Praslin: Sister & Coco Island Full-Day Cruise and Creole BBQ

Paradise is only a short boat ride away. This full-day cruise links Sister Island, Coco Island, and Félicité Island with beach time, clear-water snorkeling, and a Creole barbecue served by the sea. I like the chance to see turtles, colorful fish, and possibly small sharks in several different locations, rather than spending the whole day at one beach.

I also like the small group of up to eight people, plus the included cocktail, soft drinks, and water. The main catch is cost: the $130 tour price does not include the landing fee, which is paid in cash and is listed as either 600 Seychelles rupees or €40 in the main details. That extra charge can change the value of the day, so confirm the current amount before you go.

The day at a glance

• Sister Island gives you the longest beach stop, with white sand, sunbathing, sightseeing, and snorkeling in clear water.
• Turtle sightings are a real highlight, and some outings have also seen small sharks among the fish.
• The Creole BBQ is served on the beach, with enough food for a full lunch and a cocktail included.
• Coco Island is a marine park, known for coral reefs and colorful fish.
• Félicité adds another snorkeling stop, with turquoise water and tropical scenery.
• Pickup is included only in selected Praslin areas, while some distant areas cost extra.

Setting out from Praslin between 9:00 and 9:30

The published schedule begins at 9:00 in the morning and returns around 15:00, although one outing reached Praslin at about 15:30. That gives you roughly six to six and a half hours on the water and islands. The trip is sold in connection with La Digue, but the stated departure and return point are on Praslin Island, so check your exact meeting place carefully.

Pickup is included in Baie Sainte Anne, Grand Anse, and Anse Volbert. If you are staying around Anse Kerlan, Anse Consolation, Anse Bois de Rose, or Anse Lazio, an extra pickup charge may apply. Do not assume hotel pickup is automatic. It happened for some bookings, but another booking had no hotel pickup and poor communication, so confirm the pickup point and time directly before the morning of departure.

The small boat format is a strong point. With a maximum of eight people, you should have less crowding than on a large charter, and it is easier to ask questions in English or French. The boat ride itself is part of the pleasure, with open views across the Seychelles waters as you head toward Sister Island.

That said, conditions at sea can change. One outing had a rougher crossing, although the guide reassured the group. If you are prone to seasickness, bring whatever remedy you normally use and sit where the motion feels easiest.

Sister Island: the beach everyone remembers

Sister Island is the emotional center of the day. The white-sand beach is the kind of place that makes you stop checking the time. You have room to sunbathe, walk along the shore, take photographs, and look out over clear water that is well suited to a first swim.

The schedule leaves a generous block of time here, and that is both a strength and a limitation. You are not rushed from one photo stop to another. You can enjoy the island at a relaxed pace, swim more than once, or simply sit under the sun with your feet in the sand.

On the other hand, much of the morning may feel like free time. One booking specifically described four hours on the island as unstructured time. If you prefer a guided walk with constant commentary, this may feel loose. If you prefer to choose your own pace, it is exactly the right kind of freedom.

Bring a waterproof bag for your phone and camera. You will want photographs of the beach, but sand and saltwater are unforgiving. Comfortable clothes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and swimwear are essential. Biodegradable sunscreen is requested, a sensible choice around coral and marine life.

Snorkeling with fish, turtles, and small sharks

The snorkeling is the main reason to book this cruise. Sister Island provides the first major chance to get into the water, while Coco and Félicité add different settings later in the day. Reports from the outings describe plenty of colorful fish and turtles, with one group also seeing small sharks.

No wildlife sighting is guaranteed, of course. The sea is not an aquarium with a timetable. Still, the combination of several snorkeling locations gives you better odds of seeing marine life than a single-stop beach outing.

Coco Island is known as a marine park and is presented as the most reef-focused stop. The water is described as clear, with coral and colorful fish. Félicité follows with another snorkeling session in turquoise water near lush tropical scenery. The value here is variety: you are not simply repeating the same swim three times.

Your comfort in the water matters. This experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the supplied information does not describe special assistance for entering or leaving the boat. You should be comfortable moving between the vessel, beach, and water on your own.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel if one is not supplied. The packing advice includes beachwear, comfortable shoes, and a waterproof bag. Interestingly, the restrictions also say shoes are not allowed, so expect to remove footwear in some parts of the outing. Keep jewelry and large bags at your accommodation.

The Creole BBQ at noon

Around noon, the boat schedule turns from swimming to lunch. The Creole-style barbecue is prepared and served on the beach, which makes the meal feel tied to the place rather than like a break at an ordinary restaurant.

The food receives some of the strongest praise. It has been described as tasty, generous, and sufficient for everyone. A cocktail is included, along with soft drinks and water, so you do not need to buy a drink during the meal. That helps the $130 price feel more reasonable.

Lunch is also a practical advantage. A full day in the sun and water can leave you hungry, and a proper barbecue is more satisfying than a small packed snack. You can enjoy the setting while eating, then return to the water or beach without losing time searching for food.

Still, do not treat the lunch as the sole reason to book. The real value lies in the complete combination of boat transport, three island areas, snorkeling, beach time, drinks, and the meal. If you will not swim or snorkel, the price becomes harder to justify.

