Sainte Anne & Moyenne Island: Snorkeling, Tortoises & Creole Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.61 (175 reviews) 79% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell out

1/9

Duration7h

GroupUp to 50

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Giant tortoises on Moyenne island snorkeling in Sainte Anne turquoise waters creole food stories from Seychellois locals

You’ll drift across turquoise waters in Sainte Anne Marine Park, meet giant land tortoises roaming free on Moyenne Island, share stories with your Seychellois guide, then eat a Creole lunch by the sea before snorkeling among bright coral reefs. It’s not just about what you see — it’s how you’ll feel heading home with salty hair and new stories stuck in your head.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Sainte Anne Marine Park and Moyenne Island

Depart from Mahé Island
Snorkel in Sainte Anne Marine Park
Pass by Ste. Anne Island
Pass by Cerf Island
Arrive at Moyenne Island
Join guided tour of Moyenne Island
See giant land tortoises
Visit early settlers’ homes and chapel
Have lunch at Jolly Roger restaurant
Cruise around marine park islands
Stop for snorkeling and swimming
Pass by Round Island
Pass by Long Island
Return to Mahé Island

The Experience

I still remember how fast the color changed as our boat left Mahé — that sudden pop of turquoise in the Sainte Anne Marine Park, like someone cranked up the saturation. The air smelled faintly salty and sweet, and I could hear kids laughing somewhere behind us. Our guide, Jean-Luc, was already pointing out Cerf Island (“that one’s shaped like a sleeping lizard,” he said) but honestly I was just staring at the water. It didn’t look real.

We landed on Moyenne Island and right away there were giant tortoises everywhere — just sort of lumbering around like they owned the place (which, fair enough). One of them eyed my sandal with what I swear was suspicion. Jean-Luc told us about pirates’ graves hidden under the trees and showed us old settler ruins; he even let me try saying “Moyenne” properly in Creole, which made everyone laugh (I definitely butchered it). The island felt wild but also cared for — you could smell earth and leaves, and sometimes a whiff of something cooking from the restaurant up the hill.

Lunch at Jolly Roger was simple but good — grilled fish with rice and some spicy sauce I couldn’t name. We ate outside, feet sandy, watching little birds dart around. After that it was back to the boat for more cruising through the marine park. We stopped twice to snorkel over coral reefs; I lost track of time floating above parrotfish and these tiny electric-blue things darting between rocks. The sun kept shifting behind clouds so everything looked different every few minutes. At one point I just floated on my back listening to nothing but water slapping against my mask.

The ride back to Mahé was slow and warm — everyone a bit quiet, maybe sun-stunned or just thinking about those tortoises. There’s something about seeing old graves next to new green leaves that sticks with you longer than you expect.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup by coach from Mahé, all marine park entry fees and landing fees for Moyenne Island, a guided walk among giant tortoises with a local guide sharing stories along the way, plus a relaxed Creole lunch at Jolly Roger before returning by boat in the afternoon.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Creole Travel Seychelles