What to expect
The Ile Cocos Marine National Park surrounds three small islands in shallow, turquoise water, crisscrossed by coral reefs that offer excellent snorkelling. The park includes the islets of Ile Cocos, Ile La Fouche and Ilot Plate.
This is the marine national park, the one that catches the eye of so many people and makes them long for a holiday in the Seychelles. It decorates a great many travel brochures.
The coral reef around Coco Island was largely broken up and bleached by El Niño, although in some places you can spot new, colourful baby corals. Coco Island is a hotspot for sea turtles. The park's biggest attraction is the critically endangered hawksbill turtle. Between August and November the whale shark, the largest fish in the world, may show up as a seasonal visitor. There is no entitlement to see one, and it remains a stroke of luck.
The area has been protected since 1996. For general information on the protection of marine areas, see Nature and Conservation in the Seychelles.
Getting there and boat trips
From La Digue
On La Digue there are plenty of boat operators offering full-day or half-day trips. The crossing to the park takes about 10 minutes. On the full-day trip there is a barbecue on the private island of Grande Soeur, followed by snorkelling off the islands of Coco and Félicité. The half-day trip runs every day and takes you to two or three snorkelling spots off Sister, Cocos and Félicité.
From Praslin and other islands
Tours to the park are also offered from Praslin, usually as a full-day excursion with several stops. If you are staying on Mahé, you first take the ferry to La Digue or Praslin, or book a tour that includes the transfer. For an overview of operators, see Boat Trips in the Seychelles.
Trip prices
| Excursion | Schedule | Price per adult (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Half-day trip | Daily, 2–3 snorkelling spots at Sister, Cocos and Félicité, drinks on board | approx. €65, park fee included |
| Full-day trip | Monday to Friday, usually 9:30 to around 17:00, barbecue on Grande Soeur, snorkelling at Coco and Félicité | approx. €120 to €125, park fee included |
Children under 12 usually pay less with the operators, currently around €30 to €40. Prices, days of the week and route vary from one operator to another and depend on the weather. When booking, ask whether the park fee is included.
Opening hours, admission and rules
| Point | Information (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily 9:00 to 17:00, including public holidays |
| Entrance fee | SCR 200 for non-residents aged 12 and over, per person per day; children under 12 free |
| Mooring for yachts | SCR 250 per yacht for one night on a buoy |
| Filming and photography | SCR 3,000 for film crews, SCR 500 for photography; written permission from the park administration is required before commercial filming, and payment must be made in advance |
All adults who do not live in the Seychelles must hold a valid ticket to enter the marine national park. Tickets must be kept and shown on request to the rangers, who patrol every day. If you book through an operator, the fee is normally already included in the price. Independent travellers can buy tickets in advance online through the park authority. The authority accepts Seychelles rupees in cash, and according to its own information other common currencies are also accepted.
The parks are managed by the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA). The former name, Marine Parks Authority, still turns up in older texts.
Duration, best time and tips
For the park itself, allow two to three hours in the water. The excursion takes half a day to a full day, depending on the type. Between June and September, operators say snorkelling at Coco is sometimes not possible, in which case the skipper decides on the day. You can read more about wind and waves through the year under Best Time to Visit and Climate & Weather.
If you would like to explore the underwater world in more depth, you will find advice under Diving & Snorkelling and Dive Sites.
