Sister, Coco, and Felicite Island: Seychelles Catamaran Tour

The best part of this Seychelles catamaran tour is the variety packed into one sea day: a private island stop, granite boulders, clear water, snorkeling, beaches, and a BBQ lunch on board. Sister Island gives you the broad tropical setting, while Coco and Félicité bring you closer to the underwater life.

I like the spacious Oplezir catamaran and the way the day includes both relaxed sailing and active stops. I also like the practical value: lunch, water, snorkeling equipment, landing fees, ferry tickets, and Praslin transfers are included. The main drawback is simple: you cannot choose every detail of the route, and one recent participant wished for more time on the beach.

Key points at a glance

• Sister Island includes a private beach stop, with time for swimming, walking, and sea views.
• Coco National Park adds protected marine scenery, granite rocks, palm trees, and snorkeling.
• The Oplezir catamaran has plenty of room, with indoor and outdoor seating plus showers.
• A BBQ lunch and dessert are served on board, with water included and a rum cocktail available.
• La Digue pickup is at the jetty, while Praslin participants receive return land transfers.
• The tour is best for confident swimmers and active sightseers, not pregnant people or those with mobility limits.

Why this day at sea works so well

The Seychelles are easy to admire from shore, but this trip shows you the islands from their proper angle: the water. Granite peaks, forested slopes, pale beaches, and reef areas unfold as you move between islands.

You spend roughly 6 to 8 hours on the outing, so this is not a quick boat ride squeezed between other plans. It is a full day with enough time for several different settings. You get a little nature, a little beach time, a proper meal, and more than one chance to snorkel.

The route begins from Praslin or La Digue. From La Digue, the catamaran collects you directly at the jetty. If you are staying on Praslin, return land transfers are included. La Digue participants need to arrange their own transfer to and from the jetty, which is easy to overlook when working out the real cost.

If your wider holiday starts on Mahé, allow extra time for the ferry connection. One participant noted that the ferry from Mahé takes about an hour, so bring something to read or listen to if that crossing is part of your day.

Sister Island brings the first big view

The first major stop is privately owned Sister Island. Its appeal is not a long list of buildings or attractions. It is the setting itself: granite formations, tropical forest, clean beaches, and a lagoon with clear water.

The island gives you a chance to get off the boat and stretch your legs. You might walk along the beach, swim, or simply take in the open view. This stop matters because the rest of the day includes plenty of time in the water, while Sister Island gives you a slower land-based pause.

The water around the island is clear enough for good visibility. Sea turtles and other marine life may be seen in the lagoon, although wildlife sightings are never something a responsible tour can promise. Bring your camera, but keep it protected from spray and saltwater.

The stop also gives you a sense of how different the Seychelles can feel from a busy resort beach. Sister Island is privately owned, and the setting is focused on nature rather than shops or developed attractions. That is a strength if you want scenery and quiet. It may feel limited if you expect a long guided island walk or a full cultural program.

Coco National Park and the granite islands

Coco Island is small, photogenic, and easy to recognize. Granite boulders rise beside palm trees and a sandy beach, creating the classic Seychelles scene many visitors hope to see. The island is also part of the Coco National Park stop, so the landing fee is included in the price.

The surrounding water is the main reason to come here. You can snorkel among marine life and see the underwater side of the islands, not just the postcard view from the deck. Snorkeling conditions can change with weather and sea conditions, so the exact quality of visibility may vary on your date.

Félicité is larger than Coco and covered in thicker vegetation. It gives the day a different look, with more forest and a broader natural setting. The tour may visit Coco, Félicité, or both for snorkeling, depending on the operating plan and conditions. That flexibility helps the crew choose a suitable location, but it also means you should not book expecting a guaranteed identical route every time.

This is one of the tour’s useful advantages. You are not spending the whole day at one crowded snorkeling site. The stops spread your time across beaches, reefs, and open water. You get more variety than on a short reef-only trip.

Snorkeling with room to feel comfortable

Snorkeling is a central part of the day, not a small add-on. Equipment is included, and the crew takes you to reef areas near Coco or Félicité. One detailed account described being taken by motorboat to see a turtle before snorkeling, which shows that a smaller boat may be used around the catamaran when needed.

If you are new to snorkeling, pay attention to the guide’s instructions and stay within the marked area or near the group. The tour is suitable for people who are comfortable entering the sea, but it is not designed as a fully accessible or non-swimming excursion.

The catamaran helps here. It has a large deck, indoor and outdoor places to sit, and showers. After snorkeling, you can rinse off saltwater and settle into a dry spot instead of remaining cramped on a small open boat.

Bring a towel. It is not included in the stated packing list, and you will want one after swimming or using the shower. You should also bring sunscreen, sunglasses, swimwear, insect repellent, comfortable clothing, and a waterproof way to carry your camera.

The water is the main attraction, but do not treat the snorkeling as a guarantee of constant animal sightings. Sea turtles and other creatures are possible, and the reef areas are chosen for their marine life, yet nature controls the schedule.

