combine well into a day's programme.
Accommodation and food
In 2002 the 5-star resort Beachcomber Sainte Anne opened on Ste. Anne. This top-class hotel has 87 villas and offers the highest standard. Since 2020 it has been run as Club Med Seychelles, an all-inclusive resort. By its own account, it is the only hotel on the island. It focuses on activities around the sea, such as glass-bottomed kayaks and conservation programmes for corals and turtles.
Under Beachcomber the hotel had four restaurants in the south of the island with easy access to the main beaches. Ask the resort which restaurants are open today. If you are not staying there, check in advance whether day visitors can come for a meal.
If you are not a hotel guest, the easiest place to eat is Cerf, where there are Creole-style restaurants. Cerf also has smaller places to stay, such as Cerf Island Resort, Fairy Tern Chalets and L'Habitation. Current offers are listed under Accommodation on Sainte Anne and Restaurants nearby. General advice on booking is under Hotel booking.
Practical information
Ste. Anne has no village with shops, a bank or a doctor's surgery. For money, shopping and medical care, you rely on Mahé and Victoria, only 10 minutes away by boat. You will find information under Money and banks and Hospital, clinics and emergency numbers. Hotel guests should ask the resort about first aid on site.
Pack sun protection, snorkelling gear and sturdy sandals for the rocks. The packing list for the Seychelles is a useful help. Bring cash for Cerf and for tips, and read more under Tipping.
Day trip or overnight stay
For most visitors a day trip is the right choice. In half a day or a full day you can snorkel in the park, see Moyenne and Cerf, and be back on Mahé by evening. An overnight stay is mainly worth the money if peace, beach and sea are the main purpose of your trip. You then stay at the resort and take the boat to Victoria when needed. If you live on Mahé and only want a short look at the island, take a boat tour with a stop on Ste. Anne and plan to visit more sights on the main island afterwards.
