Sister Islands — Grande Soeur, Petite Soeur & Félicité
Two granite islets off Félicité, a single deserted beach you can land on, and the kind of empty bay that makes you forget anyone else uses these waters. The Sister Islands are the inner archipelago's best-kept private day.
Duration
8 hours
Capacity
Up to 10 guests
Departure
La Digue marina
Season
Year-round · best Apr-Oct
Why the Sister Islands are the connoisseur's pick
Grande Soeur and Petite Soeur sit a couple of kilometres east of Félicité — granite twins with a single beach between them, no road, no jetty, no resort. Most boats pass them on their way to Coco. We make them the destination. The west bay of Grande Soeur is one of the quietest landings of the inner islands. The water is glass-flat in the lee of the rock, the sand is the same blinding white as Anse Source d'Argent, and the bay is small enough that one boat takes the whole place. A small landing fee is paid to the island staff on arrival — they keep the trail and the bay clean.
What you'll do on a Sister Islands day
Mornings on the east coast for the snorkeling — the reef shelves off Petite Soeur are alive with sergeant majors, parrotfish and the resident hawksbills. Lunch is a beach barbecue cooked while you swim. Afternoons we walk the trail across Grande Soeur if you want — it's twenty minutes of granite-and-jungle climb to a viewpoint over Félicité. If you prefer water over walking, we trade the trail for a second snorkel stop on the way home.
Félicité passage and the granite scenery
On the way out and back, we run close to Félicité — the larger neighbour, half private, half Six Senses estate. Its cliffs fall straight into 80 metres of water and the granite shapes are the most dramatic in the inner islands. We don't land (no public access) but we hold the boat off the south point for the photo and a swim if conditions allow.
Sister Islands vs Coco — which one to pick?
If you want intensity in the water, choose Coco — more fish, more current, a tighter marine park. If you want a beach to yourself, choose Sister Islands. Many guests do Coco one day and Sister Islands the next; we offer a small repeat-guest courtesy on the second booking.
What's included on your Sister Islands day
- Private boat — your group only
- Beach BBQ on Grande Soeur
- Drinks (water, sodas, beer) included
- Snorkeling gear in all sizes
- Optional trail walk across Grande Soeur
- Félicité photo pass
Typical itinerary, 09:00 to 17:00
Sister Islands — frequently asked
Is there a landing fee on Grande Soeur?
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Yes, a small fee paid in cash on the beach to the island staff (currently around €15 per adult, free for children under 12). It maintains the trail and the bay.
Can we walk between Grande Soeur and Petite Soeur?
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No — they are separated by a shallow channel that you can swim across at low tide, but it's not always safe due to current. The captain will advise on the day.
Is the beach really private?
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Most days yes. A handful of private charters pass through; mass-tourism boats don't make this stop. If another boat is in the bay, we move to the east beach.
Can we land on Petite Soeur?
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It's a viewing-only stop — no landing. We anchor close enough for great photos and a swim.
Is the trail family-friendly?
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Yes — twenty minutes of gradual climb on a marked path. Solid shoes recommended; we provide reef-safe footwear if you didn't pack any.