What lunch on the Oplezir is really like

The BBQ lunch is served on board, which keeps the day moving and saves you from losing a beach stop to a restaurant transfer. Food is included in the $166 price, along with water. Dessert is also served, and one participant particularly enjoyed the rum cocktail.

The meal has been described as varied and tasty, but this is still a boat lunch rather than a restaurant meal with a printed menu. If you have strict dietary needs, check before booking rather than assuming the BBQ will meet them.

Eating on the catamaran also gives you a pleasant view while you take a break. You can sit inside or outside, depending on the sun and sea conditions. The larger boat is a practical advantage during lunch, especially after a swim when you want space to dry off and change.

Extra services can be bought on site, but they are not part of the advertised package. Bring a credit card and some cash so you are not caught short, while remembering that the core items are already covered.

The boat, crew, and pace of the day

The Oplezir is described as a large, comfortable catamaran with plenty of seating. That size makes the crossing more forgiving than a small speedboat ride, though no catamaran can remove the effects of wind and waves.

The crew provides guidance in English and French. Jacqueline is one guide named in the feedback, and the crew has been praised for being friendly, helpful, and reassuring. A solo participant felt safe on the trip, which is useful if you are considering going alone.

The boat can carry a sizable group, so do not expect a private charter atmosphere. At the same time, one July outing was not especially crowded, and the spacious layout meant people could spread out. Group size may vary by departure date.

The pace is active but not frantic. You move between islands, swim, snorkel, eat, and spend time on shore. A possible trade-off is that the schedule cannot give every stop unlimited time. If you want to sit on one beach for most of the day, a dedicated beach trip would suit you better.

Is $166 a fair price?

At $166 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the islands by boat. The value becomes clearer when you count what is included:

• Return ferry tickets
• Sister Island landing fee
• Coco National Park landing fee
• BBQ lunch and dessert
• Water
• Snorkeling equipment
• Return transfers for Praslin participants
• English or French guidance

You are paying for a full-day package rather than just a boat seat. The fees for protected areas and private island access can add up on their own, while arranging several transfers and a meal independently would take time.

The value is strongest if you are staying on Praslin and need transfers included. It is still a useful package from La Digue, but you must add your own land transfer to the jetty. That extra step is small, though it means the advertised price is not the full door-to-door cost for La Digue participants.

The tour is also good value if you want variety. A half-day snorkeling trip may cost less, but it will not give you the same mix of island landings, beach time, lunch, and multiple marine locations.

Who should book this catamaran tour?

I would choose this trip if you want to see several famous island settings in one day and you enjoy being on the water. It suits couples, solo participants, friends, and families with older children who can manage a full sea outing.

It is especially useful for first-time visitors who do not want to plan separate boats, park fees, equipment rental, and lunch. The crew and guide support also make it a sensible choice if you prefer an organized day over negotiating several local arrangements.

You should think twice if you are pregnant, have a mobility impairment, or are traveling with a child under two. Those groups are specifically excluded. You also need comfortable clothing, sun protection, and enough confidence around the water to enjoy swimming and snorkeling.

This is not the right pick if you want a private boat, a guaranteed turtle encounter, or a long stretch of uninterrupted beach time. The tour offers a broad sample of the islands, not complete control over the day.

Simple ways to prepare

Use the following checklist before you leave:

• Bring a towel, even though it is not on the official packing list.
• Wear swimwear under comfortable clothes.
• Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, and a camera.
• Bring cash and a credit card for possible extras.
• Take snorkeling gear if you have preferred equipment, although gear is supplied.
• Keep passport names accurate when booking.
• If coming from Mahé, plan for the ferry time and bring something to occupy you.
• La Digue participants should arrange their own land transfer to the jetty.

The sun can be strong on a boat, and shade may not always be your preferred seat. Reapply sunscreen after swimming, and protect phones and cameras from spray.

Final verdict: book it for variety, skip it for a private beach day

I recommend this tour if your ideal Seychelles day includes snorkeling, granite islands, sea turtles as a possible bonus, a good lunch, and a comfortable boat. The crew, spacious catamaran, included equipment, and well-organized transfers make the price easier to justify.

Book it with realistic expectations. You may not get long beach time at every stop, and the exact Coco or Félicité route can vary. But if you want a convenient full-day introduction to the islands around Praslin and La Digue, this is a strong choice with plenty to do and very little to arrange yourself.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The catamaran departs from Praslin or La Digue. From La Digue, pickup is directly at the La Digue jetty.

How long does the tour last?

The outing lasts between 6 and 8 hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits privately owned Sister Island and includes a stop at Coco National Park. Snorkeling takes place at Coco Island, Félicité Island, or both.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served on board the catamaran, with water included. Dessert is also part of the meal.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, though you can bring your own gear if you prefer.

Are transfers included?

Return transfers are included for participants departing from Praslin. Participants departing from La Digue need to arrange their own land transfer to and from the jetty. Return ferry tickets are included.

Who cannot join the tour?

Children under two, pregnant women, and people with mobility impairments are not suitable for this sea excursion. The tour is guided in English and French.