St Anne Marine Park Cruise from Victoria — 3 Islands, Glass-Bottom Boat & Creole Lunch
The St Anne Marine Park cruise from Victoria covers the most ground of any single-day Mahé boat tour — three distinct stops within Sainte Anne Marine National Park (the reef, Moyenne Island, and Cerf Island), a glass-bottom boat viewing section for non-snorkelers, and a Creole seafood lunch, all packed into a full-day cruise departing from Victoria harbour. With 1,005 reviews and a 4.1-star average, it is the most-reviewed Mahé island cruise available. Here is what the day involves. (Compare all seychelles boat tours.)
About the St Anne Marine Park Island Cruise
Full refund up to 24 hours before departure
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Full-day cruise departing from Victoria harbour
Sainte Anne Marine Park reef, Moyenne Island & Cerf Island
Reef viewing for non-snorkelers included
Traditional Creole seafood lunch at Moyenne Island
Check Live Availability & Prices
Real-time dates and prices for the St Anne Marine Park island cruise from Victoria, Mahé.
Why This Is the Best Multi-Island Day Trip from Mahé
The Sainte Anne Marine National Park archipelago contains six islands, and most Mahé boat tours visit only one or two. This cruise is the exception — it covers three distinct environments in a single day: the open-water reef at Sainte Anne Marine Park for snorkeling, Moyenne Island for the historical nature trail and giant tortoises, and Cerf Island for its more secluded beach and the charming village of fishermen's cottages along the waterfront. The glass-bottom boat viewing section ensures that non-snorkelers can see the reef fish and coral without entering the water.
At $87 per person, it is the most accessible full-coverage marine park cruise from Mahé — giving guests who want to cover the whole Sainte Anne Park in one day the best value option without the expense of a private charter. The 4.1-star average across 1,005 reviews is honest: the tour is more comprehensive than deeply immersive, and guests who want a more specialist reef experience should look at the reef safari instead.
Three Islands — What You'll See at Each Stop
Each of the three islands on this cruise offers a completely different environment:
- Sainte Anne Marine Park reef — snorkeling over branching and table coral, parrotfish, surgeonfish, hawksbill turtles, and occasional reef sharks; glass-bottom boat section for non-snorkelers
- Moyenne Island — the Seychelles' most historically significant small island: 16,000 trees planted by a single conservationist over 40 years; giant Aldabra tortoises on the nature trail; an 18th-century graveyard; and a remarkable backstory
- Cerf Island — the largest of the Sainte Anne park islands and the only inhabited one; a secluded beach on the southern side for the afternoon swim; colorful fishing boats line the small pier
- Victoria harbour departure — the cruise departs from central Victoria, meaning no additional travel is needed from most Mahé hotels
What's Included — and What's Not
Included
- Boat cruise to all three islands within Sainte Anne Marine National Park
- Snorkeling equipment: mask, fins, and snorkel
- Glass-bottom boat viewing section at the marine park reef
- Creole seafood lunch at Moyenne Island
- Giant tortoise viewing on Moyenne Island
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Not included
- Expert marine guide — reef snorkeling and island exploration are self-guided
- Hotel pickup — most guests walk or taxi to Victoria harbour
- Reef-safe sunscreen — bring your own mineral-based sunscreen
- Gratuity for crew — customary
Full-Day Itinerary — St Anne Marine Park 3-Island Cruise
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8:00
Departure from Victoria harbour
Board at Victoria harbour — central and walkable from most Victoria hotels and guesthouses. The 20-minute crossing to Sainte Anne Marine Park passes along Mahé's eastern coast with views back toward the mountains.
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8:30
Snorkeling & glass-bottom boat — Sainte Anne reef
The boat anchors over the marine park reef. Snorkelers enter at the rope ladder; the glass-bottom section activates for non-snorkelers. 45–60 minutes exploring the coral garden — hawksbill turtles and reef sharks are regularly encountered here.
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9:30
Moyenne Island arrival
Transfer to Moyenne Island — the Seychelles' most storied small island. The boat lands at the small wooden pier. 90 minutes on the island: the nature trail (giant tortoises, endemic birds), the 18th-century French graveyard, and the forest planted entirely by one man over four decades.
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11:00
Creole lunch on Moyenne Island
A traditional Creole seafood lunch is served on the island — grilled fish, octopus curry or grilled lobster (seasonal), rice, salads, and fruit. Vegetarian alternatives available on request.
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12:30
Cerf Island beach stop
Transfer to Cerf Island — the park's largest and only inhabited island. 90 minutes on the secluded south beach; time to swim, snorkel independently in the shallows, or walk along the waterfront past the fishing village.
