Sister, Coco, and Felicite Island: Seychelles Catamaran Tour

The best part of this trip is the variety packed into one day: three beautiful islands, clear water, snorkeling, a private beach, and lunch served on a large catamaran. I like that you are not tied to one activity, so you can swim, look for turtles, wander ashore, or simply enjoy the ride.

I also like the spacious Oplezir catamaran and the practical inclusions, especially return ferry tickets, snorkeling gear, water, and island landing fees. The main drawback is time: with several stops in six to eight hours, beach time may feel short, and La Digue visitors must arrange their own transfer to the jetty.

Key points

• Sister Island beach stop: Visit a privately owned island with granite boulders, forest, clear lagoons, and a beach where you can walk and swim.
• Coco National Park: Snorkel around Coco and, depending on conditions, Félicité, with chances to see turtles and other sea life.
• Comfortable catamaran: The Oplezir has indoor and outdoor seating, plenty of room, and showers.
• BBQ lunch onboard: Eat a substantial lunch with dessert and a rum cocktail while the boat is anchored.
• Easy island logistics: Praslin pickups include return land transfers, while La Digue pickup is directly at the jetty.
• Best for active sea days: You need to be comfortable around water, swimming, and boat movement.

A full day among Seychelles’ granite islands

This is a sea day rather than a simple boat ride. You leave from Praslin or La Digue and spend much of the day moving between islands, reefs, beaches, and sheltered bays. The scenery changes often, which helps the six to eight hours pass without feeling repetitive.

The tour costs $166 per person. That is not a small amount, but it covers the catamaran, snorkeling equipment, water, BBQ lunch, return ferry tickets, and landing fees for Sister Island and Coco National Park. If you were arranging separate boat transport, park access, food, and snorkeling gear, the package becomes easier to justify.

You should still book this for the right reason. It is not designed for a long, lazy afternoon on one beach. It works best if you want a full schedule with swimming, snorkeling, scenery, and a little time on land.

Leaving La Digue or Praslin on the Oplezir

La Digue passengers meet the catamaran 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. Praslin passengers receive return transfers, which makes the day simpler if you are staying there.

The Oplezir is a large catamaran with space both inside and outside. That matters in Seychelles, where a boat can feel very different depending on sun, wind, and spray. You can look for a seat outdoors when the weather is calm, then move inside when you want shade.

Several people specifically valued the room onboard. The catamaran also has showers, a small but useful feature after snorkeling or swimming. Bring a towel, even though it is not included in the official packing list.

The tour includes return ferry tickets. If you are coming from Mahé, allow for an hour-long ferry ride and bring something to occupy yourself. The ferry is part of the day’s transport rather than a small transfer, so the overall schedule can feel long before the catamaran even reaches the islands.

Sister Island’s private beach and granite scenery

The first major stop is privately owned Sister Island. Its appeal is the combination of pale sand, tropical forest, exposed granite rock, and clear water. You are not visiting a developed resort area. The setting feels more open and natural, with the island itself providing the main attraction.

The island stop gives the day a welcome change of pace. After time on the boat, you can walk on the beach, swim, and look back at the granite formations from shore. The lagoon’s clear water can make it possible to spot turtles and other marine life.

I would treat Sister Island as one of the most valuable parts of the trip, especially if you want more than snorkeling. Coco is famous for its water and rock formations, but Sister gives you time to experience an actual beach and forest setting.

The tradeoff is that time ashore is limited. The boat has several places to visit, and one person wished for a longer beach stop. If your top priority is spending hours on one beach, a dedicated beach excursion may suit you better.

BBQ lunch with room to spread out

Lunch is served onboard, which keeps the schedule moving and avoids losing time at a separate restaurant. The BBQ meal includes a range of food, with dessert also provided. A rum cocktail is available, and water is included.

Food quality can make or break a long boat day. Here, lunch is more than a basic snack, and the variety helps after swimming and snorkeling. You can eat while staying close to the scenery instead of returning to shore.

The meal is also a practical reason the $166 price is easier to assess. You are paying for a full day of transport and activities, not just a short cruise with one drink. Still, the tour price is best value for people who plan to use the snorkeling, beach, and island stops. If you only want to sit on a boat and take photographs, it may feel expensive.

Snorkeling at Coco and Félicité

The snorkeling stops are the main event for many people. The itinerary includes snorkeling at Coco and/or Félicité, depending on the day’s plan and conditions. The two islands offer different scenery above and below the water.

Coco is small and easy to recognize, with granite boulders, palm trees, and a sandy beach. The surrounding water is known for clear visibility, making it a strong choice for seeing fish, coral, and other marine life. The compact size gives it the feel of a classic tropical island, but the underwater setting is what makes the stop worthwhile.

Félicité is larger and covered in dense vegetation. Its waters also support sea life, and the island adds a wilder, more wooded backdrop to the boat trip. You may visit both locations, but do not assume that every stop will have identical timing or conditions.

Snorkeling gear is included, and the crew can take you to the reef areas by boat. One especially useful detail is that the crew has taken people by motorboat to see a swimming turtle. That kind of short transfer can help you reach marine life that is not right beside the catamaran.

