Explore Sainte Anne Marine Park by catamaran on a day’s sail around the Seychelles’ oldest nature reserve on this group tour. Stop to swim in the balmy waters of the Indian Ocean, snorkel alongside a confetti of bright fish and step onto Moyenne Island, which has more tortoises than people.
You’ll board the catamaran from a jetty on Mahé, the Seychelles’ largest island. From here, the park’s collection of six islands lie just 5 km (3 miles) from the coast. A mix of volcanic and granite formations, the low-lying island is topped with vivid caps of jungle and surrounded by one of the largest seagrass meadows in the Seychelles.
Cruising along, there will be opportunities to stop and snorkel. You might see hawksbill turtles nibbling on silky blades of seagrass or, between April and December, manta rays sweeping gracefully past. Amidst the coral gardens of Sainte Anne Channel, a popular snorkelling spot, more than 150 species of marine life have been recorded including steeped parrotfish and oriental sweetlips.
The catamaran will dock at Moyenne Island for a short tour. This small patch of the Seychelles was once owned by Brendon Grimshaw, a British newspaper editor. After buying the island in the early 1960s, he spent the next 50 years transforming the relatively barren landscape back into a flourishing ecosystem by planting thousands of trees, reintroducing birds and fostering a community of giant tortoises.
After some time to relax on the beach or take a swim, you’ll head back on board for a freshly barbecued lunch before returning to Mahé.