Praslin & La Digue

Ferries between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue

Two ferry companies link Mahé, Praslin and La Digue in Seychelles: Cat Cocos sails between all three, and Cat Rose adds sailings between Praslin and La Digue. Journey times, terminals, classes, booking, luggage rules and what to bring to the jetty.

Last verified 16 September 2026

The network

Two ferry companies connect Mahé, Praslin and La Digue:

  • Cat Cocos (Inter Island Boats Ltd) has sailed between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue since 1998 and runs five high-speed catamarans.
  • Cat Rose (Inter Island Ferry Pty Ltd), based at Baie Sainte Anne, runs the short Praslin–La Digue crossing.

Journey times

Route Operator Journey time
Mahé – Praslin Cat Cocos 1 hour 15 minutes
Mahé – La Digue via Praslin Cat Cocos 1 hour 45 minutes
Mahé – La Digue direct Cat Cocos 1 hour 10 minutes
Praslin – La Digue Cat Cocos and Cat Rose 15 minutes

The durations come from the Cat Cocos schedule page. The operator's About page gives a shorter 60 minutes for Mahé–Praslin, so allow for the longer figure.

How often they sail

Cat Cocos's published schedule for 2026 and 2027 (checked 16 September 2026) shows two or three sailings a day in each direction between Mahé and Praslin, one to three Cat Cocos sailings a day between Praslin and La Digue, and a direct La Digue–Mahé sailing on Saturdays and Sundays. With Cat Rose added, the combined Praslin–La Digue timetable published by SeyFerry shows six to nine departures a day. Schedules change during the year, so check the operator's current timetable (Cat Cocos also posts updates on its Facebook page) rather than relying on a copy.

Terminals

  • Mahé: the Inter-Island Quay in Victoria, where Cat Cocos has its sales office. SeyFerry says the Port Authority runs a left-luggage office at the Mahé harbour.
  • Praslin: the ERO passenger terminal at the jetty in Baie Sainte Anne.
  • La Digue: the jetty at La Passe. Cat Rose checks passengers in at the Seychelles Port Building.

SeyFerry notes there is no luggage storage at the harbours on Praslin or La Digue.

Classes on board

Cat Cocos boats have an air-conditioned economy cabin called Coco de Mer, an outdoor premium economy area called Island Hopper, and a business lounge called Lazio Lounge, with a bar kiosk and toilets. Cat Rose has no booking classes; according to SeyFerry, you choose between the air-conditioned lower cabin and the open upper deck.

Booking

Cat Cocos sells tickets online through its own booking system, paid by card, and at its sales offices on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Booking agents including SeyFerry and Seychellesbookings sell both Cat Cocos and Cat Rose tickets, sometimes with hotel or airport shuttle transfers added.

Except for special-priced tickets, Cat Cocos tickets can be changed up to one hour before departure, subject to availability, for SCR 25 per ticket for one change or SCR 50 for more than one (Cat Cocos terms, checked 16 September 2026). Refunds are limited to health reasons (with a doctor's confirmation that you are not fit to travel) or accidents (with a police report), must be requested 48 hours before departure, and carry a 25% retention fee. Seasickness is not accepted as grounds for a refund.

Luggage rules

Cat Cocos's terms set out the rules in detail:

  • Non-residents: 25 kg free in economy, 30 kg in business, with excess charged per kilo.
  • No single suitcase over 32 kg.
  • One piece of hand luggage, under 7 kg and within 50 x 30 x 20 cm.
  • Checked bags are registered at the Cargo Department one hour before departure, must be locked, and cannot be reached until arrival.
  • Cat Cocos does not accept liability for damage to the luggage itself, such as wheels, handles and cracks, and recommends insurance.

For Cat Rose, booking agents quote different allowances (23 kg from SeyFerry; one checked piece up to 30 kg from Seychellesbookings), so confirm when booking.

Before you travel

  • Be at the jetty 30 minutes before departure with a passport or other valid ID.
  • Infants aged two and under travel free on Cat Cocos but still need a ticket.
  • Cat Cocos may refuse travel to women more than 24 weeks pregnant without a medical certificate of fitness to travel.
  • Smoking is not permitted on board, and the terms bar bringing alcohol on board to drink.
  • Crossings can be cancelled in bad weather, with a free change to a later sailing.

Key facts

Mahé–Praslin
1 hour 15 minutes (Cat Cocos)
Mahé–La Digue via Praslin
1 hour 45 minutes (Cat Cocos)
Praslin–La Digue
15 minutes
Cat Cocos fleet
Five high-speed catamarans; operating since 1998
Mahé–Praslin sailings
Two or three a day each way on the 2026–2027 schedule
Mahé terminal
Inter-Island Quay, Victoria
Free luggage, non-residents (Cat Cocos)
25 kg economy, 30 kg business; max 32 kg per case
Boarding
Be present 30 minutes before departure

Ferry operators

Boombastic Tours (private speedboat transfers)

Boat transfer

Website

Mahé (Eden Island Marina) Praslin
45 minutesPrivate transfer on request; no schedule.
Mahé La Digue
45 minutesPrivate transfer on request; no schedule.

Cat Cocos

Ferry

WebsiteTimetable

Mahé (Inter-Island Quay, Victoria) Praslin (Baie Sainte Anne jetty)
1 hour 15 minutesCat Cocos says it runs multiple trips every day of the week. Its 2026–2027 schedule shows two or three sailings a day, depending on the day.
Praslin (Baie Sainte Anne jetty) Mahé (Inter-Island Quay, Victoria)
1 hour 15 minutesTwo or three sailings a day on the 2026–2027 schedule, depending on the day.
Mahé (Inter-Island Quay, Victoria) La Digue (La Passe jetty), via Praslin
1 hour 45 minutesThe 2026–2027 schedule lists Mahé–Praslin and Praslin–La Digue sailings but no separate Mahé–La Digue departures.
La Digue (La Passe jetty) Mahé (Inter-Island Quay, Victoria), direct
1 hour 10 minutesSaturdays and Sundays only on the 2026–2027 schedule.
Praslin (Baie Sainte Anne jetty) La Digue (La Passe jetty)
15 minutesTwo or three Cat Cocos sailings a day on the 2026–2027 schedule, depending on the day.
La Digue (La Passe jetty) Praslin (Baie Sainte Anne jetty)
15 minutesOne to three Cat Cocos sailings a day on the 2026–2027 schedule; Sunday has one.

Cat Rose (Inter Island Ferry)

Ferry

Timetable

Praslin (ERO Passenger Terminal, Baie Sainte Anne) La Digue (La Passe jetty)
15 minutesSeychellesbookings says up to six crossings a day on weekdays and five at weekends, all year. SeyFerry's timetable shows the same pattern for Cat Rose sailings.
La Digue (La Passe jetty) Praslin (ERO Passenger Terminal, Baie Sainte Anne)
15 minutesSeychellesbookings says up to six crossings a day on weekdays and five at weekends, all year. SeyFerry's timetable shows the same pattern for Cat Rose sailings.

Islander

Boat transfer

WebsiteTimetable

Mahé La Digue, direct
1 hour 30 minutesThe operator calls it a fixed schedule; its destinations page describes one morning departure from Mahé.
La Digue Praslin
15 minutesPart of the operator's scheduled day route.
Praslin La Digue
15 minutesPart of the operator's scheduled day route; its destinations page describes one afternoon sailing back to La Digue.
La Digue Mahé
1 hour 30 minutesIts destinations page describes one afternoon return to Mahé.
Where these details come from

Checked 16 September 2026. Timetables, prices and rules change; confirm with the operator before you travel.

Questions

Which ferry companies operate in Seychelles' inner islands?
Cat Cocos (Inter Island Boats Ltd) sails between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Cat Rose (Inter Island Ferry Pty Ltd) runs between Praslin and La Digue.
How long does each crossing take?
According to Cat Cocos: Mahé–Praslin 1 hour 15 minutes, Mahé–La Digue via Praslin 1 hour 45 minutes, Mahé–La Digue direct 1 hour 10 minutes, and Praslin–La Digue 15 minutes.
Where is the ferry terminal on Mahé?
At the Inter-Island Quay in Victoria, where Cat Cocos has its Mahé sales office.
Should I book ferry tickets in advance?
Cat Cocos's online booking shows live seat availability, and ticket changes depend on seats being free. Cat Cocos sells online and at its sales offices, and agents such as SeyFerry and Seychellesbookings sell both operators' tickets.
Can I change my Cat Cocos ticket?
Yes, up to one hour before departure and subject to seat availability, for SCR 25 per ticket for one change or SCR 50 for more than one (Cat Cocos terms, checked 16 September 2026). Special-priced tickets are excluded.
What is the luggage allowance?
Cat Cocos allows non-residents 25 kg in economy and 30 kg in business, with no single case over 32 kg, plus one piece of hand luggage under 7 kg.
Is there left luggage at the harbours?
SeyFerry says there is a left-luggage office run by the Port Authority at the Mahé harbour, but no luggage storage at the harbours on Praslin or La Digue.
Do babies need a ferry ticket?
On Cat Cocos, infants aged two and under are not charged but still need a ticket.
What happens if a crossing is cancelled for weather?
Cat Cocos lets passengers change to a later sailing on the schedule free of charge.
How long is the ferry from Mahé to Praslin?
The Mahé to Praslin ferry takes 1 hour 15 minutes, according to Cat Cocos, and arrives at the Praslin jetty in Baie Ste Anne.
How long is the ferry from Mahé to La Digue?
Cat Cocos lists 1 hour 10 minutes for a direct Mahé to La Digue sailing and 1 hour 45 minutes for sailings that stop at Praslin on the way.
Which ferry companies run between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue?
Two companies run the fast ferries: Cat Cocos (Inter Island Boats Ltd), which has sailed between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue since 1998, and Cat Rose (Inter Island Ferry), which runs between Praslin and La Digue only. That makes Cat Cocos the scheduled ferry from Mahé.
How much luggage can I take on the Cat Cocos ferry?
On Cat Cocos, non-residents get 25 kg of checked luggage free in economy and 30 kg in business class, and no single suitcase may exceed 32 kg (terms, checked 16 September 2026). You also get one piece of hand luggage under 7 kg and within 50 x 30 x 20 cm; excess weight is charged per kilo.
How early do I need to be at the ferry terminal?
Be ready to board 30 minutes before departure, and register checked luggage with the Cat Cocos cargo department one hour before sailing (Cat Cocos terms, checked 16 September 2026).
Can I change or cancel a Cat Cocos ferry ticket?
Yes, with limits. Cat Cocos changes standard tickets up to one hour before departure, subject to seats, for SCR 25 the first time and SCR 50 after that; special-fare tickets cannot be changed. Refunds need 48 hours' notice, a doctor's note or police report, and management approval, carry a 25% fee and are not given for seasickness (terms, checked 16 September 2026).
What happens if the ferry is cancelled because of bad weather?
You can move to another scheduled Cat Cocos sailing free of charge. Its terms (checked 16 September 2026) let it cancel crossings in bad weather that threatens safety or passenger comfort, and say that when it cancels or retimes a trip, passengers can choose another sailing or a refund.
Is the ferry from Mahé to Praslin rough?
It can be rough in July and August, when the south-east trade winds peak. The Seychelles Meteorological Authority describes seas as pretty rough then, with choppy seas building from late June, while April and November to December usually bring pleasant conditions at sea.
What classes are there on the Cat Cocos ferry?
Cat Cocos vessels have three classes: Coco de Mer, the air-conditioned economy cabin on the main deck; Island Hopper, an exterior premium economy area; and the air-conditioned Lazio Lounge business class.
Do babies and children pay on the Cat Cocos ferry?
Infants up to two years old travel free on Cat Cocos but still need a ticket (terms, checked 16 September 2026). Children under 16 must be accompanied and supervised at all times.
Do I need to print my ferry e-ticket?
Not necessarily: Cat Cocos accepts e-tickets either printed or downloaded and shown on your phone at luggage check-in and boarding, but warns that a screenshot does not always work. Carry ID such as your passport, as checks can be made (terms, checked 16 September 2026).
Where does the ferry arrive on Praslin?
Ferries arrive at the Praslin Jetty in Baie Ste Anne, which is also where Cat Cocos sailings between Mahé and La Digue make their Praslin stop.
Can pregnant travellers take the ferry in Seychelles?
Yes, with conditions. Cat Cocos asks pregnant passengers to declare it when booking, and crew may refuse boarding after 24 weeks without a medical certificate of fitness to travel. A pregnant passenger without a written doctor's approval must sign a disclaimer (terms, checked 16 September 2026).
Can I pay for the Cat Cocos ferry by card?
Yes. Cat Cocos takes credit and debit cards online and at the counter, where cash is also accepted (terms, checked 16 September 2026). Its terms say online booking carries no service fee but also that payment fees may apply to certain payment methods.
Can I travel from La Digue straight back to Mahé?
Yes. Cat Cocos runs sailings between La Digue and Mahé, some direct in about 1 hour 10 minutes and others via Praslin in about 1 hour 45 minutes.
How much does it cost to change a ferry ticket?
Cat Cocos charges SCR 25 per ticket for a first change and SCR 50 per ticket for further changes, up to one hour before departure and subject to seats; special-fare tickets cannot be changed (terms, checked 16 September 2026).
What is the emergency number in Seychelles?
Dial 999 for police, ambulance and fire in Seychelles (UK government travel advice, checked 16 September 2026). To report an incident to the police, the same advice gives +248 428 8000.

Sources

Details last verified 16 September 2026.