Praslin Island was the first stop in our two week adventure through the Seychelles. Although we had seen photos of the island prior to arriving, it completely exceeded our expectations. While it may be one of the most popular destinations in the Seychelles, it is still relatively undeveloped with pristine beaches, clear blue water and cultural activities to part take in.
// Where is Praslin Island //
Positioned just below the Equator, Praslin Island is one of the 115 islands situated in the Seychelles archipelago. It is located 45km northeast of the mainland island Mahe and is the second largest island in the Seychelles.
// How to get there //
From mainland Mahe, where the International airport is located there are ferry and helicopter services available. By boat it will take approximately one hour to reach the island and costs approximately 100€. This compares to a 15 minute helicopter flight which is more expensive. While it is always advisable to book transport in advance, ferry tickets can be purchased once you arrive to the ferry terminal located 15 to 20 minutes from the airport.
// When to visit //
The Seychelles happens to be one of those fortunate locations that receives year round warm, tropical weather. While snorkelling and sailing are great year round, diving is optimal in March – May and September – November. For hiking and surfing / windsurfing, it is best to visit between May – September.
The average temperature year round is 27 degrees without extreme heat like other tropical destinations. Between November to January, the islands of the Seychelles receives some rain. Usually it will rain for a few hours a day before returning to sunshine soon after.
// Where to stay //
If you are after a luxurious and carefree stay then we highly recommend Raffles! You can read our hotel review here. Raffles is situated on the north-east tip of the island close to one of the world’s best beaches, Anse Lazio.
Situated on a beach itself, the 86 all-villa hotel is spread across 16 hectares. Each villa comes with a private pool and incredible views that overlook Anse Takamaka Bay. Staff are available on call to assist guests with moving between their room and the main hotel facilities. On site guests can enjoy the 45 metre pool or dine at one of the six restaurants and lounges.
Alternatively, if you are after a more laid-back stay, there are a range of beds & breakfasts and cheaper hotels on the island as well. We always rely on the reviews and ratings on Booking.com.
// What to do on Praslin Island //
In no particular order here are some of the amazing activities and places of interest Praslin Island offers:
- Visit world class beaches
- Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve
- Day trips to surrounding islands; Cousin & La Digue
- Scuba diving & Snorkelling
Best beaches of Praslin Island
Anse Lazio
Anse Lazio is frequently called one of the best beaches in the world, and theres no doubt why – it is spectacular! We read a lot of chatter about it being too busy but its a huge beach and in the afternoon we found there was barely anyone there. We will just let all the photos do the talking!
It is in a shelter cove which also makes it a perfect snorkelling location.
Anse Georgette
Anse Georgette is the other beach in competition with Lazio for the best beach on Praslin Island. It is a semi private beach so access to the beach can be difficult. We have heard that you must phone before to the manager of the Lemuria resort to gain access. During certain times of the year turtles are frequently seen at Anse Georgette off the left hand side of the beach around the rocks.
Anse Volbert
The water at Anse Volbert is shallow and the sea is calm. The access to the beach is relatively easy as it is located next to the road. There are a few shops around making it easy to buy food and drinks. The beach looks directly out to a picturesque island, St Pierre making it the perfect backdrop to take photos!
Anse Consolation
This is a very small quiet beach on the side of the road therefore it makes for a good place to relax and escape the crowds.
Cote d’Or Beach
Located very close to Anse Volbert, this beach is a starting point for many of the boats that visit Cousin and St. Pierre island. This means that people are often waiting on the beach. The beach itself may not be as beautiful as Anse Lazio but it is a good place to spend the day as there are services (food & drink) close to the beach.
Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve
Vallée de Mai is a UNESCO palm forest where the world’s largest population of the endemic coco-de-mer can be found. Coco-de-mer, which is commonly known as the sea coconut resembles a double coconut. Once immersed into the dense palm forest, it feels completely different to the rest of Praslin Island. It is easy to see how the forest has been nick-named the Garden of Eden. Vallée de Mai is also home to a number of rare birds including the Seychelles Black Parrot.
Day trips to surrounding islands; Cousin & La Digue
From Praslin Island, it is possible to take day trips to islands which are a short boat ride away. A popular option is La Digue which is accessible via ferry with regular departures per day from Praslin Island. The ferry ride itself is only 15 minutes.
La Digue is recognised as an extremely laid back place with only a handful of road vehicles. Guests generally arrive to La Passe on the east side of the island. To truly appreciate the world class beaches on this island head to Anse Source D’Argent which is located south of where the boats arrive. Other beaches include Anse Severe and Anse Patates.
For a unique experience, Cousin Island is a special reserve featuring stunning wildlife. The island itself is only 0.27 square kilometres, making it very easy to walk around. The island can be explored with few tourists in sight due to there being a limitation of the number of tourists allowed on the island per year. Review our experience of Cousin Island here.
Scuba diving & Snorkelling
There are many wonderful opportunities to scuba dive and snorkel on Praslin such as the famous beaches Anse Lazio and Anse La Blague. Depending on the time of the year and the directions of the wind, the water is normally very clear as a result making it easy to spot sea turtles, stingrays, morays and schools of fish. Shark attacks are very rare (with the last recorded in 2011) so snorkelling off the beaches of Praslin is a safe activity.
Organising a diving tour is a great way to explore the islands surrounding Praslin as well as witnessing some incredible marine life. From Praslin, there are around 20 diving sites which are easily accessible by boat. These sites include St Pierre, Ave Maria, Cousin Island and Aride Reef. Majority of the dive tour companies in Praslin will visit two to three islands in a day!
// Best restaurants on Praslin Island //
The dining options on Praslin vary between local and hotel restaurants where a variety of cuisines are usually offered. We have put together a list of the top restaurants on Praslin Island.
- Café des Arts at Le Duc de Praslin Hotel
- Les Lauriers
- PK’s Restaurant
- Losean Restaurant at Raffles Hotel
- Bonbon Plume
- Pirogue Restaurant
- Restaurant Paradisier
// Additional Information //
Below is some helpful information which will help when planning a trip to the Seychelles.
- The Seychelles has three official languages (Creole, French and English).
- Seychellois Rupee is the primary currency however Euro and USD are widely accepted.
- The Seychelles can be expensive, however do not let that deter you. There are always ways to travel on a budget!
- Travellers do not require a visa for a 30 day stay (for over 100 countries). It is important however to have a flight booked on arrival into the Seychelles as immigration will check your departure date.
For more information on Praslin Island or other islands in the Seychelles please feel free to email us at info@kotravellers.com.
To see more: @KoTravellers
X KoTravellers
