Overview
The westerly island of Petite Sœur ("West Sister") is separated from its sister island Grande Sœur by a deep channel. The underwater world around the two islets is exceptionally varied. Neither island can be visited at weekends or on public holidays. Petite Sœur, too, lies about 6 km from La Digue. Both islands lie north to north-east of La Digue and are part of the granitic islands of the Seychelles.
At around 0.34 km², Petite Sœur is the smaller of the two islands, while Grande Sœur measures about 0.84 km². Together they form the Îles Sœurs group. According to reports, they belong to the Le Château de Feuilles hotel on Praslin, which acquired them in 2005. There are no visitor facilities on Petite Sœur. You come here to get into the water, not to do anything on land.
Getting there and access
By boat from La Digue
Most visitors set off from La Digue. Several boat operators there include the Sister islands in their programme, usually combined with Coco and Félicité. According to travel reports, the crossing by speedboat to the Sisters takes about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on sea conditions and landing point. You can get information and book through the operators at La Passe harbour and through your accommodation. For boat trips in general, see Boat trips in the Seychelles.
By boat from Praslin
Day trips to the Sisters, Coco and Félicité also leave from Praslin. From there it takes about 20 minutes to reach the group, and most trips include hotel pick-up. If you are out on your own with a chartered boat, you will usually anchor off the island and swim in to snorkel.
When the islands can be reached
For Grande Sœur, access is possible on weekdays from about 10:30 to 15:00. At weekends the island is reserved for hotel guests, and it is also closed on public holidays. The trips are scheduled accordingly, which is why operators go to Petite Sœur practically only from Monday to Friday. You should also allow for cancellations in windy weather: several operators point out that during the south-east monsoon (roughly June to September) stops at Coco and the Sisters are not always possible, and some drop the trips from their programme altogether in those months. The fact box shows when the sea is calmest. General information can be found on Climate & Weather and Best Time to Travel.
Snorkelling and swimming
Petite Sœur has only one beach, and according to people who know the area it is usually hard to land on, except in very calm seas. So do not count on a beach day. The usual thing is a snorkelling stop: the boat anchors and you get into the water from the boat. In the water, visitors see reef fish in great variety, with bumphead parrotfish and wrasse mentioned in reports, and turtles and rays too when visibility is good. The corals are less impressive than the fish, especially compared with some reefs elsewhere in the Indian Ocean.
The deep channel between the two sister islands and the exposed position bring currents and swell. For Grande Sœur, visitors report rocks, surf and current when getting in and coming back out. The same applies here. Do not swim far out alone, stay close to the boat and ask your skipper where and when it is safe. Children and weak swimmers in particular should wear a life jacket or hold a swim noodle.
There are other destinations nearby that combine well with this one: Grande Sœur with its long beach, Coco Island with its shallow coral reef, Félicité and Marianne. You will find more on diving and snorkelling in the region under Diving & Snorkelling and Dive Sites.
On nature conservation: take nothing away, do not touch turtles, corals or sea urchins, and leave no rubbish behind. Further basic rules are on Nature and Environmental Protection and Do’s and Don’ts.
Planning your trip and practical tips
Day trip, not an overnight stay
You do not stay overnight on Petite Sœur itself. You go as a day trip and stay on La Digue or Praslin. Which trips are available depends on the operator. For several operators from La Digue, the following guide values were found most recently. Prices are per person and may vary:
| Excursion | Schedule | Indicative price (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Half day from La Digue | Departure around 9:30, return around 12:30 to 13:00. Snorkelling at Coco, Félicité and Petite Sœur | approx. 65 €, Coco island fee usually included, often a minimum number of participants |
| Full day from La Digue | Departure around 9:30, return in the afternoon. Also landing and lunch on Grande Sœur | approx. 120 to 150 €, landing fee usually included |
| Full day from Praslin | Departure around 9:00 to 9:30, return around 16:30 to 17:00. Sisters, Coco, Félicité, partly with La Digue | depending on the operator approx. 105 to 150 € |
For landing on Grande Sœur, a fee of SCR 500 per person, payable in cash, was most recently quoted (as of November 2026). Whether the fee is included in the tour price is stated in each description. Ask before you book.
Accommodation, food, money and doctors
You will find accommodation and restaurants on La Digue and Praslin. Hotels and holiday homes can be arranged through Hotel Booking and Holiday Home Booking, and eateries are listed in the Restaurant Recommendations. There is neither a shop nor a doctor on the island. Take water, sun protection and cash in rupees with you. How money works in the Seychelles is explained under Money & Banks, and medical help under Hospitals, Clinics & Emergency Numbers.
Pack your valuables in waterproof bags and do not leave anything important lying out on the boat. If you get seasick easily, take a remedy beforehand. In heavy seas the crossing can be rough.
