Snorkeling St-Pierre Marine Park and Anse Petite Cour

Two beautiful snorkel stops, one short boat trip. This Praslin outing takes you by fast boat to St-Pierre Marine Park and Anse Petite Cour, where clear water, coral reefs, and tropical fish are the main event. I like the small group of no more than eight people and the easy pickup from hotels, villas, and self-catering stays across Praslin. I also like that snorkeling gear, water, soft drinks, a Seybrew beer for adults, and light local chips are included. The main drawback is practical: getting back onto the boat may be hard, since one recent outing had no ladder and no helping hand for an older swimmer.

The advertised price is $106 per person for 150 minutes. That is fair if you value hotel transport and a private-feeling boat trip, but it is not a full-day excursion. You get about an hour at each snorkeling area, plus the ride, and lunch is not included.

Key points to know before you book

• St-Pierre is boat-access only: This uninhabited island gives you a quiet setting with white sand, turquoise water, and reef snorkeling away from Praslin’s roads.
• Two one-hour water sessions: The plan allows about an hour at St-Pierre and another hour at Anse Petite Cour, weather and sea conditions permitting.
• Small boat group: The maximum group size is eight, which means less waiting and more room than on a large sightseeing boat.
• Equipment and drinks are included: Snorkels, masks, fins, water, soft drinks, one Seybrew beer for adults, and local chips are provided.
• Pickup covers all of Praslin: Collection is available from hotels, villas, guesthouses, self-catering properties, and the airport tourist office.
• Boat access deserves attention: Ask about the boarding ladder before you book if you have limited strength, balance, or mobility.

Leaving Praslin from Anse Possession at 10:30

Your pickup comes 10 to 30 minutes before the activity. The operator collects from a long list of accommodations across Praslin, including properties around Côte d’Or, Anse Lazio, Anse Possession, Anse Kerlan, and the airport area. The exact pickup details are sent after booking, so provide both your phone number and accommodation name.

The boat leaves from Anse Possession at 10:30 in the morning. Staff give a safety briefing before setting off, then the boat heads toward St-Pierre at about 25 knots. That speed makes the transfer efficient, but it can also mean a bumpy ride if the sea is choppy. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the movement feels least intense and bring any medication you normally use.

I like the morning start. You still have much of the day ahead, and the light is usually useful for seeing fish and reef detail through the water. The timing also avoids turning this into an exhausting full-day commitment. You are back after roughly two and a half hours, although weather changes or an added snorkeling stop can affect the schedule.

The boat group is limited to eight people. That matters here because a crowded boat can make mask fitting, entering the water, and climbing back aboard awkward. A small group also gives you a better chance of asking questions in English or French and getting a little personal attention.

St-Pierre Marine Park and its clear shallow water

St-Pierre is an uninhabited island in the Seychelles, reached only by boat. That isolation is part of the appeal. You are not coming for museums, shops, or a long beach stay. You are coming for a simple island setting and time in the water.

The planned snorkeling session lasts about one hour. Equipment is supposed to be provided on board, including the mask, snorkel, and fins. Check the fit before entering the water, especially the mask seal and fin size. A poor-fitting mask can spoil an otherwise excellent session faster than almost anything else.

The water around St-Pierre is described as exceptionally clear, with coral reefs and tropical fish. You might see parrot fish, butterfly fish, angel fish, Moorish idols, pipefish, wrasse, surgeon fish, triggerfish, snapper, trevally, and schools of smaller reef fish. A large ribbon-tailed ray has also been seen in the area. These sightings are never guaranteed, but the range gives you an idea of what makes the stop worthwhile.

The coral is another reason to pay attention. The strongest conditions described here include healthy coral and seagrass, without obvious bleaching or die-off. That is good news for anyone who cares about the quality of the underwater setting, not just the number of fish.

Between swims, you can enjoy the white sand and views across the Indian Ocean. Keep expectations sensible, though. This is a snorkeling stop, not a long island picnic. The schedule gives you roughly an hour, and the focus stays on the water.

Anse Petite Cour for the second swim

The second stop is Anse Petite Cour, described as a place to swim with fish in their natural setting. It offers a different feel from the offshore island stop because it is associated with Praslin’s coastline and sheltered beach surroundings.

You get another session of about one hour. This gives the outing a useful rhythm: one reef stop first, then a second chance to see fish and coral under different conditions. If your first swim is affected by current, glare, or a poorly fitting mask, the second stop gives you time to adjust.

Anse Petite Cour can also reward patient swimmers. Instead of racing around with your head down, move slowly and watch the edges of coral and seagrass. Fish often become easier to spot when you stop kicking and let your eyes adjust.

A turtle has been seen at Anse Petite Cour while small wrasse cleaned its shell. That kind of encounter is possible, but it should be treated as luck rather than part of the promise. The reliable reason to book this stop is the chance to spend another hour in clear water with reef fish.

Sea conditions can change the plan. During a period of rougher water, the guide substituted or added snorkeling at Anse Lazio and Petit Anse Lazio, also called Lovers Bay. That flexibility is a plus. It suggests the crew may protect the quality of the outing rather than force you into an uncomfortable or unsafe water entry. Still, you should understand that the exact second stop can change.

What the crew adds, and where service matters

The boat crew provides a safety briefing and handles the basic operation of the trip. One particularly positive account describes a guide who pointed out places of interest along the coast while the boat was moving and did not rush the group when conditions became difficult. The group was small, with only three people on that departure, which made the trip feel personal.

