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

The beach is worth the boat ride. This full-day cruise from Praslin combines white sand, clear water, snorkeling, and a Creole barbecue across Sister, Coco, and Félicité islands. I especially like the chance to spend real time on Sister Island rather than making a quick photo stop, and the small group of up to eight people should feel more personal than a crowded boat outing.

I also like the practical all-in touches: a beach lunch, cocktail, soft drinks, water, and pickup from parts of Praslin are included. The main drawback is the extra landing fee, which is paid in cash and can add a noticeable amount to the $130 price. Pickup coverage is also limited, and communication has not always been smooth.

Quick reasons to consider this cruise

• Sister Island gives you several hours of beach time, with room for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and a walk along the sand.
• Coco Island is a marine park, making it the strongest stop for colorful fish and possible turtle sightings.
• Félicité adds another snorkeling session, so you get more than one chance to find good water conditions.
• The Creole BBQ is served on the beach, with enough food reported for everyone and a cocktail included.
• The boat group is limited to eight people, a useful advantage when you want easier contact with the guide.
• The extra landing fee needs cash, and the amount should be confirmed before departure because the supplied details list different figures.

From Praslin to Sister Island by boat

The day begins at about 9:00 a.m. from Praslin and returns around 3:00 p.m., although one outing reached Praslin at roughly 3:30 p.m. Allow a little flexibility if you have an evening ferry, flight, or dinner reservation.

The cruise itself is part of the appeal. You leave Praslin behind and head toward the Sister Islands, with open sea and island views along the way. This is not a sightseeing cruise with a long narrated history lesson. It is mainly a swimming, snorkeling, beach, and food day, which is exactly why it works well for a relaxed Seychelles holiday.

Pickup is included in Baie Sainte Anne and Grand Anse. Anse Volbert is also listed among the pickup areas, though another part of the information specifies Baie Sainte Anne and Grand Anse, so I would confirm the meeting point directly before booking. Extra charges apply for pickup around Anse Kerlan, Anse Consolation, Anse Bois de Rose, and Anse Lazio.

One practical warning: the meeting-point area near Loyalty Boat Charter was described as untidy, with discarded bottles, cans, and takeaway packaging. That does not define the island stops, but it may shape your first impression. Arrive prepared for a basic marina meeting point rather than a polished resort lobby.

Sister Island: the day’s strongest stop

Sister Island is the centerpiece. You get a broad block of free time here, roughly four hours according to the schedule and one detailed account. That is both the appeal and the thing you need to understand before paying.

This is not a tightly programmed guided walk. Much of the morning is yours. You can sit on the white-sand beach, swim in clear water, snorkel near shore, take photographs, or simply stay still under the sun. If you prefer an activity every minute, the long free period may feel unstructured. If you want a proper island pause, it is excellent.

The beach has earned the strongest praise, and the description is easy to understand. Sister Island offers the classic Seychelles scene: pale sand, turquoise water, and a small tropical setting that feels far removed from Praslin. You may see turtles while snorkeling, and one outing also recorded many fish, turtles, and small sharks. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the conditions have clearly been good enough to make this a major highlight.

Bring your own sense of time. The guide may point you toward snorkeling areas, but Sister Island is not presented as a formal, stop-by-stop tour. You should be comfortable deciding how to use the free hours. I would start with snorkeling while your energy is high, then leave time for the beach and a short walk.

The island is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The boat, beach access, uneven ground, swimming, and snorkeling all require a reasonable level of physical independence. Shoes are not allowed during the experience, so you may wear comfortable shoes for the journey but should expect to remove them. Bring a waterproof bag for anything you need to keep dry.

Noon brings a Creole BBQ on the beach

At around noon, the crew serves a Creole-style barbecue lunch on the beach. This is more than a convenient meal between swims. Eating beside the sand and sea gives the day its local flavor, even if the food is prepared for an excursion group.

The BBQ has been a consistent strength. It is described as tasty and plentiful, with enough food for everyone. The included cocktail is a pleasant extra, and soft drinks and water are provided. You should still bring sunscreen and perhaps a little personal water protection, since the sun and sea take up most of the day.

Do not expect a restaurant menu or a choice of several courses. The value here is the setting, the generous serving, and the ease of having lunch already arranged. You do not need to return to Praslin hungry or spend part of the day searching for food.

The schedule places lunch on Sister Island, although exact timing can shift with sea conditions and the boat’s movements. One account described the sea as somewhat rough, but the guide offered reassurance. If you are prone to seasickness, consider practical precautions before setting out, though no medication or specific onboard facilities are listed.

Coco Island is the best bet for fish

After lunch, the boat continues to Coco Island. This small island is known as a marine park and is the most obvious snorkeling stop in the program. The appeal is underwater rather than on land: coral reefs, colorful fish, and clear tropical water.

You may see a wide mix of fish here, and turtles are possible. Snorkeling conditions can change with wind, current, and the day’s weather, so the exact experience is not fixed. The important advantage is variety. If Sister Island is your beach stop, Coco Island gives the day a stronger marine focus.

The boat may not spend a long period on shore at Coco Island. The program describes a visit to the marine park for snorkeling, not a lengthy island exploration. Pack your expectations accordingly. You are paying for access to several water locations, not for a detailed walking tour of each island.

Use biodegradable sunscreen, and apply it well before entering the water. The packing information specifically asks for biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent. A hat, sunglasses, swimwear, comfortable clothes, and a camera are also sensible choices. Keep jewelry at home, since it is listed among the prohibited items and is easy to lose in the sea.

