Praslin & La Digue
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Praslin

Praslin is the second-largest island in Seychelles, a 15-minute flight or 75-minute fast ferry from Mahé. It holds the Vallée de Mai World Heritage Site, beaches such as Anse Lazio and Anse Volbert, and more listed places to stay than La Digue.

Last verified 16 September 2026

Looking down on white sand and clear blue water on Praslin's north-west coast from the path to Anse Georgette
Photo by Ron Barabash on Unsplash

The island at a glance

Praslin is the second-largest island in Seychelles, about 45 km north-east of Mahé. It covers roughly 38.5 km² and measures about 12 km long by 4.6 km wide. The 2022 census counted 7,882 residents, split between the island's two districts: Baie Sainte Anne (4,272) and Grand Anse Praslin (3,610).

A ridge of hills running east to west divides the island, and the road that crosses it passes through the Vallée de Mai. The upland is protected as Praslin National Park, which climbs to 367 m. Praslin's early name was Isle de Palme. According to the Seychelles Islands Foundation, the coco de mer grows naturally only here and on neighbouring Curieuse, and the Seychelles black parrot lives only on Praslin.

Where to base yourself

Anse Volbert and Côte d'Or on the north-east coast make up Praslin's main beach resort area, with hotels and guesthouses along what the tourism board calls the longest beach on Praslin. Boats leave from here for Curieuse, St Pierre and Chauve Souris.

Grand Anse, on the west side, is another of the island's main settlements and gives its name to a district that includes Praslin Island Airport near Anse Kerlan. Baie Sainte Anne on the east side is the island's most populous district and the place where the ferries from Mahé and La Digue come in. In the north-west, Constance Lemuria sits between the road and Anse Georgette, with what the hotel describes as the only 18-hole championship golf course in Seychelles.

On 16 September 2026 the tourism board's website listed 110 places to stay on Praslin: 76 self-catering, 18 hotels, 8 guesthouses and 8 classed as resorts.

Getting around

Air Seychelles flies Twin Otters carrying up to 16 passengers between Mahé and Praslin, with a flight time of 15 minutes. Its domestic terminal on Mahé is a two-minute walk from the international terminal. By sea, Cat Cocos catamarans take 1 hour 15 minutes from Mahé and 15 minutes from La Digue, calling at the Baie Sainte Anne jetty.

On the island, the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation runs public buses and keeps a depot on Praslin. The Seychelles Islands Foundation lists the public bus, taxis, hire cars and organised tours as ways to reach the Vallée de Mai, and there is a bus stop outside its visitor centre.

Beaches

Anse Lazio in the north-west is the tourism board's pick as the island's most famous beach, reached by a long, winding drive from Anse Volbert. A 2017 Seychelles News Agency report described it as half a kilometre long and exposed to large waves in the north-west monsoon. Anse Volbert is recommended by the tourism board for swimming and water sports.

On the west coast, Anse Georgette has fine sand framed by granite boulders, and neighbouring Petite Anse Kerlan has shallow, calm water that the tourism board rates safe for families with children. Anse Kerlan itself has been hit by erosion, and placed rocks now divide it into sections. Anse La Farine in the south-east can only be reached by boat and sits behind a reef, while Anse Boudin, on the north coast facing Curieuse, has shallow water and facilities.

What to do

The Vallée de Mai is a 19.5 ha palm forest, protected as a nature reserve since 1966 and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. The Seychelles Islands Foundation has managed it since 1989, and walking routes run from about 1.5 km to 4 km.

Praslin National Park, established in 1979, covers 324 ha of upland around the Vallée de Mai. Its one official trail, Glacis Noire, takes up to an hour from the main road to a fire tower with views to La Digue, Félicité, Marianne, Mahé and Frégate.

Curieuse Marine National Park is a 20-minute boat ride from Côte d'Or. The island has hundreds of Aldabra giant tortoises introduced between 1978 and 1982, a tortoise nursery and a boardwalk through mangroves. Cousin Island Special Reserve, 2 km off Praslin, is home to five of the country's 11 endemic land birds. The Seychelles Islands Foundation also looks after the Fond Ferdinand nature reserve on Praslin.

