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Mahe to Praslin ferry and La Digue: how to book?
The Mahe to Praslin ferry is the Cat Cocos catamaran: a 1 hr 15 min crossing, about 56 € one way, to book online on the official website. Between Praslin and La Digue, allow 15 minutes. Book ahead, arrive an hour early and, if you are prone to seasickness, consider flying.
The Mahe to Praslin ferry is the Cat Cocos, a fast catamaran that links Victoria to Praslin in 1 hour 15 minutes, then continues to La Digue. Expect to pay about 56 € one way to Praslin and 66 € to La Digue in economy class (indicative fares recorded in October 2026). Between Praslin and La Digue, the crossing takes only 15 minutes.
Book online before you leave, especially in high season, and get to the port an hour early. If you are prone to seasickness, flying to Praslin is a real alternative.
Who runs the Mahe to Praslin ferry and the La Digue boats?
Two companies share the routes between the three main islands of the Seychelles.
- Cat Cocos links Mahé to Praslin and La Digue, with several departures a day, seven days a week. The company runs a fleet of five fast catamarans.
- The Cat Rose, operated by Inter Island Ferry, shuttles between Praslin and La Digue.
The key point: a Cat Cocos ticket is not valid on the Cat Rose, and vice versa. To get from Praslin to La Digue, you can take either one, but you need a ticket from the right company.
Departure ports
| Island | Port | Ticket office |
|---|---|---|
| Mahé | Inter-Island Quay, in Victoria | 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Praslin | Baie Sainte-Anne jetty | 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| La Digue | La Passe jetty | 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
Cat Cocos ticket office hours, according to the company's website.
Crossing times and schedules
The official Cat Cocos website gives the following crossing times: 1 hour 15 minutes between Mahé and Praslin, 1 hour 10 minutes between Mahé and La Digue direct, and 1 hour 45 minutes when the boat stops at Praslin. Between Praslin and La Digue, allow about 15 minutes.
Schedules vary by day. According to the timetable published by a reseller in 2026, there are usually two to three departures a day from Mahé to Praslin, in the morning and in the late afternoon. On Sundays, there is no early morning departure from Mahé. On the way back, the first boat leaves La Digue around 7:30 a.m.
Watch out
Cat Cocos warns that its schedules can change without notice. Always check the day's timetable on catcocos.com before booking your flights and hotels.
Between Praslin and La Digue, departures run from about 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you reach Praslin in the late afternoon, make sure there is still a boat to La Digue.
How much does the ferry cost in the Seychelles?
The prices below come from authorized resellers and were recorded in October 2026. The official website did not display its fares when we checked, so treat them as indicative.
| Route | Adult (economy) | Child aged 2 to 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Mahé-Praslin, Cat Cocos | 56 € | 27 € |
| Mahé-La Digue, Cat Cocos | 66 € | 37 € |
| Praslin-La Digue, Cat Rose | 15 € (+ 1 € tax) | 7 € |
A round trip costs twice a one-way ticket. Babies under 2 travel free on Cat Cocos, but they must have a ticket. A port tax of about 2 € per adult applies to trips from or to Mahé.
Classes on board the Cat Cocos
Cat Cocos offers three ways to travel. Economy class, in the cabin, is the cheapest. The open-air upper deck costs about 5 to 6 € more and lets you stay outside. Business class, in the lounge, costs about 21 € more per adult.
How to book your ferry
You have three options to book your crossing.
- Online, on the official Cat Cocos website, through its booking engine (booking.catcocos.com). This is the most direct option.
- Through an online reseller. Tickets arrive by email. Prices can vary from one site to another, so compare them with the official website.
- At the ticket office, in the ports of Mahé, Praslin or La Digue, during opening hours.
In high season, do not count on a last-minute ticket. Cat Cocos wrote as much to a traveler: the company cannot guarantee a seat to passengers who show up without a booking. Book as soon as your dates are set.
