Praslin
The Vallée de Mai, Anse Lazio and Côte d’Or — the classic second island, and the base for boat trips to Curieuse and La Digue.
Hero image: Beach Anse Lazio Praslin Seychelles.DNG (38720879125).jpg by dronepicr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
This Praslin travel guide covers the second-largest island in Seychelles and, for many visitors, the highlight of the trip. Praslin lies north-east of Mahé and is smaller, quieter and greener in feel. It is home to the UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai, where the coco de mer palm grows wild, and to beaches such as Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette that appear in many pictures of the country.
Praslin also works as a hub. Boat trips leave its north-east coast for Curieuse, St Pierre and the islands beyond, and La Digue is a short ferry ride away. Most travellers stay here for several nights as part of an island-hopping trip.
Why visit Praslin
- The Vallée de Mai. One of only two natural sites in Seychelles inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, a palm forest with the endemic coco de mer and the Seychelles black parrot.
- Beaches. Anse Lazio in the north-west and Côte d’Or on the east coast are both on most visitors’ lists, and Anse Georgette is among the most admired beaches in the country.
- Boat days. Curieuse, with its giant tortoises and mangroves, and the granite islet of St Pierre are both close by.
- A gentler pace than Mahé, with distances short enough to explore the whole island by car or bus.
Praslin areas at a glance
- Côte d’Or & Anse Volbert — the long east-coast bay and the island’s main beach strip, with restaurants, guesthouses and most boat-trip departures.
- Grand Anse & West Praslin — the west coast near the airport, with local villages and quieter beaches; sea conditions vary with the season.
- Baie Ste Anne — the main village and ferry jetty on the east coast.
- Vallée de Mai — the palm forest in the centre of the island.
- Curieuse Island — the protected island just north of Praslin.
Best things to do on Praslin
Walk in the Vallée de Mai
Allow a couple of hours to follow the marked paths through the forest. The coco de mer’s enormous leaves and nuts, the endemic palms and the chance of hearing black parrots make it different from anywhere else in the islands. The reserve is managed by the Seychelles Islands Foundation; check current opening times and entrance arrangements on the official Vallée de Mai website before you go.
Spend a day on the beaches
Anse Lazio is reached by road at the island’s north-west tip. Côte d’Or is long and sheltered for much of the year. Anse Georgette lies within a resort estate and access arrangements can change, so check current conditions locally before setting out.
Take a boat to Curieuse and St Pierre
Curieuse is a protected island where Aldabra giant tortoises roam near the ranger station and a boardwalk crosses the mangroves. Day trips usually combine it with snorkelling at St Pierre. Curieuse Island explains what to expect.
Hike Fond Ferdinand
Fond Ferdinand is a nature reserve on the south side of the island, visited on guided walks with views over the inner islands. It is a quieter complement to the Vallée de Mai.
Visit La Digue for the day
La Digue is a short crossing from Baie Ste Anne. A day is enough for Anse Source d’Argent and a bicycle loop, though staying overnight is more relaxed — see La Digue.
Tours and activities from Praslin
Island tours, boat trips and nature walks that start on Praslin or include it, each with its own guide page on this site.
Praslin-La Digue Day Trip from Mahé IslandDay ToursView Tour Details →
Half Day Curieuse and St Pierre IslandCruises & Boat TripsView Tour Details →
Praslin & La Digue Shared Day TripDay ToursView Tour Details →
Half Day Snorkeling Coco and Félicité IslandAdventure & OutdoorView Activity Details →
Praslin and La Digue Day Trip from Mahé by BoatDay ToursView Tour Details →
Curieuse, St Pierre & Anse La Farine Full-Day Trip with Creole BBQCruises & Boat TripsView Tour Details →Where to stay on Praslin
- Côte d’Or & Anse Volbert — the most convenient base: restaurants, a long beach and easy access to boat trips.
- Grand Anse & West Praslin — closer to the airport and quieter, with more local character; pick a property with care during the windier months.
- Baie Ste Anne — handy for the ferry and for day trips to La Digue.
- The north-west — closer to Anse Lazio, with fewer amenities nearby.
The where to stay on Praslin guide goes into more detail.
Places to stay on Praslin
Properties listed on this site for Praslin, each with its own guide page and a verified booking listing.
Indian Ocean LodgeHotel · Grand Anse, PraslinView Property Details →
Chalets Cote MerGuest house · Baie Ste Anne, PraslinView Property Details →
Bliss Hotel PraslinHotel · Grand Anse, PraslinView Property Details →
Britannia HotelHotel · Grand Anse, PraslinView Property Details →
Le Duc de PraslinHotel · Côte d'Or, PraslinView Property Details →
Pirogue LodgeLodge · Côte d'Or, PraslinView Property Details →Getting to Praslin
- By ferry from Mahé: fast ferries run from the inter-island quay in Victoria to Baie Ste Anne; the crossing usually takes a little over an hour.
- By air from Mahé: short scheduled domestic flights land at Praslin’s airport on the west side of the island.
- From La Digue: frequent short ferry crossings link La Passe with Baie Ste Anne.
Timetables change with the season, so confirm current departures directly. See Seychelles Island Hopping.
Getting around Praslin
Praslin is small enough to cross in well under an hour by car. Hire cars give the most freedom; public buses run around the island and through the Vallée de Mai; taxis are available at the jetty, the airport and the main beaches. Roads are narrow, and the island drives on the left.
Best time to visit Praslin
Praslin shares Mahé’s climate. The calmest months are usually around April–May and October–November. During the south-east trades (roughly May to September), exposed coasts — including parts of the west — can be rough and carry seaweed, while Côte d’Or is generally more sheltered. During the north-west monsoon (roughly December to March), conditions shift and some north-west beaches can be choppier. See Travel Planning.
How long to stay on Praslin
- 2 nights: the Vallée de Mai and one beach day.
- 3–4 nights: add a boat trip to Curieuse and a day on La Digue.
- 5 nights or more: time for every beach, Fond Ferdinand and a slower pace.
Practical tips
- Bring cash in Seychelles rupees for small purchases; card acceptance varies at small businesses.
- Collecting or buying coco de mer nuts is strictly controlled — only buy from licensed sellers with the correct permits, and expect to need the paperwork when you leave the country.
- Do not feed wildlife or touch the tortoises on Curieuse.
Nearby and related guides
- La Digue — the next island east.
- Mahé — the arrival island.
- Seychelles Boat Trips & Island Tours.
- 7 days in Seychelles — a Mahé, Praslin and La Digue itinerary.