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

Sister Island delivers the wow factor. This full-day cruise from Praslin pairs a superb white-sand beach with clear-water snorkeling around Coco and Félicité Islands. I like the small group of up to eight people, and I like that the price includes a Creole BBQ, cocktail, soft drinks, and water. The main catch is the extra landing fee, charged in cash, which can add a noticeable amount to the advertised $130 price.

The schedule gives you plenty of unhurried time on Sister Island, rather than rushing from one photo stop to another. That is good news if you want beach time, turtles, and a proper lunch, but less good if you expect a tightly guided tour with constant commentary or organized activities.

Key points to know before booking

• Sister Island gets the longest stop: Expect a beautiful beach, sunbathing, sightseeing, and several hours of free time.
• Snorkeling can be excellent: Coco Island is known for coral reefs, while Coco and Félicité may bring sightings of colorful fish, turtles, and even small sharks.
• Lunch is served on the beach: The Creole BBQ is freshly prepared, generous, and one of the strongest parts of the day.
• The group is small: With no more than eight participants, the boat should feel more personal than a large excursion vessel.
• Budget for the landing fee: An additional cash payment is required, with the supplied information listing amounts between 500 and 600 Seychelles rupees, or about 35 to 40 euros.
• Pickup is limited: Included pickup covers Baie Sainte Anne and Grand Anse. Extra charges apply for several other Praslin areas.

Why this island cruise works so well

Seychelles is at its best from the water. Praslin gives you lovely beaches and forest, but a boat trip lets you see the smaller islands that make the archipelago special. Here, the main reward is variety: a beach stop, a Creole lunch, reef snorkeling, and a relaxed ride between islands.

The day runs roughly from 9:00 to 15:00, although one recent departure returned around 15:30. That six-hour shape feels sensible. You get enough time to enjoy the islands without turning the outing into an exhausting marathon.

I especially like the balance between activity and free time. You can snorkel when conditions suit you, then dry off on the sand. You are not pushed through a long list of stops simply to say you have seen them.

The small-group limit of eight is also important. It should make boarding, lunch, and snorkeling instructions easier to manage. You may get more direct attention from the English or French-speaking guide, although the exact level of guiding can vary. The experience appears better suited to people who enjoy a relaxed boat day than to anyone seeking a heavily narrated sightseeing program.

Leaving Praslin at 9:00

Pickup is included from Baie Sainte Anne and Grand Anse. If you are staying around Anse Kerlan, Anse Consolation, Anse Bois de Rose, or Anse Lazio, you should expect an extra pickup charge. Confirm the amount before booking, since the included pickup zones are quite specific.

The departure is from Praslin, not La Digue, despite the location wording associated with the experience. That distinction matters if you are planning transport between islands. You should check the exact meeting point and pickup time with Loyalty Boat Charter before the day of departure, especially since communication and hotel pickup have not always been consistent.

The boat ride to the Sister Islands is part of the pleasure. You get open-water views and a changing perspective on Praslin. The sea can be choppy, and one person specifically found the water rough but appreciated the guide’s reassurance. If you are prone to seasickness, take sensible precautions before boarding.

Wear swimwear beneath comfortable clothing. Pack only what you need, since oversized luggage and large bags are not allowed. A waterproof bag is a smart choice for phones, cameras, and dry clothes.

Sister Island and its remarkable beach

Sister Island is the visual star of the day. The white-sand beach and clear water provide the classic Seychelles setting, but the appeal is not only photographic. You have time to walk along the shore, sunbathe, swim, and look around at the island’s natural setting.

The schedule allows several hours here, which is unusually generous for a boat excursion. That means you can settle into the place instead of racing through a ten-minute photo stop. The tradeoff is that much of this time is free time. If you prefer a guide-led walk or a packed program, the slow pace may feel loose.

The beach is also a good first stop for snorkeling. The water may reveal colorful fish and sea turtles, and several accounts describe turtle sightings around the islands. Small sharks have also been seen in the snorkeling areas. That sounds dramatic, but the important point is that wildlife sightings are possible, not guaranteed.

Bring a camera if you have a waterproof one. Bring biodegradable sunscreen too. Regular sunscreen can harm marine ecosystems, and the activity specifically asks for biodegradable products. A hat, sunglasses, and insect repellent are useful once you are back on land.

Shoes are a slightly confusing point. The preparation list asks for comfortable shoes, while the restrictions say shoes are not allowed. I would confirm the current rule with the operator, then bring lightweight footwear for getting to the meeting point and follow the crew’s instructions on the boat and beach.

A Creole BBQ lunch at noon

At about noon, lunch is prepared and served on the beach. This is more than a practical refueling stop. Eating a Creole-style BBQ beside the sea gives the day a local touch that a boxed meal would miss.

The meal is described as delicious, plentiful, and sufficient for everyone. You also receive a cocktail, soft drinks, and water. Those inclusions help the $130 price feel more reasonable, especially since food and drinks are already arranged in a memorable setting.

Do not expect a formal restaurant service. The charm is the simple beach setup and freshly prepared BBQ. It is the kind of lunch where the setting does much of the work, though the quality of the meal still matters. Here, the food receives especially strong praise, making it one of the safest reasons to choose this outing.

Dietary information is not provided, so you should ask Loyalty Boat Charter in advance if you have allergies or specific food requirements. The same applies if you do not drink alcohol, since the cocktail is included but alternatives are not specified.

Coco Island and the reef snorkeling

After lunch, the boat continues toward Coco Island. This island is known as a marine park, with coral reefs and clear water filled with colorful fish. The stop is aimed at snorkeling rather than land exploration, so your experience depends partly on sea conditions and your comfort in the water.

