Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee. Resort nearby
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Last updated on February 2, 2023
If you visit Praslin Island, it is quite likely that Cote d’Or, in Anse Volbert, will be the place you stay during your trip. This large bay features extensive seagrass beds, which are not the most spectacular marine environment. However, you may come across a diversity of reef fish, colorful starfish, and even immature sea turtles in the shallows.
Anse Volbert is a stunning 2km white sand beach running along Cote d’Or village. From the airport, head east and follow the signs to Grande Anse, then St Anne, and finally Cote d’Or.
If you reach Praslin by boat, you will land at the little port of Sainte-Anne. Head north, by following the signs to Cote d’Or (well signposted). In Praslin there are pretty much just two roads, so don’t worry about getting lost! It is also easy to get there by bus, but be sure to return before 5 pm.
Enter the water directly from the beach, in front of Chauve Souris island. Keep an eye out for small fishing boat traffic.
The snorkeling area extends between the beach and Chauve-Souris island, some 200 yards away. Once you are in the water, swim toward the island. The area has a constant sea level (↕2-5ft/0.5-1.5m) and the seabed is entirely made up of sand and seagrass. Closer to Chauve-Souris island, you will find granite boulders that provide shelter to reef fish.
A diversity of fish lives in the seagrass and the rocks areas, including parrotfish and butterflyfish. Look for the beautiful red-knobbed starfish, which hide in the dense seagrass covering the seabed. Immature hawksbill sea turtles are also a frequent visitor to Anse Volbert, where they like to feed and rest.
Côte d’Or is the main seaside resort in Praslin. Next to the beach, there is a wide choice of restaurants, supermarkets and accommodation.
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.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
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