Snorkeling St-Pierre Marine Park and Anse Petite Cour

St-Pierre Marine Park gives you a quick, memorable look at Seychelles underwater life, with clear water, coral formations, and plenty of tropical fish close to Praslin. The short boat ride also brings fine views of the Indian Ocean and the uninhabited island.

I like the small group limit of eight, which should make the boat and water time feel more manageable. I also like the practical package: equipment, drinks, local chips, and pickup from almost any Praslin accommodation are included.

The main caution is the boat access back aboard. One recent outing had no ladder, making the climb difficult for an older participant. Ask about boarding arrangements before you book if you have limited mobility or shoulder, knee, or balance problems.

Key points to know before booking

• Two snorkeling areas: St-Pierre Marine Park and Anse Petite Cours offer different settings during one short outing.
• Small boat group: The maximum group size is eight people, a useful advantage for water time and personal attention.
• Fast transfer: The boat travels at about 25 knots from Anse Possession, so the ride is part of the fun, not just a transfer.
• Marine life can be excellent: One outing recorded parrot fish, butterfly fish, angel fish, rays, turtles, trigger fish, wrasse, and large schools of smaller fish.
• Bring your own towel: Water, soft drinks, local chips, and one Seybrew beer for adults are included, but lunch, towels, and island taxes are not.
• Check the boarding setup: The return climb may be awkward without a ladder, especially for older or less agile swimmers.

Two Praslin snorkeling spots in one short outing

This is a compact sea trip rather than a full-day cruise. The advertised duration is 150 minutes, with pickup at your Praslin accommodation roughly 10 to 30 minutes before the activity and boarding at Anse Possession at 10:30 in the morning.

The plan is simple. You ride out to St-Pierre Marine Park, spend about an hour in the water, then continue to Anse Petite Cours for another snorkeling session before returning to Praslin. The listed itinerary also includes 30-minute transfer periods, so confirm the exact timing when your pickup is arranged. Sea conditions can affect the order, length, and choice of stops.

I like this format for visitors who want to see Seychelles beneath the surface without giving up a full day. You get two locations and a boat ride, but you do not need to pack a lunch or prepare for a long open-water expedition.

The tradeoff is equally clear. At $106 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two and a half hours near the sea. Its value depends on how much you want the boat access, equipment, hotel pickup, and small group arrangement. If you only want to swim from a beach, you can find less expensive options. If you want to reach an uninhabited island and have two organized snorkeling stops, the price is easier to justify.

Pickup from nearly every corner of Praslin

Pickup is offered from hotels, villas, guesthouses, self-catering properties, the airport tourist office, the Praslin ferry terminal, and many named accommodations across the island. That saves you from arranging a taxi to Anse Possession, which matters on an island where transport can take planning.

You need to provide your telephone number and accommodation name when booking. Pickup details are supplied 24 to 48 hours after booking, so I would not leave your phone switched off or assume the departure time is final until the operator contacts you.

A driver named Nigel received specific praise for being friendly and helpful during the transfer to the boat. That kind of assistance is useful, especially if you are staying somewhere away from the main hotel areas. Nigel is not necessarily the driver for every departure, so treat his name as a helpful detail from one outing, not a guaranteed feature.

The boat leaves from Anse Possession at 10:30. Arrive ready in beachwear, with your camera protected from spray. You should also bring a towel, since towels are not provided.

The fast ride to uninhabited St-Pierre

After boarding, the staff provide a safety briefing before the boat heads toward St-Pierre Marine Park. The stated speed is about 25 knots, so the ride should be fairly quick, with open-water views along the way.

St-Pierre is uninhabited and accessible only by boat. That gives the first stop a more remote feel than a simple beach outing, even though the snorkeling session itself is organized and timed. The island also gives you a chance to see Praslin from the water and enjoy the white sand and clear turquoise sea around the island.

I would not think of St-Pierre as a place for a long land visit. The real reason to come is the water around it. You are there to swim over coral reefs and look for tropical fish, not to wander through shops, restaurants, or buildings.

The first water session lasts about an hour. Snorkeling equipment is supposed to be provided on board, including the basic gear needed for the activity. Because equipment handling was not consistent on one recent departure, I would confirm that masks, snorkels, and fins will be available before the boat leaves shore. If you own a mask that fits well, bringing it can also remove one possible source of trouble.

What you may see beneath St-Pierre

The clearest praise for this outing concerns the variety of marine life. A particularly strong session included a giant ribbon-tailed ray, large parrot fish, butterfly fish, angel fish, Moorish idols, pipe fish, jack fish, snapper, job fish, trevally, trigger fish, wrasse, and surgeon fish.

Schools of scissortail and sergeant fish were also seen. These details matter because they show the appeal of the site: you are not relying only on one large animal appearing at the right moment. There can be movement across the reef, with small schooling fish, larger reef fish, and rays sharing the same broad area.

One report also described healthy coral and sea grass, with no obvious bleaching or die-off during that outing. Conditions change with weather, water movement, and the season, so you should not treat that as a promise for every visit. Still, it is a good sign for anyone who cares about the condition of the underwater setting as well as the fish list.

The water is described as unusually clear, but visibility is never guaranteed. Trade winds and currents can make the sea choppy. In one case, rough water led to an extra session at Anse Lazio and Petit Anse Lazio, also called Lovers Bay, rather than a rushed stop at the planned site. That shows some flexibility, though the exact backup plan will depend on conditions that day.