Our advice
Book the ferry at the same time as your hotels on Praslin and La Digue. If a schedule changes, you will still be able to adjust the first or last night.
On the day: check-in and luggage
Cat Cocos's terms require you to be at boarding 30 minutes before departure, and to check in hold luggage one hour before. So follow the more cautious of the two rules: get to the port an hour before departure.
Bring valid ID (ID card, driver's license or passport) along with your ticket.
| Luggage, Cat Cocos | Rule |
|---|---|
| Hold, economy | 25 kg for non-residents |
| Hold, business | 30 kg for non-residents |
| One suitcase | 32 kg maximum |
| Carry-on | 1 piece, under 7 kg, 50 x 30 x 20 cm |
Excess luggage is charged by the kilo. From Mahé airport to Victoria port, allow 15 to 20 minutes by road. Taxis have no meters: France Diplomatie advises agreeing on the price before you get in.
Seasickness: what travelers say
The Mahé-Praslin crossing can be rough. The harshest reviews come from travelers who sailed between May and September. One of them says that in a heavy swell, almost everyone around him was sick, and recommends staying on the upper deck.
The boat ... hits the waves so hard that it makes huge jumps
If you are sensitive, choose the open-air upper deck, take motion sickness medication on the advice of your doctor or pharmacist, and avoid a heavy meal before leaving. Note that Cat Cocos states seasickness is not an accepted reason for cancellation.
Cancellations, changes and weather
- Changing a Cat Cocos ticket is possible up to one hour before departure, for 25 rupees (SCR) for one change and 50 SCR after that. Last-minute changes are made at the ticket office.
- Canceling must be done at least 48 hours ahead. Refunds are only given for medical reasons or accidents, with proof, and 25% is withheld.
- Bad weather: if Cat Cocos cancels or delays a departure because of sea conditions, you can take a later departure for free or ask for a refund of the canceled trip.
The alternative: flying to Praslin
Air Seychelles links Mahé to Praslin in about fifteen minutes. It is more expensive than the ferry, but it is the best option if you dread seasickness. The baggage allowance is lower than on the boat, and the information the airline publishes is not always consistent, so check it when you book. There are no flights to La Digue: from Praslin, you finish the trip by boat.
For an unlimited budget, the helicopter company Zil Air also offers private transfers, with no public fares. Its package combining plane, boat and helicopter starts at 2,656 € for two people.
Once on La Digue, the island is mostly explored by bike. There are only a few taxis and cars are rare: plan to rent a bike there.
Before you leave for the Seychelles
Entering the Seychelles requires a travel authorization, which you apply for online on the official Seychelles government website. France Diplomatie describes it as a “paid formality.” Apply one to two weeks before departure, and keep your hotel booking and return ticket at hand. Our Seychelles visa tool details the rules for your passport.
Our advice
Keep a copy of your travel authorization and ferry tickets on your phone and on paper. A dead battery just as you board means a rush to the ticket office.
To plan the rest of your stay, our Seychelles page covers Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Also check the festivals of the Seychelles, such as the La Digue festival in August, to choose your dates. If you are combining your trip with Mauritius, read our tips on renting a car in Mauritius too.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to book the Mahe to Praslin ferry in advance?
Yes, especially in high season and for morning departures. Seats are limited, and Cat Cocos does not guarantee a seat to passengers without a booking.
Can you go directly from Mahé to La Digue?
Yes. Cat Cocos serves La Digue, sometimes direct (1 hour 10 minutes), sometimes with a stop at Praslin (1 hour 45 minutes), without changing boats.
How early should you be at the port before departure?
One hour before, to check in hold luggage. Boarding requires you to be there at least 30 minutes before departure.
Is a Cat Cocos ticket valid on the Cat Rose?
No. The two companies are independent. If you miss a Cat Cocos boat to La Digue, you will have to pay for a ticket to finish the trip from Praslin.