This spot has been added by

snorkeling team
Snorkeling Report's team
Other contributors You can help us keep this page up-to-date by uploading your pictures to the photo gallery, or by sending us your comments via the contact form

Last updated on

Not far from La Digue, Coco Island is probably one of the most vibrant snorkeling locations in Seychelles. Around this idyllic islet bathed by crystal-clear waters, you can swim amid turtles and hundreds of fish above colorful coral. A not-to-be-missed spot if you stay on the island.

Aerial view of Coco Island, Seychelles
Aerial view of Coco Island, surrounded by coral reefs.

How to get to Coco Island snorkeling area?

Coco Island lies a few miles from La Digue. Unless you have your own boat or you are visiting Seychelles in a catamaran, you will have to book a snorkeling tour to visit the spot.

Tours to Coco leaving from La Digue generally include a second snorkeling stop on neighboring Félicité Island. Since the spot is part of the Coco Island Marine Park, you’ll have to pay an entrance fee (usually included in the tour price).

Coco Island snorkeling map, Seychelles

Water entrance for snorkeling Coco Island

Water entrance is from boat ladders.

Coco Island snorkeling tips

The main snorkeling area edges Coco Island and the nearby rocky islets. Your guide will usually come with you in the water, and you’ll have to follow him for a tour of the best locations.

Shoal of convict tang at Coco Island, Seychelles
Hundreds of convict tangs shoaling in Coco Island.

At this location, the seabed is varied. You will alternatively snorkel sandy beds, spectacular granite rocks, and healthy coral beds (↕12-24ft/4-8m). Near the beach, it gets shallower (↕3-10ft/1-3m) and the seabed is poor in coral, but there are still many fish to see.

Spotted eagle ray in Coco Island
Spotted eagle rays are some of Coco Island’s more popular visitors.

The underwater life in this spot is impressive in density and variety and includes shoals of powder blue tangs, hawksbill sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, parrotfish, blue damselfish, and hundreds of sea goldies. The coral is in variable conditions, with some areas of healthy coral and some others covered with dead coral debris.

Snorkeling with hawksbill sea turtle at Coco Island, Seychelles
Used to snorkelers, Coco Island’s resident hawksbill sea turtles are particularly tame.

At this spot, the underwater visibility is usually great.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

Coco Island is an unspoiled spot, and there are no restaurants. Some tours provide drinks and snacks, check before booking.

 

  • Level required Intermediate
  • Protected areaCoco Island Marine Park
  • Maximum depth20ft/6m
  • Water entranceEasy, from a sandy beach (or a boat)
  • Potential DangersUsual precautions
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersHigh
  • Access costsTour price
  • Restaurants nearbyNo
  • Public toilets & showersNo

MAP Spot

Sea turtle watching in La Digue Island

snorkeling-hawksbill

Hawksbill sea turtles are a familiar sight in La Digue and its neighboring islands, like Coco Island. In order to be a responsible snorkeler, be sure to respect the following rules when observing them:

  1. Do not attempt to touch or ride sea turtles
  2. Stay at a distance (6 to 10ft) from sea turtles
  3. Do not chase a turtle swimming away
  4. Avoid sudden movement and allow sea turtles plenty of space when they come up to the surface to breathe

On La Digue main island, Anse Patates and Anse Caiman (both with free shore access) are also excellent snorkeling spots to encounter hawksbill sea turtles.

These spots are accessible to anyone with basic snorkeling skills, and feeling comfortable in the water and with his snorkeling gear. You will enter the water from the shore (beach, pontoon, ladder, rocks) or from a boat. The water height in the sea entrance area is reasonable, but you will not necessarily be within your depth. Moderate currents can occur in the area, even when the sea conditions are good. The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas of the spot does not exceed 200 meters.

This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.