Grande Sœur, island in the Seychelles
Good to know about Grande Sœur
Grande Sœur is one of the Sister Islands off La Digue, lying about 6 km north of La Digue. Also known in English as "East Sister" or "Big Sister", it is shaped like an hourglass, with a lovely beach across its narrow middle. The low hills are easy to climb and give fine views over the neighbouring islands. Very close by lies the smaller Petite Sœur.
The island is granitic, wooded and just over a kilometre long. Its highest point, Morne Soeur, rises to around 113 m. In the 20th century there was a small coconut plantation here. Today Grande Sœur belongs to the hotel Le Château de Feuilles on Praslin, which has owned and managed it since 2005. There is no settlement and no accommodation, and only a few staff look after the island.
Getting there and access
You can only reach Grande Sœur by boat. The Cat Cocos ferry and the speedboats between the main islands do not call here. As the island is private, you need to register in advance. This is usually done through a boat operator or your accommodation. Landing without registering is not permitted, even if you swim ashore from a boat.
By excursion boat from La Digue
The crossing from La Digue takes about 15 minutes. Most operators combine Grande Sœur with Coco, Félicité and Petite Sœur. On half-day trips you usually only snorkel off the island and do not land. If you want to go ashore, book a full-day tour that explicitly includes a landing, often combined with lunch on the beach. You will find more on operators and tours under Boat trips.
From Praslin
From Praslin, allow 20 to 40 minutes depending on the boat. There are both group and private trips. If you are staying at Château de Feuilles, you can join the hotel's excursions.
Weekends and your own boat
On Saturday and Sunday the island is closed to visitors. The hotel then organises at most one trip per weekend for its guests, and only if enough people sign up and the weather plays along. From Monday to Friday you can arrange a landing through a boat operator or your accommodation's reception. Even with a chartered boat or a sailing yacht you need the owner's permission before anchoring or going ashore. For anchoring and sailing in general, read Sailing in the Seychelles.
Guide prices
| Option | What it involves | Price (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Half-day tour from La Digue (Coco, Félicité, Petite Sœur) | Morning or afternoon, about 3 to 3.5 hours, usually without a landing | from about €65 per person |
| Full-day tour from La Digue with landing and lunch | Departs around 9:30 am, back in the late afternoon | about €125 per person, landing fee usually included |
| Private boat from Praslin, full day | Departs around 9:30 am, hotel pick-up possible | from €550 per boat for two people, plus €35 per person landing fee and taxes |
| Hotel weekend trip (hotel guests only) | Boat, exclusive use of the island, barbecue, drinks | €225 per person |
| Landing fee if you organise it yourself | Payable on site | SCR 500 per person, reportedly cash only |
Beaches, nature and snorkelling
The beaches
The beach in the narrow middle part of the island is the real destination. The island has two beach sides. On one side, swimming and snorkelling are usually possible. The other is a long, wide beach where, depending on the wind direction, waves and currents can make swimming difficult. Which side is calm at any given time depends on the season. Ask your skipper or guide before you go into the water. For the calmer times of year in the region, see Best time to travel, and for more beaches see Dream beaches.
Wildlife and paths
Giant tortoises roam freely on the island, alongside seabirds and other Seychelles birds. Visitors are not allowed to explore the whole island. There is usually a laid-out area with a path from one beach to the other, with a barbecue spot and toilets. If you are after a demanding hike, this is the wrong place. For walks with a view, look at Hiking instead. The view from the small rises towards Petite Sœur, Coco and La Digue is easy to reach, as long as your guide allows the route.
Snorkelling
The water off the island is considered one of the better snorkelling spots in the area. Rays, turtles and plenty of reef fish are reported. If you can, bring your own mask, snorkel and fins, as some operators only have a few sets. According to one La Digue operator, snorkelling at Coco is sometimes not possible between June and September. Grande Sœur is then often the better stop. You will find more on snorkelling and dive spots at Diving and snorkelling and Dive spots.
Accommodation, food and practical tips
You cannot stay overnight on Grande Sœur itself. Accommodation is available on La Digue (Accommodation on La Digue) and on Praslin (Accommodation on Praslin). Restaurants are found only there: Restaurants on La Digue and Restaurants on Praslin. There is no restaurant on the island. Lunch, usually a Creole barbecue on the beach, is organised by your tour operator. For other places to eat, see the restaurant recommendations.
Shade on the beach is limited. Bring sun protection, a hat and a parasol or a cloth. Operators usually provide drinking water, but check beforehand. There are no shops, cash machines or doctors on the island. Bring cash for the landing fee and tips with you (see Money and banks and Tipping). For medical questions, see Hospitals, clinics and emergency numbers. Rules of conduct for beach and sea are under Do’s and Don’ts, and on protecting nature under Nature and environmental protection. Take your rubbish back with you, do not feed any animals and leave the tortoises in peace.
Day trip or overnight stay
Grande Sœur is a day trip destination. Plan on two to three hours ashore, or longer if you book the full-day tour with lunch. It works well combined with the neighbouring islands Cocos Island and Félicité. Choose a day when the sea is calm. For an overview of all the islands, see The Islands of the Seychelles.