Anse Petite Cours and the second water session

The second stop is Anse Petite Cours, a setting known for close encounters with fish in their natural surroundings. The name appears as Anse Petite Cour in one account, but it refers to the same planned second snorkeling area.

This stop gives you another chance to see reef life after the first hour at St-Pierre. You may notice different fish, a different depth, or a change in the way the light falls across the bottom. The value of two stops is not simply more time in the water. It gives the boat crew a chance to move you away from one spot if visibility or current is less favorable.

A turtle was seen at Anse Petite Cours while small wrasse cleaned it. That is exactly the sort of natural moment that makes a short snorkeling trip memorable, though no operator can guarantee a turtle or any particular fish.

The listed itinerary allows about an hour here as well. In practice, the actual swimming time may depend on sea conditions, boat handling, and the day’s timing. Keep your expectations flexible, especially if the water becomes rough.

The boat, safety briefing, and return climb

The crew gives a safety briefing before the boat heads out. That is important even for confident swimmers because the trip uses a boat-access-only site and the sea may be moving.

The biggest practical concern is getting back aboard. One outing had no ladder, and a participant over 70 struggled with the climb. The crew did not provide the help expected, and that person skipped the second stop. Another account described the return access as suitable mainly for physically fit people.

This is not a minor detail. A person who can swim comfortably may still have difficulty pulling up from the water onto a high boat, especially after an hour of swimming. If you have reduced strength, limited flexibility, or concerns about boarding, contact Infinity Charter Seychelles before booking and ask exactly what ladder or boarding assistance is available on your departure.

The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, babies under one year, or people over 95. Baby strollers and carriages are not allowed. Food is also not allowed in the vehicle, although light local chips are included during the outing.

Drinks, snacks, and what the $106 price covers

The $106 price includes pickup and drop-off across Praslin, the two snorkeling sessions, snorkeling equipment, drinking water, soft drinks, and light local chips. Adults aged 18 and over also receive one Seybrew beer.

That is a useful package for a short trip. You do not need to rent equipment separately or buy refreshments during the boat ride. Hotel pickup can add real value if you would otherwise need a taxi to the launch point and back.

Lunch is not included, but the timing means this is not presented as a lunch excursion. You should eat beforehand or arrange a meal after returning. Towels and island taxes are also extra.

I see the price as fair for someone who values convenience and the two marine locations. The cost feels less attractive if you already have snorkeling equipment, can reach the shore independently, and only want a short swim. The small group limit helps support the value, since eight people is a more comfortable arrangement than a crowded boat.

Weather, flexibility, and seasonal conditions

The operator can cancel if the weather is not favorable or move the activity to another day at your request. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps you from paying at the time of booking.

Those policies are useful because snorkeling depends heavily on wind, waves, and visibility. I would schedule this outing early enough in your Praslin stay to leave room for a weather change. If you book it on your final morning, there may be no practical chance to move it.

Trade winds and currents were already affecting one July outing. The crew responded by adding time at Anse Lazio and Petit Anse Lazio, which kept the group in better conditions. That was a sensible adjustment, but you should understand that an alternate stop may replace a planned location when the sea is rough.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this outing to confident swimmers who want a short, organized look at Seychelles marine life. It suits couples, small groups, and independent visitors who prefer hotel pickup rather than arranging transport to the harbor.

It is also a good fit if you care about fish variety. The possible sightings range from schooling fish and reef species to rays and turtles, and the clear water can make the underwater viewing especially rewarding.

I would be cautious if you are not comfortable climbing from the water onto a boat. Older swimmers should ask specific questions about the ladder and crew assistance before paying. Families with very young children should also note the age restrictions and the fact that strollers and carriages are not permitted.

The activity is offered in English and French. Group size is limited to eight, which should make it easier to hear the briefing and move through the day without the delays common on larger boats.

Should you book the St-Pierre snorkeling trip?

Book it if you want two reef stops, access to uninhabited St-Pierre, a small group, and pickup from your Praslin accommodation. The strongest reason to go is the chance to see a wide range of fish in clear water, with rays, turtles, and healthy coral possible under good conditions.

Think twice if you need easy water access, guaranteed equipment handling, or a full-day outing with lunch. The boat boarding issue is serious enough to check in advance, and the 150-minute schedule leaves little room for delays.

For a confident swimmer who values convenience, this is a well-focused way to spend part of a Praslin morning. I would book it early in the stay, confirm the pickup and equipment details, bring a towel and camera, and ask about the boarding ladder before I commit.

FAQ

How long does the snorkeling activity last?

The advertised duration is 150 minutes. The planned schedule includes about one hour at St-Pierre Marine Park and another hour at Anse Petite Cours, along with boat transfers.

Where does the boat leave from?

Boarding begins at Anse Possession at 10:30 in the morning. Pickup is available from accommodations and other listed locations across Praslin.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered from hotels, guesthouses, villas, self-catering properties, the Praslin ferry terminal, the airport tourist office, and many other named locations on Praslin.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for the sessions at St-Pierre Marine Park and Anse Petite Cours. It is sensible to confirm the exact equipment setup before departure.

Are food and drinks included?

Water, soft drinks, light local chips, and one Seybrew beer for each adult aged 18 or over are included. Lunch is not included, and food is not allowed in the vehicle.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear, a camera, and a towel. Towels are not provided.

Can the activity be changed or canceled because of weather?

Yes. The operator can cancel when weather conditions are unsuitable or arrange the activity for another day. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.