Coco Island gives the day its strongest marine focus. You may see schools of fish, coral, turtles, and other sea life. The water can look calm from the boat, but conditions change. Bring a secure waterproof bag, listen to the guide, and do not assume that a calm beach means calm water offshore.

The supplied details do not promise snorkeling equipment, so check exactly what is provided before you go. That is an important practical question. If gear is not included, you will need to bring or arrange your own mask and snorkel.

The boat stops at places selected for snorkeling, but this is not a technical or specialist expedition. You do not need advanced skills to appreciate the sites, yet you should be comfortable entering the sea and swimming without mobility assistance. The outing is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Félicité Island and the final swim

Félicité Island follows Coco Island, adding another snorkeling session in clear water near lush tropical scenery. The point of including Félicité is variety. Even if the marine life is similar, a second location gives you another chance at good visibility and wildlife.

The exact amount of time at Félicité is not stated. That means the schedule may adjust according to weather, sea conditions, and the pace of the day. This is normal for a boat outing, but it is worth understanding before you book. You are buying a flexible island day, not a minute-by-minute guarantee.

The sequence also works well physically. You can spend the morning on the beach, eat lunch, then return to the water in the afternoon. If you do not want to snorkel every time, you can use the boat ride and shore time to rest.

What the $130 price really covers

The listed price is $130 per person. Included are the boat tour, selected pickup, BBQ lunch, one cocktail, soft drinks, and water. For a small-group excursion visiting several islands, that can be fair value, especially when you consider the transport, meal, and access to snorkeling locations in one package.

The landing fee changes the calculation. The supplied information gives two different figures: 600 Seychelles rupees or 40 euros in one place, and 500 Seychelles rupees or 35 euros elsewhere. Either way, it is a significant extra cost, and it must be paid in cash.

I would budget for the higher amount and carry Seychelles rupees if possible. Then ask the operator to confirm the current fee before departure. A price that first appears to be $130 can feel much less attractive when the additional charge is added, particularly for couples or families.

The value is strongest if you want all of the following in one day: several island stops, a beach lunch, snorkeling, and a small boat group. It is weaker if you mainly want to sit on a beach, since the extra fee and boat transport may not make sense compared with spending the day at a free beach on Praslin.

Communication and pickup deserve attention

Most of the practical concerns involve organization rather than the islands themselves. Pickup is included in only certain parts of Praslin, and extra fees apply elsewhere. One account also noted no hotel pickup, while other departures included hotel collection. That tells me you should not assume the arrangements are automatic.

Confirm these points directly:

• Your exact pickup location and time
• Whether pickup from your hotel is included
• The current landing fee
• Whether snorkeling equipment is supplied
• The meeting point if you are making your own way there

The activity offers English and French live guiding, plus an English and French audio guide. That is useful for mixed-language groups, though you should not expect continuous commentary throughout the free-time portions of the day.

The small group is a plus, but it does not remove the need for clear communication. Keep your booking confirmation available and arrive ready to board. A little preparation will prevent the most avoidable frustration.

What to pack for a saltwater day

You need practical beach gear, not a large suitcase. Bring swimwear, comfortable clothes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a camera. Use biodegradable sunscreen and biodegradable insect repellent as requested.

A waterproof bag protects valuables from spray and wet hands. Comfortable shoes are listed among the recommended items, but follow the crew’s current instruction about footwear once you arrive. Jewelry is not allowed, and it is best left at your accommodation anyway.

Bring cash in euros or Seychelles rupees for the landing fee. Do not rely on a card for this payment. Large bags, oversized luggage, weapons, sharp objects, explosives, and pets are prohibited. Assistance dogs are the stated exception.

Who should book this excursion?

This is a strong choice for people who want a full day on the water without joining a large crowd. Couples, confident swimmers, snorkelers, and families with older children may find the mix of beach time and marine life appealing.

It is also good for anyone who values food as part of a day trip. The BBQ is not a minor add-on. It is a central part of the experience, and the beach setting makes it memorable.

I would think twice if you have limited mobility, dislike boat travel, or want a tightly structured guided tour. The outing is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the long free-time period on Sister Island may feel under-programmed if you prefer constant activity.

The trip also depends on the sea. Rough water can affect comfort and possibly the snorkeling schedule. A reassuring guide helps, but no operator can promise perfectly calm conditions or guaranteed turtle sightings.

Should you book the Sister and Coco Island cruise?

Book it if you want the classic Seychelles combination of white sand, reef snorkeling, turtles, and a Creole lunch, all within one small-group day. The excellent Sister Island beach, generous BBQ, and repeated chances to snorkel give this excursion real appeal.

Before paying, confirm your pickup, equipment, and the landing fee. That extra cash charge is the biggest value concern, and the free-time-heavy schedule is the main style concern.

For a relaxed island day with strong scenery and good food, I would consider it a worthwhile choice at the right total price. Just arrive prepared for flexible timing, possible choppy water, and a few hours when you are responsible for creating your own fun.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The excursion departs from Praslin Island. Included pickup is available in the Baie Sainte Anne and Grand Anse areas.

What time does the excursion run?

The planned schedule is from 9:00 to 15:00. Actual return time can vary, with one reported departure returning around 15:30.

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, along with a cocktail, soft drinks, and water.

Is the landing fee included in the price?

No. A separate landing fee is required and must be paid in cash. The supplied information lists 500 to 600 Seychelles rupees, or approximately 35 to 40 euros, so confirm the current amount before departure.

What languages are available?

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

Is hotel pickup included everywhere on Praslin?

Pickup is included in Baie Sainte Anne and Grand Anse. Extra charges apply for pickup around Anse Kerlan, Anse Consolation, Anse Bois de Rose, and Anse Lazio. Confirm the exact arrangement for your accommodation.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments?

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