Diving and Snorkeling

Qualified divers can book tanks and a guide to explore the rich underwater environment of coral reefs and abundant sea life at Côte d’Or (Anse Volbert). But you don't need to be a certified diver to enjoy the marine life of Seychelles. The shallow reefs and languid lagoons, particularly at Anse Lazio and Anse Possession, offer perfect conditions for snorkeling. You can while hours away watching the antics of schools of elegant angelfish or bold sergeant majors with their distinctive stripes. Even better, the snorkeling around the small islands of Curieuse, Île Cocos, St. Pierre, Sisters, and Marianne, is excellent. Numerous boat excursions offer snorkeling day trips, usually visiting two to three islands.

Recommended Dive Operators

Octopus Diver. A five-star, PADI-certified dive resort, the staff organizes scuba and snorkeling boat excursions around Praslin and the surrounding small islands. Berjaya Praslin Hotel, Cote d'Or, Praslin, Inner Islands. 423–2602; octopusdiver.com.

Whitetip Divers. Based at the Paradise Sun Hotel on Cote d'Or, the professionals at Whitetip take guests on dives of up to 20 meters (65 feet) only. Many of the sites are around underwater granite formations. They also organize snorkeling trips by boat. Paradise Sun Hotel, Cote d'Or, Praslin, Inner Islands. 423–2282; 251–4282; www.whitetipdivers.com.