Practical notes

The Vallée de Mai opens from 8:30 to 16:30, with last entry at 15:30, and closes on 25 December and 1 January. Entry is SCR 450, payable in rupees, euros, US dollars or pounds, in cash or by card (Seychelles Islands Foundation, checked 16 September 2026). The visitor centre and the first part of the forest are wheelchair accessible.

Curieuse is open from 9:00 to 17:00 daily, with an entry fee of SCR 300 for non-residents over 12, and a seasonal turtle-nesting trail runs from October to early March for an extra SCR 150. The Glacis Noire trail is open daily from 8:00 to 16:00 and costs SCR 100 for non-residents over 12 (Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority, checked 16 September 2026).

Air Seychelles allows 23 kg or 32 kg of checked luggage plus 5 kg of hand luggage on point-to-point domestic tickets (Air Seychelles, checked 16 September 2026).

Praslin at a glance

Area
38.52 km²
Length and width
About 12 km long and 4.6 km wide
Population
7,882 (2022 census)
Districts and population
Baie Sainte Anne 4,272; Grand Anse Praslin 3,610 (2022 census)
Size ranking
Second-largest island in Seychelles
Distance from Mahé
About 45 km north-east of Mahé
Flight from Mahé
15 minutes with Air Seychelles (Twin Otter, up to 16 guests)
Ferry from Mahé
1 hour 15 minutes by Cat Cocos
Ferry to La Digue
15 minutes by Cat Cocos
Ferry jetty
Baie Sainte Anne (Praslin Jetty)
Airport
Praslin Island Airport, in the Grand Anse Praslin district at Anse Kerlan
Main settlements
Baie Sainte Anne, Anse Volbert and Grand Anse
Highest point
367 m, within Praslin National Park
Public transport
SPTC public buses, with one bus depot on Praslin
World Heritage Site
Vallée de Mai, 19.5 ha, inscribed 1983
Endemic bird found only here
Seychelles black parrot (2018 census estimate: 1,382 birds)
Places to stay listed by the tourism board
110 on 16 Sep 2026: 76 self-catering, 18 hotels, 8 guesthouses, 8 resorts
Food and drink listings on the tourism board site
34 on 16 Sep 2026

Map of Praslin

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Map of Praslin: places to stay, beaches and things to doCoastline © OpenStreetMap contributors. Positions are approximate.
The 171 places on this map

Places to stay on Praslin

149 places to stay

  • Acajou Beach Resort

    Resort in Côte d'Or / Anse Volbert, Praslin

    Acajou Beach Resort is a four-star resort on Côte d'Or beach, Praslin, that describes itself as Praslin's green hotel. It says solar panels provide half its power, and it has garden and beachfront rooms, self-catering apartments, an infinity pool and a restaurant and bar.

    • Beachfront
    • Families
    • Self-catering
    • Pool
    More information
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  • Acquario Villa

    Guesthouse in Anse Petite Cour / Côte d'Or, Praslin

    A small guesthouse of self-catering apartments and a two-bedroom family villa in a garden at Anse Petite Cour, Praslin, a few minutes from Côte d'Or, with breakfast or dinner from its own restaurant on request.

    • Self-catering
    More information
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  • Amitié Chalets

    Guesthouse in Amitié, Praslin

    A family-run guesthouse of three self-catering units at Amitié on Praslin, close to the airport. SeyVillas lists sea views, air conditioning and a small veranda for each unit, and gives the beach distance as 20 m.

    • Honeymoon
    • Families
    • Self-catering
    More information

  • Amity Villa

    Self-catering in Côte d'Or, Praslin

    A group of small self-catering garden villas at Côte d'Or, Praslin, a few minutes from Côte d'Or beach, the owners say. Each villa has a double bed, a full kitchen and a private terrace, and the owners also arrange transfers, car hire and bicycle hire.

    • Families
    • Self-catering
    More information

  • Anse Kerlan Beach Chalets

    Self-catering in Anse Kerlan, Praslin

    Three adults-only self-catering units on the sand at Anse Kerlan, on Praslin's north-west coast, run as a small family business. Each has a kitchen, a king-size bed and a veranda facing the beach and the sunset over Cousin and Cousine.

    • Beachfront
    • Self-catering
    More information
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  • Anse Lazio Lodge

    Guesthouse in Anse Lazio, Praslin

    A small licensed guesthouse at Anse Lazio in Praslin's north-west. The current Tourism Department register lists it as a bed and breakfast run by Richelieu Verlaque.

