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

The best part of this day is the chance to combine Sister Island’s superb beach with clear-water snorkeling around Coco and Félicité. You are not simply looking at the islands from a boat. You get time to swim, walk the sand, eat lunch on the beach and look for turtles, colorful fish and even small reef sharks.

I like the small group of up to eight people, which should make the boat ride and snorkeling stops more personal. I also like the generous beach lunch, with enough Creole BBQ food for everyone and a cocktail included. The main drawback is the extra landing fee, which can add roughly $35 to $40 per person, plus some confusion over pickup arrangements.

Key points to know before booking

• Sister Island gets the longest stop: Plan on several hours of free time for beach walks, swimming and snorkeling.
• Coco Island is the marine-life highlight: Its marine park setting offers colorful fish, turtles and the possibility of seeing small sharks.
• Lunch is served on the beach: The Creole BBQ is included, along with a cocktail, soft drinks and water.
• The boat leaves Praslin at 09:00: Return is scheduled for about 15:00, though one outing returned around 15:30.
• Landing fees are extra: Bring cash in Seychelles rupees or euros, and confirm the current amount before departure.
• Pickup depends on your location: Baie Sainte Anne and Grand Anse are included, while several other areas cost extra.

A full day among three Seychelles islands

This outing is built around the simple pleasures that make island trips worthwhile: a boat ride, bright water, a good beach, reef fish and lunch outdoors. You leave Praslin in the morning and spend the day around Sister, Coco and Félicité islands before returning in the afternoon.

The schedule gives you about six hours away from Praslin. That is enough time for more than a quick photo stop, but it also means you should expect a relaxed day rather than a tightly packed sightseeing tour. Much of the time on Sister Island is free time, so you will need to be comfortable making your own day with swimming, sunbathing, walking and snorkeling.

The group is limited to eight people. That is a useful feature for a boat trip, since a small group usually makes it easier to hear the guide and move between the beach and water without a large crowd. English and French are offered, with live guiding and an audio guide in both languages. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not book this expecting a particular person.

Leaving Praslin at 09:00

The morning starts with pickup in Baie Sainte Anne or Grand Anse. Pickup from Anse Kerlan, Anse Consolation, Anse Bois de Rose and Anse Lazio may carry an extra charge, so check this before paying. One practical warning: pickup has not always been handled in the same way. Some bookings included a hotel pickup, while another departure did not, so confirm the exact meeting point rather than assuming someone will come to your hotel.

Once aboard, the cruise toward Sister Island is part of the experience. The islands are best appreciated from the water, where you can see their small scale and exposed position in the Indian Ocean. Bring a waterproof bag for your phone and camera. The boat ride is not the time to carry a loose towel, wallet or pair of sunglasses.

Sea conditions can change. One outing had a fairly rough sea, although the guide reassured the group. If you are prone to motion sickness, take the usual precautions before boarding and keep your belongings secured. The provided schedule is clear, but the exact return may shift a little with sea conditions and the pace of the day.

Sister Island: beach time with room to breathe

Sister Island is the first major stop and the place where you get the most time on land. Its white-sand beach is the visual centerpiece of the day, with clear water close to shore and plenty of space for a slow walk or a swim.

This is a good stop for doing very little. You can stretch out on the sand, take photos, wade in the shallows or head into the water with your mask. The beach is described as phenomenal for good reason: it gives you the classic Seychelles scene without requiring a long hike or a complicated transfer.

The long stop is both a strength and a possible weakness. I like having enough time to enjoy the island instead of rushing through a ten-minute photo stop. But you should know that several hours are largely unstructured. If you want a guided walk, a constant stream of activities or a packed sightseeing program, this may feel slow. If you like choosing your own pace, the open time is a bonus.

Bring comfortable clothes, swimwear, a hat, sunglasses and biodegradable sunscreen. Shoes are not allowed, so wear them for the boat transfer but expect to remove them. A waterproof bag is especially useful when moving between boat, beach and water.

The 12:00 Creole BBQ on the beach

Lunch is served around noon, on the beach rather than in a restaurant. That setting matters. You eat with sand, sea and the island around you, which makes a simple BBQ feel like part of the day rather than a break from it.

The meal is Creole style, and the included drinks are practical: one cocktail, soft drinks and water. The food has been described as both tasty and plentiful, with enough for everyone. That is important on an active day, since snorkeling and time in the sun can leave you hungry.

Do not expect a formal dining room or a long restaurant service. This is a beach lunch, so keep your expectations practical. Comfortable beachwear and a light cover-up are more useful than anything dressy. Also remember that the menu is not described in detail, so anyone with strict dietary needs should ask the operator before booking.

The BBQ is one of the stronger parts of the value calculation. At $130 per person, the tour is not cheap, but the boat, lunch and drinks are included. You are paying for access to several islands and for a full day on the water, not just a short snorkeling transfer.

Coco Island and its colorful reef life

After lunch, the boat continues to Coco Island. This stop is known as a marine park and is the best choice for seeing a range of underwater life. The water is described as clear, with colorful fish and coral reefs around the island.

