Coco Island and Sister Islands: A Day Trip to Seychelles’ Marine Parks

The first time I saw the water around Coco Island, it wasn’t the turquoise that got me — it was the clarity. You can see the sandy bottom at 15 metres without straining. This tiny islet, just 18,000 square metres of granite boulders and palm trees, sits inside a marine national park that has protected its reefs since 1996. The shallow waters hold hard and soft corals that attract everything from parrotfish to hawksbill turtles, and the visibility often reaches 30 metres in calm conditions. Most visitors reach it on a combined day trip that also includes the privately owned Sister Island, Grande Soeur, and sometimes Félicité — a full day on the water that covers three distinct marine environments in one loop.

What this guide covers: how to choose between the different island combinations, what each stop actually delivers, and the logistical realities of getting there from Praslin or La Digue. The marine parks here are well-managed, but the day trips come with real constraints — minimum group sizes, weather cancellations, and landing fees that add up fast.

Understanding the Island Loop: Coco, Grande Soeur, and Félicité

Three islands, one route, and a few important distinctions between them.

Coco Island lies 7 kilometres north of La Digue, close to Félicité and the Sister Islands. Grande Soeur, the larger of the two Sister Islands, covers nearly 100 hectares and rises 113 metres above sea level — big enough for a proper walk. Petite Soeur, just 34 hectares with a rocky coastline, rarely sees visitors anchor there. Most day trips skip it entirely and focus on Grande Soeur for the beach barbecue and hiking.

Félicité Island, the fifth largest in the archipelago at 4 kilometres long, was once a coconut plantation. Its lush vegetation now frames a snorkelling site that operators describe as a natural aquarium. The standard itinerary runs from 9 a.m. to late afternoon, with stops at Grande Soeur for swimming and lunch, then Coco and Félicité for snorkelling. Tours operate Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays only, and require a minimum of 10 participants — if the number isn’t reached, the operator will notify you before departure.

Where You’ll Actually Go: The Three Stops

Coco Island: The Snorkelling Anchor

Coco Island is the reason most people book this trip. The marine park status means the coral is in better shape than many sites closer to Mahé. Snorkellers regularly see green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles, along with stingrays resting on sandy patches and small reef sharks patrolling the outer reef edge. The calm conditions inside the protected bay make it suitable for less confident swimmers, though currents can pick up around the granite outcrops on the northern side.

Most tours allocate 45 minutes to an hour here. That sounds short, but the site is compact — the reef drops off quickly, and the best marine life concentrates along a 200-metre stretch. Bring your own snorkel equipment if you can; the gear provided by operators has limited availability and may not fit well, especially for children.

Grande Soeur: Lunch, Walking, and a Private Island Feel

Grande Soeur is privately owned, which means you can only visit as part of an organised tour. The island’s main draw is the beach barbecue — fresh fish, chicken, rice, garlic bread, and salad, served with drinking water and soft drinks. Vegetarian meals are available if requested. After lunch, you have time to walk the island’s trails, which climb through tropical forest to viewpoints overlooking the surrounding islets.

The walking paths are rough in places, so comfortable shoes matter. The beach itself is pleasant but not extraordinary by Seychelles standards — the real value here is the contrast between the busy snorkel stop at Coco and the quiet forest walk on Grande Soeur. Landing fees are included in the tour price, but check whether your operator covers them; some budget packages add them as a surcharge.

Félicité: The Bonus Stop

Félicité Island appears on some itineraries as a second snorkelling site after Coco. The underwater terrain here differs from Coco — deeper drop-offs and larger coral formations, with more pelagic species passing through. The island itself is the fifth largest in the archipelago, but the tour only stops at the water’s edge for snorkelling; you don’t land on the island itself.

Not all operators include Félicité. Some run a two-island loop (Coco and Grande Soeur) and skip it entirely. If seeing Félicité matters to you, confirm the itinerary before booking. The snorkelling here is generally less crowded than Coco, but the current can be stronger — guides will assess conditions on the day.

Planning Your Day: Timing, Costs, and Logistics

The practical details that determine whether the trip works for you.

Tours depart from La Digue, with the meeting point at the Creole Travel Services office in La Passe by 9 a.m. The boat leaves at 9:30 a.m. sharp. If you’re staying on Praslin, some operators offer transfers, but most require you to make your own way to La Digue via the frequent ferry service. Guests on Félicité can also join, but availability depends on the operator.

