Marianne

The highest point on the island is Morne Estel at 130 metres. A second, lower peak (about 85 m) lies in the south. Most of the island is gently sloping land below 50 m.

The island is made of porphyritic granite, which differs slightly from that of the other islands in the Praslin/La Digue group. A dyke of finely banded metadolerite runs through it in a north-westerly direction. On the northern slopes there are brown, earthy rocks that formed when guano was deposited on granite soils.

On the west side there is a small "plateau" with a fringing reef. It consists of more recent calcareous sediments and marsh deposits. The gentle slopes have allowed red earth to build up almost everywhere, except in a few coastal areas where there is little or no soil.

Fresh water on the island is limited, especially in the dry season. There are two shallow wells at the site of the former main settlement (La Cour). A large part of the plateau is covered in marsh vegetation (mainly sedges and Ludwigia). The rest of the island is dominated by dense palms.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, Marianne was used for farming and copra production. The island was once a coconut plantation. There was a settlement called La Cour, and in 1940 the island had 60 inhabitants. Today Marianne is uninhabited.

Marianne is home to several species of gecko, including the La Digue day gecko (Phelsuma sundbergi ladiguensis) and Phelsuma astriata semicarinata. The rare Seychelles paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone corvina) is said to be spotted on the island now and then. It was also once home to the extinct Marianne white-eye.

For more on the species that live on the granitic islands, see Flora and fauna of the Seychelles.

We know of no ferry or other scheduled service to Marianne. Visitors arrive on excursion boats, dive boats, safari vessels or their own yacht, usually from La Digue or Praslin. Marianne is a popular destination because of its dive sites. For an overview of operators and routes, see Boat tours and Sailing in the Seychelles.

Marianne is uninhabited and, as far as we know, privately owned by the brewery SeyBrew. So do not count on being able to go ashore on a whim: reputable operators arrange landings in advance.

On the west side there is a long beach, while the rest of the island is surrounded by a rugged rocky coast. The palms provide shade. There are no toilets, sun loungers, food or water points for visitors.

We know of no fixed landing stage. Reports from day trippers describe being ferried to the beach in a smaller tender when the sea is rough, then wading the last stretch through shallow water. Bring waterproof bags and shoes that can get wet. Some operators from La Digue have included Marianne as a stop with a beach barbecue, but please ask before booking whether this is currently possible. We have not been able to confirm any signposted walking trails. Strolls and short walks on the island only make sense as part of a tour and in agreement with the skipper.

You cannot stay overnight on Marianne; the island is purely a day destination. Bookings are usually made on La Digue or Praslin. As a guide to price levels: guided group day tours in the region (Coco, Félicité, La Digue from Praslin, not including Marianne) cost from about 105 US dollars per person (as of November 2026). Private boats for day routes to the Sisters, Coco and Félicité start at around 860 US dollars per boat (as of November 2026). Whether Marianne is visited, and at what extra cost, depends on the operator and the sea conditions. For the seasons, read Best time to travel and Climate & weather.

The southern tip of Marianne is known as a world-class dive site, and sharks are often seen around the island. Underwater, caves, boulders and rock pinnacles shape the scenery. Divers report grey reef sharks, eagle rays, hawksbill turtles, guitarfish and large moray eels, among others.

For more sites in the region and the dive bases on the islands, see Dive spots and diving and Diving & snorkelling. Nearby are the islands of Félicité, Grande Sœur, Petite Sœur and Cocos Island, which are often combined in the same tour.

There is no accommodation or restaurant on Marianne. For a bed and a meal, La Digue and Praslin are the nearest places: you will find accommodation under Holidays on La Digue and Holidays on Praslin, and restaurants under Restaurants on La Digue and Restaurants on Praslin. For money and banks, read Money & banks. There is no doctor on Marianne; for information on clinics and emergency numbers, see Hospital, clinics & emergency numbers. Rules of conduct for nature and the coast are summarised in Do’s and Don’ts, and for conservation in general see Nature and environmental protection.