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Fringed by granite boulders and coconut trees, Anse Patate is a beautiful Seychelles beach. Although it is more exposed to waves than nearby snorkeling spots, it is a very nice location when the sea is calm. Anse Patate is popular for its many hawksbill sea turtles, sometimes seen really close to the shore, and a relatively well-preserved coral reef starting about 30 meters from the beach.

Anse Patate snorkeling, Seychelles
Anse Patate beach.

How to get to Anse Patate snorkeling spot?

Anse Patate is located at La Digue Island’s northern tip, just 400 meters north of Anse Sévère, next to the Patatran Village hotel. It is just a 10 minutes bike ride from La Passe village. Just before the Patatran Village, you will see below the road a small beach bordered by granite rocks. Take the stairs down to get there.

Anse Patate snorkeling map

Water entrance for snorkeling Anse Patate

Enter the water directly from the small sandy beach. Do not snorkel here if the sea is rough.

Anse Patate snorkeling tips

Two snorkeling areas are recommended at Anse Patate:

1. The moderately deep rubble area which is found along the rock boulders, west of the beach. Once in the water, swim past the granite boulders and along the shore on your left. The seabed is badly damaged but hawksbill sea turtles can often be seen there. As always in La Digue waters, they are very easy to spot. Spotted eagle rays also visit this area.

Snorkeling with hawksbill sea turtle at Anse Patate, Seychelles
Hawksbill sea turtles are a common sight in Anse Patate.

2. The coral reef facing the beach. After swimming over coral debris for 30 m or so, you will reach a healthier coral reef. The reef is quite deep (↕12-18ft/4-6 m) but worth exploring. It features a diversity of fish species such as the green humphead parrotfish, the palette surgeonfish, different types of wrasse and very abundant sergeant majors.

Hawksbill sea turtle at Anse Patate
A hawksbill sea turtle in the rubble area left to the beach.

When the sea conditions are perfect, good swimmers can consider snorkeling from Anse Patate to Anse Sévère and its far more spectacular reef (approx. 500 meters).

Restaurants and accommodation near Anse Patate

The Patatran Village overlooks Anse Patate beach. Several guesthouses are also available nearby. The island’s main village, where you will find all basic amenities, is just a 10 minutes bike ride from the beach.

Live a close encounter with a barracuda at Anse Patate 👇 in this video shared by Reisedachs!

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  • Level required Intermediate
  • Maximum depth18ft/6m
  • Water entranceEasy, from a sandy beach
  • Potential DangersWaves and currents
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersLow
  • Access costsFree
  • Restaurants nearbyYes
  • 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 Caiman (free shore access) is another excellent snorkeling spot to encounter sea turtles.

These spots are accessible to anyone with basic snorkeling skills, and feeling comfortable in the water and with his snorkeling gear. You will enter the water from the shore (beach, pontoon, ladder, rocks) or from a boat. The water height in the sea entrance area is reasonable, but you will not necessarily be within your depth. Moderate currents can occur in the area, even when the sea conditions are good. The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas of the spot does not exceed 200 meters.

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.