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Anse Caiman is one of the best shore snorkeling spots to see sea turtles in La Digue. Featuring granite rocks and coral patches, the cove is home to colorful fish species as emperor angelfish, bluespotted grouper and palette surgeonfish. This small cove located on the wild northeastern shore of the island is rather hard to access, and due to the relatively important depth in the area, is however not recommended for beginners.

Coral reef at Anse Caiman, La Digue Island
Anse Caiman coral reef.

How to get to Anse Caiman snorkeling spot?

Anse Caiman is located on the east coast of la Digue, some 3.5 km from the main jetty. It is a remote spot, with no direct road access. To reach this spot, you first have to rent a bike and head to Anse Fourmis, which is at the very end of the coastal road running along the northern side of the island.

Park your bike at the end of the road. At this point, you are approximately 400 meters from Anse Caiman. You then have three options to reach it:

  1. Option 1: Enter the water at Anse Fourmis beach, and snorkel along the shore for about 400m. This is by far the best option if you are an advanced snorkeler, and if the sea conditions are good. On the way to Anse Caiman, the seabed is not spectacular (mainly made of coral debris), but with good chances of spotting eagle rays.
  2. Option 2: Walk on the small path departing from Anse Fourmis. The path is in the bush, not marked, and sometimes you will need to climb on the rocks, making it a tricky -and not so recommended- way to reach the site.
  3. Option 3: Walk on the small path from Grande Anse, passing by Anse Coco. The path is marked by stones.

Anse Caiman snorkeling map, La Digue, Seychelles

Water entrance for snorkeling Anse Caiman

If you choose option 1, you will enter the water from Anse Fourmis sandy beach, and swim south for 400 meters (on the right side when you are facing the sea) to Anse Caiman. Do not enter the water if there’s surf. If you choose the hiking options (options 2 and 3), enter the water from the rocks bordering the cove.

Anse Caiman snorkeling tips

The main snorkeling area edges the cove, and is made of huge granite blocks immersed in 12 to 20ft of water (4 to 6 meters). This underwaterscape, with ray of lights of the sun breaking through the deep blue sea, is amazing.

Snorkeling with hawksbill sea turtles at Anse Caiman, Seychelles
Hawksbill sea turtles are common visitors to Anse Caiman shore waters.

Anse Caiman is renowned for snorkeling with hawksbill sea turtles. It is common to see 2 or 3 sea turtles resting at the foot of the granite rocks, or slowly swimming around them.

Most of the sea turtles are quite shy, and are not easy to get close to, contrary to the turtles you can encounter at Coco IslandFelicite Island or Grande Soeur, more used to snorkelers. If you wait for a little, you will probably see them coming up to the surface to breathe.

Palette surgeonfish at Anse Caiman, Seychelles
Palette surgeonfish is one of the most colorful creatures living in Anse Caiman.

In some places, you will also find patches of healthy hard corals. Among the dozens of species of reef fish that you could see around are the oriental sweetlips, the goldbar wrasse, the lined surgeonfish, and schools of large orbicular batfish.

Shoals of palette surgeonfish, aka Dory, are often seen along the slopes of the reef.

Restaurants and accommodation near Anse Caiman

Anse Caiman is a remote and natural site, with no water supply or restaurant. Along the road to the village, you will find some huts where you can get fresh fruit juices or snacks. Take water with you.

 

  • Level required Advanced
  • Maximum depth20ft/7m
  • Water entranceA bit tricky, from a rocky shore
  • Potential DangersUsual precautions
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersLow
  • Access costsFree
  • Restaurants nearbyNo
  • Public toilets & showersNo

MAP Spot

Sea turtle watching in La Digue Island

snorkeling-hawksbill

Hawksbill sea turtles are a familiar sight in La Digue and its neighboring islands. In order to be a responsible snorkeler, be sure to respect the following rules when observing them:

  1. Do not attempt to touch or ride sea turtles
  2. Stay at a distance (6 to 10ft) from sea turtles
  3. Do not chase a turtle swimming away
  4. Avoid sudden movement and allow sea turtles plenty of space when they come up to the surface to breathe

On La Digue main island, Anse Patates (free shore access) is another excellent snorkeling spot to encounter sea turtles.

These spots are only recommended to good swimmers, in good physical conditions, and with excellent snorkeling skills. These spots can experience currents, moderate waves, important depths, tight or narrow passages, or tricky water entrance, and can be located near hazardous areas (channels, boat traffic, strong currents…). The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas can be important - up to 500 meters. The “advanced” category includes drift snorkeling (transported by currents) and snorkeling off the coast.

This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell.You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.