Sister, Coco, and Felicite Island: Seychelles Catamaran Tour

The best Seychelles days happen offshore. This 6 to 8 hour catamaran trip from La Digue or Praslin pairs beautiful granite islands with swimming, snorkeling, and a BBQ lunch on board. I like the spacious Oplezir catamaran, which gives you room to sit inside or outside, and I like the well-planned mix of beach time and reef stops. The main drawback is that beach time can feel short, especially if you want a long walk on Sister Island.

I also appreciate that the price includes the important extras: island landing fees, snorkeling equipment, lunch, water, and return ferry tickets. The trip costs $166 per person, so it is not a budget outing, but the package covers enough transportation and activities to make the price reasonable. Bring a towel, even though it is not listed among the official essentials, and remember that La Digue visitors must arrange their own land transfer to the jetty.

Key points to know before booking

• Sister Island offers the longest land-based pause: Expect a private beach setting, tropical forest, and clear water where sea turtles may be spotted.
• Coco and Félicité are the main snorkeling stars: The route includes Coco National Park and snorkeling at Coco, Félicité, or both, depending on the day.
• The Oplezir catamaran is roomy: You get indoor and outdoor seating, showers, and enough space to move around comfortably.
• Lunch is served on board: The BBQ includes a variety of food and dessert, with water provided and a rum cocktail praised by one passenger.
• Transfers are easiest from Praslin: Praslin pickups include return transfers, while La Digue visitors meet the boat at the jetty and handle their own land transfer.
• This is an active sea day: Children under two, pregnant women, and people with mobility impairments should not book this excursion.

Why this island-hopping day is worth your time

Seychelles has plenty of lovely beaches, but a boat trip shows you a different side of the country. Granite islands rise from the sea in rounded, weathered forms, with palms, forest, and pale sand packed into small spaces. From the deck, you get the broad view that is impossible to find from a beach chair.

This outing is especially useful if you are staying on La Digue or Praslin and want to see several islands in one day without arranging separate boats, park fees, meals, and equipment. The route brings together Sister Island, Coco National Park, and Félicité, though the exact snorkeling combination may vary.

The day runs for about 6 to 8 hours. That is long enough to feel like a proper expedition, but not so long that you lose an entire day to the sea. The trip is conducted in English and French, and the crew handles the main practical details once you are aboard.

I would think of this as a scenic, social catamaran outing rather than a private sailing charter. The Oplezir is a large boat, and that is good news for comfort, but it also means you share the day with other people. One July departure was described as pleasantly uncrowded, but the number of passengers can affect how personal the experience feels.

Leaving La Digue or Praslin by catamaran

La Digue passengers are collected directly at the La Digue jetty. You need to arrange your own land transfer to that meeting point, so leave enough time to reach the harbor without rushing. The boat trip includes return ferry tickets, which helps simplify the wider journey.

Praslin passengers receive return transfers, making that departure point more convenient if you are based there. If you are coming from Mahé, allow for a ferry journey of about one hour, and bring something to occupy yourself. That ferry time is separate from the island excursion, so your total day will be longer than the advertised 6 to 8 hours.

Once you reach the catamaran, you can choose between indoor and outdoor areas. The boat has been praised for its size, comfortable seating, and onboard showers. That matters after snorkeling, when a little shelter and a freshwater rinse can make the rest of the afternoon much more pleasant.

The sea can make even a beautiful boat uncomfortable if you are not prepared. Wear practical clothing, pack sunscreen and sunglasses, and keep cash or a credit card with you for optional extras. A camera is useful, but protect it carefully around the water. Most important, bring a towel.

Sister Island: beach time with a private-island feel

Sister Island is the first major scenic reward. It is privately owned, and the setting has the classic Seychelles combination of granite rock, forest, clear lagoon water, and pale beaches. The island feels more secluded than the main inhabited islands because the focus is on nature rather than buildings or town life.

You may have time to explore parts of the beach and tropical forest before returning to the boat. The clear water around the island is good for looking below the surface, and sea turtles may be seen in the lagoon. A small motorboat transfer was used during one outing to reach a turtle, so keep your camera ready and listen to the crew’s instructions around wildlife.

This stop is valuable because it breaks up the snorkeling and sailing. You are not simply moving from one reef to another. You get the chance to stand on solid ground, walk along an untouched beach, and take in the island at a slower pace.

The tradeoff is time. One passenger wished for a longer beach visit, and that is a fair concern. With three island areas, lunch, transfers, and snorkeling, the schedule has several moving parts. If your ideal day means spending hours on one beach, this tour may feel hurried. If you prefer seeing several places, the variety works in its favor.

BBQ lunch on board the Oplezir

Lunch is served on the catamaran, usually after some of the morning activity. This is a smart use of time because you do not lose another hour looking for a restaurant or moving ashore for a meal. You eat surrounded by sea views, with the boat acting as your floating dining room.

The meal is a BBQ with a range of food and dessert. It has been described as tasty, and one passenger particularly enjoyed the dessert and rum cocktail. Water is included, which is useful in the tropical heat, though you should still arrive well hydrated.

I like the practical rhythm here. You can eat, rest, dry off, and enjoy the scenery without packing up for another transfer. The large catamaran also gives you options after lunch. Sit outside for the view, or move inside if you need shade and a break from the sun.

Do not expect a quiet restaurant meal. This is a boat lunch, and the atmosphere depends on the number of people aboard and the movement of the sea. Still, the food is one of the stronger parts of the package, especially since it is included in the $166 price.

Coco National Park and the island’s granite rocks

Coco Island is small, photogenic, and easy to recognize. Granite boulders frame the shore, palms rise behind the sand, and the water creates the kind of scene that makes you check your phone battery before taking another picture.

