Glassbottom boat & Crystalkayak SteAnneMarinePark Snorkeling

A full day of sea, sand, and tortoises. This $92 excursion packs Sainte Anne Marine Park into one easy outing, with boat rides, two snorkeling stops, fish feeding, a sandbank visit, crystal kayaking, a Creole barbecue, and giant tortoises on Cerf Island. I especially like the two separate snorkeling sessions and the relaxed island-hopping plan.

I also like that the boat ride from Eden Island takes only about 20 minutes, leaving more time for the park itself. The main caution is the schedule: the meeting time is 9:45 a.m., but one group reported a one-hour delay before leaving, so you should allow for a less-than-perfect start.

Key points to know before booking

• Two snorkeling stops: You get a first swim after the fish-feeding activity and a second snorkeling session near the end of the day.
• Glass-bottom viewing may be a short separate ride: One recent outing used a fast motorboat for transport, followed by about 30 minutes on a glass-bottom boat.
• The sandbank stop depends on weather: The sandbank between Round Island and Long Island is a scenic place to relax, but landing there is not guaranteed.
• Lunch is served on Cerf Island: Expect a Creole mix barbecue buffet with water and juice.
• Giant tortoises are part of the island stop: You can visit and feed them in the interior part of Cerf Island.
• Extra costs apply: The marine park fee is €15, and entry to Moyenne Island is not included.

Setting out from Eden Island at 10 a.m.

The day begins at the Eden Island marine jetty, with boarding scheduled for 9:45 a.m. and departure at 10 a.m. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for people staying in the north of Mahé. If you are staying in the south, you need to arrange your own way to the jetty.

The short ride into Sainte Anne Marine Park is one of the tour’s practical strengths. You are not spending the morning on a long transfer. After roughly 20 minutes by boat, the first activities begin among the islands and reefs of the protected marine area.

The boat arrangement may vary. The advertised experience centers on a modern glass-bottom boat, but one recent outing used a comfortable, fast motorboat for most of the day. The group had nine people, which made that setup feel spacious, and the glass-bottom boat appeared as a separate activity for about half an hour.

That distinction matters. If you are booking mainly for a long glass-bottom cruise, confirm the arrangement with SEY AMA before paying. If you prefer a quick boat that gets you to snorkeling spots without spending hours looking through glass panels, the motorboat setup may actually suit you better.

There was also an account of a late departure and an unpleasant welcome at the jetty. The staff on board later made up for the poor first impression, but I would arrive prepared for possible delays and keep the company’s WhatsApp contact handy.

Fish feeding begins the morning

The first planned activity is fish feeding, with time to take photographs. This gives you an easy introduction to the park before the more active snorkeling session.

Fish feeding can be fun for families and for anyone who is still getting comfortable in the water. It brings marine life close to the boat and gives you something to watch even if you choose not to snorkel immediately. It also creates a good photo opportunity, although glare, moving water, and bright sunlight can make underwater photography tricky.

I would treat this stop as a warm-up rather than the main event. The real value comes from the guides explaining what you are seeing and helping you get into the water safely. The best moments may be quick ones, so have your camera ready before the fish gather.

First snorkeling stop among Seychelles reefs

After the feeding activity, you move into the first main snorkeling session. The route is designed around the marine life of Sainte Anne Marine Park, with coral reefs and fish in a range of colors and sizes.

The water conditions will shape the quality of this part of the day. On a calm, clear morning, you might see plenty of reef fish and, with luck, marine turtles or a small shark. The guides make an important point here: wildlife is free to move through the park, so no particular animal can be promised.

That honesty is worth noting. A good marine excursion should help you understand the reef rather than treat wild animals like scheduled performers. The guides can point out coral and sea life, but sightings remain a matter of weather, water clarity, and chance.

The snorkeling sessions are not described as long continuous swims. One recent outing had two sessions of about 30 minutes each. That is enough time to see a good section of reef without making the day exhausting, but strong swimmers looking for an extended water session may find the format a little brief.

Snorkeling equipment is included. You should still bring your own gear if you have a mask that fits you especially well, and the packing instructions list snorkeling gear among the items to bring. That suggests it is sensible to have your personal equipment available, even though the tour provides equipment.

The sandbank between Round Island and Long Island

The boat then heads toward the sandbank between Round Island and Long Island. This is the kind of stop that breaks up a snorkeling day nicely. Instead of staying on the boat, you can get out, look around, take photographs, and enjoy the pale sand and open sea around you.

The stop is also the main chance for crystal kayaking. The clear kayak gives you a view through the hull toward the water below, adding another way to look at the reef and sandbank. The activity is described as available on request, so ask the crew early rather than waiting until the boat is ready to leave.

This is a scenic pause, not a full beach day. The sandbank is exposed to the weather, and the visit depends on conditions. Strong wind, rough water, or a changing tide can affect the landing. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sun protection, and a towel, but keep your belongings light because large bags are not allowed.

For me, this stop is valuable because it gives the day some breathing room. The schedule is active, yet you are not rushed from one water activity straight into another. You can pause, enjoy the setting, and take in the chain of small islands around the marine park.

Creole barbecue lunch on Cerf Island

Lunch is served on Cerf Island, one of the islands within the marine park. The meal is a Creole mix barbecue buffet, with water and juice included.

The food is not presented as a formal restaurant meal. Think of it as a practical island lunch that keeps you fueled for the afternoon. One report described the barbecue as tasty and served in a shaded beach setting, which is exactly what you want after time in the water.

You should tell the company about any special dietary needs in advance. The supplied information does not give a full menu or promise specific alternatives, so do not wait until lunchtime to explain allergies or dietary restrictions.