Coco and Félicité in the afternoon

After lunch, the route continues to Coco Island. This is a smaller island with a strong marine focus, and the outing uses it mainly for snorkeling rather than a long land visit. The appeal is beneath the surface: coral reefs, clear water, and fish moving through the marine park.

You should think of Coco Island as a water stop, not a second Sister Island. There may be less time to wander on land, and the program emphasizes snorkeling. If your priority is beach lounging, Sister Island will likely be your favorite. If your priority is marine life, Coco may be the most important stop.

Félicité provides a further snorkeling session surrounded by tropical scenery. The schedule gives you another chance to swim in clear water and see what the local conditions offer that day. Having this additional stop is useful because visibility and wildlife can vary from one location to the next.

The afternoon can feel full, but it is not an exhausting race. The published return is 15:00, with one outing arriving closer to 15:30. Leave a little flexibility in your plans after the cruise rather than booking something immediately afterward.

What the $130 price really covers

At $130 per person, this is not a bargain beach transfer. It is a full-day marine excursion with a boat, lunch, drinks, a cocktail, guide services, and access to several island areas. For someone who wants a single organized day from Praslin, that bundle can be good value.

The small group is especially important. A limit of eight people can make boarding, asking questions, and getting into the water easier than on a crowded boat. English and French are available, and an audio guide is also listed in both languages.

The weak point is the extra landing fee. The main details list 600 SCR or €40 in cash, while another instruction gives 500 SCR or about €35. Those figures do not match. Carry enough cash in Seychelles rupees or euros and confirm the current fee before departure. At €40, the surcharge is significant and should be added to your real budget.

Pickup is another value question. Included pickup covers Baie Sainte Anne and Grand Anse, with Anse Volbert also listed among the included areas. Remote pickup locations can cost extra, and hotel pickup is not guaranteed unless confirmed. The tour is refundable up to 24 hours before departure, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available, which helps if your island schedule is still changing.

Communication and organization

The experience seems strongest when the day is running normally: beautiful beaches, good food, strong snorkeling, and a friendly guide who answers questions. English and French support is useful, especially when weather or sea conditions change.

Organization deserves a cautious note. One outing reported poor communication and no hotel pickup, while other outings described the day as well organized and even included hotel collection. This difference suggests that your pre-trip confirmation matters. Ask for four things in writing:

• Your exact pickup or meeting point
• The departure time
• The current landing fee
• Whether the boat returns around 15:00 or later

The reported meeting area also had complaints about litter around the parking location. That is not part of the island experience itself, but it may affect your first impression. Arrive prepared and do not expect a polished marina setting.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this day to you if you want a compact taste of the Seychelles by boat and are happy to spend much of the day swimming, snorkeling, and sitting on a beach. It suits couples, active families, and small groups who value several marine stops over a formal island tour.

It is also a good match if you want a generous lunch and do not want to organize separate transport, food, and snorkeling plans. The small group makes the outing feel more personal than a large excursion.

I would think twice if you dislike open-water boat rides, cannot move easily around a boat or beach, or want a tightly guided schedule every minute. You should also reconsider if the extra landing fee pushes the cost beyond your budget. The day is about natural beauty and free time, not museums, shopping, or structured cultural visits.

What to pack and what to leave behind

Pack light. You will be moving between boat, beach, and water, and large luggage is not allowed. A small waterproof bag is far more useful than a large daypack.

Bring:

• Swimwear and comfortable clothing
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Sunscreen, preferably biodegradable
• Comfortable shoes for getting to the meeting point
• A camera in a waterproof case or bag
• Biodegradable insect repellent
• Cash in Seychelles rupees or euros for the landing fee

Leave jewelry, sharp objects, weapons, explosives, pets, and oversized bags behind. The instructions also prohibit shoes in parts of the activity, so sandals or other footwear may need to come off before boarding or entering the beach area. Assistance dogs are the stated exception to the pet restriction.

Should you book the Sister and Coco Island cruise?

Book it if your ideal Seychelles day includes a beautiful beach, several snorkeling stops, turtles, and a generous Creole BBQ. Sister Island receives the highest praise for its beach, while Coco and Félicité give the day enough variety to keep the water time interesting. The overall score of 4.7 from 55 ratings reflects a very strong experience, with the food and snorkeling earning particular approval.

Before paying, confirm the pickup details and the landing fee. Those two points are the difference between a smooth day and an unpleasant surprise. If you accept the extra cash charge and enjoy unstructured beach time, this is a worthwhile full-day outing from Praslin.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Praslin Island and returns there. Pickup is included in Baie Sainte Anne, Grand Anse, and Anse Volbert areas.

How long does the excursion last?

The stated schedule runs from 9:00 to 15:00. One outing returned at about 15:30, so allow a little extra time after the scheduled finish.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The route includes Sister Island, Coco Island, and Félicité Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Creole-style BBQ lunch is served on the beach. A cocktail, soft drinks, and water are also included.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling is planned at Sister Island, Coco Island, and Félicité Island, depending on the day’s schedule and conditions.

Can I see turtles?

Turtles have been seen while snorkeling on the excursion, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What is not included in the price?

The landing fee is not included. The supplied information lists the charge as 600 Seychelles rupees or €40 in one place, and 500 Seychelles rupees or about €35 elsewhere, payable in cash. Confirm the current amount before departure.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The experience is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. It involves boat travel, beach access, and swimming or snorkeling.