The island is part of Coco National Park, and the landing fee is included. That is important when judging the price because protected-area charges can quickly add to the cost of a boat day. Here they are handled as part of the booking.

Coco is mainly about swimming, snorkeling, and scenery. The surrounding water supports marine life, and the clear visibility can make it easier to spot fish and other creatures below the surface. You receive snorkeling equipment, although bringing your own gear is also listed as an option if you prefer a familiar mask and snorkel.

The shore is beautiful but not necessarily a place for a long, aimless walk. Coco is compact, and the stop is shaped around water time and a short visit. Wear comfortable shoes for getting on and off the boat and moving near granite rocks. Water shoes are not specifically listed, so do not assume they are provided.

Félicité Island and the second snorkeling possibility

Félicité is larger than Coco and covered with thick natural vegetation. Its granite forms and wooded slopes give it a different character from the smaller, more beach-focused Coco Island.

The snorkeling schedule may include Félicité, Coco, or both. That wording matters. You should not book expecting a guaranteed identical route each day. The crew chooses the stops as part of the day’s operation, and the supplied details do not promise a fixed amount of time at each island.

The underwater scenery is the reason to come. The waters around both islands contain marine plants and animals, and the trip allows time to swim and snorkel rather than simply cruise past the shore. Several passengers praised the reef locations, calling the snorkeling one of the best parts of the day.

If snorkeling is your top priority, this tour makes sense. You get equipment, multiple possible sites, and the chance to enter the water more than once. If you are not comfortable swimming in open water, the day may feel less rewarding, since the central activities are snorkeling and swimming.

What the crew adds to the day

The crew has received strong praise for being friendly and helpful. Jaqueline was singled out as a welcoming guide, and another passenger noted that the crew helped create a safe experience for a solo woman traveling alone.

That reassurance is useful because boat days involve constant small decisions: where to enter the water, how to move between the catamaran and a beach, and when to return aboard. You still need to follow instructions and judge your own comfort, but having an attentive crew makes the outing easier.

The tour is not presented as a lecture-heavy nature program. Its strength is practical guidance, smooth movement between stops, and help with snorkeling and transfers. You get the scenery without having to organize every piece yourself.

The catamaran’s size helps here. It has enough room for people to spread out, with places to sit inside or outside. Showers are an added comfort, especially after several swims. The boat is described as luxurious by some passengers, though your experience will still depend on how full the departure is.

Price, included extras, and overall value

At $166 per person, this is a substantial day-trip expense. I would not call it cheap. The value comes from what is bundled into that figure: return ferry tickets, Praslin transfers, Sister Island and Coco National Park landing fees, a BBQ lunch, water, and snorkeling equipment.

If you tried to arrange boat transport, park access, food, and equipment separately, the costs and planning would likely become more complicated. This package also gives you access to islands that are difficult to visit independently. That convenience is a real part of the price.

The strongest value is for people who want a full day on the water with several highlights. You get beach time, two possible snorkeling areas, a protected national park, a meal, and a large catamaran in one booking. The weaker value is for anyone who wants long, relaxed time at one beach or a small private group.

Optional services can be purchased on site, but the specific extras and prices are not provided. Bring cash or a credit card if you want to leave room for those purchases.

The experience has an overall rating of 4.6 from 121 reviews, with repeated praise for the boat, food, crew, transfers, beaches, and snorkeling. The most consistent criticism is not about quality. It is about wanting more time on the beach.

Who should book this Seychelles boat trip?

I would recommend it to couples, solo visitors, and groups who want a well-organized day with plenty of scenery and water time. It is also a good choice if you are staying on La Digue or Praslin and do not want to negotiate several independent boat arrangements.

Solo visitors should feel comfortable booking, especially since the crew has been praised for making one solo woman feel safe. Families need to note the age restriction: children under two are not allowed. The activity is also not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments.

Pack light, but be practical:

• Swimwear and comfortable clothes
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a camera
• Comfortable shoes
• Insect repellent
• Cash and a credit card
• A towel
• Snorkeling gear if you prefer your own equipment

Make sure the name on your booking matches your passport. The operator requires services to follow the terms and conditions of Creole Travel Services, with the voucher issued after booking confirmation.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available starting time before booking because the exact schedule is not fixed in the supplied details.

Should you book the Sister, Coco, and Félicité tour?

Book it if you want a polished full-day outing that combines excellent snorkeling and handsome granite islands with lunch and transport handled in one package. The roomy Oplezir catamaran, helpful crew, showers, and included landing fees make the $166 easier to justify.

Think twice if you want a quiet private cruise or a long stretch of beach time. The itinerary covers several places, so the day favors variety over lingering. For most active visitors staying on La Digue or Praslin, I would consider this a strong way to see the surrounding islands, provided you bring a towel and are happy spending much of the day in and around the water.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 6 to 8 hours. Check availability for the specific starting time.

Where does the catamaran leave from for La Digue passengers?

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

Are transfers included for Praslin passengers?

Yes. Return transfers for Praslin passengers are included.

Do La Digue passengers receive a land transfer?

No. La Digue passengers must arrange their own land transfer to the jetty.

Is lunch included?

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

Are snorkeling equipment and park fees included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, the Sister Island landing fee, and the Coco National Park landing fee are included.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour includes Sister Island and a snorkeling stop at Coco, Félicité, or both. Coco National Park is also part of the outing.

What languages are available?

The tour is available in English and French.

Can children under two join the tour?

No. Children under two years old are not allowed on these sea excursions.

Is cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.