Snorkeling St-Pierre Marine Park and Anse Petite Cour

The best Seychelles sights are below the surface. This 150-minute boat trip pairs St-Pierre Marine Park with snorkeling at Anse Petite Cour, giving you two water stops, hotel pickup across Praslin, drinks, local chips, and a small group capped at eight people. I like the easy pickup service and the chance to see St-Pierre, an uninhabited island reachable only by boat. The main concern is practical: some recent bookings reported that snorkeling gear was not offered clearly and that reboarding the boat was difficult without a ladder.

You leave from Anse Possession at 10:30 a.m. and cruise toward St-Pierre at about 25 knots. I also like the flexible response to sea conditions, since one group received extra snorkeling time at Anse Lazio when the water was choppy. Still, this is a short outing, and the $106 price feels best if you value the boat ride, small group, and two-water-stop format more than a long beach day.

Key points at a glance

• St-Pierre is boat-access only: The uninhabited island gives you an appealing sense of getting away from Praslin without committing to a full-day cruise.
• Two separate snorkeling areas: You spend about an hour around St-Pierre Marine Park, then snorkel again at Anse Petite Cour near Praslin.
• Small group of eight: A limited passenger count can make boarding, equipment questions, and time in the water easier to manage.
• A strong range of sea life: One excellent outing included a giant ribbon-tailed ray, parrot fish, butterfly fish, angel fish, pipe fish, jack fish, snapper, trigger fish, wrasse, surgeon fish, and a turtle.
• Food and drinks are simple but useful: Water, soft drinks, one Seybrew beer for each adult age 18 or over, and light local chips are included.
• Ask about the ladder before swimming: Reboarding was a serious issue for some participants, especially an older swimmer.

Why this short Praslin boat trip works

I like this excursion because it keeps the day light. You are not signing up for a long cruise with a packed schedule, a formal meal, and hours of sitting in the sun. The advertised water time is generous for a 2.5-hour outing, with about an hour at St-Pierre and another hour at the Praslin-side snorkeling stop.

That timing also means you should set your expectations correctly. This is not a leisurely beach picnic or an all-day marine safari. The boat ride, pickup, safety talk, and return transfer take part of the clock, so the appeal is concentrated snorkeling with little wasted time.

The group limit of eight is another plus. A smaller boat group usually means less waiting when the crew hands out equipment or gets everyone back aboard. It also gives you a better chance to ask for help. That point matters here because equipment and reboarding need clear handling.

The trip begins with pickup 10 to 30 minutes before the activity. Pickup is available from hotels, villas, guesthouses, self-catering apartments, the airport tourist office, the Praslin ferry terminal, and a long list of other properties around the island. You need to provide your phone number and accommodation name so the pickup details can be arranged 24 to 48 hours ahead.

From your accommodation to Anse Possession

The transfer to the boat is listed at about 30 minutes, though your actual pickup time depends on where you stay. If you are near Anse Possession, you should have a shorter ride. If you are on the far side of Praslin, allow a little patience for the collection route.

A driver named Nigel received particularly warm praise for being friendly and helpful during the ride to the boat. That is useful to know because smooth transport matters on a short excursion. Every extra delay cuts into water time.

Departure is from Anse Possession at 10:30 a.m. The crew gives a safety briefing before setting off. The boat then travels at around 25 knots toward St-Pierre, making the crossing part of the experience rather than merely a transfer.

Bring beachwear and a camera. Towels are not included, so pack your own if your accommodation does not provide one. Food is not allowed in the vehicle, though the outing includes light local chips once you are on the activity.

St-Pierre Marine Park and its open-water setting

St-Pierre is an uninhabited island in the Seychelles, accessible only by boat. That fact gives the first stop a special character. You are not arriving at a developed beach with shops, changing rooms, or a line of restaurants. The attraction is the water, the small island setting, and the views back across the turquoise Indian Ocean.

The snorkeling equipment is supposed to be provided on board. The advertised equipment includes the basic gear needed for the session, but recent reports raise a clear warning: some people said masks, snorkels, and fins were not offered without asking. I would confirm the equipment as soon as you board, before the boat reaches the first stop.

You are scheduled to spend about one hour snorkeling around St-Pierre Marine Park. The water is described as exceptionally clear, with coral reefs and tropical fish close to the island. A strong outing at this site can give you the classic Seychelles scene: pale sand, warm water, reef life, and a small island sitting offshore.

