Experience the Seychelles
cousin
Even upon landing, it becomes clear that different rules apply here. The island belongs to the group of inner islands and, as a subsidiary island, is an integral part of the geographical structure of the Seychelles.
Auf einen Blick
Inselgruppe: Inner Islands
Inseltyp: Sub-island
Fläche: 0,34 km²
Entfernung zu Mahé: 40 km
Anreise: boat
Bewohnt: ja
Geologie: granite
Besonderheiten: Granite mountains, short hiking trails, bays with rocks
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The strictly protected wonderland of birds and tortoises
Just under two kilometers off the west coast of Praslin lies an island that tells one of the greatest success stories of global nature conservation: Cousin Island. Formerly an ordinary coconut plantation, the island was bought by BirdLife International in 1968 and completely returned to nature.
Today, Cousin is a strictly protected "Special Reserve" and a veritable Noah's Ark. Anyone setting foot on this tiny island is immediately greeted by a deafening, mesmerizing cacophony of thousands of bird calls. It is a living, breathing natural history museum!
The rescue of the Seychelles reed warbler and flying clouds
Cousin Island is a paradise for ornithologists and nature photographers. The density of animals on this tiny patch of earth is simply incredible.
An unprecedented success: The unassuming little Seychelles Warbler was once on the verge of extinction, with only 26 individuals left worldwide! Thanks to the protection of Cousin Island, the population has recovered, so that the birds can now even be relocated to other islands.
No fear of humans: Since the animals here have had no predators for decades, they know no fear. Fairy terns incubate their eggs, balancing on bare branches right next to the hiking trail, and curious Seychelles fodies almost jump on your feet.
The nursery of the sea turtles
Magic happens not only in the air, but also on the ground and on the beach of Cousin Island.
The most important nesting site: Between September and March, the island's powder-white beaches transform into the most important nesting site for the critically endangered hawksbill turtles in the entire western Indian Ocean. With a bit of luck, you might witness a mother turtle crawling onto the beach in broad daylight to bury her eggs in the sand during a day trip.
Encounters in the undergrowth: As you stroll through the dense forest, you will inevitably stumble upon the massive Aldabra giant tortoises that roam freely here, contentedly munching leaves. Countless rustling skinks and colorful crabs also constantly cross your path.
Spectacular landing and an important insider tip
Visits to Cousin are strictly regulated to protect the fragile ecosystem, making the trip all the more exclusive.
The James Bond landing: Just like on Aride, external boats aren't allowed to land on the beach here to prevent stowaways (like rats) from getting onto the island. You'll anchor off the coast and be picked up by the island's rangers in a small speedboat, which will then "surf" onto the sandy beach at full throttle. Hold on tight!
Guided tours & mosquito protection: You may only explore the island accompanied by a guide who will show you the hidden nests and rare plants. The most important tip for Cousin: Because the forest is very dense and humid, there are an extremely large number of mosquitoes. A strong mosquito repellent is your best friend!
The bottom line: Cousin Island is an absolute must-see for any nature and wildlife lover vacationing on Praslin or Mahé. It's loud, it's wild, and it impressively demonstrates how beautiful the world is when nature is left to its own devices.