Félicité adds one more chance to snorkel

The final island stop is Félicité, where another snorkeling session takes place in turquoise water beside tropical scenery. This gives you a useful second or third chance to get good visibility and marine life, especially if the sea is less cooperative at an earlier stop.

Félicité is not described as a major beach break with several hours ashore. Its role is to extend the water time and give you another setting for snorkeling. That makes the sequence logical: long beach time at Sister, marine park snorkeling at Coco, then another water stop at Félicité before returning to Praslin.

You may find that the last stop feels shorter than the morning. The schedule has to get the group back by mid-afternoon, and boat travel takes time. Still, the extra snorkeling location improves the value of the outing. A single beautiful beach can be found on many Seychelles itineraries. Three island settings and multiple chances to enter the water make this feel like a fuller day.

What the $130 price really covers

At $130 per person, this is not a cheap beach transfer. The price includes the boat tour, BBQ lunch, cocktail, soft drinks, water, and some pickup service. For a small group capped at eight, that package is reasonable if you place a high value on boat access and snorkeling time.

The extra landing fee is the major catch. The information gives two different amounts: 600 Seychelles rupees or 40 euros in one place, and 500 rupees or 35 euros elsewhere. It is described as cash only. Confirm the current figure before you book, and carry either Seychelles rupees or euros in cash. I would not assume the lower amount.

That fee changes the calculation. Once added to $130, the outing becomes a substantial full-day expense, particularly for couples or families. Still, lunch and drinks are covered, and the boat visits places that are not practical to reach independently during a short stay.

The small group matters here. With only eight participants, you have a better chance of getting a clear answer in English or French and of being noticed when you need help in the water. The tour has both a live guide and an audio guide in English and French, though the experience is more about the islands and sea than extended commentary.

The practical issues that can affect your day

The biggest organizational concern is pickup communication. Some people were collected from their hotel, while another booking had no hotel pickup. The listed pickup zones are clear enough, but the actual arrangement may depend on your accommodation and location. Confirm the exact meeting place, pickup time, and any extra charge before the day arrives.

Do not bring large luggage, oversize bags, or bulky personal items. Pets are not allowed, apart from assistance dogs, and weapons, sharp objects, explosive substances, and jewelry are prohibited. Riding animals is also listed among the prohibited activities, though it is not part of this boat trip.

Pack lightly:

• Swimwear and beachwear
• Comfortable clothes
• Sun hat and sunglasses
• Sunscreen, preferably biodegradable
• Comfortable shoes for getting to the meeting point
• Waterproof bag
• Camera
• Biodegradable insect repellent

You should be ready to go barefoot on the boat or island, since shoes are not allowed during the experience. Keep electronics protected, especially during boarding and snorkeling transfers.

The sea may be calm, but it may also be choppy. One account described rough water and praised the guide for providing reassurance. If you want a guaranteed smooth ride, no island boat tour can promise that. The guide speaks English and French, and the small group can make it easier to ask questions or request help.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and lets you reserve without paying immediately. Those policies are useful if your Praslin plans may change, but they do not remove the need to check the sea forecast and transport connections.

Who will get the most from this day

I would choose this cruise if you want a full day built around swimming, snorkeling, and beach time. It suits couples, friends, and confident solo swimmers who would rather visit several islands than spend the entire day at one resort beach.

It is also a good choice for anyone who wants a small-group boat outing rather than a large party boat. The eight-person limit is especially helpful if you value a quieter trip and direct contact with the guide.

You may want a different plan if you dislike unstructured time. Four hours on Sister Island is a long stretch if you are not interested in swimming, sunbathing, walking, or taking photographs. The program does not promise a packed schedule of guided activities.

I would also think twice if you have limited mobility, dislike boats, or need perfectly precise pickup arrangements. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the pickup details should be settled in advance.

Should you book the Sister and Coco cruise?

Book it if the beach and water are your priority. The best parts are clear: Sister Island is beautiful, the snorkeling can bring fish and turtles, the BBQ is generous, and Félicité and Coco add variety. The 4.7 rating from 55 bookings reflects a strong overall experience, with particular praise for the beach, food, snorkeling, and helpful reassurance when the sea gets rough.

Before committing, ask the provider to confirm three things: your exact pickup location, the current landing fee, and how much free time you will have on Sister Island. If you accept those details and carry cash, the $130 price can be fair for a small boat, three island settings, lunch, and drinks.

If you want constant guiding, flawless logistics, or a low-cost outing, skip it. If you want a memorable Seychelles beach day with several chances to snorkel, this is one of the more appealing options from Praslin.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Praslin Island at about 9:00 a.m. Pickup is included in Baie Sainte Anne and Grand Anse, with Anse Volbert also listed among the service areas.

How long does the experience last?

The planned schedule runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. One departure returned around 3:30 p.m., so allow some extra time for the return journey.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The route includes Sister Island, Coco Island, and Félicité Island. Sister is used mainly for beach time, while Coco and Félicité include snorkeling sessions.

Is lunch included?

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

Is the landing fee included in the $130 price?

No. A separate cash landing fee applies. The supplied details list either 600 Seychelles rupees or 40 euros, and elsewhere list 500 rupees or 35 euros, so confirm the current amount before departure.

What languages are available?

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

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is specifically not suitable for people with mobility impairments. You should also expect swimming, snorkeling, beach access, and barefoot areas during the day.