Things to do on Praslin and La Digue
Praslin and La Digue, neighbouring islands in Seychelles, offer palm forest and giant tortoises, reef snorkelling and island boat trips, bike rides and plantation history.
On land
Praslin's Vallée de Mai is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the stronghold of the coco de mer palm. Praslin National Park, around it, has one official trail, Glacis Noire. On La Digue, L'Union Estate combines plantation history with the way in to Anse Source d'Argent, and the Veuve Special Reserve protects the Seychelles black paradise flycatcher.
On and under the water
Curieuse and St Pierre lie within Curieuse Marine National Park, off Praslin's north-east coast. Ile Cocos Marine National Park, 10 minutes by boat from La Digue, is described by the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority as the country's most renowned snorkelling spot. Dive centres operate from Côte d'Or and from Constance Lemuria on Praslin, and the tourism board lists fishing charters on Praslin.
Getting about
On La Digue, bicycles are the main transport, and the tourism board lists eight bike hire businesses. On Praslin, the tourism board lists hire cars, taxis and public buses as the ways to get around.
Seasons
The south-east trades bring rough seas in July and August, and April is the calmest month at sea, according to the Seychelles Meteorological Authority. Aride Island opens to visitors only from October to May (Island Conservation Society, checked 16 September 2026).
Things to do
Anse Lazio snorkelling
Praslin
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
Praslin
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.
Anse Marron guided coastal hike
La Digue
The Anse Marron guided hike is a 6 to 7 hour scramble over granite boulders and reef along La Digue's undeveloped south coast to the rock pools of Anse Marron, finishing at Anse Source d'Argent. SeyVillas says it is only possible with a guide; the L'Union Estate fee is extra.
Aride Island Special Reserve day trip
Praslin
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 and studios on La Digue
La Digue
Art galleries and studios on La Digue include George Camille's gallery at Anse Gaulette, Rita Morel's Maison de L'Histoire at L'Union Estate, and two La Passe studios: Leon Bacco's driftwood sculpture and Mala Rama's wildlife watercolours.
Art galleries on Praslin
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.
Big-game and reef fishing charters
Big-game and reef fishing charters run from Praslin and La Digue, from bottom fishing and jigging to trolling offshore for sailfish, marlin, tuna and wahoo. Operators sell hourly, half-day and full-day trips; SPGA bans fishing inside marine national parks.
Coco Island and Félicité snorkelling trip
Ile Cocos Marine National Park covers three granite islets and part of Félicité, about 7 km from La Digue, and boat trips from La Digue and Praslin visit it to snorkel with hawksbill turtles and reef fish. SCR 200 park fee for non-residents over 12 (SPGA, checked 16 September 2026).
Cousin Island Special Reserve
Praslin
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 cooking and craft workshops on La Digue
La Digue
Creole cooking and craft workshops on La Digue include a daily Creole cooking class, a weekday coconut leaf weaving class at Anse Source d'Argent and a traditional dress photoshoot at L'Union Estate, all run by Kokosye. Georgie's Home Cooking at Anse Réunion offers private four-hour cooking sessions.
Creole food on La Digue
La Digue
Creole food on La Digue ranges from octopus and coconut-milk curry at Chez Jules in Anse Banane and buffet nights with a live band at Zerof in Anse Réunion to fish in banana leaf at Fish Trap in La Passe and a hilltop café at Belle Vue.
Creole food on Praslin
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
Praslin
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).
Cycling on La Digue
La Digue
Cycling is the main way to get around La Digue, a 10 km² island with few cars. Bikes rent near the La Passe jetty for about SCR 150 a day (Tourism Board listings, checked 16 September 2026); SeyVillas suggests rides to L'Union Estate, Grand Anse and Anse Patates.
Feast of the Assumption on La Digue
La Digue
The Feast of the Assumption, known locally as Lafet La Digue, is a Roman Catholic festival held on La Digue every 15 August. Tourism Seychelles describes open-air mass, a procession, food stalls, live music and sporting events, and advises booking accommodation well ahead.
Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve
Praslin
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
Praslin
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 Lémuria
Praslin
The golf course at Constance Lémuria, 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.
Grand Anse to Anse Caïman coastal walk
La Digue
The Grand Anse to Anse Caïman walk follows La Digue's east coast past Petite Anse and Anse Cocos. SeyVillas rates it easy: 2.25 km with 60 m of climbing, about two hours there and back with photo stops. For swimming, SeyVillas recommends the sheltered area of Anse Cocos or Anse Caïman.
Greentree health garden, La Digue
La Digue
Greentree is a private health and wildlife garden at La Passe on La Digue, run by Unels and Rachel, who describe themselves as conservation biologists. Visits include a garden tour, medicinal plants and a welcome drink. The owners call it the best spot on the island for the paradise flycatcher. Entry is SCR 200 (Tourism Board listing, updated 25 June 2026).
