Grande Soeur

- Grande Soeur is a favourite snorkelling location because of its brilliant turquoise water, magnificent corals and gorgeous diversity. There are large schools of fish and turtles, and you can find them on the beach as well. You can rent snorkelling gear either from the resort or agencies in La Digue, and carry them to Grande Soeur. The reef base deepens quickly, so be careful as you venture out to sea. There is an average visibility of up to thirty metres, which means that the waters can be beautifully photographed as well.

- You can also go swimming in the blue waters, but it is better to swim from the boat itself, rather than entering the water from the beach. This is because the beach area may get a bit rocky, so if you're not sure you can manoeuvre your way through, make a special request to swim from your boat.

- A picnic at this picturesque beach is a must-do activity. A beachside barbeque is Gram-worthy too! The resort organises a sumptuous barbeque and picnic at the beach every afternoon, where you can relax in tranquillity with your entire family and loved ones.

- The beach is secluded and isolated, and not very crowded making it an ideal site for a romantic honeymoon, where you can rekindle the love, and have a memorable time with your partner. Long walks and picnics on the beach - sparks are guaranteed to fly!

- A beachside adventure awaits you at Grande Soeur, as there are many rocks you can try to scale here. Huge boulders dot the beach and are easy to climb. Try to catch a bird's eye view of the beach as you feel on top of the world at Grande Soeur. There are lilting palms you can rest under, and lounge in the glory of the tropical sun. Perfect date idea - we think so!

 

• Do not forget to carry sunscreen with you, and make sure that it is waterproof, in case you plan on taking a dip in the ocean.
• Exercise caution while interacting with marine life - avoid touching the animals.
• The beach is clean and pristine, so do not litter. Dispose of waste responsibly.
• Book your slot in advance at the resort premises in case you want to be a part of the excursion. Rent snorkelling gear and explore the deep blue sea at Grande Soeur!

The island is a must-visit if you want to watch tropical marine life in all its glory! Known for snorkelling and diving, Grande Soeur beach boasts of various eclectic marine life, including butterflyfish, surgeonfish, parrotfish, angelfish, rockfish and pufferfish. You can find these colourful fish swimming in large schools, right next to you! They are fearless and playful as well. The island is known for its massive population of hawksbill sea turtles, and you are sure to spot them and their babies during your trip there. They are calm and harmless and make for amiable swimming companions. If you're lucky, you might spot a white-tip shark prowling nearby - don't worry, these sharks rarely attack swimmers.

The reef is stunning, full of hard corals. Due to the intense population of corals, you may encounter dead coral floating, so be careful lest you get hurt. You may also bump into jellyfish, so watch out!

Grande Soeur is part of the Sister Islands, which is about 6 kilometres north of La Digue Island. There are ferries available from both Praslin Island and La Digue, but the cost varies according to the season and availability of boats.

There are three ways to access this stunning location - the first is to be a patron of the Le Château de Feuilles Hotel, the resort which owns the private island. This gives you unlimited access to the island, and you can explore it whenever you want. The support staff of the hotel also help you at all times and are always available on call to assist you. The resort also gives you complimentary car service to explore other nearby islands as well. However, this is the most expensive option at hand.

You can also opt for a cheaper, resort-facilitated way to the make the best use of the island. Le Château de Feuilles Hotel organises day trips to the island, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, wherein you can completely explore the island, go snorkelling and lounge by the ocean side as well. The package is also inclusive of a delicious barbeque spread that you can enjoy as you watch the calming waves. The boat transfer to the island is super fun as well!

The third, and the least preferred way to access the island is to hire a private boat after obtaining prior permission, and moor next to the island. This way, you'll be able to make the most of the snorkelling, diving and swimming, but you will not be able to reach the beach. Do not let this deter you though - this is a very cost-effective option, and it gives you the luxury of covering a hundred metre wide coral reef, full of interesting marine life.