Cousin Island

Cousin Island is a small granitic island in the Seychelles designated as a Special Reserve and important wildlife sanctuary, renowned for seabird colonies and endemic species.

Conservation-focused guided walks and short trails allow visitors to see dense seabird colonies and populations of land birds, with interpretive information provided by the reserve staff. The island’s successful breeding programs for the Seychelles warbler and other endemics make it a key site for conservation tourism and research.

The island was set aside as a protected reserve in the late 20th century and has been managed for conservation since, with active programs to restore native vegetation and recover threatened bird populations. Long-term monitoring and species reintroductions are central to its management.

Situated off the northwestern side of Praslin in the inner Seychelles archipelago, the island lies within the Indian Ocean and is accessed by boat from Praslin under permit from reserve managers.

• Reserve status: The island is a long-established nature reserve of roughly 27 hectares, managed for seabirds and endemic species with restricted, guided visits only.
• Wildlife highlights: Key species include the Seychelles warbler and Aldabra giant tortoises as part of active conservation and restoration programs on the island.

What to See #

• Research station: A small research station and visitor facilities support conservation work and guided tours; the reserve operates strict visitor controls and permits to limit disturbance.
• Trails and bird colonies: Shoreline and interior trails provide short guided walks through native coastal woodland and scrub where endemic birds and reptile species are concentrated.