Praslin Overview

Once a favourite haunt of pirates, this tropical paradise is now a popular tourist destination, boasting world-class beaches, lush forests and everything you’d expect from a tropical island paradise.

Praslin lies 45km to the northwest of Mahé and is the Seychelles’ second-largest granitic island. In the mid-18th century, the island was known as Ile de Palme (Palm Island), the name given by a French explorer in reference to the numerous giant palms that blanketed the island. In 1768 the island was renamed in honour of a French diplomat the Duc de Praslin.

Easily reached by fast ferry from Mahe, the island of Praslin Seychelles offers its visitors a wide variety of activities. So when you’re not lazing away on one of the spectacular crowd-free beaches, there’s plenty to keep you busy.

The crystal-clear waters surrounding Praslin are considered excellent for scuba diving - while along its coast, there are some great spots for snorkelling. Heading away from the beach, why not join a guided walk through the ancient forest – home not only to endemic flora but also the very rare Black Parrot. Praslin’s stunning beauty can also be enjoyed from the air, with helicopter sightseeing tours affording spectacular views over the island and the rest of the archipelago. Praslin also provides an excellent base for exploring the neighbouring islands. Hop over to Curieuse with its 500 Aldabra giant tortoises or maybe take a trip to Cousin and Aride, both a paradise for bird-watchers.

There are three main settlements on Praslin, with Anse Volbert (a.k.a. Côte D’Or) and Grande Anse being of most interest for visitors. Here you’ll not only find great beaches but also the majority of tourist accommodation, which ranges from luxury resorts to privately run family guesthouses. The selection of restaurants and cafes, often with beachside-dining, offers both typical Creole and International cuisine. And while not known for its nightlife - for those feeling lucky - there’s a casino for some late-night fun!

Getting around on Praslin is easy, especially if you rent your own vehicle. There's also a local bus service that runs almost entirely around the island. Schedules are available from the tourist office in Grande Anse as well as their office at the new Praslin jetty (ERO Passenger Terminal) in Baie Ste Anne - where the fast ferries from Mahé and La Digue arrive/depart. Taxis are also available, with prices slightly higher than those over on Mahé.

Praslin is the embodiment of a tropical paradise, offering world-class beaches, stunning flora and fauna and a relaxed pace of life that make it an ideal vacation destination. And if that’s not enough, there’s even an 18-hole golf course!

BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN PRASLIN

Anse Lazio – Undisputedly Praslin’s most famous beach and possibly one of the best in the archipelago. Powdery white sands, lapped by clear turquoise waters, surrounded by palms and takamaka trees and backed by steeply rising hills and dense vegetation; it’s no wonder this beach is a photographer’s dream and is often listed among the world’s top ten beaches. The calm waters are perfect for swimming and there’s some excellent snorkelling around the granite boulders at either end of the beach. With a couple of beach restaurants to keep you watered and fed it’s easy to spend the whole day here. You can reach Anse Lazio either by car or taxi; the public bus stops about 20 minutes away.

Vallée de Mai – This renowned UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the island’s main attractions and no visit to Praslin would be complete without spending some time at this nature reserve. Home to the famous Coco de Mer palms that tower almost 40m above the forest floor and whose seeds are the largest of any plant in the world. Legend has it that the Vallée de Mai was actually the original site of the Garden of Eden with the Coco de Mer being the forbidden fruit.
Taking one of the 5 nature trails, that wind their way through the almost prehistoric landscape, you’ll have the unique opportunity of viewing over 50 endemic plants and trees as well as some unique wildlife that includes the rare Black Parrot and Seychelles Bulbul.
There’s an entrance fee of SCR 350 person and for a little extra you can hire the services of a professional guide that will not only explain the history and biodiversity of the reserve but will also let you handle the erotically-shaped fruit of the giant Coco de Mer palm. You’ll also get to see wild pineapple, wild coffee, allspice bushes and even spaghetti growing from the sky!

You could discover Vallée de Mai and Anse Lazio in one day! You can book this guided tour from Mahe here, and from La Digue and Praslin here. 

Black Pearl Ocean Farm – The climate and sea conditions around Praslin are ideal for the cultivation of Black Lip Pearl Oysters. The farm, located on a beachfront near the airport, not only affords the visitor an insight into how these magnificent jewels are cultured and grown but also explains the breeding and feeding of the Giant Clam – cultivated here for aquariums and exported worldwide.

There’s also an aquarium and a shop selling a selection of beautiful jewellery and other gifts made from the locally cultivated Black Pearls.

Curieuse Island – This once former leper colony is now home to roughly 500 Aldabra Giant Tortoises which, along with the Coco de Mer, is one of the Seychelles’ most iconic symbols. The island and the waters surrounding it make up the Curieuse Marine National Park - set up to protect the native wildlife and the tortoises that were brought here from Aldabra in the late 1970s. The island also plays host to the Coco de Mer palm, nesting Hawksbill turtles and several bird species including the rare Black Parrot.

