Cousine, island in the Seychelles
Good to know about Cousine Island
At 25 hectares, Cousine is one of the smallest of the granite islands. It lies about 6 km west of Praslin and offers its guests exclusive accommodation in four individual villas in French colonial style and one larger Presidential Villa, with a unique stay in the middle of protected nature. Five bird species live on the island, a wide range of native plants grows here, and the underwater world is well worth seeing too.
Sea turtles come ashore here regularly to lay their eggs. On its east side the island has a lovely white sandy beach about a kilometre long. Snorkelling is good here between September and January. The island is privately owned and can only be visited as a guest of the villa resort. In the past, children under 15 were not allowed on the island. That age limit is out of date: according to the operator's current information, children are welcome.
Getting there and getting around
Ways to reach the island
Cousine has no airstrip and no ferry harbour. Guests fly to Mahé and from there either take a helicopter directly or a domestic flight to Praslin, which takes around 20 minutes. On Praslin the island's team collects guests with its own catamaran. According to the operator, this transfer is included in the price for guests arriving via Praslin airport. If you arrive on Praslin with the Cat Cocos ferry, you should arrange the pick-up with the island in advance.
| Route | Duration | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Catamaran from Praslin | 20–25 minutes | The return trip is arranged with your stay |
| Catamaran or yacht from Mahé | about 1.5 hours | From May to October not recommended, as the southeast trade winds bring rougher seas |
| Helicopter from Mahé | 17 minutes | Maximum weight 325 kg for passengers and luggage combined, surcharge applies |
| Helicopter from Praslin | 5 minutes | Same weight limit |
Let the island know your arrival details in good time. Booking portals quote a minimum of 48 hours before arrival. From May to October the operator expressly recommends the helicopter. Before you travel, it is also worth a look at the travel checklist, because the luggage weight allowed on the helicopters is tight.
Getting around on the island
The island is about 1.4 km long and 800 m wide. The villas are scattered among the vegetation, only a few metres from the beach. Everything can be reached on foot, and there are no vehicles for guests.
Beach, nature and activities
Beach and snorkelling
The long sandy beach on the east side is the heart of the island. The villas sit directly behind it, so guests have the beach to themselves. For snorkelling, Karl Schnürch names the months September to January. Diving and fishing are also offered from the island. You will find more options in the area under Diving and snorkelling and Dive spots.
Turtles and birds
A conservation programme has been running on Cousine since 1992. It protects the nesting sea turtles and the native land birds. According to the operator, hawksbill and green turtles lay their eggs on the beach from about September to February, and the hatchlings emerge from December to April. The island's team counts every nest and every hatching. Guests can watch, from a respectful distance, because a disturbed turtle will return to the sea without laying.
Seychelles warblers from Cousin have also been introduced to Cousine to secure the population of this rare species. You can read more about the wildlife and plants of the region under Flora and fauna and Nature and conservation.
Walks
There are no public hiking trails. Guests walk across the plateau with the island's conservation officer and learn how the island was restored to its natural state. If you would like to hike on your own, Praslin has suitable routes, see Hiking in the Seychelles.
Accommodation and food
The villas, with private pool, terrace and handmade furniture, are only about 30 m from the beach. The central meeting place is the Pavilion with restaurant, bar, pool, library and a small boutique. Meals are served there, in your villa or at changing spots around the island. The menu follows guests' wishes, and a private chef is part of the offer. There is also a spa with treatments. You will find all the accommodation at a glance under Accommodation on Cousine. There are no restaurants on the island for outside guests; recommendations for Praslin are under Restaurants nearby and in the restaurant recommendations.
| Accommodation | Occupancy as stated by the operator | Last published rate per night |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury Villa (four units) | 2 adults, 1 child | 1,850 euros |
| Presidential Villa | 4 adults, 2 children | 4,000 euros |
| Entire island | 12 adults, 6 children | 11,400 euros |
Practical information and your stay
Money: At check-in, guests leave electronic payment details, which are used to settle extras. You hardly need cash on the island. It makes sense to set aside some rupees for Praslin beforehand, more on this under Money and banks. Shopping: There is no shop in the usual sense. The boutique in the Pavilion stocks only a small selection, so it is best to bring sun protection and personal medication with you. Doctor: There is no clinic on the island. The nearest medical care is on Praslin, with notes under Hospital, clinics and emergency numbers.
Day trip or overnight stay
Cousine is an island to stay on overnight. Years ago the island offered day visits for a few people, with a guide and lunch. Whether this is still possible today could not be confirmed. If in doubt, ask the operator directly. Alongside your stay on Cousine, it is best to plan a few days on Praslin and La Digue, for example with a boat trip to the neighbouring islands. For the season, see the page Best time to travel, and for the island neighbours the overview of the islands.