L'Union Estate
La Digue
L'Union Estate is a former coconut and vanilla plantation at Anse Réunion on La Digue's south-west coast, now a heritage park with a plantation house, copra mill, giant Aldabra tortoises and rum tasting, and the gateway to Anse Source d'Argent. SCR 150 day pass; open 6am to 6pm (estate site, checked 16 September 2026).
La Digue fruit and vegetable market
La Digue
La Digue's fruit and vegetable market sits near the jetty at La Passe and sells produce from the island's farmers. Its Tourism Board listing gives opening hours of 7am to 5pm every day.
Nid d'Aigle (Belle Vue) hike
La Digue
Nid d'Aigle (Belle Vue) is La Digue's highest point, 333 m, reached by a short, steep footpath from the Belle Vue restaurant in the centre of the island, with views to Praslin, Félicité, the Sisters and Marianne. SeyVillas times it at about 45 minutes up and 30 down.
Orique Cultural Site sunset experience
Praslin
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
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).
Scuba diving from La Digue
La Digue
Scuba diving from La Digue is offered by Azzura Dive Center at La Digue Island Lodge, Anse Réunion, which runs morning and afternoon boat dives and PADI courses, with non-divers welcome to snorkel. Nearby sites include Marianne Rock and Sister Reef.
Scuba diving from Praslin
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.
Secret Garden nature trail, La Digue
La Digue
The Secret Garden is a private botanical garden and nature trail in the hills above La Passe on La Digue. A ticket covers the trails, a guided tour, a fish pond and a view deck. The trail passes a terrace facing the Sister islands and Félicité, then climbs to a hilltop view over La Passe and Praslin.
St Pierre islet snorkelling
Praslin
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
Praslin
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. It stops to snorkel at Anse Lazio and watches the sunset off Anse Georgette, with a glass of bubbly and snacks on board.
Transparent kayaking at Anse Source d'Argent
La Digue
Transparent kayaking at Anse Source d'Argent, inside L'Union Estate on La Digue, uses clear-hulled kayaks to paddle over the reef: a 3-hour guided trip to Anse Pierrot or a 1 hour 15 minute self-guided rental. No sunscreen on board; the L'Union Estate fee applies.
Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve
Praslin
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).
Veuve Special Reserve
La Digue
The Veuve Special Reserve is a 21-hectare woodland reserve at Anse Réunion, on La Digue's western plateau, protecting the Seychelles black paradise flycatcher. Staff help you find the birds. SCR 150 unguided or SCR 200 guided for non-citizens over 12 (SPGA, checked 16 September 2026).
By island and interest
Questions
- What are the main things to do on Praslin?
- Walking in the Vallée de Mai, the Glacis Noire trail, beaches such as Anse Lazio, and boat trips to Curieuse, St Pierre, Cousin and, from October to May, Aride.
- What are the main things to do on La Digue?
- Cycling, L'Union Estate and Anse Source d'Argent, the Veuve Special Reserve, walks to Nid d'Aigle and Anse Coco, and boat trips to Ile Cocos and Félicité.
- Do I need to book boat trips in advance?
- Trips to the marine parks are run by tour operators and boat charters. Aride's managers say booking is essential.
Sources
- Island Conservation Society, ArideOfficial website, checked 16 September 2026
- L'Union Estate, official siteOfficial website, checked 16 September 2026
- Nature Seychelles: Visit Cousin IslandOfficial website, checked 16 September 2026
- Octopus Dive Centre, official siteOfficial website, checked 16 September 2026
- Seychelles Islands Foundation, Welcome to the Vallée de MaiOfficial website, checked 16 September 2026
- Whitetip Divers: home pageOfficial website, checked 16 September 2026
- Seychelles Meteorological Authority, Seychelles Climate GuideGovernment, checked 16 September 2026
- Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority, CurieuseGovernment, checked 16 September 2026
- Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority, Ile CocosGovernment, checked 16 September 2026
- Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority, Praslin National ParkGovernment, checked 16 September 2026
- Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority, Veuve Special ReserveGovernment, checked 16 September 2026
- Tourism Seychelles blog, 10 Trails for Trekking Experiences in Seychelles (updated 27 December 2024)Tourism board, checked 16 September 2026
- Tourism Seychelles blog, La Digue Absolutely! 8 Reasons Why it Should be Part of Your Holiday Plan (updated 21 October 2025)Tourism board, checked 16 September 2026
- Tourism Seychelles blog, Your Journey to Paradise: How to Get to The Seychelles Islands (updated 6 August 2026)Tourism board, checked 16 September 2026
- Tourism Seychelles, AmberJack Fly & Fishing ChartersTourism board, checked 16 September 2026
- Tourism Seychelles, Anse CocoTourism board, checked 16 September 2026
- Tourism Seychelles, Anse LazioTourism 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, tour listings data behind seychelles.com (queried and counted by island on 16 September 2026)Tourism 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
- PADI, UDive Centre Praslin dive centre listingOther, checked 16 September 2026
Details last verified 16 September 2026.