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14:30
Return to Victoria harbour
Boat returns to Victoria harbour, arriving by approximately 15:00–15:30.
Important Things to Know
Practical notes for the St Anne Marine Park cruise:
- Non-snorkelers are well-served on this cruise — the glass-bottom boat section and the Moyenne Island and Cerf Island land stops occupy most of the day
- Reef-safe mineral sunscreen is required in Sainte Anne Marine National Park — chemical sunscreen (oxybenzone, octinoxate) is banned and confiscated by park rangers
- The Creole lunch typically includes fish and seafood — vegetarian options are available but should be requested at booking
- Seasickness: the Victoria-to-park crossing is short (20 minutes) but can be choppy in the northwest monsoon season (November to March); bring medication if prone
- The tour does not include a professional marine guide — for guided reef snorkeling, see the [Seychelles reef safari](/reef-safari-seychelles/)
Sainte Anne Marine National Park — 3-Island Route Map
Who This Tour Is For
The St Anne Marine Park 3-island cruise is the best choice for travelers who want to cover the maximum number of Sainte Anne park environments in a single day — reef, wildlife island, and inhabited island — at a reasonable price. It is particularly good for groups with mixed swimming ability, since the glass-bottom boat section and the Moyenne Island land stop give non-snorkelers a full day without going in the water.
- Not suitable for: travelers seeking an in-depth reef experience with species guidance — consider the [Seychelles reef safari](/reef-safari-seychelles/) for a dedicated marine guide day
- Not suitable for: very young children under 4 — 7 hours on a boat with multiple island transfers is tiring
- Not suitable for: guests who need a private charter experience — this is a group boat tour
What to Bring
- Reef-safe mineral sunscreen (mandatory in marine national parks)
- Hat and sunglasses for time on deck
- Rash guard for extended snorkeling
- Light footwear or sandals for the island nature trails
- Camera — Moyenne Island and Cerf Island offer excellent photography
Not Allowed
- Chemical sunscreen — banned within Sainte Anne Marine National Park
- Collecting shells, coral, or natural materials from the marine park
- Touching or feeding the giant tortoises on Moyenne Island
- Feeding fish at the reef — ranger-monitored activity
St Anne Marine Park Cruise — FAQ
How many islands does this cruise visit?
Three: the Sainte Anne Marine Park reef (snorkeling stop), Moyenne Island (nature trail, giant tortoises, Creole lunch), and Cerf Island (beach stop and swimming). All three are within Sainte Anne Marine National Park, which sits 5 km east of Victoria harbour.
Is the glass-bottom boat viewing a separate boat?
No — the main cruise boat has a glass-bottom viewing section (a panel of transparent glass in the hull) that is activated when the boat is anchored over the reef. Non-snorkelers can lie on the deck and observe the reef fish and coral below without entering the water.
What is included in the Creole lunch?
The lunch is served at Moyenne Island and typically includes grilled fish, octopus curry or grilled lobster (seasonal availability), Creole rice, fresh salads, and fruit. Vegetarian options are available — request at booking. Beverages may be available for purchase on board.
How is this different from the Mahé Moyenne Island cruise?
The Mahé Moyenne Island cruise ($162, 4.6★) is a premium private or semi-private charter departing from Eden Island Marina, with a more personalized experience and lunch included. This St Anne cruise ($87) is a group tour departing from Victoria harbour covering three islands. Choose the premium cruise for a quieter, more personalized day; choose this one for broader island coverage at lower cost.
Where exactly does the cruise depart from?
The cruise departs from Victoria harbour, the main port of the Seychelles capital. It is easily walkable from most Victoria hotels and guesthouses, and a short taxi ride from resorts on the north and northeast coast of Mahé. Your booking confirmation specifies the exact pier location within the harbour.
What Guests Say About the St Anne Marine Park Cruise
Best way to see the Sainte Anne Marine Park in a day — we covered three completely different environments and never felt rushed. Moyenne Island was the highlight; the story of Brendon Grimshaw planting 16,000 trees alone is extraordinary. The Creole lunch was excellent.
Great value at $87 for a full day covering three islands. The glass-bottom boat section was perfect for my parents who don't snorkel — they could see the reef without getting in the water. Saw two turtles during the snorkel stop. Highly recommend.
We did this on our last full day in the Seychelles and wished we'd done it sooner. Cerf Island beach in the afternoon was the most peaceful place I've ever sat. Very well organized cruise.