Baie Ternay Marine National Park

The basics

Thanks to the marine life-rich reefs just off its shore, Baie Ternay Marine National Park is a staple of Seychelles island boat tours. Some combine time swimming and sunbathing with a visit to St. Anne Marine National Park—a cluster of six islands known for their sand and Creole restaurants. Other excursions take you sailing around the shores at sunset and often include drinks onboard a luxury catamaran. You can visit independently by driving to the beach.

Things to know before you go

• Baie Ternay Marine National Park teems with aquatic wildlife, including lemon sharks, sea anemones, clownfish, and whale sharks.

• Watch out for sharp clam shells in the grass surrounding the beach, and be aware of lionfish and sting rays in the water when swimming.

• The rural nature of the beach means that there are no amenities nearby, so take water and sun protection.

How to get there

Baie Ternay Beach is at Cap Ternay in the Seychelles and is accessible via the Cap Ternay road, at the end of which you’ll find limited parking. You’ll need to navigate a dirt road so drive a 4x4 vehicle if possible. Once you reach the parking lot, it's a further 20 minutes on foot to the sand.

When to get there

The beach at Baie Ternay Marine National Park isn’t accessible at high tide, so time your visit with low tide in the morning. Boat trips at sunset reveal the area at its most magical, but the evening brings an influx of mosquitoes—wear plenty of insect repellant.

Where to see the best marine life in the Seychelles

The turquoise waters of St. Anne Marine National Park—comprising six small yet nature-rich islands—are another ideal place to spot Seychelles’ marine life. On the ocean floor, you’ll find some of the area’s largest seagrass meadows—and you can often see sea turtles feeding on the grass, as well as bottlenose dolphins cruising around the surrounding waters. Take a glass-bottom boat ride to increase your chances of spotting local wildlife without getting wet.