    More information

  • Athara's Apartments

    Apartment in Baie Sainte Anne, Praslin

    A small licensed self-catering property of two rooms in Baie Sainte Anne, the village on Praslin's east coast. It is managed by Mrs Yacinthe Dubignon and has been on the tourism register since at least 2022.

    • Self-catering
    More information
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  • Baie Ste Anne Maison des Vacanze

    Self-catering in Baie Sainte Anne, Praslin

    One- and two-bedroom self-catering houses in a tropical garden at Baie Sainte Anne on Praslin, near the ferry jetty. Shops and supermarkets are within walking distance, and SeyVillas recommends a hire car for the beaches.

    • Families
    • Self-catering
    More information

  • Balcons Sur Mer Apartments

    Apartment in Baie Sainte Anne, Praslin

    Self-catering apartments in Baie Sainte Anne, Praslin, about 400 m in a straight line from the ferry jetty; the owners say every apartment has a sea view. The property was known as Maison Belle Baie until the owners rebuilt it and reopened under the new name.

    • Self-catering
    More information
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  • Beach Villa Guesthouse

    Guesthouse in Grand Anse, Praslin

    A family-run guesthouse of seven rooms and one family bungalow on the beach at Grand Anse, Praslin. Breakfast is included, and there is a restaurant and bar on site.

    • Beachfront
    • Families
    More information

  • Belle Rose Vue

    Apartment in Baie Sainte Anne, Praslin

    Belle Rose Vue is self-catering accommodation with four bedrooms in two units at Baie Sainte Anne, the ferry village on Praslin's east coast. The owners pitch it at couples and families and say the jetty is easy to reach.

    • Couples
    • Families
    • Self-catering
    More information
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  • Berjaya Praslin Resort

    Resort in Côte d'Or / Anse Volbert, Praslin

    Berjaya Praslin Resort is a 65-room Berjaya Hotels resort on Côte d'Or beach at Anse Volbert, Praslin. It has a pool, two restaurants (one on the beach), a tennis court and childcare, and the village shops and restaurants are a short walk away.

    • Beachfront
    • Families
    • Pool
    More information
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  • Bijoutier Apartments

    Apartment in Amitié / Grand Anse, Praslin

    Contemporary self-catering apartments with a pool and balconies at Amitié on Praslin, a few steps from Grand Anse beach and a short drive from the airport. No children under 12.

    • Self-catering
    • Pool
    More information
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  • Bliss Hotel Praslin

    Hotel in Grand Anse, Praslin

    Bliss Hotel Praslin is a hotel at Grand Anse on Praslin, split between Beach House rooms on the sand and Eden Garden rooms and chalets on the hillside behind. It has a pool, the Beach House restaurant and bar, and the Pure Bliss spa.

    • Beachfront
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Pool
    More information
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  • Bonnen Kare Guest House

    Villa in Anse Consolation, Praslin

    A four-bedroom self-catering house directly on Anse Consolation beach, Praslin, with a large terrace over the Indian Ocean and granite rocks, and a hostess who can cook local dishes.

    • Beachfront
    • Families
    • Self-catering
    More information
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  • Britannia Hotel

    Boutique hotel in Grand Anse, Praslin

    Britannia Hotel is a small boutique hotel on the hillside at Grand Anse on Praslin's south coast, with 12 superior rooms facing the pool or garden, a restaurant serving Creole and international food, and the village and beach within walking distance.

    • Families
    • Pool
    More information
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  • Butterfly Villas

    Apartment in Anse Kerlan / Grand Anse, Praslin

    Butterfly Villas is self-catering accommodation with a shared garden and private terraces at Anse Kerlan, Grand Anse, on Praslin's west coast near the airport. The owners say the beach is a two-minute walk and the airport five minutes' drive.

    • Self-catering
    More information
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  • CAM Getaway Villa

    Villa in Anse La Blague, Praslin

    A two-bedroom self-catering villa on a hillside above Anse La Blague on Praslin's east coast, with sea and mountain views. It sleeps up to four and has a covered balcony, sun terrace and barbecue lawn.

