Taxi Boats & Private Boat Transfers in Seychelles: Prices and When to Use

A private boat from Mahé to Praslin takes about as long as the Cat Cocos ferry. Hire one for a large group, bulky luggage or a ferry you can't catch, not to save time. Listings run from EUR 1,000 to EUR 2,000 per boat for a day, so for most groups the ferry is cheaper.

What does "taxi boat" mean in Seychelles?

It means three different things, and only one of them is a transfer between the main islands.

• A beach hop on Mahé. Small boats run along the north coast, usually from Beau Vallon. Story Seychelles says boat trips to Anse Major are "often arranged directly on the beach or through local accommodations". Some visitors hike one way and take the boat back. The same guide says prices and schedules "can change day to day". Agree the return pick-up before you walk, and don't count on a boat late in the day.
• A beach boat from Praslin. These run to nearby islands such as Curieuse, where giant tortoises roam free, and St Pierre. That is a day out, not a transfer, and it has its own guide.
• A private boat between the main islands. Mahé to Praslin or La Digue, or Praslin to La Digue, for your party only. The rest of this page covers it.

When is a private boat worth it?

A private boat is worth it when the ferry can't do the job, not when you want a shorter trip. The saving is at the jetty, not on the water.

It makes sense in four cases:

• A big group. The per-head cost falls as the boat fills, and at about 19 people it beats a return ferry (see the cost table).
• Awkward luggage. Cat Cocos's terms say non-residents are "entitled to 25 kilos of luggage free of charge travelling in Economy Class". Business class gets 30 kg. Dive gear, wedding outfits or a pile of cases can break that.
• A ferry you can't make. Cat Cocos sails to a fixed timetable. Checked bags go in one hour before departure, and passengers board 30 minutes before. A private boat leaves when you agree.
• A detour you want. One Praslin listing offers swims at Anse Lazio or Anse Georgette.

For one or two people on a normal day, take the ferry. Spend the difference on a good dinner.

How long does the crossing take?

About the same by boat or ferry. The sources do not show a real difference, and some give the boat the slower time.

Source	Time, Mahé–Praslin
Cat Cocos (ferry)	1 hour 15 minutes
SeyVillas (ferry, approximate)	about 60 minutes
A private-boat listing (Praslin to Mahé, sport tender)	1 hour 20 minutes
A 23-seat boat listing	"one hour and ten minutes" at 20 knots
A Mahé listing (KOEK, Praslin trip)	"under 1 hour"

Boat speed varies with the boat and the sea, so treat every figure as a guide. What a private boat really removes is the queue and the clock. A ferry means being at the berth 30 minutes ahead; the boat goes when you do.

What does a private boat cost?

On the listings I could read, a day boat costs more than a return ferry for small groups and less for a very large one. No page I found gives a firm one-way private price, so I can only compare like with like: return with return.

In November 2026 the KOEK marketplace listed Mahé private boats from EUR 1,000 per boat for a 7-hour Mahé to La Digue day charter. The Praslin listing is EUR 1,380 for 8 hours, and its page says the boat reaches Praslin "in under 1 hour". The largest is EUR 2,000 for a 40-foot boat and up to 23 passengers, 10 hours, described as going "from Mahe to Praslin or La Digue and back". On 11 November 2026 the US reseller AAA Trip Canvas listed a standard speedboat transfer from USD 1,490.72, with taxes added at checkout. It does not say whether that is one way or return.

The ferry side uses the operator's own fare. On 11 November 2026 the Cat Cocos booking engine charged an adult visitor SCR 890 one way from Mahé to Praslin in its cheapest class, Coco de Mer. That fare includes VAT and the port fee. That is about EUR 55 at the Central Bank of Seychelles rate of 10 November 2026. The trip back costs the same, so a return is SCR 1,780, about EUR 110. The Cat Cocos ferry guide has the fares for every class.

Group	Return ferry (2 x SCR 890, about EUR 110 each)	Return day boat, listed per-boat price	Listed price divided by group size
4 people	about EUR 440	from EUR 1,380 (8 hours)	about EUR 345 each
8 people	about EUR 875	from EUR 1,380 (8 hours)	about EUR 173 each
23 people	about EUR 2,520	from EUR 2,000 (10 hours)	about EUR 87 each

Scroll sideways for more columns.

The return ferry costs about EUR 110 a head. The EUR 2,000 boat passes that line at about 19 people. The Praslin listing shows a maximum of 12 passengers, though its text says "very comfortable for groups up to 8". At 12 it comes to about EUR 115 each, just above the ferry. If you would sail in Island Hopper class (SCR 977 each way, about EUR 120 return), the break-even drops to about 17 people.

Two cautions. These are from-prices on listings, not tariffs, and ferry fares change. A day boat also gives you a day of boat time that a ferry ticket does not, so it is a different product. Ask each operator for a one-way quote and for what is included.

Where do the boats leave from?

Private boats and the ferry leave from different places on Mahé, so the taxi ride at each end changes. SeyVillas says the Cat Cocos ferry leaves from "Cat Cocos Berth", near Victoria. Jonny Melon and one private-transfer listing both name Eden Island, with the listing giving the pontoon in front of a pub-café next to the bridge.

