Blue Sea Divers Sainte Anne is the second Blue Sea Divers location and is based at the marine park pontoon on Sainte Anne Island. This independent PADI dive center offers guided dives in small groups, from first trial dives to advanced courses. Its area includes Sainte Anne Marine Park and additional sites east of Mahé.
Diving with sharks in Sainte Anne Marine Park
Whitetip reef sharks and tawny nurse sharks may occur year-round at the region’s reefs and granite sites. Recent diver reports from Sainte Anne mention both species, but every encounter depends on the site, visibility, current and the animals’ behavior. Sightings are not guaranteed and no feeding takes place.
The marine park also contains important shallow nursery areas for juvenile blacktip reef sharks and sicklefin lemon sharks. This conservation role does not mean that either species regularly appears on scuba dives. They are therefore not presented as predictable target species of the center.
Whale sharks pass the waters off Mahé mainly from August to November, when plankton levels tend to be higher. Surprise encounters have also been documented near Sainte Anne, but Blue Sea Divers does not advertise a guaranteed whale shark tour at this location. Visitors during this period should regard a sighting as a rare stroke of luck.
Dive sites, season and requirements
The center lists 24 dive sites, including Brissare Rocks, Anse Major and L’Îlot. They range from shallow seagrass and granite areas to coral reefs, wrecks and sites around 30 meters deep. The destinations suitable for a particular day depend on certification, experience and current conditions.
Diving in Sainte Anne Marine Park is possible year-round. During the northwesterly trade-wind period from October to April, the sea is often calmer; the southeast monsoon from May to September can make exposed sites rougher and the water richer in plankton. Several diving days increase the choice of possible sites but never guarantee a particular shark species.