    • Families
    • Self-catering
    More information

  • Casa Tara Villas

    Apartment in Anse Kerlan, Praslin

    Two-bedroom self-catering apartments with a communal pool and garden at Anse Kerlan, on Praslin's north-west coast. The owners say a supermarket is across the road.

    • Families
    • Self-catering
    • Pool
    More information
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  • Casadani Luxury Guesthouse

    Guesthouse in Amitié, Praslin

    A guesthouse of 12 rooms and apartments, most with kitchens, at Amitié on Praslin, near the airport, with its own restaurant. It belongs to the Casadani group, which also runs Villa Veuve on La Digue and a hotel on Mahé.

    • Families
    • Self-catering
    More information

Areas of Praslin

  • Anse Kerlan

    Anse Kerlan is a coastal area on Praslin's north-west coast, home to Praslin Island Airport and Constance Lemuria. Erosion has split its beach into sections behind placed rocks.

  • Baie Sainte Anne

    Baie Sainte Anne is Praslin's most populous district, on the island's east side. It is where the Cat Cocos ferries from Mahé and La Digue arrive at the Praslin jetty.

  • Côte d'Or and Anse Volbert

    Anse Volbert and Côte d'Or form Praslin's main beach resort area on the north-east coast, with hotels and guesthouses along what the tourism board calls the island's longest beach, and boats to Curieuse, St Pierre and Chauve Souris.

Beaches on Praslin

  • Anse Bateau

    A roadside beach on Praslin's south coast with granite formations and views of Mahé, Cousin and Cousine. The water is very shallow over sand and mud, so not for swimming; weed from May to September, a quarry mapped about 540 m inland, and route 62 stops about 290 m away.

  • Anse Bois de Rose

    A small, shaded cove in the bay of the same name on Praslin's south coast, behind an offshore reef. Awkward to reach - private property and no-trespassing signs alongside, and a climb down from the road - with calm water for snorkelling and weed from May to November. Route 62 stops about 240 m away.

  • Anse Boudin

    A working fishing beach on Praslin's north-east coast facing Curieuse, about 1.25 km offshore in a straight line. Shallow water, two public car parks and a bus stop about 13 m from the sand on SPTC routes 61 and 62. Seaweed washes in at times.

  • Anse Cimitière

    A small, reef-sheltered beach within the bay of Anse Bois de Rose on Praslin's south coast, partly in front of Coco de Mer Hotel and Black Parrot Suites. Calm, shallow water for families, snorkelling and windsurfing; seaweed from May to October. Two route 62 bus stops about 280 m away, no lifeguard and nothing public mapped on the sand.

  • Anse Citron

    A quiet strip of sand on Praslin's south-west coast, east of Fond de l'Anse, with water only centimetres deep and a view west to Cousin. Too shallow to swim, weed through the year, roadside parking only - but route 62 stops about 125 m away (OpenStreetMap).

  • Anse Consolation

    A small, rocky bay near Praslin's southern tip with coral, boulders and rock pools. The water is too shallow for swimming or snorkelling, but the bus stops beside it and the pools suit children exploring the shoreline.

  • Anse Georgette

    A small bay on Praslin's north-west tip, reached on land through the grounds of Constance Lemuria, on foot from Anse Lazio, or by boat. Non-guests should contact the resort first. Deep water close in and generally little seaweed.

  • Anse Gouvernement

    Anse Gouvernement is a curved, shallow bay on Praslin's north-east coast, just east of Côte d'Or, home to Hotel L'Archipel and a small juice bar. Calm water, snorkelling and fishing gear for hire, and seaweed in March. Roman Polanski's Pirates was filmed here in 1984.

  • Anse La Blague

    A quiet, reef-protected stretch on Praslin's eastern peninsula, looking to Grande and Petite Soeur. Shallow and calm at low tide, deep with strong currents at high tide, and seaweed from October to April. The road here is threatened by erosion.

  • Anse Lazio

    Praslin's best-known beach, on the north-west tip: roughly 500 to 600 m of sand framed by granite boulders, with no coral reef, water that deepens close to shore and large waves in the north-west monsoon. Quietest before about 09:00.

