Praslin and La Digue compared
Praslin and La Digue are neighbouring islands in Seychelles, 15 minutes apart by ferry. These side-by-side comparisons cover different kinds of trip, and each sets out reasons to choose either island rather than naming a winner.
At a glance
- Size: the tourism board ranks Praslin as the second-largest island in Seychelles and La Digue as the fourth.
- Arrival: Praslin has an airport with 15-minute flights from Mahé. La Digue is reached by boat, 15 minutes from Praslin.
- Getting around: public buses and car hire on Praslin; bicycles on La Digue.
- Places to stay: on 16 September 2026 the tourism board listed 110 on Praslin, including 8 resort listings (four for Raffles Seychelles), and 89 on La Digue, with no resorts.
- Places to eat: 34 food and drink listings on Praslin and 29 on La Digue on the same date.
- Signature nature: the Vallée de Mai and the black parrot on Praslin; the Veuve Special Reserve and the black paradise flycatcher on La Digue.
The comparisons
The overall comparison covers transport, beaches, nature and accommodation. Separate comparisons look at honeymoons, couples, families, beaches and luxury stays, each ending with lists of reasons to choose Praslin or La Digue.
Comparisons
Questions
- Is Praslin or La Digue better?
- It depends on the trip. Praslin suits travellers who want an airport, buses, hire cars and resorts. La Digue suits those who want to get around by bike and stay in guesthouses or small hotels.
- Can I stay on both islands?
- Yes. The ferry between them takes 15 minutes, and the tourism board's suggested itinerary includes both.
Sources
- Air Seychelles, Domestic servicesOfficial website, checked 16 September 2026
- Cat Cocos (Inter Island Boats Ltd), Ferry ScheduleOfficial website, checked 16 September 2026
- Seychelles Islands Foundation, Welcome to the Vallée de MaiOfficial website, checked 16 September 2026
- Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority, Veuve Special ReserveGovernment, checked 16 September 2026
- Tourism Seychelles blog, How Many Days Should You Plan for a Seychelles Holiday? (updated 4 June 2025)Tourism board, checked 16 September 2026
- Tourism Seychelles, accommodation listings data behind seychelles.com 'Where to stay' (queried and counted by island and classification on 16 September 2026)Tourism board, checked 16 September 2026
- Tourism Seychelles, food and drink listings data behind seychelles.com 'Food & Drinks' (queried and counted by island on 16 September 2026)Tourism board, checked 16 September 2026
- Tourism Seychelles, hire listings data behind seychelles.com (queried and counted by island and classification on 16 September 2026)Tourism board, checked 16 September 2026
- Tourism Seychelles, Seychelles Public Transport CorporationTourism board, checked 16 September 2026
- Tourism Seychelles, The Islands: La DigueTourism board, checked 16 September 2026
- Tourism Seychelles, The Islands: PraslinTourism board, checked 16 September 2026
- Seychelles News Agency, Seychelles' bicycle-friendly La Digue Island gets tougher transport rules (18 March 2022)Editorial, checked 16 September 2026
Details last verified 16 September 2026.