The Seychelles' oldest marine sanctuary wraps six pristine islands in crystalline water. Giant tortoises roam a neighboring isle, manta rays glide through the channel, and white-sand beaches framed by granite boulders look exactly like the postcards.
Large cruise ships berth at Port Victoria on Mahé — Sainte Anne Island itself is reached by organized excursion or private water taxi, a 15–20 minute boat ride away.
💡 Pro move: Marine park entrance fee (~$15 USD / 200 SCR) is usually bundled into tour prices. Reef-safe, biodegradable sunscreen is required — standard chemical sunscreens are banned.
Sainte Anne Island has no cruise pier — access is by tender Zodiac or excursion catamaran from Port Victoria, Mahé.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most large cruise lines | Port Victoria, Mahé — excursion boat to Sainte Anne (15-20 min)📍 | Docked |
| Expedition & luxury ships (Ponant, Silversea) | Anchor in Sainte Anne Marine Park — direct tender to island beach📍 | Tendered |
Everything here revolves around the marine park — snorkel the channel, tour by glass-bottom boat, or splash out on a Club Med day pass for the full resort experience.
The classic Sainte Anne day: cruise the marine park on a catamaran with multiple snorkel stops in the Sainte Anne Channel, where 150+ species of reef fish, rays, and sea turtles share an extraordinary shallow ecosystem. Creole BBQ lunch usually included.
Find catamaran snorkel tours →A 10-minute boat hop from Sainte Anne, Moyenne Island is a national park with free-roaming Aldabra giant tortoises, pirate grave legends, and a short nature trail. Entry ~$15 USD; often combined with marine park tours.
Find Moyenne Island tours →The entire island is privately run by Club Med. A pre-booked day pass unlocks the resort's pool, beach facilities, beachside Creole restaurant, and bars — the most indulgent way to spend a call here. Must be booked well in advance.
Book Club Med day pass →Dive sites in the marine park range from 10–30 m over dramatic granite reef formations. Expect reef sharks, hawksbill turtles, spotted eagle rays, and colonies of sweetlips. Operators depart from Mahé or the resort jetty.
Find Seychelles dive tours →Prefer to stay dry? Board a semi-submersible or glass-bottom boat for an eye-level view of the reef gardens and seagrass meadows. Ideal for non-swimmers and younger travelers. Usually bundled with full-day catamaran trips.
Find glass-bottom boat tours →There's very little independent walking on Sainte Anne — the island is a private resort. Strolls are along the beach fringe only.
The western shore beaches — Anse Cabot and Anse Cimetière — are gentle walks along white sand backed by granite boulders and casuarina palms. These beaches are active sea turtle nesting grounds (especially Oct–Jan). The snorkeling just offshore here is excellent at mid-to-high tide.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Sainte Anne Island, Seychelles (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 81°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 23 | 6:16 AM | 6:38 PM |
| Feb | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 15 | 6:24 AM | 6:39 PM |
| Mar | 83°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 16 | 6:23 AM | 6:30 PM |
| Apr | 83°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 20 | 6:18 AM | 6:17 PM |
| May | 83°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 22 | 6:17 AM | 6:11 PM |
| Jun | 80°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 17 | 6:22 AM | 6:14 PM |
| Jul | 78°F / 26°C | 76°F / 24°C | 14 | 6:27 AM | 6:20 PM |
| Aug | 78°F / 26°C | 76°F / 24°C | 12 | 6:23 AM | 6:21 PM |
| Sep | 79°F / 26°C | 77°F / 25°C | 18 | 6:11 AM | 6:15 PM |
| Oct | 81°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 17 | 5:57 AM | 6:09 PM |
| Nov | 81°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 19 | 5:53 AM | 6:12 PM |
| Dec | 81°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 24 | 6:01 AM | 6:24 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Sainte Anne Island is only accessible by boat from Port Victoria on Mahé. Cruise ships tender passengers ashore or offer organized excursion boats to the marine park.
Once ashore, the island is best explored on foot. Trails lead to beaches, the turtle sanctuary, and snorkeling spots — the island is small enough to walk across.
Organized boat tours cover Sainte Anne Marine National Park, Moyenne Island, and Cerf Island, typically including snorkeling, fish feeding, and a beach lunch.
Taxis at Port Victoria on Mahé operate on fixed rates. Useful if combining a Sainte Anne excursion with time in Victoria city or elsewhere on Mahé.
Upcoming cruises that call at Sainte Anne Island, Seychelles. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.