  • Anse Marie-Louise

    Anse Marie-Louise is a white-sand beach of about 380 m on Praslin's south-eastern tip, with the Fond Ferdinand reserve entrance, a free car park and bus stops on route 62 behind it. Le Château de Feuilles at Pointe Cabris is a few minutes' walk away. Little is published about currents or seaweed here, so ask before you swim.

  • Anse Matelot

    Anse Matelot is an isolated cove on Praslin's north-east coast, east of Anse Gouvernement, lined with granite boulders and usually empty. Easiest by boat, about 10 minutes from Anse Volbert; nothing is mapped reaching the sand and the nearest bus stop is about 1.1 km away in a straight line. The water is fairly deep without a sharp drop-off, and seaweed is present all year.

  • Anse Pasquière

    Anse Pasquière is a very shallow bay on Praslin's north-east coast between Anse Boudin and Anse Possession, too shallow for swimming but good for spotting herons and fish on the sandbanks at low tide. It lies on the Curieuse Marine National Park boundary, with parking bays cut into the forest and bus stops nearby.

  • Anse Petite Cour

    A small reef-sheltered bay on Praslin's north coast beside Le Domaine de La Réserve, inside the Curieuse Marine National Park boundary. Calm, shallow water with coral, views of Curieuse, and limited parking for non-guests.

  • Anse Possession

    A reef-protected bay on Praslin's north-east coast facing Curieuse, with shallow water and a drop-off about 300 m out. Guesthouses and fishing boats gather at the east end; the west end is quieter. Easy roadside parking.

  • Anse St Sauveur

    A palm-lined beach on Praslin's south coast with calm, shallow water, a coral reef for snorkelling and a view towards Mahé. Easy parking and bus stops on the main road; heavy seaweed from May to October.

  • Anse Takamaka

    The beach below Raffles Seychelles on Praslin's north-east coast, open to the public along a beach promenade, with shade and seaweed cleared by the resort. Raffles sells day passes from EUR 100 an adult for pool and beach access between 8am and 7pm (raffles.com, checked 20 September 2026). The water is inside the Curieuse Marine National Park, where taking marine life and using a surfboard or water-ski are offences. Praslin has a second Anse Takamaka in the south, so check which one a description means.

  • Grand Anse (Fond de l'Anse)

    A long, open bay on Praslin's south-west coast beside Grand Anse village, with shallow water, shops, restaurants and bus stops along the road behind it. The Seychelles Meteorological Authority puts weed on south-facing beaches from June to September, SeyVillas from May to September, and parts of the sand go under at high tide. Kite Seychelles calls it the home spot of Praslin's kitesurfers and windsurfers.

  • Petite Anse Kerlan

    A small beach beside Constance Lemuria on Praslin's north-west tip, used mostly by resort guests. Shallow, calm water with little or no seaweed. Arrive by boat, walk the coast from Anse Kerlan at low tide, or ask the resort before crossing its grounds on foot. Everything on it belongs to the resort, and there is no lifeguard.

Things to do on Praslin

  • Anse Lazio snorkelling

    Anse Lazio is a beach in north-west Praslin, framed by granite boulders, with clear water for snorkelling. It has no protecting reef and the water deepens quickly, so choose calm days, arrive before 9am and stay close to shore.

  • Anse Lazio to Anse Georgette trail

    The Anse Lazio to Anse Georgette trail is a 3.2 km forest path in north-west Praslin that links two of the island's best-known beaches. SeyVillas rates it medium, with 120 m of ascent and descent, and allows about two hours with photo stops. It is free.

  • Aride Island Special Reserve day trip

    Aride is the northernmost granitic island of Seychelles, 9 to 10 km north of Praslin, and a special reserve run by the Island Conservation Society. ICS calls it one of the most important seabird colonies in the Indian Ocean. The reserve's website says it normally opens Monday to Friday, often closes in the south-east trade winds, and charges SCR 650 per adult to land (checked 16 September 2026).

  • Art galleries on Praslin

    Art galleries on Praslin include Le Studio Cafe Gallery at Pasquière, which shows Paul Turcotte's photographs of Seychelles life since the early 1980s, Raymond Dubuisson's painting gallery at Anse La Blague, and Café des Arts, a beachfront restaurant at Côte d'Or surrounded by paintings and sculpture.

