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Denis Island is a must for any travelers visiting the Seychelles. This natural sanctuary, planted with coconut, takamaka and casuarina trees, and fringed by white sand beaches, has a taste of paradise. Surrounded by pristine waters and vibrant coral reefs, where it’s usual to come across sea turtles, young sharks and eagle rays, Denis Island will bring you wonderful snorkeling adventures.
Daily 30 minute flights connect Mahé with Denis Island, located 60 kilometers north of the main island and 50 kilometers east of Bird Island. But to visit this out-of-the-world paradise, you have to be guest of the human size luxurious resort located on this private island (Denis Private Island). If you don’t want to spend the unavoidable high range price to stay on the island, you can request the authorization to approach the island by boat and moor in the area.
Enter the water from the sandy beach, in front of the area you want to explore.
You can do snorkeling all around the island, surrounded by coral reefs, but we particularly recommend you the two following areas, known for the richness of their marine life and their easy access:
In front of Bois Blanc beach, on the west side of the island, you will find coral and seagrass areas. This area is opened on the sea. Encounters with hawksbill sea turtles, which come to feed and rest on the seagrass (all year round) and lay their eggs on the beach (from November to February), are guaranteed. Spotted eagle rays and juvenile blacktip reef sharks can also be seen very easily, but are more difficult to get close to, however. The areas facing the northern (House Reef) and southern (Muraille Bon Dieu) tips of the island can also be explored, but are more rocky.
Belle Etoile beach gives access to the lagoon fringing the east side of the island. The lagoon is protected from the tumult of the Indian Ocean by a coral reef, and its shallow, crystal-clear waters (less than 6ft/2m), sprinkled with coral, are ideal for beginners. You will swim with dozens of species of reef fish, as damselfish, butterflyfish, surgeonfish, triggerfish… Do not try to cross the barrier and explore the other side of the reef (currents, waves…).
Around the island, the sea is generally calm, with no waves. Denis Island is private, with very limited number of guests. Enjoy the peacefulness of the area, but try not to go snorkeling alone.
The only accommodation set on the island is the Denis Private Island hotel. The residents of all have full board.
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.
Sea turtles are a very familiar sight in Akumal Bay. In order to be a responsible snorkeler, be sure to respect the following rules when observing them:
These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life. 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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