The best marine-life report from this trip was unusually specific. It included a giant ribbon-tailed ray, large parrot fish, butterfly fish, angel fish, pipe fish, jack fish, snapper, job fish, trevally, trigger fish, wrasse, surgeon fish, and clouds of scissor tails and sergeant fish. That is a remarkable list, though you should treat it as a possibility rather than a promise. Sea conditions, visibility, and animal movements change from day to day.

The same account described healthy coral and sea grass, with no visible bleaching or die-off at the time of the visit. That is encouraging for anyone who cares about the condition of the reef, but it does not mean every section will look identical on every departure.

You should also be ready for boat-based entry and exit. If you are not a confident swimmer, or if climbing a short ladder is difficult, ask the crew exactly how you will get into and out of the water. One group reported that no ladder was available and that reboarding required a good deal of physical effort.

Anse Petite Cour and the second hour in the water

After St-Pierre, the outing continues to Anse Petite Cour, where you have another snorkeling session. This second stop gives the trip useful variety. You are not simply circling the same reef for two hours, and a change of site can bring different fish, coral, depth, and water conditions.

The setting is especially appealing if you want to see marine life in a natural environment rather than visit a formal aquarium. One excellent outing at Anse Petite Cour included a turtle being cleaned by small wrasse. That is exactly the kind of quiet underwater scene that can make a short snorkeling trip memorable.

You may also find schools of smaller reef fish moving over coral and sea grass. The water clarity is one of the stated strengths of this area, but visibility depends on weather and currents. If conditions are poor, the operator may cancel or propose another day. On one departure, choppy water led the crew to provide an extra session at Anse Lazio and Petit Anse Lazio, also called Lovers Bay, instead of rushing through the planned stops.

That flexibility is a real benefit. You are not guaranteed a fixed view, but you may get a better experience when the sea changes. The important thing is to understand that the exact snorkeling sites can shift if conditions are not favorable.

Anse Petite Cour also gives you a practical chance to compare the two stops. St-Pierre has the appeal of a remote island and marine-park setting. Anse Petite Cour is closer to Praslin and can feel like a different kind of coastal water stop. Together, they make better use of your limited time than one long session at a single location.

Boat access, ladders, and comfort in the water

This is the part I would take most seriously before booking. The trip is not suitable for wheelchair users, babies under one year, or people over 95. More broadly, you should be comfortable stepping into a boat, entering the sea, swimming with a mask and snorkel, and climbing back aboard.

One participant in their 70s had difficulty getting back into the boat. The lack of a ladder meant that the person did not enter the water at the second stop. That is a major disappointment when you have paid for two snorkeling locations.

The details may vary by boat and departure, but the safest approach is to ask before you swim:

• Is there a boarding ladder?
• Can the crew provide an arm or hand when you return?
• Are flotation aids available?
• Will the crew fit and explain the mask, snorkel, and fins?
• Where will you sit while other people are in the water?

These are simple questions, but they matter more than another line in the sales description. A strong swimmer may not mind a high step or an awkward climb. An older swimmer, a nervous beginner, or someone with limited upper-body strength may need more support.

The crew reportedly gave a safety briefing, and one guide pointed out places of interest during the boat ride. That is a pleasant touch, especially on the fast run to St-Pierre. Still, do not assume the crew will automatically give a full snorkeling lesson. If you are new to the activity, say so at the start.

What is included for $106

The $106 per-person price includes more than just time in the water. You get pickup and drop-off anywhere on Praslin, the boat trip, snorkeling at both locations, equipment, water, soft drinks, one Seybrew beer for each adult age 18 and over, and light local chips.

I see the value in the all-island transport. Taxis and private boat arrangements can quickly add cost on Praslin, so pickup from your accommodation makes the price easier to understand. The small-group limit also helps justify it, particularly if your group values a less crowded boat.

The included refreshments are modest, not a meal. Lunch is not provided, and the total duration is only 150 minutes, so plan your meals around the outing. If you need a substantial lunch, arrange it before or after the trip rather than expecting the chips to fill that role.

Island taxes are not included either. Ask about the current amount before departure so the final cost does not catch you by surprise.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a long beach stay. You are paying for transport, a fast boat ride, two snorkeling stops, gear, and convenience. You are not paying for lunch, a private guide, a full-day sail, or guaranteed animal sightings.

Timing, weather, and flexible plans

The scheduled start is 10:30 a.m. from Anse Possession, with pickup 10 to 30 minutes before the activity. Because the pickup network covers so many properties, your exact morning may feel longer than the advertised activity time.

