Things to do in Praslin: Travel Guide

Praslin is the second largest island in the Seychelles, after Mahé. It is a true paradise for beach and nature lovers, home to the rare coco de mer and the gateway to the Seychelles giant tortoises on Curieuse Island. In this article, you’ll find information on how to get to Praslin, where to stay and things to do!

How to get to Praslin

There are two main ways to get to Praslin: by ferry or by plane.

By Ferry

The cheapest option is to take a ferry from Mahé. There are several ferry companies that operate between the two islands. We chose to travel with Cat Cocos, one of the largest ferry companies in the Seychelles. The ferry ride takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes and cost us around €60 per person.

If you visit La Digue before you visit Praslin, then you can take the ferry from La Digue to Mahé. We took it the other way around during our trip to Seychelles. We used the Cat Cocos ferry, one of the largest ferry companies in the Seychelles, and paid 185 SCR per person.

Tip: If you are prone to seasickness, be sure to bring appropriate medication. The sea can be quite rough, and many people on board got sick. Luckily, we were fine!

By Plane

Another option is to fly. Air Seychelles operates small planes that fly between Mahé and Praslin. The flight takes just 20 minutes, but tickets are more expensive than ferry tickets.

Where to Stay in Praslin

There are a variety of accommodation options in Praslin, from budget-friendly guesthouses to luxurious resorts. The best place to stay for you will depend on your budget, travel preferences, and what you want to see and do on the island.

Cote D’Or Beach

Cote D’Or Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Praslin, and it’s also home to a number of hotels and guesthouses. This is a good option if you’re looking for a lively atmosphere with plenty of restaurants and bars. One possibility to stay at is L’Hirondelle Self Catering Guest House.

Anse Lazio

Anse Lazio is another stunning beach that’s a popular destination for tourists. There are a few hotels and guesthouses located near the beach, but you will need a slightly bigger budget. If you do, Anse Lazio Lodge is a good option.

Grand Anse

Grand Anse is a long, sandy beach that’s perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. There are a number of hotels and guesthouses located near the beach, as well as a few restaurants and bars. Also, Grand Anse is close to the airport of Praslin. An affordable option is Blue Sky Self Catering.

Baie Ste Anne

Baie Ste Anne is a more laid-back area of Praslin with a number of small guesthouses and restaurants. This is a good option if you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere and a chance to experience the local culture. A good option in this area is Colibri Hotel.

Our Personal Experience

We stayed at Tourterelle Holiday Home for three nights. It was a basic, but spacious accommodation with its own kitchen. We visited the Seychelles during the low season, so it was quiet in many places. If we had to choose again, we would stay in the area of Cote D’Or Beach, because it is a bit more lively with more takeaways and restaurants.

Things to do in Praslin

Praslin is a beautiful island with plenty to see and do. Here are a few of our recommendations:

Rent a car

Even though Praslin is a bit smaller than Mahé, we still recommend renting a car if you want to explore the island. All the sights are quite spread out, so you’ll need to cover some distance. With a car, you can go everywhere at your own pace and you’re not dependent on public transportation.

We rented a car from Kreol Cars. The price was 50 euro per day, and we also added an extra insurance for a deductible of 500 euro for 10 euro per day.

Go Beach Hopping: Visit the Most Beautiful Beaches of Praslin

In Praslin, you’ll find a number of stunning beaches. Here are our favorites:

Anse Lazio

Anse Lazio is a sprawling white sand beach on the northwest side of the island. The beach is surrounded by lush green palm trees and azure blue waters. At both ends of the beach, you’ll find massive granite boulders, the giant rocks that Seychelles is known for.

Anse Lazio is free to visit. If you visit the beach by car, you will have to pay for parking. We paid about 7 euros for the whole day.

Petite Anse Lazio

Near Anse Lazio, you’ll find a small secluded beach surrounded by palm trees and granite rocks, called Petite Anse Lazio. This little paradise is one of our favorite beaches in Seychelles, also because you can snorkel here very well. Keep in mind that it is not a beach to lie down and relax, because it is very small. At high tide, there is hardly any sand to lie on, so try to visit the beach at low tide.

Petite Anse Lazio is accessible by a short hike (approximately 10 minutes) from Anze Lazio. The starting point of the hike can be found here, since it is a bit hard to find at first.

Tip: Make sure you’re to visit this beach early in the morning. The beach is even more beautiful when you have this place all to yourself!

Anse Georgette

Anse Georgette is an idyllic beach located on the grounds of the luxury resort Constance Lemuria. Fortunately, Anse Georgette is still accessible to everyone, so even if you are not staying at the resort, you can still visit the beach. From the gate of the hotel, it is about a half hour walk to the beach. Keep in mind that it is not a flat road, but there are quite a few differences in altitude.

Anse Georgette is located in a bay, which makes the water calm and ideal for swimming. If you’re lucky, you might even spot turtles here!

Cote D’Or Beach

Cote D’Or Beach is a long, white-sand beach located in the north of Praslin. It is one of the most popular beaches on the island, as it is surrounded by several guesthouses, restaurants, and takeaways.

Cote D’Or Beach is also located in a bay, which makes the water calm and ideal for swimming. Looking for a fun photo spot? At Cote D’Or Beach you will find a leaning palm tree, where you can take some Instagram-worthy shots! You can find the exact location of this palm tree here.

Look for the Coco de Mer

The coco de mer is a unique palm and fruit that is only found naturally in the Seychelles, specifically in Praslin and Curieuse Island. The fruit, also known as the sea coconut, is actually a kind of double coconut that (when fully grown) has a diameter of 40 to 50 cm and can weigh up to 30 kilos! The coco de mer is protected, so the fruits may not be collected.

Vallée de Mai & Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve

In Praslin you will find two parks where you can see these unique palms, namely in the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve or in the Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve. Both parks have beautiful walking trails that take you past the coco de mer.

We ourselves chose Fond Ferdinand, because this park is (much) less touristy, has a beautiful viewpoint and is a bit cheaper. We paid about 300 SCR per person entrance, while Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve cost about 450 SCR.

Visit the Seychelles Giant Tortoises on Curieuse Island

One of the highlights of our trip to Praslin was our visit to Curieuse Island. Curieuse Island is home to the coco de mer, various endemic birds, several hiking trails, and of course: hundreds of Seychelles giant tortoises! The latter is the reason many people visit Curieuse Island.

Baie Laraise – Anse Jose Nature Trail

Another fun activity you can do on Curieuse Island is hiking the Baie Laraise – Anse Jose Nature Trail. In about 1 hour (1.57 kilometers), you walk through a mangrove forest via the longest boardwalk in the Seychelles to the other side of the island.

How to Get to Curieuse Island

Organized Day Tour

Do you want a carefree day and combine your visit to Curieuse Island with a snorkel stop at St. Pierre Island? Then you can book this day tour. This day tour is fully catered for. The price includes transfers, entrance fees, snorkeling gear, drinks, and a barbecue on the beach.

Arrange Your Own Transportation

Would you rather save some money? You can also choose to travel to Curieuse Island yourself. You can take a water taxi from Cote D’Or Beach. We paid 50 euros for a return trip and also paid around 300 SCR per person entry fee. Make sure to agree with the person who takes you to the island what time he will pick you up again and on which side of the island.

Food and Drinks in Praslin

Praslin has a variety of restaurants and takeaways where you can eat in or take away (and eat on the beach). Here are our favorites:

• Vero’s (Creools, fast food)
• Zilwa Reggae Bar Cafeteria & Take-Away (Creools)
• Pirogue Restaurant & Bar (Creools)