Snorkeling St-Pierre Marine Park and Anse Petite Cour

Clear water rewards a curious swimmer. This Praslin boat trip pairs St-Pierre Marine Park with Anse Petite Cour, giving you two chances to see coral, tropical fish, and the open Indian Ocean. I like the hotel pickup across Praslin and the small maximum of eight people. The main concern is getting back aboard, since a recent outing had no ladder and the climb was difficult for an older swimmer.

You leave from Anse Possession at about 10:30 a.m., after pickup 10 to 30 minutes before the activity. I also like that the price includes equipment, water, soft drinks, a Seybrew beer for adults, and light local chips. Still, check the timing carefully: the advertised duration is 150 minutes, while the schedule describes roughly 30-minute transfers and up to an hour at each snorkeling site.

Key points to know before booking

• Two separate snorkeling areas: St-Pierre Marine Park offers coral reefs and fish around an uninhabited island, while Anse Petite Cour provides another chance to swim with marine life near Praslin.
• Small group of eight: A low participant limit should make boarding, equipment fitting, and time in the water less crowded.
• Pickup across Praslin: Hotel, villa, guesthouse, self-catering, airport, and ferry-terminal pickup options are available.
• Boat ride at up to 25 knots: The trip reaches St-Pierre quickly, but choppy water can make the ride and boarding less comfortable.
• Snacks and drinks included: Water, soft drinks, one Seybrew beer for adults, and light local chips are part of the package.
• Boat access needs attention: Ask in advance about the ladder or boarding setup if you have limited strength, mobility, or balance.

Why St-Pierre Marine Park is the star of the trip

St-Pierre is an uninhabited island that you can reach only by boat. That gives this short outing a sense of escape without requiring a full-day cruise or a long island transfer.

The island is surrounded by clear turquoise water, coral reefs, and tropical fish. You may spend time snorkeling around the reef, then look back toward the small rocky island and the wide Indian Ocean. The setting is especially appealing if you want a taste of Seychelles marine life without committing to scuba equipment or a full diving program.

The water clarity is one of the strongest reasons to book. Good visibility lets you see fish and coral without needing to swim far from the boat. The available information describes unusually healthy coral and sea grass at the sites, with no reported bleaching or die-off on one outing. That is encouraging for anyone who cares about the condition of the underwater environment, though sea conditions and visibility can change from day to day.

You should expect a relaxed snorkeling session rather than a formal marine biology lesson. The crew gives a safety briefing and explains where to swim. One guide also pointed out places of interest during the boat ride, which added useful context to the transfer.

The strongest account of the trip included a striking range of marine life: parrot fish, butterfly fish, angel fish, Moorish idols, pipe fish, jack fish, snapper, job fish, trevally, trigger fish, wrasse, surgeon fish, clouds of scissor tails and sergeant fish, plus a large ribbon-tailed ray. A turtle was also seen at Anse Petite Cour. These sightings are not guaranteed, but they show the potential of the two areas.

Anse Petite Cour gives you a second chance in the water

The stop at Anse Petite Cour is valuable because you are not relying on one reef alone. If wind or current affects St-Pierre, the second location may offer calmer or more sheltered water.

The description of this stop focuses on swimming with fish in their natural setting. That makes it a good fit for confident swimmers who want to spend more time observing rather than rushing through a single photo stop.

You might find fish feeding around coral or sea grass, and you may see smaller species that are easy to miss when a group moves too quickly. At one outing, a turtle was seen while small wrasse cleaned it. Again, wildlife is unpredictable, but the sighting gives you a good reason to keep your mask in place and look closely.

Anse Petite Cour also matters as a backup. Trade winds and currents can produce choppy water, especially during seasonal changes. On one trip, rough conditions led the crew to add snorkeling at Anse Lazio and Petit Anse Lazio, also known as Lovers Bay. That kind of adjustment is a practical sign that the crew may adapt the route instead of forcing an uncomfortable stop.

The tradeoff is that the exact second site may depend on weather and sea conditions. You book St-Pierre and Anse Petite Cour, but the operator may change the plan if conditions are poor. That is normal for a boat trip in open water, and safety should take priority over a fixed postcard itinerary.

The boat ride from Anse Possession

Pickup begins 10 to 30 minutes before the activity. The operator lists a long range of pickup places across Praslin, from major resorts such as Raffles, Constance Lemuria, Le Duc de Praslin, Paradise Sun, Coco de Mer, and Berjaya Praslin Resort to villas, small guesthouses, self-catering properties, the airport tourist office, and Praslin Ferry Terminal.

You need to provide your phone number and accommodation name when booking. Pickup details are supplied 24 to 48 hours later, so do not wait until the morning of the trip to confirm where the vehicle will meet you.

The boat leaves from Anse Possession at about 10:30 a.m. The ride to St-Pierre is described as traveling at up to 25 knots. That is quick enough to make the island feel close, but the ride can be bumpy if the sea is unsettled. Secure loose items and bring a camera only if it can be protected from spray.

The crew welcomes you aboard and gives a safety briefing before reaching the first snorkeling area. English and French are available. The group limit is eight, which is a useful feature here because small boats and water entry become awkward when too many people are packed together.

What the one-hour snorkeling sessions mean

The schedule allows one hour at St-Pierre and one hour at Praslin, listed as Anse Petite Cour. That sounds generous for a 150-minute activity, especially when transfer time is included, so you should treat the times as an outline rather than a strict promise.

The most positive outing lasted longer than expected because the guide did not rush the small group. In rough conditions, an extra snorkeling session was added at Anse Lazio and Petit Anse Lazio. That is the best possible use of spare time, but it also means the final itinerary may shift.