  • Cousin Island Special Reserve

    Cousin Island Special Reserve is a 29-hectare bird reserve island 2 km off Praslin, home to the Seychelles warbler, magpie robin and nesting hawksbill turtles. Warden-led tours run Monday to Friday mornings through Praslin tour operators; SCR 600 for non-residents (Nature Seychelles, checked 16 September 2026).

  • Creole food on Praslin

    Creole food on Praslin ranges from the Creole buffet at Les Lauriers on Côte d'Or and octopus at Capricorn in Grand Anse to traditional meals at Mabuya on Anse Lazio and a takeaway at the Baie Sainte Anne ferry terminal.

  • Curieuse Island day trip

    Curieuse is a marine national park island about 2 km off Praslin's north-east coast, with hundreds of Aldabra giant tortoises, a mangrove boardwalk at Baie Laraie, wild coco de mer and leper colony ruins. Boats cross from Côte d'Or; the park fee is SCR 300 (SPGA, checked 16 September 2026).

  • Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve

    Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve is a coco de mer reserve near Anse Marie-Louise on Praslin, managed by the Seychelles Islands Foundation, with guided walks through the palm valley and a climb to a viewpoint over the inner islands. SCR 270 online or SCR 300 at the gate (Tourism Board listing, updated 7 September 2026).

  • Glacis Noire Trail, Praslin National Park

    Glacis Noire is the only official trail in Praslin National Park, starting on the Vallée de Mai Road: 1.4 km and up to an hour through endemic palm forest to a fire tower with views of La Digue and nearby islands. SCR 100 for non-residents over 12 (SPGA, checked 16 September 2026).

  • Golf at Constance Lemuria

    The golf course at Constance Lemuria, Anse Kerlan, is an 18-hole, par-70 course of 5,611 metres, which the resort calls the only 18-hole course in Seychelles. SeyVillas says hotel guests play free, outside players must ask the resort, and tee times must be booked.

  • Orique Cultural Site sunset experience

    Orique is a private cultural site at Grand Fond in the Zimbabwe hills of Praslin, run by local resident Terry Philoe. It offers private sunset visits and a Creole sunset dinner by reservation, with ocean views from what SeyVillas calls one of the island's best viewpoints.

  • Praslin Museum

    Praslin Museum is a small hands-on cultural museum near Côte d'Or on Praslin, with an old Creole kitchen, coco de mer instruments and a medicinal garden, plus coconut scraping, tortoise and fruit bat feeding and Creole cooking lessons. SCR 180 for over-12s (Tourism Board listing updated 21 November 2025, checked 30 September 2026).

  • Scuba diving from Praslin

    Scuba diving from Praslin runs from dive centres at Côte d'Or, Anse Gouvernement and Anse Kerlan, with boat dives to granite sites such as Ave Maria, White Bank and the reefs of Curieuse, plus PADI courses for beginners.

  • St Pierre islet snorkelling

    St Pierre is a tiny granite islet with a few coconut palms, 1.5 km off Pointe Zanguilles on Praslin, inside Curieuse Marine National Park. Its waters are a regular snorkelling stop on Curieuse boat trips from Côte d'Or.

  • Sunset cruise from Côte d'Or

    The sunset cruise from Côte d'Or on Praslin sails from the Octopus Dive Centre on Tuesday and Friday evenings, 4.30pm to 6.45pm (Octopus Dive Centre, checked 16 September 2026). It stops to snorkel at Anse Lazio and watches the sunset off Anse Georgette, with a glass of bubbly and snacks on board.

  • Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve

    The Vallée de Mai is a 19.5-hectare UNESCO-listed palm forest in central Praslin, holding the largest intact coco de mer forest in Seychelles and giving refuge to the Seychelles black parrot, which lives only on Praslin. Walks run from about 1.5 to 4 km; entry is SCR 450 on site (SIF, checked 16 September 2026).

Itineraries

  • A day trip from Praslin to La Digue

    1 days

    A one-day plan for visiting La Digue from Praslin in Seychelles, using the 15-minute ferry from Baie Sainte Anne. It takes an early sailing out, a hired bike to L'Union Estate and Anse Source d'Argent before the crowds, an afternoon on the north coast or at Grand Anse, and the last sailing back, which Seychelles Bookings listed at 17:00 when checked on 16 September 2026.

