Inner Islands
Cousine Island Resort
Cousine is a 62-acre, naturally beautiful island just 800m in width and 1.4 km long and remains in an almost pristine state. It is, in effect, a nature reserve containing many species not found on other islands, such as two species of shearwater, which have died out elsewhere due to rats and other invasive species.
There are just four luxury detached one-bedroom villas and a two-bedroom family villa, all perched only metres back from the white sand beach, giving one a feeling of being an honoured guest. The small main building houses the pool and restaurant.
Each of the four air-conditioned villas boast 175sq meters of well-designed space. There is a much newer, spacious two-bedroomed villa for families, with its own pool. All are equipped with canopied double beds, en suite bathroom with jacuzzi and walk in double shower, ceiling fan, hair dryer, multi-channel satellite TV, DVD, mini-CD player, international direct dial telephone, safety deposit box, kitchenette, separate dining and living area, tea and coffee machine and minibar.
On-site naturalists conduct guided tours to discover the island’s wonderful, rare wildlife and pristine environment. All the guests’ needs are very well taken care of and the chef produces imaginative dishes of mouth-watering variety and flavours.
Included in the daily rate are on-island excursions and all meals. Transfers by helicopter from Mahe or Praslin are available. If not taking the helicopter, an amphibious boat is used for wet landing transfers, since a decision was taken not to construct a jetty in order to discourage visitors who may bring unwanted invaders such as rats: a small price to pay to preserve such a wonderful and awe-inspiring natural treasure as Cousine Island. Cousine is marvellous and rare, and our favourite island of the Seychelles – it really has to be seen to be appreciated.
Facilities
Four one-bedroom and one two-bedroom luxury detached villas. Spa, restaurant, bar, lounge, swimming pool, private terrace, air-conditioning, ceiling fan, hair dryer, multi-channel satellite TV, DVD, mini-CD player, international direct dial telephone, safety deposit box, kitchenette, tea and coffee machine, minibar, laundry service.
Local Wildlife
Despite its small size, the island is home to a great diversity of wildlife. Birds including the rare Seychelles magpie robin, Seychelles warbler, brown noddy, and wedge-tail and Audubon shearwaters can be seen. Huge numbers of fairy terns, lesser noddys and white-tailed tropicbirds circle the skies above the island, and at night, large fruit bats return to roost. The privately owned natural paradise is also home to many free-roaming Aldabra giant tortoises, some nearly one hundred years old and the youngest only five, and the bronze gecko and Wright’s skink can also be seen. Large millipedes can be spotted crawling up tree trunks lest they dry out in the sun. The island is one of the few in the world which has never had rats, so remains true to its origins. In season (November to March) hawksbill turtles come up on the beach to nest and are often seen. There is a resident naturalist on hand to take guests on informative nature walks to some of the less-visited parts of the island to see the ground-nesting birds such as rare shearwaters and tropicbirds. The fauna is pretty tame and approachable, enabling good photographs to be achieved.
Optional Activities
Snorkelling, birdwatching and guided walks with the resident naturalist.
Alan Godwin
Area Specialist
If you are interested, ask the on-site naturalist to assist with their conservation work around the island.
If you have any questions regarding our Seychelles tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
We were the only guests on Cousine and were treated exceptionally well. Our villa was excellent. Nothing was too much for the staff - what can you say when you had your own personal chef who discussed every meal and provided exactly what we wanted. We've never had our own tropical island before - what a treat!
