Two days
Day one: the Vallée de Mai in the morning, then an afternoon at Anse Lazio. Day two: a boat to Curieuse for the tortoises and the mangrove boardwalk, returning to Côte d'Or for the evening.
SEYCHELLES · ISLAND
Praslin
An inner island north-east of Mahé: the Vallée de Mai palm forest, Anse Lazio, and boats to Curieuse's tortoises and the bird islands of Cousin and Aride.
- Island
- Seas calmer around the April monsoon reversal and in October–November; west coast sheltered in the south-east trades (May–September)
- PRI
- about 3–4 nights
- Coco de Mer Forest
- UNESCO Site Since 1983
- Ferry or 15-Minute Flight from Mahé
- Bird and Tortoise Islands Offshore
A palm forest where the coco de mer grows wild, a granite-framed beach on the north-west coast, and boats out to tortoises on Curieuse and seabird colonies on Aride and Cousin.
Praslin lies north-east of Mahé, an hour by fast ferry or about 15 minutes by plane from Mahé. It is the base for the Vallée de Mai, Anse Lazio and day trips to Curieuse, Cousin and Aride.
- Type
- island in the inner islands
- Ideal length
- about 3–4 nights
- Getting there
- 15-minute flight or 1-hour ferry from Mahé
- Getting around
- SPTC buses, taxis, hire cars
- Main sight
- Vallée de Mai (UNESCO)
- Day trips
- Curieuse, Cousin, Aride, La Digue
- Seas
- calmer in April and October–November; west coast sheltered May–September
Good for
- Couples
- Nature lovers
- Birdwatchers
- Island hoppers
- Families with older children
Discover
About Praslin
Praslin lies north-east of Mahé in the inner islands of Seychelles. You arrive either on the Cat Cocos fast ferry, which takes about an hour from Mahé to the jetty at Baie Ste Anne, or on an Air Seychelles flight of about 15 minutes to Praslin Airport (PRI). It is quieter than Mahé, with villages, beaches and a forested interior rather than a town.
The island's main sight is the Vallée de Mai, inscribed by UNESCO in 1983. The Seychelles Islands Foundation, which manages it, says the coco de mer, the largest seed in the plant kingdom, grows naturally only on Praslin and neighbouring Curieuse. The forest is also home to the black parrot, the national bird, found only on Praslin.
Around the coast, Anse Lazio sits in the north-west, Côte d'Or (Anse Volbert) runs along the east, and Anse Georgette is reached through a resort. Offshore, Curieuse, Cousin and Aride make good half-day and day trips. Praslin also has the ferry to La Digue, so it works as a base for both islands.
Why go
We would come to Praslin for the Vallée de Mai: walking under the coco de mer palms, listening for black parrots, is a half-day we would not miss. Add a swim at Anse Lazio when the sea is calm, a boat to Curieuse to see giant tortoises and the mangrove boardwalk, and, in the right season, a landing on Cousin or Aride for seabirds. Praslin is also the hub for La Digue, which is a short ferry ride away.
Don't miss
- Vallée de Mai — the coco de mer forest, UNESCO-listed since 1983
- Anse Lazio — the north-west bay of sand and granite
- Curieuse — giant tortoises and mangroves by boat
- Cousin or Aride — protected seabird islands
- Côte d'Or — Praslin's main bay
Signature experiences
The Vallée de Mai. A walk through the UNESCO-listed palm forest, where the coco de mer grows wild and the Seychelles Islands Foundation counted 1,382 black parrots in its 2018 census. It opens daily at 08:30, and the last entry is at 15:30, so go early.
Curieuse by boat. The Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority looks after hundreds of giant tortoises here, introduced between 1978 and 1982, plus a tortoise nursery and a mangrove boardwalk at Baie Laraie.
The bird islands. Cousin, run by Nature Seychelles, and Aride, run by the Island Conservation Society, are protected seabird islands. Aride opens from October to May, and both need booking.
Anse Lazio. A sweep of white sand and granite on the north-west tip, on the sheltered side of the island in the south-east trade season.
Neighbourhoods
Praslin neighbourhood by neighbourhood — the character of each and who it suits.
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Côte d'Or (Anse Volbert)
A long east-coast bay with a good choice of places to stay and eat, and boats to Curieuse and St Pierre. It faces the south-east trades, so the sea can be choppy from about May to September.
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Baie Ste Anne
The ferry jetty for Mahé and La Digue, with village shops and services. Practical for short stays and early sailings.
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Anse Lazio and the north-west
The quieter north-west tip, with Anse Lazio's beach and fewer places to stay. Sheltered side in the south-east trade season.
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Amitié and the airport
The west coast near Praslin Airport, a short drive from Grand Anse, convenient for flights to Mahé.