  • 7 days on Praslin and La Digue

    7 days

    A seven-day itinerary split between Praslin and La Digue, two neighbouring islands in Seychelles. It spends three nights on Praslin for the Vallée de Mai, Anse Lazio and a boat to Curieuse, then takes the 15-minute ferry to La Digue for L'Union Estate, the east-coast walk to Anse Cocos and a snorkelling trip to Ile Cocos.

Questions

How do I get from Mahé to Praslin?
By air or sea. Air Seychelles flies between Mahé and Praslin in 15 minutes, and Cat Cocos fast ferries take 1 hour 15 minutes, arriving at the Baie Sainte Anne jetty.
Does Praslin have an airport?
Yes. Praslin Island Airport is in the Grand Anse Praslin district at Anse Kerlan, and Air Seychelles runs scheduled flights there from Mahé.
How do people get around Praslin?
The Seychelles Public Transport Corporation runs public buses on Praslin. The Seychelles Islands Foundation also lists taxis, hire cars, walking and organised tours as ways to reach the Vallée de Mai.
When is the Vallée de Mai open and what does it cost?
It opens from 8:30 to 16:30, with last entry at 15:30, and closes on 25 December and 1 January. The Seychelles Islands Foundation lists an entrance fee of SCR 450 (checked 16 September 2026), payable in rupees, euros, US dollars or pounds, by cash or card.
Can I visit Curieuse Island from Praslin?
Yes. The boat ride from Côte d'Or takes about 20 minutes and can be arranged through local tour operators or boat charters. The Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority lists the park as open from 9:00 to 17:00 daily, with entry for non-residents over 12 at SCR 300 (checked 16 September 2026).
Where can I see the Seychelles black parrot?
The black parrot lives only on Praslin, and it depends on the Vallée de Mai and the palm forest around it. The Seychelles Islands Foundation's 2018 census estimated 1,382 birds.
How far is La Digue from Praslin?
The tourism board puts La Digue 7 km from Praslin, and the Cat Cocos crossing takes 15 minutes.
Is there a golf course on Praslin?
Yes. Constance Lemuria has an 18-hole course, which the hotel describes as the only 18-hole championship golf course in Seychelles.
How many people live on Praslin?
The 2022 census counted 7,882 residents: 4,272 in Baie Sainte Anne and 3,610 in Grand Anse Praslin.
How far is Praslin from Mahé?
Praslin lies about 45 km north-east of Mahé, the island with the international airport.
Can I visit Curieuse and Cousin from Praslin?
Yes. Curieuse lies about 2 km off Praslin's north-east coast, roughly 20 minutes by boat from Côte d'Or, and Cousin is about 2 km off Praslin; both are reached through local tour operators.
How much does it cost to visit Curieuse Island?
Non-residents over 12 pay SCR 300 to enter Curieuse Marine National Park, by card on site or online in advance (Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority, checked 16 September 2026). The 20-minute boat from Côte d'Or can be arranged through local tour operators or boat charters, and tour operator packages normally include the entry fee.
How much does it cost to visit Cousin Island?
Non-residents pay SCR 600 to land on Cousin Island and children under 12 go free. Tour operators run the boat from Praslin, and the reserve is open Monday to Friday, 9.45am to 12.30pm (Nature Seychelles, checked 16 September 2026).
Is Seychelles safe for tourists?
Tourism Seychelles calls Seychelles a generally safe destination, but UK government advice (checked 16 September 2026) warns of break-ins, bag snatching and opportunistic theft. Use hotel safes, keep valuables out of sight and take care walking at night.
Do boat trips provide life jackets?
Check before you set off: UK government advice (checked 16 September 2026) is to follow safety briefings on boat trips and make sure life jackets are provided, especially on smaller excursion boats.
When can I see turtles nesting near Praslin?
October to early March is the season for the Curieuse nesting sea turtle trail, a seasonal, controlled trail run by the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority for SCR 150 (checked 16 September 2026). Nature Seychelles calls nearby Cousin Island the most important hawksbill turtle breeding site in the western Indian Ocean.
What are the top things to do on Praslin?
Praslin's highlights include walking the Vallée de Mai UNESCO World Heritage Site, the beaches at Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette, and boat trips to nearby Curieuse, Cousin, St Pierre and La Digue.
