One day, two snorkel stops, and a sandbank pause. This full-day Seychelles outing takes you through Ste Anne Marine National Park with island-hopping, fish feeding, a glassbottom boat ride, and time on land for giant tortoises.

I especially like how they structure the day around seeing marine life, not just swimming once. You get fish feeding up front, then snorkeling again later after a sandbank intermission.

The one real consideration is that the experience depends on weather. Moyenne Island disembarkation can change, and the whole schedule can get shifted if sea conditions are not friendly.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

• Fish feeding and photos early on so you get oriented to the reef life before you swim
• Two snorkeling sessions that are planned at different points of the day
• Crystal kayak availability on request during the sandbank portion
• Sandbank time between Round and Long Island for a slower, scenic break
• Creole BBQ lunch on Cerf Island served with water and juice
• Giant tortoises visit after lunch, plus another chance to spot sea life on the water

Ste Anne Marine National Park in One Efficient Day

This is a one-day, island-hopping package built for people who want a solid marine day without messing with multiple tickets and schedules. You start at Eden Island marine jetty at 9:45am for boarding, with departure at 10:00am, and you’re back down at the marina by 16:00.

The setting is the Seychelles’ Ste Anne Marine National Park, a place known for coral reefs and sea creatures you can actually see during short snorkel windows. The day also includes a land portion on the islands, so it’s not only about the water.

If you’re the kind of person who likes structure, this tour is pretty clear: sea, snorkel, sandbank, lunch, tortoises, then one more snorkel before heading back.

Getting There Smoothly From Eden Island

Your morning begins with transport logistics handled by the operator. If you’re staying in the north area of the island, pick up and drop off are included. If you’re staying in the south, pick up and drop off are not included, so plan to get yourself to Eden Island.

The crew runs the day in English and French. The atmosphere on board matters here, because this is a longish outing for a single day, and the guidance quality affects how much you notice in the water.

From the feedback you can see a pattern: when the on-water team is on form, the entire day feels better. Guides such as Collin and Yohan have been praised for their animation and explanations, and other crew members like Adlé and Joshua also got strong mentions.

The Glassbottom Boat Part: Why It Can Matter

You’ll ride a modern glassbottom boat during the marine portion. On paper, that means clearer views of the reef without having to keep your face in the water constantly.

One important nuance from real-life experience: in at least one case, the first boat ride was described as a motorboat without a glass bottom, with a later switch for a short glassbottom segment. The person involved felt that the faster comfort of the motorboat made more difference than the glass bottom did, since the snorkeling time was still good.

So how should you think about it? If glassbottom views are a key reason you booked, ask the crew on the day how much glassbottom time you’ll actually have. If you mainly want to snorkel and spot wildlife, glassbottom is a bonus, not your whole payoff.

Fish Feeding and the First Snorkel Stop

The day’s first big activity is fish feeding. It’s timed early, after the cruise into the marine park, and it’s a smart move. You get a chance to look at how the reef life behaves before you suit up.

Then comes the first main snorkeling session. This is where you’ll likely see a mix of reef fish in many sizes and colors, plus the sea turtles that seem to be a frequent highlight. In feedback, people noted multiple sea turtles, and one report even mentioned seeing a small shark.

That said, this is nature. I would not treat sightings like a guarantee. What the best days have in common is that the crew explains what not to do and how to avoid stressing wildlife. One review specifically called out that the guides taught that animals can’t be influenced, so they didn’t promise encounters, but the odds improved when everyone behaved responsibly.

Your practical tip: keep your snorkel mask clean, move slowly, and don’t chase animals with your body or hands. You want the view, not a disturbance.

The Sandbank Between Round and Long Island

After you’ve explored reefs, the tour stops to visit the sandbank between Round Island and Long Island. This is the calm part of the day. You get time to relax, look around, and enjoy the feel of the water and shoreline rather than only thinking about the next swim window.

This is also where the crystal kayak can happen. You can do crystal kayaking up on request, which means it may depend on conditions and availability. If that’s a must for you, ask early or on arrival so you’re not relying on a vague later confirmation.

A sandbank visit is more than a photo stop. It gives your body a break, and it gives your brain a reset. After a snorkeling morning, you’ll appreciate the slower pace.

If you’re prone to getting chilled easily, remember the sun and wind can change quickly on a boat. Bring a light layer or a rash guard if you’re comfortable wearing one.

Cerf Island BBQ Lunch and Giant Tortoises

Lunch is a Creole mix BBQ buffet with water and juice included. It’s served on Cerf Island, and one review called out that the BBQ was set up in the shade, which is a big deal on a hot tropical day.

Food quality matters on snorkel days, and multiple people described the lunch as good. You’ll want the energy after swimming, and the buffet style makes it easier for everyone to eat without long waits.

Then you go to see giant tortoises on the island. This is one of those parts that changes how you remember the day. In water, you’re quick and mobile. On land, you slow down and watch animals that have been around long before any tour boat showed up.

There’s also a mention of being allowed to feed tortoises in one of the reports, though you should follow the staff’s rules for what’s permitted. If you have any dietary needs, the operator says you should advise them ahead of time.

