Food, Lodging & Travel
You will live in the field centre, a basic field accommodation. There are three bedrooms (with single beds and bunk beds), a bathroom, a kitchen, a living room and a patio to share with other participants. Mosquito nets, fans, linen and mosquito repellent coils are provided. There is no hot water nor flush toilets on the island.
Water is pumped from the island natural water stock. No hot water is available and (cold) showers are to be taken when necessary particularly during the dry season. Solar power provides energy. Volunteers are expected to be very conscious and minimal with their water and energy usage.
The island can be hot and humid and being a Special Reserve, no pesticides are allowed, so at certain times of the year there will be mosquitoes. The Seychellois Wardens who manage this Reserve live on the island next to the Field Station. There will be daily interactions with this group of young Seychellois who can share their experiences and culture with you. Transport to and from Cousin Island is by small boat and scheduled boat trips to Praslin island are made for shopping
Food is not included in the price and you would be responsible for your own cooking. You have weekly supplies at the nearest island, Praslin (small supermarket). The project’s boats leave the island for supplies three times a week. The approximate cost for food and beverages for a month is around £180.
Drinking water (tap water supply from Praslin island) and other water use are included. There is no hot water on the island. Gas for cooking, coils and mosquito repellent, toilet paper, mosquito nets, and all kitchen utensils are provided.
It is recommended that volunteers bring their own mobile phone and obtain a pre-paid SIM card once in the Seychelles. This would provide volunteers a number and credit for both local and international calls. Volunteers are also responsible for their own internet access, which can be purchased in Grande Anse.
How to get there
Volunteers should fly to Praslin Island / Grand Anse Airport, and plan to arrive on the day before the start of your programme. The programme starts on the first Monday of the month and ends on the last Friday. Thus you should arrive at least one day before, as you will meet with the project coordinator and other volunteers on Monday morning at 9 a.m, either at Praslin airport or in front of the MCB in Grande Anse, Praslin. From here the local project manager will come pick you up, and get you to your accommodation on Cousin Island. This means you would need to arrange your own accommodation in Praslin (or elsewhere) for your first night. We would be able to provide you a list of recommended guest houses.
It is advised to book your flight straight to Praslin (including the international and internal flight Mahé-Praslin). When you arrive in Mahé, you can either take a flight to Praslin or a 1 hour ferry. The flight is more convenient as you can go from the international terminal to the domestic terminal very easily. The ferry can be less expensive, however the ferry port is a taxi ride from the airport.
Visa for Seychelles
Volunteers will not need a visa to travel in the Seychelles, but a 40 days visitor’s permit will be allocated to the volunteer on our project partner’s individual requests to the Seychelles Immigration office. To obtain this visitor’s permit, volunteers need to send us their flight details and a copy of their passport at least 2 weeks before their departure to the Seychelles. Volunteers need to book their flight dates according to the programme dates (1-2 days before the starting date and after the ending date). If a volunteer wants to extend their stay, they would have to go to the immigration office and change their flight dates once in the Seychelles. The approval of an extension request cannot be guaranteed.
Free Time
Free time on the island can be used to relaxing, snorkelling, guided sessions of stargazing, going to the beach and doing yoga with a certified teacher. Please remember to bring your own gear for snorkelling. Once a month, the weekend may be available for travel off the island, depending on the work schedule and season.