This island, about 2km (1mi) off the south-west coast of Praslin - has been a nature reserve since 1968, and is home to several endangered species, as well as being a breeding ground for seabirds and turtles. It's an amazing experience to walk through thick forest with a bird on every branch, apparently oblivious to humans. The rarest birds are the brush warbler and magpie robin, and you might also get to see a white-tailed tropic bird, the emblem of Réunion and Mauritius. The island is also home to two very old tortoises, George and Georgina, who follow visitors around in the hope of having their necks stroked. You can only visit the island on a tour.

Cousin is a beautiful, small island (27 ha) situated less than 2 km west of Praslin. The site also includes c.105 ha coastal marine habitat. Its large plateau extends over most of the island and is covered with indigenous mature woodland dominated by Pisonia grandis, Morinda citrifolia and Ochrosia oppositifolia. It is almost encircled by a long sandy beach (the shape and width of which changes with each monsoon) with tall Casuarina equisetifolia and Cocos nucifera trees. The southern coast of the island is, however, rocky. A hill, rising to 69 m, occupies the centre of the southern half of the island. It is dominated by bare rock and boulders, low woodland and Pandanus balfourii, Ficus reflexa, F. lutea, Euphorbia pyrifolia shrubs, tall herbs and ferns. An area of mangrove and small, temporary freshwater pools are also found. Cousin was formerly a coconut plantation, but most of the trees have now been cut down. Nature conservation, research and ecotourism (day visits, confined to main paths only) are the only human activities (plus some limited fishing by the staff). The reserve funds itself through ecotourism. A marine park, extending 400 m into the sea, hosts pristine coral reefs.

Flora and Fauna

Cousine is home to five species of endemic bird including the magpie robin, Seychelles brush warbler, blue pigeon, sunbird, fody and turtle dove.

There are some large specimens of the giant land tortoise wandering the island which is also a nesting site for the hawksbill turtle.