Second Snorkeling: The Finish Line in the Water

After lunch and the tortoise visit, you board again and head toward the final highlight: a second, last snorkeling session.

This second slot is often where you get rewarded for paying attention earlier. If your first snorkeling was your learning lap, the second is where you start moving more comfortably, reading the water, and noticing behavior instead of just seeing fish.

Again, sightings are luck plus effort. Reviews mention turtles often, and one person reported a small shark. The recurring theme is that the guides explain reef life, and when everyone understands the basic rules, the wildlife is more visible and less stressed.

My practical advice: don’t overpack your gear. Use your change of clothes and towel, but keep your focus on being calm in the water. The best reef viewing comes from steady, slow movement.

Timing, Comfort, and Who This Day Works For

This is a full-day schedule, typically 10:00am departure and a 16:00 return. You should expect a mix of boat time and time in the water.

It’s also not the kind of tour that fits every body type. The activity is listed as not suitable for:

• wheelchair users
• people with vertigo
• people with respiratory issues
• people with epilepsy
• people with altitude sickness
• people with motion sickness

That’s because the day involves boat transfer, water entry, and time on islands. Even if you’re healthy, motion sensitivity can make the ride uncomfortable, so be honest about your limits.

For families and active couples, it tends to fit well because it’s structured, you get breaks between water sessions, and you have land time with tortoises.

The “private group” label also helps some people. One review described a boat ride for about nine people, which usually feels easier than the giant bus-load tours.

Price and Extras: Is $92 Good Value?

The base price is listed at $92 per person for one day. On a practical level, this looks like decent value because the tour bundles a lot into a single outing:

• boat transfer to the marine park and back
• fish feeding
• snorkeling activities with equipment
• crystal kayak (on request)
• sandbank visit
• BBQ lunch with water and juice
• giant tortoises visit

But you need to budget for extras. Two items are specifically listed as additional:

• Marine park fee: 15 euro extra as a governmental tax
• Entry ticket to Moyenne Island extra

Also, pickup and drop off from the south area is not included.

So the real question is simple: is $92 plus the likely extras still cheaper than doing separate snorkeling, paying for boat access, and arranging land time with tortoises? For most people who want one organized day, yes, it usually makes sense.

If you’re already planning to hire private boat time or you only care about snorkeling once, then a package may feel like you’re paying for activities you won’t fully use.

What to Bring (So You Don’t Regret It Later)

The tour lists a pretty clear packing list, and I agree with it. Bring:

• sunglasses and a sun hat
• swimwear, change of clothes, towel, and beachwear
• camera (if you have one suited for water use, even better)
• snorkeling items, even if equipment is provided, if you prefer your own fit
• insect repellent
• cash
• snacks and drinks if you like extra beyond what’s provided

You’ll want to use sunscreen early, before you’re standing around at the jetty. Once you’re on the water, it’s harder to reapply without getting sandy.

Weather Rules: What Can Change on a Tropical Day

This is a tropical island country. Weather affects everything, including whether the sandbank and disembarkation on Moyenne Island happen as planned. The tour says rescheduling may happen if weather is not favourable.

So plan for flexibility. If you only have one day on the island and it’s a hard deadline, consider keeping a backup day in your schedule if possible.

Also, check how you feel about boat rides. If you’re sensitive to motion, this tour is not recommended.

My Booking Advice: Should You Book?

Yes, I think you should book this outing if you want a structured full-day mix of reef time plus island breaks, and you like the idea of getting two snorkeling sessions in one outing. The standout strengths are the combination of fish feeding, snorkeling, sandbank time, and a land stop for giant tortoises, plus the consistently positive comments about the crew and explanations.

I’d hesitate only if you:

• are motion sick or have any condition listed as not suitable
• need guaranteed Moyenne Island disembarkation
• hate uncertainty around weather-dependent schedules

If those points are not your situation, this is one of the better ways to spend a day in Seychelles marine country without turning your trip into a complicated logistics project.

FAQ

How long is the Glassbottom boat and Crystalkayak SteAnneMarinePark snorkeling tour?

It runs for one day.

What time does the tour start and end?

Boarding is at 9:45am at Eden Island marine jetty, departure is at 10:00am, and the tour ends at 16:00.

What’s included in the price, and what extra costs should I expect?

The package includes boat transfer to the marine park and back, fish feeding, crystal kayak (on request), snorkeling plus snorkeling equipment, sandbank visiting, BBQ lunch with water and juice, and a giant tortoises visit. Extra costs include a marine park fee of 15 euro and an entry ticket to Moyenne Island.

Do I get hotel pick up and drop off?

Pick up and drop off are included if you are staying in the north area of the island. Pick up and drop off from the south are not included.

What snorkeling and water activities are included?

You’ll have fish feeding, snorkeling activity twice during the day, and snorkeling equipment. Crystal kayaking is also included up on request during the sandbank portion.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users or motion sickness?

No. It is listed as not suitable for wheelchair users, and it is also not suitable for people with vertigo, respiratory issues, epilepsy, altitude sickness, or motion sickness.