Sainte Anne Marine National Park

Sainte Anne Marine National Park is a protected marine area off the coast of Mahé in the Seychelles, declared in 1973 as the country’s first marine park. It conserves a group of small islands and surrounding coral reef habitats close to the capital.

The park is prized for near-shore coral reefs, clear water and shallow snorkelling sites a few kilometres from Victoria, making it suitable for day trips and guided boat excursions. Sea turtles, reef fish and coral communities are among the typical marine life encountered around the islands.

The area was set aside by the Seychelles government in 1973 to protect reef and island habitats while allowing controlled tourism. Management since then has combined conservation measures with regulated visitor access to reduce pressure on sensitive reef zones.

The park sits off the east/southeast coast of Mahé, a short boat ride from Victoria. The islands and reef complexes lie within a few kilometres of the capital and are part of the inner island lagoon landscape.

• Established: Declared a protected marine area by the Seychelles government in 1973 and was the country's first marine park.
• Getting there: Boat access from Victoria is the normal way to reach the islands and reef sites, with short crossings of a few kilometres.