Marianne - Inner Islands
Petit Byahau is one of those sites we keep coming back to. Yes, you’ll probably share it with other dive boats, but don't let that put you off. It’s popular for good reason. Dropping down, you often feel a gentle push, settling into a relaxed drift along a reef that’s seriously packed. We’re talking about corals so dense they form valleys and overhangs, creating countless hidey-holes. Our favourite trick here is to slow right down, particularly when that current is barely noticeable. Scan the sand for Sand Stargazers, they're always a thrill to spot, eyes peering up. In the nooks, you’ll find Reef Scorpionfish blending in perfectly, and the Spaghetti Eels wave out of their holes. Keep an eye out for the small stuff too – Blackfin Blennies are pretty common, and the Mottled Conger Morays are surprisingly bold here. Visibility usually holds around 15 metres, which is plenty to soak it all in. Petit Byahau works for just about any diver looking for a chill, rewarding dive with plenty of chances for macro discoveries and an easy drift.
- Location
- Inner Islands, Seychelles, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- -4.351700, 55.921700
- Type
- drift
Marine Protected Area: Ile Coco National Park
Best Time to Dive in Inner Islands
The warmest water temperatures in Inner Islands occur in April, averaging 30.4°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 26.6°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 28.7°C
- February: 29.0°C
- March: 29.8°C
- April: 30.4°C
- May: 29.8°C
- June: 28.5°C
- July: 26.8°C
- August: 26.6°C
- September: 27.4°C
- October: 28.3°C
- November: 29.0°C
- December: 29.1°C
Nearby Dive Sites in Inner Islands
- Albatros (reef)
- Albatros (reef)
- ALDEBARAN - 26m (wreck)
- Aldebaran Wreck (wreck)
- Aldebaran Wreck (pinnacle)
- Amoujie Maman
- Anse Petit Cour (muck)
- Anse Petit Cour (reef)
- Aquarium (reef)
- Aquarium (reef)
- Aride Bank (reef)
- Aride Bank (reef)
- ATERPE-ALAI - 17m (wreck)
- Auberge Reef (reef)
- Auberge Reef (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to Marianne
Marine Life in Inner Islands
Home to 184 recorded species including 156 reef fish, 8 hard corals, 6 sharks & rays, 5 sea snails & nudibranchs, 4 whales & dolphins, 2 other.
Notable Species
- Stripy (Katsuwonus pelamis) - Reef Fish
- Allison's Tuna (Thunnus albacares) - Reef Fish
- Kingston (Decapterus macarellus) - Reef Fish
- Bullet Mackerel (Auxis thazard) - Reef Fish
- Dorado (Coryphaena hippurus) - Reef Fish
- Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) - Reef Fish
- Rainbowfish (Halichoeres hortulanus) - Reef Fish
- Salmon (Elagatis bipinnulata) - Reef Fish
- Blackspot Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) - Reef Fish
- Silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) - Sharks & Rays
- Armed Squirrel-fish (Neoniphon sammara) - Reef Fish
- Threadfin (Chaetodon auriga) - Reef Fish
- Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) - Reef Fish
- Giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) - Reef Fish
- Banded Toby (Canthigaster valentini) - Reef Fish
- Blue Surgeonfish (Acanthurus leucosternon) - Reef Fish
- Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) - Reef Fish
- Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Argus Grouper (Cephalopholis argus) - Reef Fish
- Blenny (Istiblennius dussumieri) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Marianne
Based on average water temperature of 28.6°C, currents 11 cm/s.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories