Praslin & La Digue

Cousin Island Special Reserve

Cousin Island Special Reserve is a 29-hectare bird reserve island 2 km off Praslin, home to the Seychelles warbler, magpie robin and nesting hawksbill turtles. Warden-led tours run Monday to Friday mornings through Praslin tour operators; SCR 600 for non-residents (Nature Seychelles, checked 16 September 2026).

Last verified 16 September 2026

Praslin

What it is

Cousin is a 29-hectare granite island 2 km off Praslin. In 1968 the International Council for Bird Preservation, now BirdLife International, bought it to save the last population of the Seychelles warbler, making it the world's first internationally owned reserve. The government later designated the island and 400 metres of surrounding sea a Special Reserve. Nature Seychelles, the national BirdLife partner, manages it. A former coconut plantation has been restored to native forest, and the island is free of cats, rats and mice.

What you see

Five of Seychelles' eleven endemic land birds live here: the Seychelles warbler, magpie robin, sunbird, fody and blue pigeon. Seven seabird species breed on the island. Fairy terns and white-tailed tropicbirds nest all year, and wedge-tailed shearwaters from May to October. Cousin is one of the most important hawksbill turtle nesting sites in the western Indian Ocean, and the turtles come ashore by day. Aldabra giant tortoises, endemic skinks and geckos complete the picture; Nature Seychelles says the island has one of the highest lizard densities per hectare in the world.

How a visit works

Cousin does not organise trips itself. Book with a Praslin tour operator, or ask your hotel or guesthouse to arrange one. About 200 metres offshore you transfer to a reserve boat, which lands by driving up onto the beach; the rule keeps pests off the island. After a short wait in a shelter, a warden leads a tour of about 75 minutes in English or French, which may include the hillier section depending on the group. The island is open to visitors Monday to Friday, 9.45am to 12.30pm.

Cost

Non-residents pay SCR 600 and residents SCR 300 (Nature Seychelles, checked 16 September 2026). Children under 12 enter free.

Tips

There are no shops, barbecue facilities or overnight accommodation. Bring water, mosquito repellent and high-factor sunscreen, and apply repellent while you wait for the tour. Leave tripods and bright flashes behind. Tell the chief warden in advance about mobility needs. One Love Fishing & Boat Charter lists a combined Cousin, Curieuse and St Pierre itinerary.

Visiting

Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 9.45am to 12.30pm (Nature Seychelles, checked 16 September 2026; Seychelles Tourism Board listing updated 30 March 2026).
Fees
SCR 600 non-residents; SCR 300 residents; children under 12 free (Cousin Island and Nature Seychelles sites, checked 16 September 2026).
Operators

Where it is

Thing to do

Cousin Island Special Reserve

Cousin Island Special Reserve is a 29-hectare bird reserve island 2 km off Praslin, home to the Seychelles warbler, magpie robin and nesting hawksbill turtles.

Map of Cousin Island Special Reserve and the nearest places to stayCoastline © OpenStreetMap contributors. Positions are approximate.
The 4 places on this map

Places to stay nearest Cousin Island Special Reserve

  • Butterfly Villas

    Apartment in Anse Kerlan / Grand Anse, Praslin

    Butterfly Villas is self-catering accommodation with a shared garden and private terraces at Anse Kerlan, Grand Anse, on Praslin's west coast near the airport. The owners say the beach is a two-minute walk and the airport five minutes' drive.

    • Self-catering
    Check availability on Booking.com

    Affiliate link

  • Roche Kerlan Apartments

    Apartment in Anse Kerlan, Praslin

    Roche Kerlan Apartments is a set of six self-catering apartments at Anse Kerlan on Praslin's north-west coast, a few minutes' walk from the beach, with barbecue, parking and a 24-hour reception.

    • Families
    • Self-catering
    Check availability on Booking.com

    Affiliate link

  • Castello Beach Hotel

    Hotel in Anse Kerlan, Praslin

    Castello Beach Hotel is a four-star, all-suite hotel on Anse Kerlan beach in Praslin's north-west, with 26 suites in two single-storey buildings, a four-bedroom pool villa, a kids' club for ages 4–12 and a restaurant facing the sea.

    • Beachfront
    • Families
    • Pool
    Check availability on Booking.com

    Affiliate link

Questions

Can I visit Cousin Island at the weekend?
No. Nature Seychelles opens the island to visitors Monday to Friday, 9.45am to 12.30pm.
How do I book a trip to Cousin?
Through a Praslin tour operator or your hotel or guesthouse. Cousin Island does not organise trips itself.
Why do I change boats before landing?
Visitors transfer to a reserve boat about 200 metres offshore to prevent pests such as rats reaching the island by accident.
How long is the tour on Cousin?
The Cousin Island site puts the warden-led tour at about 75 minutes, in English or French.

Sources

Details last verified 16 September 2026.