The snorkeling has earned the strongest praise from people who wanted good reef time. You can expect more than a quick jump into the water, with ample time reported for snorkeling at the reefs. Even so, sea conditions can affect visibility, and the tour is not a private snorkeling charter. You share the schedule with the rest of the group.

A safe, social day on the water

The crew speaks English and French. Jacqueline is one guide whose name has been singled out, and the crew also handles transfers, meals, snorkeling, and movement between stops.

The large boat helps the social side of the tour. You have room to sit apart when you want quiet, but the shared meal and open deck make it easy to chat with other people. A solo visitor specifically felt safe joining the trip alone, which is useful if you are considering this without a companion.

You should be comfortable boarding a catamaran, swimming, and spending most of a day at sea. This excursion is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or children under two. The supplied information does not set a maximum age, but the physical demands are clear enough: you need to manage boat movement, water access, and time in the sun.

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, comfortable clothes, and shoes. A camera is useful, though protecting it from spray is sensible. Keep some cash and a credit card with you for extra services purchased onsite. You can bring your own snorkeling gear as well, even though equipment is included.

What the six to eight hours really means

The duration is listed as six to eight hours rather than one fixed length. That gives the operator room to adjust the day, but it also means you should not plan a tight appointment immediately afterward.

The schedule usually has several moving parts: pickup or ferry transport, the catamaran ride, the Sister Island landing, lunch, snorkeling at Coco and/or Félicité, and the return journey. Time at each place can change, especially when the boat must work around sea conditions and group movement.

This flexible timing is useful for a sea excursion, since rushing a snorkeling stop would reduce its value. On the other hand, the day can feel full if you prefer slow travel. I would avoid booking this on a day when you need to catch a fixed evening connection.

Who gets the most from this tour

I would recommend this trip to you if you want to see several famous island settings in one outing. It suits people who value variety, enjoy swimming, and want both beach time and snorkeling rather than choosing only one.

It is also a good match for solo visitors and couples who want a structured day. The included transfers for Praslin passengers, onboard meal, gear, water, and ferry tickets remove much of the planning work. La Digue visitors have a simpler jetty meeting point, but must arrange the land transfer themselves.

Families with very young children should note the minimum age of two. The tour may also be less suitable for anyone with limited mobility, since the day involves a catamaran, beach access, and water activities. Pregnant women should choose a different outing.

Photography lovers will find plenty to aim at: granite boulders, palms, forest, beach, clear lagoons, and the boat itself. The snorkeling adds a second subject beyond the usual island views, but camera protection is important around salt water.

How the $166 price compares in practical terms

At $166, this is a premium day excursion. Its value comes from the number of expenses folded into one booking. You receive return ferry tickets, lunch, water, snorkeling equipment, landing fees, and transport arrangements for Praslin passengers.

The large catamaran is another part of the calculation. A cramped boat can make a full day tiring, while the Oplezir offers indoor and outdoor seating, showers, and enough space to move around. That comfort matters more as the hours add up.

The price is less attractive if you do not plan to snorkel or swim. You will still receive the scenery and lunch, but the reefs and water stops are central to the experience. I would compare this with the cost of a shorter private charter only if your group wants complete control over timing and stops.

The package also offers a useful safety net for first-time visitors to the islands. The operator handles the marine route and park fees, while the guide and crew organize the day. You give up some independence, but you gain a simpler way to reach several difficult-to-arrange locations.

Booking advice and small details worth knowing

Use the exact names shown on your passport when booking. That matters because the operator requires matching passenger information.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still fitting ferry rides, hotel transfers, and other island activities into your schedule.

Check the starting time before booking because the duration is six to eight hours and availability affects the departure. La Digue passengers should focus on the jetty meeting point and arrange their own land transfer. Praslin passengers should confirm the included return transfer details.

Expect to purchase extra services onsite if you want them. Carry cash and a credit card, but keep your valuables protected from water and sun.

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

Book it if you want a full island day with several strong stops, especially snorkeling, a private beach, granite scenery, and a proper lunch. The spacious catamaran, included equipment, showers, and organized transfers make the $166 easier to defend.

Think twice if you want a quiet beach day, dislike boat travel, or need long, unhurried time at one location. The schedule covers a lot, and that means the beach stop may not last as long as you hope.

For most active visitors staying on Praslin or La Digue, this is a well-rounded way to reach Sister, Coco, and Félicité without arranging separate boats and park access. Bring a towel, protect your camera, and leave room in your day for the sea to set the pace.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran pick up La Digue passengers?

The catamaran picks up La Digue passengers directly at the La Digue jetty. La Digue passengers must arrange their own land transfer to the jetty.

Can I join the tour from Praslin?

Yes. The tour departs from Praslin or La Digue, and return transfers are included for Praslin passengers.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six to eight hours. Check availability for the specific starting time.

What does the price include?

The price includes Sister Island and Coco National Park landing fees, a BBQ lunch onboard, water, snorkeling equipment, return ferry tickets, and return transfers for Praslin passengers.

Which languages are available?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

Are children under two allowed?

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

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.