Nigel, the pickup driver, has also been singled out for being friendly and helpful. A good driver makes a difference on Praslin, where accommodation names and locations can be confusing and road transfers may take longer than expected.

The service is not always equally polished. On one departure, the two crew members gave only a brief introduction, left the equipment unused, and provided little help getting back into the boat. This is especially important for anyone over 70 or anyone who is not confident with upper-body strength.

The equipment is listed as included, but one group was not offered masks, snorkels, or fins. That is a serious service gap, so confirm the arrangement when you board. Do not assume that gear sitting on the boat will automatically be handed to you. Ask directly for the complete set before the boat leaves the first stop.

The lack of a ladder was the most troubling practical issue. If you have knee trouble, shoulder weakness, poor balance, or simply dislike hauling yourself up from the water, ask whether a boarding ladder is available on the boat assigned to your trip. This question may affect your decision more than the scenery does.

What is included for $106

At $106 per person, the price sits in the middle range for a short marine outing, but value depends on what you need. You are paying for transport from your Praslin accommodation, the speedboat ride, two snorkeling locations, equipment, drinks, snacks, and a small group.

The pickup is useful. A taxi to the departure point would add cost and planning, especially if you are staying far from Anse Possession. The small group also gives the outing more value than a packed boat, particularly when you need help with masks or want room to move around.

Included refreshments are modest but welcome:

• Drinking water
• Soft drinks
• One Seybrew beer for each adult aged 18 or over
• Light local chips

Lunch is not included. Since the whole activity lasts about 150 minutes, that is not a major problem, but plan a meal before or after. Towels are also not provided, so bring your own from your accommodation if permitted.

Island taxes are excluded. Ask for the current amount before departure so you are not caught without cash or a payment method. The supplied information does not state the tax amount.

The overall rating is 4.4 out of 5 from 20 ratings. That points to a generally well-liked outing, while the lower scores focus on the same practical concerns: limited communication, missing equipment, and difficult boat access.

How to prepare for the water

Bring beachwear and a camera. A waterproof phone pouch or small waterproof camera is useful, since the best moments may happen below the surface. Do not bring food into the vehicle, and baby strollers and baby carriages are not allowed.

You should also bring:

• Your own towel
• Sun protection
• A dry change of clothes
• Any seasickness medicine you normally take
• A secure bag for valuables

The operator supplies water and drinks, but do not expect a full meal. Keep valuables to a minimum. Boats have limited dry storage, and salt water is hard on phones, cameras, and watches.

Wear swimwear under your clothes so you can get ready quickly. If you need prescription lenses in your mask, ask about that before booking because no such service is listed.

Weather is central to this outing. If conditions are poor, the operator may cancel or move the activity to a later day. That policy is sensible for an open-water trip, but leave some flexibility in your Praslin schedule. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.

Who will enjoy this Praslin outing

I would recommend this trip to confident swimmers, couples, solo visitors, and small groups who want a quick look at Seychelles marine life without giving up a whole day. It is also a good fit if you value hotel pickup and prefer a small boat over a large organized cruise.

The trip suits you particularly well if:

• You want two separate snorkeling locations
• You are staying anywhere on Praslin
• You like short, focused excursions
• You are comfortable entering and leaving a boat from the water
• You want drinks and basic snacks included
• You speak English or French, or are comfortable with a simple safety briefing

It is a poorer choice if you need a wheelchair-accessible activity, have a baby under one year old, or are over 95. The operator also lists the activity as unsuitable for wheelchair users. More broadly, anyone with limited mobility should ask specific questions about the boat ladder and assistance before paying.

Children are not broadly excluded, but babies under one year are not accepted. The information does not give a minimum swimming ability or a child price, so ask before booking if you are bringing younger children.

Should you book St-Pierre and Anse Petite Cour?

Book it if your priority is clear water, healthy-looking reef, tropical fish, and a compact small-group boat trip. The combination of St-Pierre’s uninhabited island setting, a second swim at Anse Petite Cour, hotel pickup, and included equipment gives the $106 price reasonable value.

I would be more cautious if you are older, unsteady on your feet, or not comfortable pulling yourself out of the sea. Confirm that masks, snorkels, fins, and a boarding ladder will be available. That one phone call could decide whether this is a carefree morning or a frustrating one.

If the sea is calm and the crew is attentive, this can be one of the better short marine outings on Praslin. Just remember what you are buying: two focused snorkeling sessions, not a full island day, not lunch, and not a fully accessible boat experience.

FAQ

How long does the snorkeling experience last?

The total activity lasts 150 minutes, or about two and a half hours. The plan includes roughly one hour of snorkeling at St-Pierre and another hour at Anse Petite Cour, with boat transfers between locations.

Where does the boat leave from?

Embarkation begins at Anse Possession at 10:30 in the morning. Pickup from your Praslin accommodation takes place 10 to 30 minutes before the activity.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is listed as included, and it should be available on board. Because equipment was not offered to one group, ask the crew for your mask, snorkel, and fins before entering the water.

What refreshments are provided?

The trip includes drinking water, soft drinks, light local chips, and one Seybrew beer for each adult aged 18 or over. Lunch and towels are not included.

Can the snorkeling locations change?

Yes. If weather or sea conditions are not suitable, the operator may cancel, postpone, or adjust the activity. Anse Lazio and Petit Anse Lazio have been used as alternative or additional snorkeling locations when the water was choppy.

Is the activity suitable for people with limited mobility?

The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, babies under one year, or people over 95. You should also ask about the boarding ladder if you have difficulty climbing from the water into a boat.