On Praslin, Cat Cocos's schedule says some trips stop at "Praslin Jetty (Baie Ste Anne)", and one private listing departs from the same jetty. Confirm the meeting point in writing before the day. I could not find a sourced drive time from the airport to either place, so ask your driver.

Ferry or private boat: what changes on the day?

	Ferry (Cat Cocos terms)	Private boat
Rough sea	Operator "reserves the right not to undertake crossings under bad weather conditions"; passengers can move to another trip at no charge	Not stated on the listings I read; ask before paying
Luggage	25 kg free (non-resident economy), 30 kg business	Not stated on the listings; ask
Cancelling	Refund needs 48 hours' notice; doctor's note or police report; 25% retention; seasickness doesn't count	Free cancellation up to 72 hours (KOEK Praslin), 14 days (KOEK 23-seat) or 24 hours (AAA)
Boarding	Be there 30 minutes before departure; checked bags one hour before	Set with the operator

The weather row matters most. A ferry that doesn't sail moves you to the next sailing. A private boat that doesn't sail leaves you with whatever deal you agreed. Get the weather rule in writing: who decides, and whether you get a refund or a new day. Seasickness is not a refund reason with Cat Cocos.

The UK Foreign Office warns that heavy rain can disrupt "domestic flights and ferries". In its swimming advice it says the west coast is unsafe during the north-west monsoon. It dates that as around December to March. Plan a buffer if you travel then. Don't rely on one boat to reach an international flight the same morning.

What should I ask before I pay?

Ask to see the licence, and ask the practical questions the listings leave blank. This list covers both.

• One way or return. What exactly is the price for, and how many hours does it include?
• Licence. Ask for the boat's hirecraft licence and check the boat's name matches the one you are getting.
• Range category. The Seychelles Maritime Safety Administration gives operators an HC number by range. HC 100 means up to 2 nautical miles, HC 200 up to 10, HC 300 up to 60, and HC 400 beyond. Ask which one the boat holds and whether it covers the open-water crossing to Praslin.
• Insurance. The Tourism Department's policy says operators must have appropriate insurance. Ask whether it covers the passengers and crew as well as the boat.
• Life jackets. The UK Foreign Office says: "Make sure life jackets are provided, especially on smaller excursion boats." Count one per passenger, children's sizes included. No jackets, no trip.
• Safety briefing and emergency plan. The policy requires clear procedures for emergency response and evacuation. The Foreign Office also advises you to "pay attention to safety briefings when taking any boat trips", so expect one.
• Luggage, toilet, fees. Ask for the luggage limit and whether there is a toilet on board. Ask who pays any landing or port fees. One listing says infants must sit on a lap, so ask about child seats.
• Weather and deposit. Get the rough-sea rule in writing. One listing I read takes a part deposit and the rest in cash on the day.

Who licenses what: the Tourism Department's Boat Charter Policy 2019 says the Seychelles Maritime Safety Administration handles "the safety and technical aspects" under the Control of Hirecraft Act. The Tourism Department and the Seychelles Licensing Authority watch standards and service under the Licenses (Trade) Regulations. Agency names change over time (later regulations say "Maritime Safety Authority"), so read the document, not the title.

A caveat. The 2019 policy describes charters as day excursions only, and says the charter licence "does not include ferry services". I found no rule that names one-way passenger transfers. Ask the operator which licence covers your trip, and keep the answer in writing.

Does a private boat help on Praslin to La Digue?

Rarely. The ferry hop is short and cheap, so a private boat there is a luxury. Cat Cocos lists Praslin to La Digue at 15 minutes, and its booking engine charged an adult visitor SCR 188 one way (about EUR 12) on 11 November 2026. I found no sourced price for a bare private boat on that hop. Search answers quote higher figures, but they appear to be packages that include other things such as bikes.

From Mahé, Cat Cocos lists La Digue at 1 hour 10 minutes direct and 1 hour 45 minutes by way of Praslin. So some sailings go direct, and a private boat's advantage over the ferry there is again the timing, not the stop. Jonny Melon gives 50 to 80 minutes for a private speedboat on the Mahé to La Digue run.

FAQ

Can I book a private boat one way from Mahé to Praslin?

You can ask, but the listings I found read as 7 to 10 hour return day trips, not one-way drops. Ask for a one-way price in writing. Don't assume it is half the day price.

How long does a private boat from Mahé to Praslin take?

About an hour to 1 hour 20 minutes, depending on the boat and the sea. Cat Cocos says the ferry takes 1 hour 15 minutes. The sources do not show a real difference.

Is a private boat cheaper than the ferry for a group?

Only for a very large group. Against a return ferry at about EUR 110 a head, a EUR 2,000 day boat wins from about 19 people. A group of 8 pays about EUR 173 each on the EUR 1,380 listing. These are listing prices, so ask for quotes.

What happens to a private boat transfer if the sea is rough?

That depends on the deal, and the listings I read don't say. Ask who makes the call and whether you get a refund or a new date. Cat Cocos says it can skip crossings in bad weather and moves you to another trip at no charge.

Do I need a licence to take a private boat in Seychelles?

As far as the 2019 policy shows, you don't. The operator needs a hirecraft licence and insurance. Your job is to ask to see them.