Praslin vs La Digue for families

Getting around with children

Praslin has public buses run by the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation, and the tourism board lists 13 car hire firms there. The tourism board advises that buses are designed mainly for commuters, with room only for small bags, and suggests a taxi, hire car or hotel transfer for journeys with suitcases.

On La Digue, under the 2022 transport policy, bicycles must be licensed and insured and e-bike riders must wear helmets. Amendments approved in March 2024 limit e-bikes to 300 W, bar riders under 16 and require helmets for children under 14 on bicycles. Seychelles Nation reported that the amendments require bike hire businesses to provide helmets for clients under 14. Taxis are limited: the 2022 policy allowed 8 licensed operators plus up to 12 club cars. Ask your hotel before arrival about child seats on bikes and transfers from the jetty.

Beaches

On Praslin, the tourism board rates Petite Anse Kerlan safe for families with children, calls Anse Boudin especially good for families and describes Anse Volbert as shallow with water sports. Anse La Farine, reached by boat, has calm, shallow water behind a reef.

On La Digue, the tourism board's family beach guide names Anse Source d'Argent for its shallow tidal pools, Anse Sévère for calm water and beginner snorkelling, and Anse Réunion for shallow entry close to hotels. It does not recommend taking children on the path to Anse Marron, and Grand Anse and Petite Anse have deep water.

Wildlife days out

Curieuse, 20 minutes by boat from Praslin, has hundreds of Aldabra giant tortoises and a mangrove boardwalk. Entry is SCR 300 for non-residents over 12 (SPGA, checked 16 September 2026). Cousin Island, 2 km off Praslin, is free for children under 12 (Nature Seychelles, checked 16 September 2026) but has no shops or amenities, so bring water and sun cream. On La Digue, L'Union Estate has giant tortoises that visitors can feed.

Hotels with children's facilities

Constance Lemuria on Praslin says its kids' club takes children aged 4 to 11, and the tourism board says Raffles Seychelles runs the Sugar Palm Kids Club with babysitting. On La Digue, La Digue Island Lodge has a children's pool, and Le Domaine de L'Orangeraie designs its 100 m² Garden Suite Residences with families in mind.

Health care

The tourism board notes that Mahé, Praslin and La Digue each have health clinics for basic care and medicine, but not full hospital services, and recommends travel insurance that covers evacuation.

Choose Praslin if…

• You want a resort kids' club.
• You need a hire car or buses to get about.
• You want several family-rated beaches within a drive.
• You want a boat trip to see giant tortoises on Curieuse.

Choose La Digue if…

• Your children are happy on bikes, or old enough for e-bikes at 16.
• You want shallow west-coast beaches close to your accommodation.
• You prefer guesthouses and small hotels.
• You want tortoises and plantation history at L'Union Estate.