Tortoises, reefs, and a BBQ in one boat day. What I love most is the combo of Moyenne Island hiking with giant tortoises, and the chance to snorkel and feed fish around St. Anne Marine National Park from a glass-bottom setup. On the practical side, it is well organized from Victoria, with helpful crew and gear ready when you arrive. The one thing to keep in mind is that snorkel time can feel short once kids and everyone’s gear time is handled, so bring patience if you want extra water time.

I also like that the tour is built around options, not pressure. Snorkeling is not mandatory, and you can choose between the snorkeling session, staying longer at Moyenne, or watching the fish activity while onboard. That flexibility works well when you have mixed interests, but it does mean the day can feel schedule-driven once the boat lines up the next stop.

Key Highlights You Should Know

• Moyenne Island includes a short hike (about 40 minutes) and a real chance to see free-roaming giant tortoises
• St. Anne Marine National Park gives you choices: snorkel, or watch fish feeding from the boat
• Cerf Island is where the day usually slows down a bit, with a Creole BBQ lunch and beach time
• Small-group feel is possible, with a stated maximum of 45 travelers
• Snorkeling gear and lunch are included, so you spend less time figuring out logistics
• Crew guidance shows up repeatedly in reviews, including names like Steve, Roland, Jean Yves, and Captain Perry

Reef Safari: Setting Off From Victoria (and Why It Matters)

This is a day trip that starts in the Victoria area, with a chauffeur transfer from your accommodation to Marine Charter in Victoria. The meeting point is Marine Chartered Association, 5th June Ave, and the start time is 9:30 am. Expect about 6 hours total, and yes, you get a mobile ticket.

That early start matters more than it sounds like. You are heading to island hopping spots in a marine reserve where conditions can shift, and an on-time boat is what keeps your snorkeling and lunch from turning into a timetable stress test.

One more practical plus: the tour includes air-conditioned vehicle transport, landing and facility fees, and snorkeling equipment. So you are not stuck doing a scavenger hunt for gear or paying for entry fees on top of the tour price.

The Eden Island Stop: A Quick Scenic Breather

On the way, there is a visit to the west coastal side of Eden Island. The itinerary does not spell out how long this stop is, so treat it like a short viewpoint moment rather than a major attraction. In plain terms, it is a nice reset before the water time ramps up.

If you are the kind of person who likes to get a feel for the coastline and not just rush from hotel to boat, you will probably appreciate this small pause.

Moyenne Island: Giant Tortoises and a 40-Minute Walk

Moyenne Island is the heart of the land portion of the day. You arrive at Moyenne Island in St. Anne Marine National Park, and it is known as a flora and fauna reserve dating back to the 1970s. Most importantly, it is home to giant tortoises, roaming freely.

You get about 1 hour at this stop, and the itinerary highlights a short 40-minute walk or hike to take in ocean views. That is a sweet length for a vacation hike: long enough to feel like you did something on the island, short enough that you are not wiped out before snorkeling later.

In reviews, tortoises and viewpoints are repeatedly called out as the “how is this real?” moments. And when guides like Steve and Roland or Steve and Jean Yves are on board, the walk often comes with commentary that turns the island into more than a photo stop.

A drawback to plan around

This is still a scheduled day. If you want the walk to run long, you may not have the hours to make it happen, because the boat keeps moving and the next stop depends on timing.

St. Anne Marine National Park: Snorkeling Choices, Fish Feeding, Glass-Bottom Watching

After Moyenne, the boat heads to St. Anne Marine National Park. Here is the key detail that helps this tour work for different types of travelers: snorkeling is not mandatory.

At St. Anne, you can choose what you want for about 1 hour, and the day splits into options like:

• Join a snorkeling session (equipment provided by the crew)
• Feed fish from onboard the glass-bottom boat
• If you do not snorkel, continue with time that focuses on Moyenne, since it is described as the main stop for the excursion

Also, if you are worried about feeling stuck on the water with no alternatives, this part is reassuring. The crew handles equipment, and the tour clearly offers non-snorkel ways to enjoy the marine scene.

Snorkeling reality check (the honest one)

Several reviews point out that snorkel time can end up feeling brief, especially after everyone gets kitted out. That does not mean the snorkeling is bad. It means you should treat it as a highlight session, not an all-day reef subscription.

If you want maximum time in the water, go in with the right mindset: enjoy what you get, and do not assume you will float around for hours.

Why the fish feeding angle is worth it

Fish feeding is not just a trick for photos. It changes what you see underwater and it helps you notice activity patterns in the marine reserve. Watching from the glass-bottom setup also works well if you are snorkeling-light that day.

Cerf Island: Creole BBQ Lunch and Reef Time on a Beach

Then you arrive at Cerf Island for about 2 hours. This is where the tour leans into relaxation and food, with a Creole BBQ lunch included.

After lunch, you get more time for the water and shoreline: the itinerary mentions more snorkeling around the reef, plus swimming, relaxing, or tanning on the white sandy beach. This is a good flow because Cerf Island gives you a softer landing after the island walk and the main marine park portion.

What you should expect from the BBQ

Lunch is consistently praised as a high point. Even when reviews talk about things like equipment age or the boat feeling a bit rickety to some people, they still describe the lunch and overall organization as a standout.

