Sister, Coco, and Felicite Island: Seychelles Catamaran Tour

The best part of this Seychelles catamaran tour is the mix of island scenery and time in the water. You sail past huge granite rocks, stop at quiet beaches, and snorkel around Coco or Félicité, where clear water can reveal turtles and other sea life.

I like the spacious Oplezir catamaran, with room to sit inside or outside, plus onboard showers. I also like that lunch, water, snorkeling equipment, island fees, and return ferry tickets are included. The main drawback is time: with several stops packed into six to eight hours, some people may wish for a longer beach stay.

Key points to know before you go

• Sister Island is the scenic centerpiece: Expect granite rock, forest, clear lagoon water, and a private beach stop.
• Snorkeling is a major reason to book: Stops at Coco or Félicité offer good visibility and the chance to see turtles and other marine life.
• The boat is made for a full day at sea: The large catamaran has indoor and outdoor seating, showers, and space to spread out.
• Lunch is served onboard: The BBQ includes a variety of food and dessert, with water provided and a rum cocktail available as an extra or part of the onboard service.
• La Digue pickup is simple: The catamaran collects you at the La Digue jetty. Praslin visitors receive return transfers.
• Bring a towel: It is not listed in the official packing advice, but you will want one after swimming and snorkeling.

A full day among Seychelles granite islands

This is the sort of outing that shows why the inner Seychelles islands are best appreciated from the water. From the catamaran, you get a broad view of the sea and the bold granite formations that give these islands their character.

The day runs for six to eight hours, so this is not a quick boat ride with one rushed photo stop. You have time for a beach visit, a BBQ lunch, swimming, and snorkeling. Still, the schedule depends on sea conditions and the exact order of the stops, so you should arrive ready for a flexible day.

From La Digue, pickup is directly at the jetty. If you are staying on Praslin, return transfers are included. The information provided does not give a fixed pickup time, so check the available departure when booking and allow enough time to reach the meeting point.

Sailing from La Digue or Praslin

The Oplezir catamaran is one of the strongest features of the outing. It is described as large, comfortable, and spacious, with places to sit indoors or outdoors. That matters in the Seychelles, where you may want shade between swims but an open view while sailing.

The boat also has showers, a useful touch after saltwater snorkeling. You will spend much of the day aboard, so facilities like these make a real difference. One person traveling alone found the trip comfortable and felt safe joining without company, which is useful if you are not traveling as part of a group.

You should still expect a proper sea excursion, not a calm harbor cruise. Pregnant women and people with mobility impairments are advised not to book, and children under two are not allowed. Bring comfortable clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a light layer if you prefer protection from the sun while underway.

If you are coming from Mahé, the included return ferry tickets are valuable. The ferry ride to the Praslin or La Digue area can take about an hour, so bring something to read or listen to. The ferry is part of the wider travel plan, not the catamaran portion itself.

Sister Island: granite, forest, and a private beach

Sister Island is privately owned, and the landing fee is included in the price. The island feels different from a standard beach resort stop because its appeal comes from the setting itself: pale sand, thick tropical forest, granite rock, and water clear enough for good visibility.

The island stop gives you a chance to get off the boat, walk along the beach, and swim in the lagoon. It is also a good place to slow down after the initial sailing. The shoreline and rock formations provide the kind of scenery that makes a camera useful, although a waterproof phone case is wise if you plan to take pictures near the water.

Sea turtles may be spotted in the lagoon, along with other marine creatures. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, so treat them as a bonus rather than the main promise of the tour. The clear water and natural setting are the reliable attractions.

One practical point: the beach time may feel short if you want a long, lazy swim. The day also includes snorkeling and the Coco National Park stop, so the schedule divides your time among several worthwhile places. If your priority is lying on one beach for hours, a dedicated beach day will suit you better.

Coco and Félicité: choosing your water time

The snorkeling portion takes place at Coco, Félicité, or both, depending on the day. That flexibility is useful because conditions at sea can affect which location works best.

Coco is small and immediately recognizable. Granite boulders sit near palm trees and a sandy beach, creating the classic tropical-island view many people have in mind before visiting Seychelles. The surrounding water is the real draw, with fish, coral, and other sea life in clear conditions when visibility is good.

Félicité is larger and covered with dense vegetation. Its coastline has a wilder feel, with thick plant life and the same striking granite character found across this part of the islands. If Coco gives you the compact postcard setting, Félicité offers a broader sense of untouched island nature.

You receive snorkeling equipment, but the packing guidance also recommends bringing your own gear. That gives you a choice. Use the supplied equipment if you prefer to travel light, or bring your own mask if fit and comfort matter to you.

The snorkeling is one of the most praised parts of the day. Several people found the reefs excellent, and one outing included a short motorboat trip to see a turtle before snorkeling. The exact wildlife and water conditions can change, but the tour is clearly designed for people who want substantial time in the sea, not just a quick look from the boat.

Coco National Park and the island fees

The Coco National Park fee is included, as is the landing fee for Sister Island. This is more than a small convenience. Protected areas often add costs to a day on the water, and having those charges included makes the $166 price easier to judge.

