Cocos Island in La Digue's marine national park
Good to know about Cocos Island
Cocos lies 7 km north of La Digue and has been a marine national park since 1996. The waters around this little islet (roughly 200 x 90 m, 18,000 m²) are regarded as the best snorkelling in the area. Among other things you can see surgeonfish, zebra fish, trumpetfish, spotted groupers, colourful butterflyfish, green and blue butterflyfish, yellow, white and black bannerfish, as well as reef sharks, turtles and much more. The island can be visited every day.
The park consists of three small islands: Ile Cocos, Ile La Fouche and Ilot Plate. Cocos itself is an uninhabited granite rock with palm trees and a narrow strip of white sand. According to the park authority, the park's biggest attraction is the critically endangered hawksbill turtle. Between August and November a whale shark may appear as a seasonal visitor.
The park is managed by the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA). In older texts and guidebooks you will still find the authority under its former name, the Seychelles National Parks Authority (SNPA).
Getting there and boat trips
Cocos has no landing stage for scheduled services. You first travel to La Digue or Praslin and book a boat trip from there. Visits to the park are arranged through tour operators and charter boats that leave from Praslin or La Digue.
The ferries Cat Rose and Cat Cocos run between Praslin and La Digue. The crossing takes about 15 minutes. From Mahé, the journey to La Digue via Praslin takes around 1 hour 45 minutes. Current times and prices are on the page Cat Cocos Ferry, and general information is under Getting around the Seychelles.
From La Digue
La Digue is the shortest route: according to the park authority, the boat ride takes about 10 minutes. Half-day tours usually start from the jetty at La Passe. With one operator the morning tour begins at 9:15 am and the afternoon tour at 12:45 pm. Many tours combine Cocos with Big Sister and Félicité. Depending on weather and sea conditions, one tour also offers a landing on the beach at Cocos.
From Praslin
From Praslin there are half-day tours with hotel pick-up, roughly from 9 am to 12 noon. A full-day tour combines snorkelling at Cocos and Félicité with four hours of free time on La Digue. If you are staying on Praslin and are short of time, this is the most convenient option. You will find more operators under Boat trips.
By charter boat or catamaran
A private boat gives you more flexibility over departure time and duration. On a catamaran cruise you can head for the snorkelling spots without time pressure and get into the water early in the morning, when it is quiet. Here too, weather and sea state decide whether Cocos can be reached.
| Departure point | Travel time to Cocos | Typical offer |
|---|---|---|
| La Digue (La Passe) | approx. 10 minutes | Half-day tour in the morning or afternoon, often with Félicité and Sisters |
| Praslin (Baie Sainte Anne) | depending on the boat | Half-day or full-day tour with a stop on La Digue |
| Own boat or charter | freely selectable | Individual route, departure time by arrangement |
Snorkelling and swimming
Snorkelling is usually done from the boat, in open water around the granite rocks. This is not a sheltered lagoon beach. The current can be strong. Reports from January 2026 mention a strong current that could make things difficult for beginners. On one cruise-ship excursion at that time, Cocos was even skipped. So the sea has the final say.
Swim with the current along the reef, ideally close to the boat or your guide, and do not stray from the support boat. Life jackets or pool noodles are a good idea for less confident swimmers. Ask before booking whether equipment is included. On many tours the park fee and snorkelling gear are included in the price.
On the time of year: April and May as well as October and November are considered calmer, while it can be rougher during the south-east trade wind season from June to September. You can also see the calm months for this island in the fact box. You can read more on choosing when to go under Best time to visit and Climate & Weather.
If you are looking for more snorkelling spots around Praslin or La Digue: Diving & Snorkelling and Dive sites give an overview, and Curieuse and St. Pierre are also close by.
Entry fee, opening hours and rules
| Information | Value (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | daily 9–17 h |
| Admission for non-residents aged 12 and over | SCR 200 per person |
| Children under 12 | free |
| Administration | Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA) |
The usual rules for protected areas apply in the marine national park: take nothing away, do not touch the coral, do not feed the fish, leave no rubbish behind. Use reef-friendly sun cream if possible, or wear a rash vest. You will find more advice under Do's and Don'ts and Nature and Conservation.
Practical information, accommodation and day trips
Day trip or overnight stay
Cocos is purely a destination for a few hours. There is no accommodation and no food or drink service on the island itself. The trip combines well with other destinations: Grande Sœur, Petite Sœur and Félicité are nearby. Félicité is a resort island, so tours there usually snorkel at the reef. Ask the operator in advance about a landing.
Accommodation and food
You can stay overnight on La Digue or Praslin. The map below shows places to stay nearby, and you will find more options under Hotel booking and Holiday home booking. For a meal after your trip, see the restaurant recommendations. Some tours serve drinks or a snack on board, so check this when you book.
Practical tips
- What to bring: swimwear, towel, sun protection, hat, waterproof bag and, if needed, water shoes for rocky spots.
- Prices: half-day tours vary considerably in price depending on the boat, group size and departure point. One guidebook quotes roughly 40 to 70 euros per person for a half-day tour. With operators from Praslin, some offers are over 100 US dollars (as of November 2026).
- Money: you do not need cash on the island, but read up beforehand under Money & Banks.
- Health: there is no medical care on Cocos. Emergency numbers and clinics are listed under Hospital, Clinics & Emergency Numbers.
- Photography: a waterproof camera is worth having. Tips are under Photos | Films | Pictures.