How do I visit Curieuse Island and see the giant tortoises?
Book a boat trip with a Praslin tour operator or boat charter for the 20-minute crossing from Côte d'Or. Entry is SCR 300 for non-residents over 12 (SPGA, checked 16 September 2026). Curieuse has hundreds of giant tortoises introduced between 1978 and 1982, a mangrove boardwalk at Baie Laraie and a trail to Anse José.
When can I visit Cousin Island?
Cousin Island is open to visitors Monday to Friday, from 9.45 to 12.30 (Nature Seychelles, checked 16 September 2026). Tour operators bring you across, and the reserve's own boats then land you on the island.
Is Curieuse worth visiting from Praslin?
For wildlife lovers, yes: Curieuse, protected as a marine national park since 1979, has free-roaming Aldabra giant tortoises, naturally growing coco de mer palms and six of the seven mangrove species found in Seychelles.
Is there a bus on Praslin and how do I pay?
Yes. SPTC runs public buses on Praslin, and Tourism Seychelles says you need a travel card to board. SPTC's Visitor Travel Card gives unlimited standard bus travel on Mahé and Praslin for SCR 100 for one day, SCR 198 for four consecutive days or SCR 363 for eight, and is sold at the airport (SPTC, checked 16 September 2026).
What are restaurant opening hours in Seychelles?
Restaurants in Seychelles typically serve lunch from 12.00 to 15.00 and dinner from 18.30 to 22.00, says Tourism Seychelles (checked 16 September 2026). Takeaways open at lunch and again from 19.00 to 22.00.
Can I drink the tap water on Praslin and La Digue?
On Praslin, generally yes: Tourism Seychelles says tap water on Mahé and Praslin is generally considered safe to drink. It does not name La Digue. It advises bottled water on more remote islands, and says people with a sensitive stomach may prefer it even on the main islands.
Should I tip in restaurants in Seychelles?
Tipping is not mandatory in Seychelles but is appreciated: if a service charge is not already included, a small tip in restaurants is welcome, according to Tourism Seychelles.
Should I bring cash or use cards on Praslin and La Digue?
Bring both. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants and car hire firms, but cash in Seychelles rupees is needed for markets, taxis, small shops and vendors, according to Tourism Seychelles.
Do ATMs in Seychelles give euros?
No. Tourism Seychelles says ATMs dispense only Seychelles rupees, some have per-transaction limits, and your home bank may charge fees.
Can I pay in euros or dollars in Seychelles?
Sometimes. Some hotels and tour operators accept US dollars, euros or pounds, but most local businesses expect Seychelles rupees, according to Tourism Seychelles.
What currency is used in Seychelles?
Seychelles uses the Seychelles rupee (SCR), divided into 100 cents, with notes of SCR 25, 50, 100 and 500.
What plug adapter do I need for Seychelles?
Seychelles uses the British three-pin Type G plug on 220 to 240V, so bring a UK-style adapter if your devices use a different plug.
Is there malaria on Praslin or La Digue?
No. Tourism Seychelles says there is no malaria risk in Seychelles. TravelHealthPro (checked 16 September 2026) lists a risk of dengue and chikungunya and reports over 166 chikungunya cases in European travellers returning from Seychelles between November 2025 and June 2026, so use insect repellent.
Is there a hospital on Praslin or La Digue?
Yes. Praslin has Baie Ste Anne Hospital in the south-east, which the Ministry of Health says offers general consultations, X-ray, dental care and pharmacy services. It opens Monday to Friday 7.30 to 16.00 and Saturday 7.30 to 12.00 (Ministry of Health, checked 16 September 2026). La Digue has Logan Hospital at La Passe. Tourism Seychelles recommends travel insurance that covers medical care and evacuation.
What languages are spoken on Praslin and La Digue?
Seychelles has three official languages, Seychellois Creole, English and French, and English is widely used in tourism.
What time zone is Seychelles in?
Seychelles is four hours ahead of GMT, three hours ahead of British Summer Time.
Where does Praslin's name come from?
Praslin is named after the French diplomat César Gabriel de Choiseul, duc de Praslin, and took the name in 1768. The explorer Lazare Picault had named it Isle de Palmes in 1744.

Sources

Details last verified 16 September 2026.