Seychelles Sainte Anne: Semi Submarine Tour & Marine Life Views

Summary

See coral gardens & sea turtles from a dry underwater cabin near mahé

You’ll slip into a semi-submarine cabin near Mahé and watch sea turtles and colorful fish drift past coral gardens in Sainte Anne Marine Park. With local stories and no need to get wet or change clothes, you’ll see another side of Seychelles—one that sticks with you after you step back onto land.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Semi Submarine Tour at Sainte Anne Park

• Depart from Eden Island
• View Eden Island marina and shops
• Travel to Sainte Anne Marine Park
• Enter underwater cabin for coral viewing
• Observe marine life underwater
• Pass by Sainte Anne Island
• Pass by Cerf Island
• Pass by Moyenne Island
• Pass by small rocky island with reefs
• Pass by Isle Cachée island
• Return to Eden Island

Top questions

Is the semi submarine tour in Sainte Anne suitable for kids?

Yes, it’s suitable for all ages—even infants can join with an adult.

Do I need special clothing for the Sainte Anne semi submarine tour?

No special clothing is needed; you remain dry during the entire trip.

Where does the Sainte Anne semi submarine tour start?

The tour departs from Eden Island near Mahé.

How long does the semi submarine tour last?

The experience lasts about one hour inside Sainte Anne Marine Park.

Will I see marine life without snorkeling?

Yes, you view corals and marine life through large underwater windows while staying dry.

Is pickup included for this Seychelles semi submarine tour?

The tour includes easy access from Eden Island; public transport is nearby.

Are wheelchairs or strollers allowed on board?

Yes, all areas are wheelchair accessible and strollers are welcome.

What islands are visible during the Sainte Anne Marine Park tour?

You’ll pass by islands like Ste Anne, Cerf Island, Moyenne, Ile Ronde, Ile Longue, Ile Cachee, and Ile aux Cerfs.

What’s included

Your ticket covers all entry fees and taxes for Sainte Anne Marine Park. The boat is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers so families or anyone can join easily—no special gear needed—and you stay comfortably dry throughout the whole hour-long ride before returning to Eden Island.

What’s the experience like?

Someone’s knocking on the glass — it’s just a kid grinning at us through the thick window as we shuffle down into the semi-submarine’s belly. I’m still clutching my bag, not sure if I’ll need it (I didn’t), and our guide, Alain, is already pointing out where we’re headed: Sainte Anne Marine Park, just a short ride from Eden Island. The air smells like sunscreen and salt. There’s this low hum from the boat’s engine, mixed with laughter from a family behind me — I guess everyone’s a little giddy to see what’s under there.

You don’t get wet on this semi submarine tour, which feels weird at first — you’re surrounded by water but bone dry. We slid onto these benches facing big glass panels, and suddenly it was all blue light and darting fish. Alain tapped the glass when a turtle drifted by (honestly, I almost missed it because I was too busy gawking at the coral). He told us about how Sainte Anne was once full of crocodiles — hard to imagine now with so many butterfly fish swirling around. At one point he tried to show us an eagle ray but my camera caught only my own reflection. Oh well.

The marine park is close to Mahé — maybe 5km? — but it feels like you’ve left regular life behind for an hour or so. The boat glides past Cerf Island and Moyenne, and Alain slips in stories about pirates’ graves and old French ships. It gets quiet sometimes except for someone’s sandal squeaking or a little gasp when something colorful flashes past outside. When we surfaced again near Eden Island, I realized I’d barely looked up at the sky at all; everything worth seeing was under our feet this time. Still thinking about that green turtle.