AS SUBIOS COMES OF AGE WILL THE ‘SEYCHELLES FESTIVAL OF THE OCEAN‘ CARRY ON THE TRADITION
(Posted 26th August 2016)
When ‘SUBIOS‘, short for sub Indian Ocean Seychelles, was launched 21 years ago, no one could know what a success the festival would become.
Marine life aficionados from around the world over the past two decades did pilgrimage to the archipelago and a series of underwater films and thousands of award winning photographs later does the next edition under the new brand name intend to build on these successes.
Several Marine National Parks have been established by the Seychelles’ government, besides dedicating over half of the archipelago’s land mass to conservation.
1. Ste Anne
Around 20 minutes by boat from the main island, Mahe, Ste Anne is one of the most well known natural destinations. It was declared a marine park in 1973, the first in the western Indian Ocean.
The park encompasses six small islands, among which two – Cerf and Moyenne — are accessible to day trippers. The other four are Ste Anne, Long, Cachée and Round.
The dividing channels between the islands are filled with coral reefs and meadows of sea grass.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/seychelles/ste-anne-marine-national-park/introduction
http://trekity.com/sainte-anne-marine-national-park-seychelles/
2. Baie Ternay
Found in the northwest of Mahe, it became a national park in 1979. The park stretches over a distance of 2.5 kilometres and protects the inside of the bay with thriving underwater scenery. It is accessible by boat.
It has a beautiful coral diversity surrounded by hundreds of brightly coloured reef fish, plus it’s a great place to see hawksbill and green turtles. With its calm waters, the park is popular with snorkelers and scuba divers.
http://gviseychelles.blogspot.com/2011/04/19042011-baie-ternay.html
3. Curieuse
Only two kilometres off the north coast of Praslin, the second-most populated island, the shallow waters of the park host a large population of humphead parrotfish.
It was designated a marine national park in 1979 to protect is natural beauty and ecological important marine life. It is also a protected area for turtles with one of the important hawksbill nesting populations.
The island is open to visitors and visits can be done through to tour agents or privately owned or rented boats.
http://www.seychelles.org/inner-islands/curieuse-island-marine-national-park
http://www.seaturtle.org/mtn/archives/mtn147/mtn147-4.shtml
https://richedwardsimagery.wordpress.com/2015/03/08/curieuse-marine-national-park-seychelles/
4. Port Launay
This park, designated in 1979, runs parallel to the beach, from Anse des Anglais in the south to Cap Matoupa in the north.
Located in the northwest of Mahe, it is well known for its beautiful beaches and whale sharks. The reef on both sides of the bay creates a perfect spot for snorkelers.
5. Silhouette
Lying 12 kilometres north of Mahe, the island is surrounded by the finest marine life. It hosts a population of hawksbill turtles.
The surrounding waters were declared a marine national park in 1987. It is the largest among the six marine national parks at around 30.45 square kilometres.
The island is reachable by a 30-minute boat trip or 15 minutes on a helicopter transfer from Mahe.
http://www.idc.sc/index.php/Silhouette-Island/flora-fauna.html
6. Ile Coco
The last one to become a marine national park – in 1997 — it is located 7 kilometres north of La Digue.
It is set around three small islets in shallow waters surrounded by a coral reef.
The park is a spectacular spot for snorkelling and diving with popular daily trips from La Digue and Praslin.
Visit to the island is done during the day and can be organised through tour or boat operators.
http://www.seychelles.travel/en/seychelles-products/ile-cocos-marine-national-park
Courtesy of the Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture was this information receive to begin promoting this year’s Seychelles Festival of the Ocean which will run from the 02nd to the 09th of December. Visitors will be able to discover the amazing underwater world surrounding the main islands of the Seychelles. Additional information can be accessed via www.seychelles.travel