The tour runs with a maximum of 20 participants and a minimum of 10. If the minimum isn’t met, the operator will reschedule, offer an alternative, or issue a full refund. Children aged 2–11 pay a reduced rate, but infants under 2 are not permitted. All excursions are subject to weather conditions — if cancelled, you’ll be offered a rescheduled date, a similar alternative, or a refund.

What to bring: swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, mosquito repellent, and cash for any extra drinks beyond the water and soft drinks provided. A waterproof camera is worth the weight — the visibility at Coco makes for clear underwater shots. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for Grande Soeur’s trails; flip-flops won’t cut it on the uneven paths.

On the Ground: What to Know Before You Go

Packing for the Boat

The boat ride from La Digue to Grande Soeur takes roughly 45 minutes, and the open water can get choppy. If you’re prone to seasickness, take motion sickness medication before departure — the crew won’t have any. A dry bag keeps your phone and camera safe from spray. The sun is intense on the water, with reflection off the surface adding to exposure; a long-sleeved rash guard is more practical than reapplying sunscreen every hour.

Conservation Rules on the Islands

Both Coco Island and Grande Soeur operate under strict conservation guidelines. Do not touch the coral — even a light brush can damage the polyps. Do not feed the fish. Do not collect shells, sand, or any natural souvenirs. The guides on Grande Soeur will brief you on the walking routes to avoid disturbing nesting seabirds and turtle sites. These rules aren’t suggestions; they’re enforced, and fines apply.

Food and Facilities

The BBQ lunch on Grande Soeur is the only meal of the day. It’s served buffet-style on the beach, with seating on picnic benches or towels. The food is straightforward — grilled fish and chicken, rice, salad — and the portions are generous. Drinking water and soft drinks are included, but alcoholic beverages are not. If you want beer or wine, bring your own or check whether the operator offers it as an add-on. There are no toilets on Coco Island. Grande Soeur has basic facilities, but don’t expect flush toilets or running water.

Coco Island and Grande Soeur: Your Questions Answered

Can I visit Coco Island without a tour?

No. Coco Island is a marine national park with no public ferry or landing access. The only way to visit is through a licensed tour operator based on Praslin or La Digue. Private charters are possible but significantly more expensive and require advance booking.

Is the snorkelling at Coco Island suitable for beginners?

Yes, in calm conditions. The shallow reef inside the protected bay has minimal current, and the water is clear enough to see the bottom from the surface. But conditions change fast — if the wind picks up, the current around the granite outcrops strengthens. Guides assess the site on arrival and may redirect to a calmer spot if needed.

What happens if the tour is cancelled due to weather?

The operator will reschedule the tour for another day, offer an alternative excursion of similar value, or issue a full refund. You’ll be notified before departure. Seychelles’ weather can shift quickly, especially during the northwest monsoon from December to March, when afternoon squalls are common.

Is Grande Soeur worth the extra cost compared to just visiting Coco?

It depends on what you want. If your priority is maximum snorkelling time, a dedicated Coco trip might suit you better. But Grande Soeur adds a private island experience you can’t get elsewhere — the forest walk, the beach barbecue, and the sense of having an island mostly to yourself. The combined tour is the only way to access it.

Are there any age restrictions for children?

Children aged 2 to 11 pay a reduced rate. Infants under 2 years old are not permitted on the tour. Each child must be accompanied by at least one adult. The boat ride can be rough, so consider whether your child is comfortable with open-water crossings before booking.

One Last Thing

The thing that stayed with me after this trip wasn’t the coral or the turtles — it was how quiet Grande Soeur felt after the snorkelling stop. You step off the boat onto a beach with no vendors, no music, no infrastructure. Just the sound of the forest and the waves. That contrast, between the busy water at Coco and the stillness of a private island, is what makes the combined tour worth the logistics. For more off-the-beaten-path ideas in Seychelles, these remote island sanctuaries offer a similar sense of isolation without the group tour format.

Sources and further reading

Coco Island: A Snorkeler’s Paradise. Must See Spots.

Day Trip to 2 Sister Islands. Ocean Blue Seychelles.

Coco, Sister, Félicité Full Day Tour. Seychelles Bookings.