Snorkeling St-Pierre Marine Park and Anse Petite Cour

St-Pierre Marine Park is the star here: an uninhabited island reached only by boat, with clear water, coral reefs, tropical fish, and a strip of pale sand. I like the two-stop format, since you get a chance to see different underwater areas rather than spending the whole outing in one place. I also like the small groups and island-wide pickup, which make this easier to fit into a Praslin holiday.

The main caution is getting back into the boat. One recent outing used a boat without a ladder, and a passenger over 70 struggled with the climb. Ask about boarding assistance before you set off, especially if you have limited strength, balance, or mobility.

Key details to know before booking

• St-Pierre is boat-access only: The trip gives you a close look at one of Praslin’s offshore marine areas without a day-long island expedition.
• Two snorkeling locations: You spend time at St-Pierre Marine Park and Anse Petite Cour, with a possible change of conditions between the sites.
• Small group size: The boat is limited to eight participants, a useful advantage for a short water activity.
• Pickup covers Praslin: Hotel, villa, guesthouse, self-catering accommodation, airport tourist office, ferry terminal, and many named properties are included pickup points.
• Refreshments are included: You get water, soft drinks, light local chips, and one Seybrew beer for each adult aged 18 or over.
• Plan around the boat ladder: A reported outing had no ladder, so ask about the exact boat and reboarding arrangements.

St-Pierre Marine Park is the main attraction

The trip begins with pickup at your accommodation, normally 10 to 30 minutes before the activity. The stated meeting point for boat departure is Anse Possession, with embarkation listed for 10:30 a.m. Pickup is available across Praslin, so you do not need to arrange a taxi to the marina if your lodging is among the covered locations.

After a safety briefing, the boat heads toward St-Pierre Marine Park at about 25 knots. That fast ride is part of the outing’s appeal, but it can also feel lively if the sea is rough. Bring beachwear and a camera, and protect anything valuable from spray.

St-Pierre is uninhabited and can only be reached by boat. That gives the first stop a more remote feel than a quick swim from a hotel beach. You can expect turquoise water, white sand, coral areas, and tropical fish, with the exact visibility and sea conditions changing from day to day.

The scheduled snorkeling time at St-Pierre is one hour. Equipment is supposed to be provided on board, including the basic gear needed for the water session. If you need a particular mask size or have your own well-fitting equipment, it is sensible to mention that when arranging pickup.

The underwater scenery is the reason to book this trip. The water around Praslin is known for clear conditions, and the supplied information describes coral and fish in unusually good numbers. One particularly strong outing recorded sightings of ribbon-tailed ray, parrot fish, butterfly fish, angel fish, Moorish idols, pipe fish, jack fish, snapper, job fish, trevally, trigger fish, wrasse, surgeon fish, scissor tails, and sergeant fish.

That list is not a guarantee for every departure. Still, it shows the range of marine life that can appear when water and visibility cooperate. A turtle was also seen at Anse Petite Cour during one outing, with small wrasse cleaning around it. You should treat such sightings as luck, not a promised part of the program.

Anse Petite Cour adds a second kind of water stop

The second snorkeling location is Anse Petite Cour, where the focus is swimming among fish in their natural setting. Having a second site matters because wind, current, and visibility can affect one reef more than another. If conditions are poor at St-Pierre, the later stop may offer a better chance to enjoy the water.

The itinerary describes one hour at this Praslin-side snorkeling location, although the overall activity is advertised as 150 minutes. The detailed schedule also lists 30-minute transfers in both directions, plus two one-hour water sessions. Those figures do not fit neatly together, so confirm the day’s actual timing when your pickup details arrive.

At Anse Petite Cour, you may find fish close to the boat and shore, depending on where the crew anchors. The appeal is less about visiting a famous land site and more about floating quietly in clear water with fish moving around you. You do not need to be a strong swimmer to appreciate the setting, but you should be comfortable entering and leaving the water from a boat.

If trade winds or currents make the planned sites uncomfortable, the operator may cancel or move the booking to another day. On one outing with choppy water, the group received extra snorkeling at Anse Lazio and Petit Anse Lazio, also known as Lovers Bay. That flexibility is useful, though you should not assume those beaches are part of every departure.

What the 25-knot boat ride means for you

A fast boat lets this activity cover two sites in a short period. The advertised duration is 150 minutes, making it easier to fit around a beach morning, an afternoon plan, or a ferry connection, though I would leave extra space around the scheduled return.

The trade-off is that a speedboat exposes you to wind, spray, and movement. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the crew recommends and keep your eyes on the horizon when possible. The trip is not designed as a slow scenic cruise, though the ride can give you views across the Indian Ocean and around Praslin’s coast.

The small group limit of eight is valuable here. A crowded boat would make equipment distribution, boarding, and time in the water feel rushed. With fewer people, you have a better chance of finding room to sit and of asking the crew for help.

Guide support is available in English and French. The crew provides a safety briefing and explains the snorkeling arrangements, but the level of commentary may vary. On one outing, the crew offered only a short introduction before letting the group enjoy the water. If you want detailed marine interpretation, ask how much guiding is included rather than assuming this is a naturalist-led tour.

The equipment and reboarding question

Mask, snorkel, and fins are listed as included. That is important because renting gear separately on Praslin can add cost and hassle. Check that the equipment fits before entering the water, and tell the crew at once if your mask leaks or your fins are uncomfortable.

The more serious practical point is reboarding. One outing had no ladder, and a participant over 70 found the climb difficult. A companion asked about a ladder and was told one was not available. The problem also affected participation at the second snorkeling spot.

This does not prove that every departure uses the same boat. Boats can change, and conditions can change with them. Still, I would ask these direct questions before booking:

• Does the boat have a boarding ladder?
• Can the crew give physical assistance?
• Is there a low step or platform for entering the water?
• Can someone remain on board if the climb back becomes difficult?

The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, babies under one year, or people over 95. It is best for people who can manage a boat transfer and climb back aboard without major help, unless the operator confirms suitable assistance.

What is included for $106

The price is $106 per person. That is not a bargain-basement beach transfer, but it covers more than a simple ride to a snorkeling site. You receive pickup and drop-off anywhere on Praslin, the boat trip, two snorkeling stops, equipment, water, soft drinks, light local chips, and one Seybrew beer for each adult aged 18 or older.

For a small group of up to eight, that package can be fair value, especially if your hotel is far from Anse Possession. You are paying for transport, boat time, and access to offshore water rather than only for equipment rental.

Lunch is not included. Neither are towels or island taxes. Bring your own towel and eat before departure or plan food afterward. Food cannot be brought into the vehicle, and strollers or baby carriages are not allowed.

The included drinks are a pleasant touch, but they should not be mistaken for a meal. Light local chips help during a short outing, yet anyone expecting a full half-day catering package will find the inclusions limited.

Pickup across Praslin makes planning easier

The operator offers pickup at a long list of hotels, villas, guesthouses, self-catering properties, the airport tourist office, and the Praslin ferry terminal. You must provide your accommodation name and telephone number so the pickup can be arranged.

Pickup information is supplied 24 to 48 hours after booking. Keep your phone available during that period, and confirm the meeting point with the operator rather than waiting outside an unrelated property with a similar name.

The broad pickup area is especially useful if you are staying away from Côte d’Or. You can avoid paying for a separate taxi and do not need to navigate to Anse Possession on your own. The return follows the same general arrangement, with drop-off back at covered locations.

Because the activity is short, delays matter. If you have a ferry, flight, or restaurant booking later in the day, allow a generous cushion. The advertised 150 minutes does not include every possible delay caused by pickup, sea conditions, or boarding.

Weather can change the plan

Snorkeling depends on wind, current, and water visibility. If the weather is unfavorable, the operator may cancel or propose another day. That policy protects the quality and safety of the outing, even if it creates a headache for a tightly scheduled holiday.

The cancellation terms allow a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Praslin plans depend on weather or ferry arrangements.

The conditions can affect more than safety. Choppy water may make it harder to see coral and fish, and it can make boat reboarding tiring. On the positive side, the operator has shown some flexibility by replacing or adding a snorkeling stop when the planned route was uncomfortable.

Who will get the most from this outing

I would choose this for a visitor who wants a short, organized taste of Praslin’s offshore marine life without committing to a full-day charter. It suits couples, families with older children, and small groups who value included pickup and equipment.

It is also a good fit if you want two water locations in one outing. St-Pierre provides the remote island setting, while Anse Petite Cour gives you another chance to see fish and coral close to Praslin.

I would be more cautious if you have limited mobility, poor balance, or difficulty climbing from the sea into a boat. The lack of a ladder on one reported departure is not a minor detail. Ask for the exact boat setup before paying.

Strong swimmers are not required by the supplied information, but you do need to be comfortable in open water and able to follow a safety briefing. If you want a long beach stay, a full meal, or extensive historical and marine commentary, this is not that kind of excursion.

Should you book the St-Pierre and Anse Petite Cour trip?

Book it if you want a compact boat outing with two snorkeling stops, island-wide pickup, a small group, and a good chance of seeing coral and many kinds of fish. The combination of St-Pierre’s offshore setting and Anse Petite Cour’s fish-filled water gives the trip more variety than a single beach snorkel.

Before you commit, confirm the exact duration, the boarding ladder, and the assistance available in the water. At $106, the outing offers reasonable value when you use the pickup, boat ride, equipment, and refreshments, but it is less appealing if you need lunch, towels, guaranteed calm seas, or easy step-free boarding.

FAQ

How long does the snorkeling activity last?

The activity is advertised as 150 minutes. The detailed schedule lists 30-minute transfers and one-hour snorkeling sessions at St-Pierre and Praslin, so confirm the exact timing with the operator.

Where does the boat leave from?

Embarkation is listed at Anse Possession at 10:30 a.m. Pickup is arranged from your accommodation before departure.

Is hotel pickup included on Praslin?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered from hotels, guesthouses, villas, self-catering properties, and many other named locations across Praslin. The airport tourist office and Praslin ferry terminal are also listed.

Are snorkeling masks, snorkels, and fins provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for the St-Pierre Marine Park and Anse Petite Cour stops.

What refreshments are included?

Water, soft drinks, and light local chips are included. Each adult aged 18 or over also receives one Seybrew beer.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, and towels are also excluded. Island taxes are not included either.

What languages are available?

The activity has live support in English and French.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The operator may cancel the activity or propose another day if weather conditions are unfavorable. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.