Ste Anne National Marine Park in Seychelles: Located off the northeast coast of Mahe and about five kilometers from Victoria, the capital of Seychelles, Ste Anne National Marine Park is a protected marine park that extends over an area of about five square kilometers. The first of its kind in the southwestern Indian Ocean, this area was declared a national park in 1973 and consists of six islands including Sainte Anne Island, Cerf, Ile, Round, Long and Moyenne Island, each with various ecosystems. Almost 70% of the park is ocean, and a specialty of this marine area is that it is home to more than 150 species of fish as well as incredible underwater life.
Discovered by Lazare Picault, the French explorer in 1747, Sainte Anne Island is the largest of all the islands within the park. Occupying an area of approximately 2.19 square kilometers, Ste Anne Island has an idyllic setting with a peak rising up to 800 feet as its backdrop. It doesn’t matter if you want to enjoy the natural trails of the place or paddle a kayak, or rent a bicycle to explore the beauty of the island, or simply stroll along the beaches of the island while relaxing in its gentle breeze, the island has options for you. everybody. Perhaps the highlight of the area is Sainte Anne Island Resort, which sits on 200 hectares of Private Island. Some of the most prominent beaches in the area are Grande Anse, located along the tourist area, Anse Manon, which can be accessed via a nature walk through the tropical forest, and Royal Beach and Turtle Beach, where sea turtles can be seen laying eggs starting in November. to February.
The second largest island in the Ste Anne Marine National Park is Cerf Island, which is also credited with being the only island in the marine area with a Seychellois population of approximately 100 people. This island is especially known for its diving spots that have some of the rare species of crabs, octopus, giant turtles, sea urchins, starfish and clown fish. Located to the south of the island of Cerf is Ile Cachee, which as its name suggests is linked to various stories of hidden treasures from the Golden Age of piracy. Long Island is the third largest island in this park and stands out for its wonderful surroundings with amazing views.
When it comes to Round Island, it is the smallest of all the islands in the park, with a small eco-resort that features Creole-style villas, a restaurant, and a spa. In the case of Middle Island, it is an interesting place that has been turned into a nature sanctuary by Brendon Grimshaw, a British citizen. As such, this island has more than two thirds of the country’s endemic plants, with more than 15,000 trees between trees and shrubs. Apart from these, it is home to more than 2,000 wild birds and more than 100 giant tortoises.
Managed by the Seychelles Marine Research and Technology Center – Marine Parks Authority in Victoria, Ste Anne National Marine Park is steeped in history and is also noted for its incredible coral reefs and extensive beautiful seagrass meadows which is one of the largest in the Seychelles.
To visit and explore the Ste Anne National Marine Park in Seychelles, you will find superior hotels in Seychelles to meet your accommodation needs with Seychelles Holidays.