Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve

Questions

How long do I need at the Vallée de Mai?

SIF lists walking routes from about 1.5 km to about 4 km. Allow extra time for the visitor centre and for stopping to look for parrots and geckos in the canopy.

How long does a visit to the Vallée de Mai take?

Walking routes range from about 1.5 km to about 4 km, so a visit can be a short loop or a longer walk. The tourism board's trail guide suggests one to two hours.

Will I see the black parrot?

SIF says the Seychelles black parrot lives only on Praslin and depends on the Vallée de Mai and the surrounding palm forest. Sightings are not certain; SIF suggests binoculars.

Can I get to the Vallée de Mai by bus?

Yes. There is a bus stop outside the Vallée de Mai visitor centre, with buses scheduled throughout its opening hours; taxis, hire cars and organised tours from Mahé, La Digue and Praslin also go there.

Is the Vallée de Mai wheelchair accessible?

Partly. The Seychelles Islands Foundation says the visitor centre and the first part of the forest are wheelchair accessible.

Can I buy tickets in advance?

Yes. SIF sells tickets online at SCR 410 for non-residents (checked 16 September 2026), valid for one entry within 10 days of the chosen date, plus a combination ticket with Fond Ferdinand.

Is it open when it rains?

Yes. SIF says the palm canopy gives shelter from passing showers and suggests an umbrella for longer downpours, especially from December to March.

Can I buy a coco de mer nut there?

The visitor centre shop sells nuts with the required certification, subject to stock.

Is it worth visiting when it rains?

The Seychelles Islands Foundation says the palm canopy gives shelter from passing showers, though an umbrella helps in prolonged rain.

How much is the Vallée de Mai entrance fee?

Entry to the Vallée de Mai on Praslin costs SCR 450 (Seychelles Islands Foundation, checked 16 September 2026), payable at the visitor centre in rupees, euros, US dollars or pounds sterling, in cash or by card. SIF says the fee also funds its work at Aldabra Atoll.

What are the Vallée de Mai opening hours?

The Vallée de Mai is open every day from 8.30 to 16.30, with last entry at 15.30, except 25 December and 1 January (Seychelles Islands Foundation, checked 16 September 2026).

Is the Vallée de Mai worth visiting?

If you are interested in nature, yes: the Vallée de Mai is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest intact forest of the endemic coco de mer palm, and it is home to the Seychelles black parrot, found only on Praslin.

How long does it take to walk around the Vallée de Mai?

Walking routes in the Vallée de Mai range from about 1.5 km to about 4 km, according to the Seychelles Islands Foundation. Every visitor gets a free leaflet with a trail map at the entrance.

Are there guided tours at the Vallée de Mai?

Yes. The Seychelles Islands Foundation says independent guides offer tours of the Vallée de Mai, and every visitor receives a free leaflet with a map of the paths and a checklist of common species.

What is the coco de mer?

The coco de mer (Lodoicea maldivica) is an endemic palm that grows naturally only on Praslin and Curieuse and bears the largest seed in the plant kingdom; some nuts weigh up to 20 kg.

Will I see the black parrot at the Vallée de Mai?

Possibly. The Seychelles black parrot, the national bird, lives only on Praslin and depends on the Vallée de Mai and surrounding palm forest; the 2018 census put the wild population at 1,382 birds.

Is the Vallée de Mai a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Yes. The Vallée de Mai was inscribed as a natural UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 1983 and, at 19.5 hectares, is one of the smallest natural sites on the list.

What facilities are there at the Vallée de Mai?

The Vallée de Mai visitor centre has a cafeteria, lockers, a souvenir shop, an information centre, toilets and a car park.

Can I visit the Vallée de Mai when it rains?

Yes. The Seychelles Islands Foundation says the palm forest gives shelter from passing showers, but recommends an umbrella or light rain jacket for prolonged rain, particularly in the December to March rainy season.