Bring your own sense of timing here. The quality of snorkeling depends on sea conditions, visibility and where the boat can safely stop. On good days, you might see turtles, many fish and small sharks. Those sightings are not guaranteed, but they are a real possibility based on the reported outings.

Coco Island is better suited to confident swimmers than to anyone who dislikes open water. The tour is not described as suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the boat, beach and water access all require a reasonable level of movement. If you need special assistance, ask before booking rather than relying on the small group to solve it on the day.

Use biodegradable sunscreen, and apply it well before getting into the water. Pack insect repellent as well, especially if you plan to spend long periods on shore. Jewelry is not allowed, and you should leave large bags, sharp objects and unnecessary valuables behind.

Félicité for another swim

The final island stop is Félicité, where you get another snorkeling session in turquoise water beside tropical scenery. The purpose of this stop is less about exploring inland and more about getting back into the sea.

This second snorkeling location is useful because conditions can vary from one island to another. If the water around Coco is not ideal, Félicité may offer a different setting. It also gives you another chance to see fish and turtles without having to choose between beach time and underwater time at Sister Island.

You should bring a camera if you want photos, but protect it carefully. A waterproof case or bag is far safer than leaving a phone loose on the boat. The operator supplies water and soft drinks, but you should still bring sun protection because the day places you outdoors for several hours.

By midafternoon, the boat returns toward Praslin. The planned return is 15:00, although a return around 15:30 has also occurred. Do not schedule a tight connection immediately afterward. Island trips run on sea conditions, loading time and the pace of the group.

Is $130 plus the landing fee good value?

The advertised price is $130 per person. Add the landing fee, which is quoted in the supplied details as either 600 Seychelles rupees or about 40 euros, while another instruction gives 500 rupees or about 35 euros. That conflict is worth taking seriously. Carry cash, but confirm the current amount with the operator before departure.

At the higher fee, your total cost is closer to $165 to $170 per person before considering any paid pickup. That is a significant price for a day trip. Still, the package includes the boat, beach access, three island areas, BBQ lunch, a cocktail, soft drinks and water. The small group also adds value compared with a crowded excursion.

I would call it fair value for someone who specifically wants Sister Island and several snorkeling stops in one day. It is weaker value if your main goal is simply to spend time on one beach, since the landing charge makes the short island visit more expensive than it first appears.

The tour also gives you an easier way to reach islands that would otherwise require separate arrangements. You do not need to plan several boat transfers or find lunch on a remote beach. That convenience is part of what you are buying.

What to pack, and what to leave behind

Pack lightly. Large bags and oversize luggage are not allowed, and there is no reason to carry them on a small boat.

Bring:

• Swimwear and comfortable beach clothes
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Comfortable shoes for the boat transfer
• A waterproof bag
• Camera or waterproof phone protection
• Insect repellent, preferably biodegradable
• Cash in euros or Seychelles rupees for the landing fee

Shoes must be removed, and jewelry is not allowed. Pets, weapons, sharp objects, explosives and large bags are also prohibited. Assistance dogs are allowed, but ordinary pets are not.

You may also want a dry change of clothes. The supplied information does not promise changing facilities, so plan for a straightforward beach day rather than a polished resort setup.

Who will enjoy this boat day most?

I would choose this trip if you want a full day outside and prefer a mix of swimming, snorkeling and beach time. It suits couples, small groups of friends and active families who can manage boat transfers and open-water swimming.

It is less suitable if you have limited mobility, dislike boats or want a heavily guided sightseeing program. The large block of free time on Sister Island is ideal for independent exploration, but it can feel under-planned if you expect constant commentary and scheduled activities.

It also suits people who care more about the setting than luxury. The food is served on the beach, the schedule is built around the sea and the trip has a practical, outdoors-first feel. You should not choose it for fine dining, elaborate onboard comfort or a tightly choreographed program.

The overall rating is strong, and the most consistent praise centers on Sister Island’s beach, the BBQ and the snorkeling. The main cautions are communication, pickup clarity and the extra landing fee. Those are manageable if you confirm the meeting point and total price in advance.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The excursion departs from Praslin Island. Pickup is included from the Baie Sainte Anne and Grand Anse areas.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is included in Baie Sainte Anne and Grand Anse. Extra fees may apply for Anse Kerlan, Anse Consolation, Anse Bois de Rose and Anse Lazio, so confirm your exact pickup arrangement.

What islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Sister Island, Coco Island and Félicité Island. The day includes beach time on Sister, snorkeling around Coco and another snorkeling session near Félicité.

Is lunch included?

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

Are landing fees included in the price?

No. A separate landing fee must be paid in cash. The supplied details give different amounts, ranging from 500 to 600 Seychelles rupees, or about 35 to 40 euros, so confirm the current fee before departure.

What languages are available?

The live guide and audio guide are available in English and French.

Should you book the Sister, Coco and Félicité cruise?

Book it if you want three island settings, good snorkeling and a proper beach lunch in one day. The small group, generous BBQ and chance to see turtles, fish and perhaps small sharks make it a strong choice for an active Praslin day.

Before paying, confirm three things: your pickup point, the current landing fee and the expected return time. If you are happy with several hours of free time on Sister Island and can manage boat and beach access, this is a worthwhile way to see more of the Seychelles by water.