Best Snorkeling Tours in Seychelles
The top snorkeling spots across Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue — and the tours that get you there. With prices, durations, and what to expect underwater.
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Best Time for Snorkeling in Seychelles
Seychelles is a year-round snorkeling destination, but conditions vary by season.
Dry Season (May–October)
Best Overall- Visibility: 20–30 meters
- Water temp: 24–27°C
- Less plankton = clearer water
- Trade winds bring mild swell to north coasts
- Best for: All islands, especially Praslin and La Digue
Wet Season (November–April)
Good, Hotter- Visibility: 10–20 meters
- Water temp: 27–30°C
- More plankton = more marine life
- Calmer north coasts, rough south coasts
- Best for: Manta rays at certain cleaning stations
Mahé — Best Snorkeling Tours
Mahé is the main island and the arrival point. The best snorkeling is on the west and south coasts, plus nearby marine parks.
1. Sainte Anne Marine National Park Tour
Duration: Half-day (4 hours) · Price: $45–70
This is the most popular day trip from Mahé. The park covers six small islands just off Victoria. You'll visit 2–3 snorkeling spots with coral gardens, parrotfish, angelfish, and green sea turtles. Most tours include beach time on Cerf Island and lunch.
Best for: First-time visitors, families, anyone short on time.
What you'll see: Green turtles, triggerfish, parrotfish, angelfish, occasional eagle rays.
2. West Coast Reef Tour (Port Launay / Baie Ternay)
Duration: Full day (6–7 hours) · Price: $70–100
The west coast marine parks (Port Launay and Baie Ternay Marine Park) have the healthiest coral reefs on Mahé. The water is calmer than the east coast, making it ideal for beginners. Tours include snorkeling gear, lunch, and drinks.
Best for: Coral lovers, intermediate snorkelers.
What you'll see: Healthy staghorn and table corals, clownfish, surgeonfish, bannerfish.
Praslin — Best Snorkeling Tours
Praslin is Seychelles' second-largest island, home to Anse Lazio (consistently ranked one of the world's best beaches) and the UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai.
3. Anse Lazio + Coco Island Tour
Duration: Full day (7–8 hours) · Price: $80–120
The classic Praslin combo. You'll take a boat to Coco Island and surrounding islets for snorkeling in the late morning (the best light), then head to Anse Lazio for an afternoon on the beach. The snorkeling at Coco Island is Seychelles' best — turtles, reef sharks, and enormous Napoleon wrasse.
Best for: Experienced snorkelers, photographers.
What you'll see: Hawksbill turtles, whitetip reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, giant trevally, octopus.
4. St. Pierre Island Tour
Duration: Half-day (4 hours) · Price: $50–80
St. Pierre is a tiny granite island off Praslin's west coast. The snorkeling is excellent on all sides — the island acts as a natural reef. It's a popular spot but never feels crowded. Most tours also stop at nearby Curieuse Island for the giant tortoise sanctuary.
Best for: Quick trip from Praslin, families.
What you'll see: Giant tortoises (on Curieuse), turtles, colorful reef fish, moray eels.
La Digue — Best Snorkeling Tours
La Digue is the most laid-back of the three main islands. Bicycles are the primary transport and the snorkeling is just offshore in several spots.
5. Anse Source d'Argent + Surrounding Islets Tour
Duration: Half-day (4 hours) · Price: $40–65
Anse Source d'Argent has the iconic Seychelles landscape — massive granite boulders in crystal water. The snorkeling is best around the rocks where small fish gather. Tours extend to nearby islets for more remote spots. This is the most photographed beach in Seychelles for good reason.
Best for: Photography, casual snorkeling.
What you'll see: Damselfish, sergeant majors, butterflyfish, baby blacktip reef sharks in the shallows.
6. Grand Soeur & Petite Soeur Full Day
Duration: Full day (7–8 hours) · Price: $90–130
Two uninhabited islands northeast of La Digue. The snorkeling here is pristine — no development, minimal visitors. The current can be strong around the points, so it's best for intermediate-to-advanced snorkelers. Lunch is typically a beach barbecue.
Best for: Adventure, exclusive experience.
What you'll see: Eagle rays, stingrays, turtles, reef sharks, large schools of jacks and trevally.
Tour Comparison Table
| Tour | Location | Duration | Price | Difficulty | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sainte Anne Marine Park | Mahé | 4h | $45–70 | Beginner | ⭐ 4.5/5 |
| Port Launay / Baie Ternay | Mahé (west) | 6–7h | $70–100 | Beginner | ⭐ 4.7/5 |
| Anse Lazio + Coco Island | Praslin | 7–8h | $80–120 | Intermediate | ⭐ 4.8/5 |
| St. Pierre Island + Curieuse | Praslin | 4h | $50–80 | Beginner | ⭐ 4.6/5 |
| Anse Source d'Argent Tour | La Digue | 4h | $40–65 | Beginner | ⭐ 4.4/5 |
| Grand Soeur & Petite Soeur | La Digue | 7–8h | $90–130 | Intermediate+ | ⭐ 4.9/5 |
What to Bring
- Reef-safe sunscreen — regular sunscreen kills coral. Brands like Stream2Sea or Sun Bum. This is non-negotiable in Seychelles.
- Rash guard / UV shirt — better than reapplying sunscreen every hour
- Waterproof phone pouch — for photos at the surface
- Dry bag — for your towel and valuables
- Snorkel vest — free on all tours; use it if currents are present
- GoPro or underwater camera — the granite boulder formations underwater are unique to Seychelles
Most tours provide high-quality snorkel masks and fins. If you have a good mask, bring it (the rental ones fog quickly).