There are walking trails through the thick mangrove forest that connect to the two main areas of interest - Anse José and Baie Laraie. At Anse José, you’ll find the dilapidated ruins of the leper colony along with the colonial Doctor’s House, now a national monument, and home to a fascinating museum and information centre for visitors to the marine park.

On the other side of the island, Baie Laraie is home to the ranger station, where a large number of giant tortoises can be seen lazing around or searching out a tasty snack. Taking a stroll amongst these giants is a ‘once-in-a-lifetime experience’. The shallow waters here are also home to a large population of bumphead parrotfish, some growing to over a metre in length!

Curieuse can be reached by water taxi from Anse Volbert or on an organised tour, many of which stop-off at St. Pierre for some great snorkelling. Being a National Park there’s an SCR 200 entry fee for non-residents; hold on to your tickets for inspection by park rangers.

Cousin & Aride Islands – These unspoilt islands lying off the coast of Praslin are a bird-watchers paradise.
Both have been nature reserves for over 40 years and are home to some of the Seychelles’ rarest birds, including the Seychelles Bush Warbler and Magpie Robin as well as over a million breeding seabirds.

Cousin lies just off Praslin’s southwest coast and is the nesting ground for around 250,000 birds, such as the Red Turtle Dove and the Seychelles Sunbird. It's also the ideal place to view colonies of Fairy Terns, Lesser Noodies and White Tail and, along with a healthy population of other seabirds, geckos, giant tortoises and hawksbill turtles, Cousin makes for an ideal nature lovers’ day out.

Lying to the northwest of Praslin, the unblemished island of Aride boasts more breeding species of seabirds than any other island of the Seychelles, including the world‘s largest colony of Lesser Noddies.
Aride is also home to several varieties of endemic birds, such as Fodies and the Blue Pigeon and also features an assortment of endemic plants, like the Wright’s Gardenia.
Organised tours may visit the island from October to April, with day excursions bookable via your hotel or guesthouse. Don’t forget your binoculars!

Côte D’Or – The long, palm-fringed bay of Anse Volbert on the north coast - also known as Côte d’Or - is Praslin’s main beach and home to a variety of hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and other tourist-related activities. If the draw of the uncrowded, white-sand beach isn’t enough to keep you entertained, there’s a variety of water sports and other distractions to keep you occupied. Swim in the calm, shallow turquoise waters, snorkel along the granite boulders at the bay’s western end or simply relax with a good book.

There’s also a good selection of beachside restaurants, several dive operators and is the departure point for day trips to Curieuse and for snorkelling excursions to Chauve Souris and St Pierre.

BEST THINGS TO DO IN PRASLIN

Go nuts! - One of the Seychelles’ most recognisable symbols is the famed Coco de Mer, the largest nut in the world. These double-coconuts, often said to resemble female genitalia, are prized not only for their size but also their rarity; it takes up to 30 years for the Coco de Mer palm to bear fruit and then another 6 years for the fruit to mature.

For those wishing to take one home as a souvenir, you’ll find some great specimens at the gift shop in Vallée de Mai as well as at the Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve. Given their popularity, the harvesting of Coco de Mer is strictly controlled by the Seychelles Island Foundation, with money from the sale of the nuts going towards the on-going conservation of the Seychelles’ two World Heritage Sites – Vallée de Mai and Aldabra.

Weighing sometimes in excess of 20kg, most specimens are first sawn in two and emptied of their contents before being glued back together. Some are then cleaned and polished while others are left ‘au natural’. Each nut is then allocated a certificate with details of its provenance.

Expect to pay anywhere from €200 and up for a reasonable specimen, making sure you also obtain an export license at the time of purchase if you intend to take it out of the country.

Explore hidden beaches - Tucked away at the far northwestern tip of the island, lay the secluded beaches of Anse Kerlan and Anse Georgette. Powdery white sands framed by granite boulders and surrounded by lush vegetation make these some of the most stunning beaches on Praslin, while their aquamarine waters are ideal for swimming and offer some great snorkelling too.

BEST PLACES TO EAT & DRINK IN PRASLIN

Coco Rouge – If you’re looking for a quick fix of tasty local food, this simple takeaway establishment in Baie St Anne is a sure winner. Recommended by the locals, they serve a daily selection of Creole favourites from chicken and beef curries to creole style fish & chips, and all at extremely affordable prices.

Pirogue Restaurant & Bar – Offering a wide selection of Seychellois and International dishes, Pirogue Restaurant & Bar is one of Praslin’s premier eateries. Located just across from the white sands of Cote d’Or Beach they offer a daily selection of fresh seafood as well as a variety of authentic Creole dishes, all served in a relaxed, airy atmosphere. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a romantic meal or simply time out with friends and family.

PRASLIN NIGHTLIFE

With most visitors preferring to spend their days lazing on the beach or soaking in the natural beauty of their surroundings, it’s no surprise that Praslin’s nightlife is an equally laid-back affair. But for those looking for an after-dark distraction, Praslin has a few tricks up its sleeve!