Sainte Anne Marine National ParkSainte Anne Marine National Park at a Glance
About 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.
Nearby Attractions to Sainte Anne Marine National Park
Best Time to Visit Sainte Anne Marine National Park
Drier months May-October generally provide better water clarity for snorkeling and diving.
Weather & Climate near Sainte Anne Marine National Park
Sainte Anne Marine National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 24°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (2253 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Good | 24° - 30° | 30° | 370 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 3.5 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.2h |
| February | Very Good | 25° - 30° | 31° | 275 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.7 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 12.1h |
| March | Very Good | 25° - 31° | 32° | 186 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.6 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Very Good | 25° - 31° | 32° | 182 mm | some cloud | 77% | 3.5 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 11.9h |
| May | Very Good | 25° - 31° | 32° | 143 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.5 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 11.8h |
| June | Very Good | 25° - 29° | 27° | 91 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 5.7 m/s | 2.0 very high | 11.7h |
| July | Very Good | 24° - 28° | 26° | 78 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 6.3 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.8h |
| August | Very Good | 24° - 29° | 26° | 122 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 6.5 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 11.9h |
| September | Very Good | 24° - 29° | 27° | 136 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 5.9 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.0h |
| October | Very Good | 24° - 30° | 30° | 183 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.3 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.1h |
| November | Very Good | 24° - 30° | 30° | 204 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.7 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.2h |
| December | Very Good | 24° - 30° | 27° | 283 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.8 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.3h |
How to Get to Sainte Anne Marine National Park
The park is reached by boat from Victoria, the capital on Mahé Island. Many operators in Victoria run day trips and snorkeling excursions to Sainte Anne Marine National Park; travel time is typically under an hour depending on the vessel.
Tips for Visiting Sainte Anne Marine National Park
- Book boat transfers or snorkeling trips in advance-space is limited and weather-dependent.
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen; marine life and coral are a focus of protection efforts.
- Look for guided excursions that include marine conservation briefings.