The planned structure is straightforward:

• Pickup from your Praslin accommodation
• About 30 minutes of transfer time
• One hour snorkeling at St-Pierre
• One hour snorkeling at the Praslin stop
• About 30 minutes returning

The 150-minute total matches those two half-hour transfers and two one-hour water sessions. In real conditions, the schedule may shift. Sea state, loading time, and the distance from your accommodation can affect the pace.

Weather flexibility is a strong point. If conditions are unsuitable, the activity can be cancelled or moved to a later day at your request. A recent group experienced rougher water at the start of the trade-wind and current season, yet received an added session at Anse Lazio and Petit Anse Lazio. The guide also did not appear to rush the group.

That said, you should not count on extra time. It is a welcome response to conditions, not part of the guaranteed itinerary.

The guide and the small-group feel

The experience is offered in English and French. The crew welcomes you aboard, gives a safety briefing, and manages the boat between the two sites. One particularly positive outing had only three people, and the group felt well looked after throughout the trip.

That is the best-case version of the small-group promise. With as many as eight people, the boat will still be intimate, but the quality of support depends on the crew working that day. The contrast between very warm service and minimal communication on other departures suggests you should speak up if you need equipment, assistance, or a change in pace.

I would not wait quietly if your mask leaks or your fins do not fit. Tell the crew before entering the water. Likewise, if you need help boarding, make that clear before the boat stops. A short trip gives you little time to solve problems later.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend this outing to confident swimmers who want a compact marine excursion from Praslin. It suits couples, friends, and small families with older children who can manage boat access and open-water snorkeling.

It is also a good choice if you are staying far from Anse Possession and want transport included. The pickup coverage is unusually broad, ranging from major resorts such as Raffles Seychelles, Constance Lemuria, Paradise Sun, and Coco de Mer to villas, guesthouses, self-catering properties, and the ferry terminal.

I would be cautious if you are a first-time snorkeler, have mobility limits, or feel uneasy about climbing from the sea into a boat. The absence of a ladder reported on some departures is not a minor issue. Ask for a firm answer about boarding support before paying.

This is not suitable for wheelchair users, babies under one year, or people over 95. Food cannot be taken into the vehicle, baby strollers and carriages are not allowed, and towels are not supplied.

Booking flexibility and final practical advice

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which is useful when your Praslin schedule depends on ferry connections or changing weather.

The overall rating is 4.4 from 20 reviews, with feedback ranging from excellent to only average. That spread tells me the natural setting is the reliable attraction, while equipment handling and boarding support may vary.

Before leaving your accommodation, pack beachwear, a towel, a camera, sun protection, and a waterproof way to carry anything valuable. Keep your morning meal sensible, since lunch is not included. Most important, confirm your pickup phone number and accommodation name, then ask about the available snorkeling gear and reboarding method when you arrive.

Should you book St-Pierre and Anse Petite Cour?

Book it if you want two reef stops, a fast boat ride, island-wide pickup, and a small group without giving up most of your day. The chance to see a turtle, ray, healthy coral, and a long list of tropical fish makes this a strong short excursion when sea conditions cooperate.

I would skip it, or ask detailed questions first, if you need a ladder, gentle assisted boarding, or a fully guided snorkeling lesson. At $106, the trip offers fair value for confident swimmers who use the included transport and equipment. It is less convincing for anyone who may spend one of the two sessions sitting on the boat.

FAQ

How long is the snorkeling trip?

The activity lasts 150 minutes, or 2.5 hours. The planned schedule includes about 30 minutes of transfer time, one hour at St-Pierre, one hour at the Praslin snorkeling stop, and about 30 minutes returning.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat leaves from Anse Possession at 10:30 a.m. Pickup is arranged from your accommodation 10 to 30 minutes before the activity.

Is hotel pickup included on Praslin?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered from hotels, guesthouses, villas, self-catering properties, the ferry terminal, the airport tourist office, and many other listed locations on Praslin.

Are snorkeling masks, snorkels, and fins provided?

Snorkeling equipment is included. Because some departures reported that equipment was not offered clearly, confirm the gear with the crew before entering the water.

Are food and drinks included?

Water, soft drinks, one Seybrew beer for each adult aged 18 or over, and light local chips are included. Lunch is not included.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear, a camera, and a towel. Towels are not provided.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The operator may cancel the activity or propose another day if conditions are not suitable. The snorkeling locations may also change. One departure received extra time at Anse Lazio and Petit Anse Lazio because the water was choppy.

Is the activity suitable for people with limited mobility?

The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, babies under one year, or people over 95. You should also ask about the reboarding ladder and crew assistance if climbing back into the boat may be difficult.