One consideration

Cerf is still part of a shared schedule, so while you have 2 hours, it is not an open-ended beach vacation. If you want a long, do-nothing beach day, you might prefer booking a more beach-forward half-day or full-day plan.

Boat Comfort, Gear, and the Mixed Review Stuff You Should Not Ignore

Most reviews are positive about the experience, especially the guides and the snorkeling quality. Crew members are repeatedly described as friendly and helpful, with specific names showing up like Steve, Roland, Jean Yves, and Captain Perry.

That said, you should also notice the minor negatives that come up:

• The boat can feel rinky/rickety to some passengers
• Snorkeling equipment could improve, according to a couple of reviews
• The boat does not have a bathroom

About the bathroom point, this is important practical information. Since there is no bathroom onboard on short-distance trips, you should plan to use island facilities when you have a stop. You can treat island time as your restroom window.

And on the boat safety comment: the tour provider says no unsafe boat is used, and the issue seems more about how the vessel feels in motion than about danger. If you are sensitive to boat stability, bring your calm settings and focus on the fact that you have island breaks built into the day.

Price and Value: Is $153.66 a Good Deal?

At $153.66 per person, this is not a cheap “hop on a boat and hope for the best” experience. But value is often about what is included, not what you pay at checkout.

Here’s what your money covers:

• Landing and facility fees
• Private transportation via vehicle (plus air-conditioned ride)
• Use of snorkeling equipment
• Lunch (Creole BBQ)
• The tour covers major marine reserve time, plus island time

What is not included:

• Soda/pop
• Bottled water
• And there can be an extra charge for pickup in the South of Mahé or for accommodations far from Victoria

So the deal is strongest if you would otherwise have to pay for snorkeling gear, entry fees, and a packaged lunch. If you already planned to buy these things separately, the math usually gets easier.

The tradeoff

You are paying for a full day that mixes hiking, snorkeling, feeding, and a beach stop. If you only care about snorkeling and nothing else, you may want a simpler snorkel tour. But if you want a day that changes pace every hour or two, this is a solid package.

Who This Trip Is Best For (and Who Should Rethink It)

This Reef Safari works especially well for:

• People who want a mix of land and water (tortoises plus reef time)
• Families or mixed groups who need options, because snorkeling is not mandatory
• Travelers who like short, guided walks with commentary and then free time at another stop

It might be less ideal for you if:

• You want long, uninterrupted snorkeling hours
• You get frustrated by schedule pacing
• You strongly dislike boats that feel rickety to you, even if they are operated safely

If you are traveling with someone who does not snorkel, this tour is still workable because St. Anne includes a choice to stay with land time focus and Moyenne is a core stop.

Tips That Make This Day Trip Feel Easier

A few practical things can make your Reef Safari day run smoother:

• Wear water-friendly shoes or sturdy sandals for the Moyenne Island walk, because island terrain and rocks can be uneven
• Bring reef-safe sunscreen and take it seriously, since you will be in sun for multiple stops
• If you care about snorkeling time, be ready for a fast gear-up and enjoy the session you get
• Bring or plan your drink strategy, because bottled water is not included
• Expect no onboard bathroom, so use island time to handle that need

And if you have mobility concerns, the itinerary says most travelers can participate, but it also includes a walk/hike on Moyenne. So consider how much walking you are comfortable with before booking.

Final Call: Should You Book Reef Safari on Mahé?

I recommend booking Reef Safari if you want one well-rounded boat day that actually delivers on variety: giant tortoises on Moyenne, snorkeling and marine viewing around St. Anne Marine National Park, and a Creole BBQ plus beach time on Cerf Island.

I would reconsider if your top priority is maximum snorkeling time above everything else. The snorkeling is good, but it is scheduled, and some timing can feel tight once equipment and group flow are handled.

If you do book, go in expecting a fun, guided, shared day that mixes highlights rather than a slow, linger-all-day reef experience. That mindset is what turns this tour into a memorable Seychelles day instead of a ticking-clock complaint.

FAQ

How long is the Reef Safari shared day trip?

The tour duration is approximately 6 hours.

Where does the tour start and what time does it begin?

It starts at Marine Chartered Association, 5th June Ave, Seychelles and begins at 9:30 am. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many islands do we visit during the tour?

You visit Moyenne Island, St. Anne Marine National Park, and Cerf Island. There is also a stop on the west coastal side of Eden Island.

Is snorkeling mandatory?

No. At St. Anne Marine National Park, snorkeling is optional. You can choose snorkeling, fish feeding from the glass-bottom boat, or spending more time connected to Moyenne.

Does the tour include snorkeling equipment?

Yes. The tour includes use of snorkeling equipment, and the boat crew provides it.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and it is described as a Creole BBQ buffet on Cerf Island.

Is fish feeding part of this experience?

Yes. You can feed fish from onboard the glass-bottom boat during the St. Anne Marine National Park portion.

Is bottled water included?

No. The tour does not include bottled water, and it also does not include soda/pop.

Is there a bathroom on the boat?

Some reviews note there is no bathroom on the boat, and bathroom access is available on the islands you stop at.

What if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.