The park stop connects the scenery above water with the marine life below it. You get granite rock, palms, beach, and clear water in one compact area. The tour does not treat the islands only as photo stops, either. Swimming and snorkeling are central to the experience.

You should expect a natural setting rather than polished resort facilities. Bring insect repellent, sunscreen, cash, and a credit card for extra services purchased onsite. The operator advises comfortable shoes, though swimwear and light clothing will be your main concern once the boat reaches the islands.

BBQ lunch on the catamaran

Lunch is served onboard, which keeps the schedule moving and lets you eat with the sea around you. The included meal is a BBQ with a variety of food and dessert. The food received strong praise, with specific mentions of tasty dishes, a good selection, and a rum cocktail.

I see this as a practical advantage. A beach landing with a restaurant would add another transfer and more waiting. Eating on the catamaran means you can spend your island time swimming, walking, or taking in the scenery instead of sitting indoors.

The tradeoff is that this is a boat lunch, not a private dining experience. Seating may depend on how busy the catamaran is, although the vessel is large enough to provide indoor and outdoor areas. One July outing was comfortably uncrowded, but group size can vary by date.

Water is included. Extra services can be purchased onsite, but the supplied details do not specify which extras are available or their prices. Bring cash and a credit card if you want flexibility.

How much value does $166 provide?

At $166 per person, this is not a budget beach transfer. It is a full-day package that includes several costs you would otherwise need to arrange separately: the catamaran, landing fees for Sister Island and Coco National Park, snorkeling equipment, BBQ lunch, water, return ferry tickets, and Praslin transfers.

That package has real value if you want a simple way to combine several islands. You do not need to organize a boat, find snorkeling equipment, arrange park access, or locate lunch during the day. The cost is also easier to justify if you are starting from Praslin and need the included transfers.

The value is weaker if you only want a short swim or a single beach. You are paying for the boat, food, transfers, and multiple stops, so the tour makes most sense when you intend to use all of them.

The boat itself helps support the price. A large catamaran with showers and indoor and outdoor seating is more comfortable for six to eight hours than a basic open boat. If comfort matters to you, this is an important part of the calculation.

Guides, safety, and the pace of the day

Guiding is available in English and French. The crew is described as friendly and helpful, and guide Jacqueline received particular praise for her care and organization. The staff also helped with water activities, including taking people by motorboat to see a turtle.

That kind of support matters when you are snorkeling away from shore. You should still be comfortable in open water and follow the crew’s instructions. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or pregnant women, and children under two cannot join.

The day can feel active without being a race. You sail, land on Sister Island, eat lunch, and then snorkel around Coco or Félicité. Several people appreciated having ample time at the reefs, but one person wanted more time on the beach. That is the clearest sign of the tour’s balance: it favors variety over one long stop.

For a solo visitor, the organized transport and crew support make the outing easy to join. For couples and families with older children, the combination of swimming, snorkeling, and scenery gives the day more variety than a simple sightseeing cruise.

What to pack for a better day

The official advice covers the basics, but I would add a few practical items.

• Swimwear and comfortable clothing
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Comfortable shoes for the island landing
• Insect repellent
• Camera or waterproof phone protection
• Cash and a credit card for extras
• Your own snorkeling gear if you prefer it
• A towel, since one is not listed but will be useful

Keep your passport details accurate when booking. The names supplied must match the names on your passport. You should also read the voucher terms from Creole Travel Services after confirmation, since the services operate under the company’s conditions.

The tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options are useful when weather and island plans are still shifting, though you should always check the exact booking terms attached to your reservation.

Who should book this catamaran tour?

I would choose this trip if you want a full Seychelles sea day with several different experiences folded into one. It suits you especially well if you are staying on La Digue or Praslin, want to snorkel, and prefer an organized outing to arranging separate boats and park visits.

It is also a good choice if boat comfort matters. The Oplezir has enough room to move between shaded and open areas, and the showers are a welcome bonus. The included meal and water make the day easier, while the island fees and ferry tickets reduce surprise costs.

I would hesitate if your main goal is a long, quiet stretch on one beach. You may find the beach stop too brief, particularly because the schedule also includes snorkeling and other island scenery. I would also avoid booking if you are pregnant, have limited mobility, or are bringing a child under two.

Overall, the strongest reasons to book are the excellent snorkeling, spacious catamaran, good lunch, and well-organized transport. At $166, it is a substantial purchase, but the number of included services makes it a fair choice for an active day among the islands. If those features match your plans, this is one of the more efficient ways to experience the sea around La Digue and Praslin.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran pick up passengers on La Digue?

La Digue passengers are picked up directly at the La Digue jetty.

Are transfers included for visitors staying on Praslin?

Yes. Return transfers for Praslin passengers are included. La Digue passengers must arrange their own land transfer to the jetty.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served onboard the catamaran, and water is included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, although you can bring your own gear if you prefer.

Which languages are available during the tour?

The live tour guide service is available in English and French.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve now and pay later option.

Are young children allowed to join?

Children under two years old are not allowed on these sea excursions.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments.