Sainte Anne Marine National Park: A Handy Guide On The Wonderland Of Seychelles
Sainte Anne Marine National Park off the coast of Mahé takes you to a whole land of imagination with its pristine beaches, colorful coral reefs, offshore dive sites and a wide variety of marine animals. This marine bioreserve extends across 6 coral islands; Sainte Anne, Round Island, Cerf Island, Long Island, Moyenne Island and Ile Cache. Surrounded by the turquoise blue ocean, this park gives you the opportunity to admire the surreal natural attractions and enjoy some exciting water sports.
If you dream of visiting this marine wonderland, here is a short guide about the place and the things you should not miss here.
Learn more about Sainte Anne Marine National Park
Located 5 km from Victoria, the park is a collection of 6 coral islands, popularly known as the ‘interior islands’ of Seychelles. Sainte Anne Island, with areas of Round Island, Long Island, Cerf Island, Moyenne Island and Île Caché; This marine biodiversity park covers an area of 14.43 km². It consists mainly of coral reefs and granitic rocks; This park is quite famous and all kinds of tourists come here.
Best time to visit: Although this attraction is a year-round destination, the best time to visit is from November to February, to see the corals and enjoy the incredible experiences of thrilling water sports.
how to reach: There is a regular ferry service from Victoria Harbor to Saint Anne Island. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the island via small boats. There are several tour operators in Victoria who organize day trips to various islands. These day trips include island hopping, snorkeling, glass bottom boat rides, and scuba diving.
Sainte Anne Marine National Park Entry Fees and Timings: The park is open to the public from 6:30 am to 5:30 pm on all days except Sundays. There is no entry fee for this marine biodiversity park.
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Flora and fauna of Sainte Anne Marine National Park
Vegetation: The park is adorned with 75 endemic species of flora, such as mosses, lichens, sea grasses, algae and coastal bushes and plantations.
living organisms: The park is home to over 1000 varieties of fish, amphibians and reptiles. Vibrant marine life is seen here, including eagle rays, pipefish, sea turtles and bottlenose dolphins.
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Things to do in Sainte Anne Marine National Park
1. snorkeling
Known for colorful coral reefs; This place is a paradise for snorkeling and scuba diving. The most popular snorkeling points in the park are located between Sainte Anne Island and Moyenne Island. One can enjoy watching beautiful sea grass, shoals of fish, crabs, turtles and dolphins. If you enjoy water sports, this is a great opportunity to go deeper into the ocean and discover the gems of the sea.
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2. Glass bottom boat ride
Tourists also enjoy a glass bottom boat ride. It provides an excellent opportunity to view the bright and beautiful corals and marine flora and fauna that swim in the shallow waters. Feast your eyes on sea turtles, pipe fishes and eagle rays and spectacular seagrass beds. This is a great way for those who are afraid of getting into the water, yet want to experience the colorful aquatic life.
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3. Swimming and surfing
Swimming and windsurfing are allowed on some islands of this national park. Long Island, Surf Island and Round Island have shallow water levels and are ideal for beach picnics and swimming. Enjoy relaxing in the clear blue waters of the natural and man-made pools, an ideal way to spend your holidays in Seychelles.
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Places to Stay in Sainte Anne Marine National Park
People usually take a day trip to this national park from Victoria and return on the same day. But if you want to enjoy the exciting experiences of staying close to nature, book into one of the few resorts on the islands. In Round Island, JA can stay at the Enchanted Island Resort, Cerf Island Resort, and L’Habitation Hotel in Cerf Island.
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Ready for such a surreal place? If you are planning to go on holidays to Seychelles, make sure you put this attraction on your itinerary. It is a must visit place for all nature and adventure lovers.
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