The experience is not presented as a lesson with a detailed fish briefing or a long guided swim. In one account, the crew explained that the group had an hour and then left participants to snorkel. If you prefer to explore independently, that can be fine. If you want constant guidance, ask before entering the water how closely the crew will accompany you.

Equipment is included. The package says snorkeling masks, snorkels, and fins are provided on board. However, one group reported that the equipment was not offered clearly, which caused confusion. I would ask the crew directly for a mask, snorkel, and fins before the boat leaves rather than assuming the gear will be placed in front of you.

The boarding issue you should not ignore

Water entry and exit are the most important practical concern. One outing reported that the boat did not have a ladder, and a swimmer over 70 had trouble climbing back aboard. The crew did not provide enough assistance, according to that account.

This is not a minor detail if you have weak knees, limited upper-body strength, poor balance, or simply dislike climbing from the sea onto a high boat. Before booking, contact Infinity Charter Seychelles and ask exactly how swimmers get back aboard. Ask if there is a ladder, a platform, or crew assistance.

The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, babies under one year, or people over 95. Those limits do not fully describe every mobility concern, so you should be realistic about your own ability to climb out of the water. A strong swimmer can still find boat boarding difficult.

The crew may be polite and helpful, but boarding arrangements matter more than good intentions. If you need firm support, get a clear answer in advance.

What is included for $106

At $106 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning on Praslin. The value depends on how much you would otherwise pay for transport, boat hire, snorkeling gear, drinks, and access to two marine areas.

The price includes:

• Pickup and drop-off anywhere on Praslin
• Boat transfers
• Snorkeling at St-Pierre Marine Park
• Snorkeling at Anse Petite Cour
• Snorkeling equipment
• Drinking water
• Soft drinks
• One Seybrew beer for each adult aged 18 and over
• Light local chips

Hotel pickup has real value on Praslin, where getting from a villa or guesthouse to a marina can require a taxi. The small group also makes the price easier to justify than a crowded boat with dozens of people.

Lunch is not included. Neither are towels or island taxes. Bring your own towel and eat before or after the trip. The included chips are a snack, not a meal.

You should also account for the possibility that the boat may change the route in poor weather. The company can cancel if conditions are unfavorable, or move the activity to another day at your request. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this excursion to confident swimmers who want a short, simple introduction to Praslin’s reefs. It suits you if you value hotel pickup, a small group, supplied gear, and more than one chance to see fish.

It is also a good choice if you have only a morning free. The listed duration is two and a half hours, though the schedule and actual outings suggest the day may run differently depending on sea conditions and route changes.

Families with older children may enjoy it, but babies under one year are not accepted. Anyone with limited mobility should ask about the boat ladder before paying. Non-swimmers may find the trip less rewarding because its main purpose is time in the water, not a glass-bottom boat tour.

Photographers should bring a camera suitable for beach and boat conditions. The combination of white sand, clear water, coral, fish, and the isolated St-Pierre setting offers strong photo opportunities, but no underwater camera is listed as included.

Useful preparation for a smoother outing

Wear beachwear from the start. Bring a towel, sunscreen, and a secure way to carry your phone or camera. Food is not allowed in the vehicle, so have breakfast before pickup rather than planning to eat during the transfer.

Provide accurate accommodation details and a working phone number. The pickup list covers nearly every kind of Praslin stay, but the operator still needs to know exactly where to find you.

Arrive ready to listen during the safety briefing. Ask for your snorkeling equipment before reaching the site, and check that the mask seals properly. If the sea looks rough, ask what alternative site is planned and how boarding will work.

The guides speak English and French. One outing praised the guide for pointing out sights from the boat and for allowing extra time when conditions changed. Another account described little explanation from the boat crew, so the level of commentary may vary. You should expect basic instruction rather than a full guided nature tour.

Should you book Snorkeling St-Pierre Marine Park and Anse Petite Cour?

Book it if you want two reef stops, a small group, and easy pickup on Praslin. The fish life can be excellent, the coral and sea grass may be in good condition, and the included drinks and equipment make the $106 price easier to understand.

Think twice if climbing out of the water is difficult for you. The missing ladder reported on one outing is the key warning. Also remember that the advertised 150 minutes may not match the longer stop-by-stop outline, and weather can change the route.

My practical call: contact the operator before booking, confirm the ladder, confirm pickup time, and ask how long the boat will remain at each site. If those answers suit you, this is a worthwhile short marine outing with real wildlife potential, not just a quick photo ride around Praslin.

FAQ

Where does the trip depart from?

The boat departs from Anse Possession at about 10:30 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included on Praslin?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available from hotels, villas, guesthouses, self-catering properties, the airport tourist office, and the Praslin Ferry Terminal.

How early is pickup?

Pickup takes place 10 to 30 minutes before the activity begins. You need to provide your phone number and accommodation name so arrangements can be confirmed.

How long does the activity last?

The stated duration is 150 minutes. The schedule also lists transfer time and up to one hour of snorkeling at each of two locations, so the exact timing may change.

Which places do you visit?

The planned snorkeling locations are St-Pierre Marine Park and Anse Petite Cour. The route may change if weather or sea conditions are unfavorable.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included and provided on board.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. Water, soft drinks, one Seybrew beer for each adult aged 18 or over, and light local chips are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Towels and island taxes are also excluded.

Can the trip be canceled or moved because of weather?

Yes. The operator can cancel if weather conditions are unfavorable, or move the activity to another day at your request. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.