Sister Islands Liveaboard Diving

Liveaboard Diving in Sister Islands

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A SISTER ISLANDS LIVEABOARD – Grande Soeur / Petite Soeur

Liveaboards to the Sister Islands of Grande Soeur and Petite Soeur, located 6km northeast of La Digue, is the best way to reach these privately owned islands. Both islands are owned and managed by the hotel Château de Feuilles. Sailing to the Sister Islands is a magical experience and a great addition to your Seychelles liveaboard diving itinerary.

Grande Soeur, one of the most beautiful and completely undeveloped granitic islands in Seychelles, is perfect for liveaboard diving the Sister Islands. This small island, no more than 200m large, takes the form of a figure « 8 » and is popular for its spectacular panoramas and prolific marine life. The south beach, surrounded by pink granite rocks, is protected by a coral reef where you will encounter a kaleidoscope of colorful reef fish, sea turtles, and more. Having avoided any form of development, part of its charm is reflected in the basic lifestyle of its islanders who live in traditional houses and breed livestock, which feed on scraps of coconuts. For the keen hikers, discover the few nature trails around coconut plantations, hike amidst the emerald green vegetation, and return in time to enjoy a Creole beach barbeque before you set sail again.

Grande Soeur is open from Monday to Friday (10.00-15.00) year-round to visitors but as a private island requires an entrance fee. Nearby, Petite Soeur, meanwhile, is a rocky uninhabited island with no plateau, covered with tropical forests and protected by a coral reef that makes it impossible to access unless sea conditions are calm.

Recognized as one of the best beaches in Seychelles, these perfect hideaways will stay in your memories forever.

WHAT YOU CAN SEE

Your Sister Islands liveaboard itinerary will take you on a morning sail toward Grande Soeur and Petite Soeur Islands. The waters around Grande Soeur feature spectacular granite rocks and impressive coral beds down to 8m, home to shoals of powder blue tangs, hawksbill sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, parrotfish, blue damselfish, and deep red anthias. Sailing tours combine a visit with dive tours to Sister Bank and Coco Island are on route to the island of Praslin.

Sister Bank is a great drift dive over dramatic rock formations and swim-throughs. These provide shelter for shoals of snapper and the extremely rare Armitage angelfish. Shoaling humphead parrotfish “crunching” coral, fusiliers, Hawksbill turtles and clown triggerfish are often seen here. If you are lucky barracudas and the occasional grey reefs are also seen patrolling the area. A stop at Coco Island sees you discovering the rich depths of its surrounding emerald warm waters. Coco Island is a preserved island located in between Félicité and the Sister Islands. A natural aquarium, it is a wonderful spot for snorkeling. The abundant diversity of marine life features the colorful zebrafish, batfish, trumpetfish, moonfish, and a variety of striking brain coral, staghorn coral, table coral forming its own beautiful underwater garden. These sites cater to the recreational diver as well as the avid snorkeller. The water temperature reaches 27°C and visibility is often beyond 30 meters.

GETTING TO SISTER ISLANDS

The best way to get to the Sister Islands is on a Seychelles liveaboard trip from Mahé. Air Seychelles, Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways, Air Berlin, Kenya Airways, all fly into Mahé’s Victoria International Airport. Check out our range of Seychelles liveaboards for a Sister Islands itinerary.