Experience the Seychelles
Grande Soeur
A short boat trip is all it takes to instantly feel like you're on an island. The island belongs to the group of inner islands and, as a subsidiary island, is an integral part of the Seychelles' geographical structure.
Auf einen Blick
Inselgruppe: Inner Islands
Inseltyp: Sub-island
Fläche: 0,84 km²
Entfernung zu Mahé: 55 km
Anreise: boat
Bewohnt: ja
Geologie: granite
Besonderheiten: Granite mountains, short hiking trails, bays with rocks
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The exclusive dream island with two faces
Where there's a little sister, the big one is usually not far away! Right next to Petite Soeur rises Grande Soeur (often simply called Big Sister ) from the Indian Ocean. While the little sister is wild and rugged, Grande Soeur presents itself as the ultimate postcard idyll.
The island, like Petite Soeur, is privately owned and exclusively managed by the luxurious Château de Feuilles hotel (on Praslin). On weekends, the island is reserved exclusively for hotel guests, but during the week it opens its gates to select day-trippers. Those who leave this footprint in the sand will experience a Robinson Crusoe feeling of the absolute highest luxury!
A palm-covered mountain ridge and two dream beaches
The absolute highlight of Grande Soeur is its unique topography. The island is shaped like an hourglass and is divided in the middle only by a narrow, flat and dense palm forest.
The double beach effect: When your boat docks on the west side of the island, you'll already find yourself on a beautiful, tranquil beach with powdery white sand. But the best is yet to come: After a leisurely five-minute stroll through the shady coconut palm grove, you'll reach the island's east coast.
The wild east coast: Here, a completely different picture unfolds. A gigantic, untouched stretch of beach, framed by massive, red granite cliffs. Since there's no offshore reef, fantastic waves roll onto the beach. This place is so spectacular and unspoiled that it's regularly used as a backdrop for international fashion shoots.
Encounters with giant tortoises and the perfect barbecue
On Grande Soeur, you don't have to look for animals; they come to you. The island is famous for its incredibly laid-back inhabitants.
Free-roaming giants: Just like on Curieuse, Aldabra giant tortoises roam freely here, undisturbed, across the meadows and through the palm grove. They are extremely tame and always delighted when you sit down with them in the grass. A fantastic photo opportunity, especially with the gigantic granite cliffs rising in the background!
A Creole picnic under palm trees: Almost all boat tours that dock here during the week take advantage of the island's excellent (but very discreet) infrastructure for a lavish barbecue. Freshly grilled red snapper with Creole sauce, served at rustic wooden tables directly under shady palm fronds – life doesn't get much better than this.
Snorkeling in the habitat of sea turtles
Of course, water sports are also a big part of Grande Soeur's appeal. While the east side is better suited for beach walks and spectacular photos due to the waves, the west side offers fantastic conditions for snorkeling.
Crystal-clear water: The sea here is often so clear that the boats seem to float. Colorful parrotfish, batfish, and angelfish frolic along the granite rocks.
A home for hawksbill turtles: The waters around the island are a well-known feeding ground for hawksbill turtles. Those who snorkel quietly and with gentle movements have an excellent chance of swimming peacefully alongside one of these elegant marine creatures for a while.
The verdict: Grande Soeur is the epitome of the Seychelles dream. The island offers the perfect mix of exclusive seclusion, spectacular photo opportunities, gentle giant tortoises, and excellent snorkeling. Anyone booking a boat trip from Praslin or La Digue should definitely make sure that a stop at Big Sister (including a beach visit!) is on the itinerary.