Cousin Island: A Guide to This Pristine Island Sanctuary in the Seychelles
Nov 29, 2023
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If you’re looking for a beautiful, unspoiled island paradise to visit for your next holiday, then you could do a lot worse than Cousin Island.
Located in the Seychelles, this gorgeous landscape is a natural haven for many wildlife species, and it’s one of the few places left in the world that remains largely untouched by human hands.
So, what can you expect from Cousin Island if you travel there? How do you get there, and where should you stay if you’re going? Here’s our guide to Cousin Island!
Where is Cousin Island?
Cousin Island is located around a mile from Praslin Island, the second largest island you’ll find in the Seychelles.
As such, if you’re going to be visiting Cousin Island, you may wish to consider Praslin Island as a base of operations; it’s got several resorts and hotels you can stay at.
What is Cousin Island?
If you’ve never even heard of Cousin Island before, here’s a quick explanation regarding what it is and why it exists.
Cousin Island was originally a coconut plantation, and when you visit, you’ll quickly see why; the conditions are perfect for growing that particular delicious fruit.
However, in the 1960s, the International Council for the Protection of Birds, now known as Birdlife International, purchased the island.
This decision was made because a number of endemic bird species called Cousin Island their home, and the protection of those species was very important.
In particular, according to Nature Seychelles, the island was purchased in order to protect the Seychelles warbler, a bird that is classified as “Near Threatened” due to its low population numbers.
However, if you love this bird (and who wouldn’t?), you’ll be pleased to know that the conservation efforts of the aforementioned Birdlife International have brought numbers up from around 26 to roughly 2500.
What species can be found on Cousin Island?
As well as the aforementioned Seychelles warbler, a number of other species can be found on Cousin Island, and they’re not all birds, either!
Other bird species include the Seychelles magpie robin, the Seychelles blue pigeon, and the Seychelles sunbird. Suffice it to say that if you’re a birdwatcher and you love our feathered friends, you will find an incredible range of birds to enjoy on Cousin Island.
However, you’ll also find the absolutely stunning hawksbill turtle on Cousin Island; it’s one of the most crucial nesting sites for this creature, with up to 100 turtles coming ashore to nest each year.
Other reptiles include skinks and geckos, so if you love to spot little scaly friends running around in the undergrowth, Cousin Island is very much for you.
On Cousin Island’s shores, you’re likely to find crabs scuttling about, and you can also spot dragonflies buzzing around in the sun if you’re lucky.
All in all, if you’re a conservationist yourself or you’re a big fan of the animal kingdom, Cousin Island is a wonderful place to visit.
What is there to do on Cousin Island?
Since Cousin Island’s goal is to remain largely unspoiled by the hand of humanity, you won’t find a great deal in the way of tourist attractions on the island.
As such, your activities will largely be limited to walking around the island, taking in the sights, and taking great care not to litter or interfere with the local ecosystem in any other ways.
If you need something more active or involved, then you’re probably best staying away from Cousin Island, as it’s a tranquil, quiet place that exists mainly to keep its animal population alive and healthy.
Still, the beauty and wonder of seeing these creatures in their natural habitat - and perhaps even seeing some nesting turtles if you’re fortunate! - should be enough.
How do you get to Cousin Island?
The main way to travel to Cousin Island is via the Cousin boat, a special measure necessary to ensure that the ecosystem of the island isn’t disrupted.
As such, any travel agency with which you organise a trip to Cousin Island will ferry you to the boat, but you’ll still need to go through special checks to make sure you aren’t accidentally (or deliberately!) introducing any pests or external threats to the creatures of the island.
If you’re staying on Praslin Island, you’ll probably find that the hotel you’re staying in will offer trips out to Cousin Island, or at the very least, you should find pamphlets or similar advertising places where you can get a boat.
Cousin Island is one of the most beautiful sights in the Seychelles, after all, so most companies operating accommodation on Praslin Island will want you to visit!
The actual boat out to Cousin Island operates between 10am and 12pm, and it runs from Monday to Friday. As such, it’s not available on weekends, and it’s also closed during public holidays.
The nature reserve on Cousin Island doesn’t operate most trips out to the island, either, so you’ll need to liaise with your travel company or your hotel if any issues arise during your trip.
What should you bring to Cousin Island?
As we’ve said, the ecosystem and environment of Cousin Island is very tightly controlled. As such, we wouldn’t recommend bringing very much with you when you visit.
It’s important to make sure you have sunscreen on, because the sun can get very hot, and it can be merciless during the hotter months. Don’t make the mistake of going without protection from the sun!
You should also ensure that you have some kind of protection against mosquitoes, because other travellers have said that the mosquitoes on Cousin Island are particularly troublesome.
It may be a good idea to wear a layer of protective clothing over your skin so that the mosquitoes don’t get to you. This will also have the added benefit of protecting you against the sun more effectively.
Last but not least, do make sure that you take some water with you. Since the sun can be so troublesome, staying hydrated and taking regular water breaks will ensure that you don’t struggle during your trip to this unforgettable island.
Conclusion - do we recommend Cousin Island?
Cousin Island is one of the last remaining unspoiled paradises of the world, and as such, we can heartily recommend visiting it.
If you’re someone who loves to see unusual animal species or has a passion for conservation (something we should all be passionate about in the modern world!), then Cousin Island is a must-see.
On the other hand, if you love nightlife and city-style activities, then Cousin Island is probably a miss for you, because it doesn’t have anything in the way of overnight accommodation and obviously doesn’t play host to any nightclubs or bars.
Travelling to Cousin Island and obeying the rules while you’re there may feel a little finicky and difficult, but it’s worth it to see some of the most beautiful animals you’re ever going to lay eyes on in the wild.
If you’re staying on Praslin Island and you spot the chance to travel to Cousin Island, make sure you make whatever enquiries are necessary, because we don’t think you’ll regret taking the time out to take a look at this unique and fascinating natural reserve.