Bring snacks and drinks if you like to have extra choices. The packing guidance specifically suggests food, drinks, and snacks, while the tour includes water and juice with lunch. Cash is also worth carrying for any additional expenses, including the separate marine park fee and possible island entry charges.

Cerf Island gives the lunch stop more character than eating on the boat. You have a chance to sit on land, dry off, and enjoy a proper pause before the tortoise visit. If your priority is uninterrupted snorkeling, this long land stop takes time away from the water. If you like a varied day, it is one of the reasons the tour works well.

Meeting the giant tortoises on Cerf Island

After lunch, you visit the giant tortoises in the interior part of Cerf Island. Feeding them is included, and this provides a memorable contrast to the morning’s marine activities.

The tortoises are not a quick photo stop at the jetty. You leave the beach area and visit them farther inland, which gives the afternoon a change of pace. For families, this is likely to be one of the easiest parts of the day to enjoy. You do not need to swim, and you can take your time watching the animals.

The tour also gives you the chance to see marine turtles during snorkeling, though that depends on luck. Seeing both sea turtles in the water and giant tortoises on land would make for a particularly strong day, but only the giant tortoise visit is part of the planned schedule.

Bring insect repellent for the island stop. The packing information recommends it, and it is useful whenever you leave the open beach for an inland setting.

A second snorkeling session before 4 p.m.

The final main activity is a second and last snorkeling stop. This is a smart part of the program. You have already had lunch and time on Cerf Island, so the second swim lets you return to the water without making the entire day one long snorkeling session.

The exact site may differ from the first. The plan is to visit another good area of the park, giving you a second chance at clear water and marine life. If the morning water was less than ideal, this later stop may improve your luck. If you saw plenty of fish earlier, it gives you another look without needing to book a separate activity.

The timing is also sensible for a full-day outing. The boat returns to Eden Island Marina around 4 p.m., leaving the afternoon activities complete without turning the day into an evening excursion.

Bring a dry change of clothes and a towel. You will be glad to have both for the return boat ride. Sun hats, beachwear, sunscreen, and a waterproof way to carry your phone or camera are also practical choices.

What the $92 price includes

At $92 per person, the tour is priced as a full-day package rather than a simple snorkeling transfer. The cost includes:

• Boat transport to and from Sainte Anne Marine Park
• Fish feeding
• Snorkeling equipment
• Two snorkeling sessions
• Sandbank access, weather permitting
• Crystal kayaking
• Creole barbecue lunch with water and juice
• Giant tortoise visit on Cerf Island
• Northern Mahé hotel pickup and drop-off

The value is strongest if you plan to enjoy several parts of the day. Booking separate boat transport, snorkeling, a barbecue lunch, an island visit, and a tortoise encounter would require more planning and could cost more once transfers are added.

The price is less attractive if you want only a long glass-bottom ride. The glass-bottom portion may be limited to roughly 30 minutes, depending on the boat arrangement. The tour’s real value is the combination of activities, not one single attraction.

Remember to add the €15 government marine park fee. Entry to Moyenne Island is also extra. The advertised route includes the Sainte Anne area and Cerf Island, while Moyenne Island disembarkation depends on weather, so ask exactly which island entry fees apply to your planned route.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a varied Seychelles day without arranging each activity yourself. It suits couples, families, and small private groups who like to mix swimming, sightseeing, food, and wildlife.

The private group format is another advantage. The available languages are English and French, and the crew can explain the marine life and activities without forcing you into a large coach-style excursion. Crew members named in recent outings include Collin and Yohan, while Adlé and Joshua also received warm praise for their hospitality.

You should think twice if you have serious motion sickness, vertigo, respiratory problems, epilepsy, or difficulty managing a boat and water-based day. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, and large luggage, mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs, weapons, fireworks, and other hazardous items are not allowed.

The tour depends heavily on tropical weather. Rough seas can change the schedule, cancel the sandbank landing, or lead to rescheduling. Keep the day flexible and do not book a tight afternoon flight or another fixed activity immediately afterward.

Small details that make the day easier

The packing list is long, but most of it is practical:

• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Swimwear and beachwear
• Towel and a dry change of clothes
• Camera
• Snorkeling gear, if you prefer your own
• Insect repellent
• Cash
• Snacks and extra drinks

Do not bring oversized bags or large luggage. Keep valuables to a minimum, especially during the water stops.

The company offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and allows you to reserve now and pay later. Those options help if the weather forecast is uncertain, but they do not remove the need to check the marine conditions before the day begins.

Should you book the Sainte Anne snorkeling tour?

I would book it if you want a full day that combines reef time, a beach lunch, island stops, kayaking, and tortoises. The two snorkeling sessions, friendly onboard crew, comfortable transport, and relaxed pace give the tour a strong overall shape.

I would not book it solely for the glass-bottom boat. The glass viewing may be a shorter add-on rather than the main transport, and the exact arrangement should be confirmed before you commit.

At $92, plus the marine park fee and possible Moyenne Island entry, this is fair value for a packed day in the Sainte Anne area. Choose it for variety and convenience, arrive ready for possible delays, and keep your expectations realistic about wildlife sightings and weather.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at the Eden Island marine jetty. Boarding is scheduled for 9:45 a.m., with departure planned for 10 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The activity runs for one full day and is scheduled to return to Eden Island Marina at about 4 p.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for people staying in the north of Mahé. Pickup and drop-off from the south of the island are not included.

Is the marine park fee included?

No. The €15 marine park fee is an extra government charge. Entry to Moyenne Island is also extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, although you may bring your own gear if you prefer.

Does the tour always stop at Moyenne Island?

No. Disembarkation at Moyenne Island depends on the weather. The tour also includes Cerf Island for the barbecue lunch and giant tortoise visit.