Views & quieter corners
Best views
- Anse Lazio from the granite at either end of the bay
- Côte d'Or towards Curieuse and St Pierre
- The Vallée de Mai canopy from the forest paths
- La Digue from the Baie Ste Anne ferry
Quieter corners
- Fond Ferdinand — a second coco de mer reserve, run by the Seychelles Islands Foundation
- The mangrove boardwalk at Baie Laraie on Curieuse, at high tide
- Cousin Island — a small reserve run by Nature Seychelles
- Aride — seabird colonies, open from October to May
- Anse Georgette — a bay reached through a resort, by arrangement
Food & drink
Food on Praslin follows the Creole cooking of the rest of Seychelles: fish from the day's boats, cooked with coconut, chilli and lime. Look for whole grilled fish with rice and chutney, octopus or fish curry in coconut milk (kari koko), ladob, a dessert of plantain or sweet potato stewed in coconut milk, and satini reken, shark chutney with lime. Breadfruit appears boiled and fried. Prices in restaurants and resorts are high by UK standards, so a takeaway lunch from a village shop helps the budget.
- Grilled fish with rice and chutney
- Kari koko — fish or octopus curry in coconut milk
- Ladob — plantain or sweet potato stewed in coconut milk
- Satini reken — shark chutney with lime
- Breadfruit, boiled or fried
- Takamaka rum
Dietary notes
Fish and seafood are at the centre of Creole cooking, so pescatarians eat well; vegetarians should ask about dishes such as breadfruit and ladob, and check whether a curry uses fish.
Where you'll stay
Where you'll stay in Praslin
Choose by what you want to do. Côte d'Or on the east coast has a good choice and is close to Curieuse boats; Grand Anse on the west coast is near the airport; Baie Ste Anne is handy for the ferry; the north-west around Anse Lazio is quieter.
- Budget Baie Ste Anne and Grand Anse guesthouses and self-catering apartments near the ferry jetty or the airport, with buses to the sights.
- Mid-range Côte d'Or (Anse Volbert) small hotels, restaurants and boat operators on one bay.
- Luxury The north-west and secluded bays larger resorts on their own beaches, including the one that controls access to Anse Georgette.
Hotels & rentals around Praslin
Pan, zoom and compare live prices — every stay in one map.
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Getting around
Getting around Praslin
Praslin's roads are narrow and winding, as on Mahé, so allow time. SPTC buses run on Praslin and connect the main villages, the Vallée de Mai and the beaches. Taxis and hire cars are available. Boats to Curieuse, Cousin and Aride are run by tour operators and the reserves themselves, so book ahead, ideally a day or two before.
SPTC, the national bus company, runs Praslin's public buses from a depot on the island, with weekday and weekend timetables on sptc.sc. A bus stops outside the Vallée de Mai, so you can reach it without a car. GOV.UK notes that most buses in Seychelles stop by about 8pm, so plan evening returns by taxi.
Plan your days
Suggested itineraries
Ready-made day plans for Praslin — from a single day to a long weekend.
Four days
Add a morning on Cousin or, from October to May, Aride, booked in advance, and a day trip by Cat Cocos to La Digue for Anse Source d'Argent.
What you'll do
Insider tips
- Buy Vallée de Mai tickets online: the Seychelles Islands Foundation gives a 10% discount, and a combined ticket with Fond Ferdinand is valid for 10 days.
- Go to the Vallée de Mai early. It opens at 08:30 and the last entry is at 15:30.
- Parks run by the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority, including Curieuse, take card payments only on site, so carry a card.
- Check the tide before a Curieuse trip: the mangrove boardwalk at Baie Laraie is usable at high tide.
- Pick your beach by the wind: the west and north-west coast, including Anse Lazio, is the sheltered side from about June to September.
Frequently asked
Ferry or plane from Mahé to Praslin?
The Air Seychelles flight takes about 15 minutes and is timed to connect with international arrivals; the Cat Cocos ferry takes about an hour. The plane suits a same-day connection from a long-haul flight; the ferry is useful if you are combining Praslin with La Digue. Q: How long do I need on Praslin? A: Three or four nights covers the Vallée de Mai, a beach day and one boat trip. Q: Can I visit La Digue from Praslin? A: Yes. Cat Cocos sails between Baie Ste Anne and La Digue several times a day, for example at 09:30, 12:00 and 18:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Q: Is Anse Georgette open to everyone? A: It is reached through the Constance Lémuria resort; we could not confirm the official access rules, so ask the resort before you go.
Best beaches
By the sea
Best beaches in Praslin
The 3 shores actually worth the trip on Praslin — ranked, with the vibe of each and where to stay nearby. Tap a card to fly the map to it.
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Beach © Photo by Maksim Shutov on Unsplash Anse Lazio
A bay of white sand and granite boulders on Praslin's north-west tip, on the sheltered side of the island in the south-east trade season.
Best for Beach
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Beach © Photo by Ron Barabash on Unsplash Anse Georgette
A small west-coast bay on Praslin, reached through the grounds of the Constance Lémuria resort; ask the resort about access before you go.
Best for Beach
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Photo of Praslin Beach © Photo by Bram Wouters on Unsplash Côte d'Or (Anse Volbert)
Praslin's long east-coast bay, with most of the island's hotels and restaurants and boats to Curieuse and St Pierre.
Best for Beach
Places to explore
Explore
Places & points of interest in Praslin
The landmarks, museums, viewpoints and shores worth your time on Praslin — filter by what you're into. Tap a card to fly the map to it.
Points of interest
- Parks & gardens Photo of Praslin © Photo by Bram Wouters on Unsplash
Vallée de Mai
UNESCO-listed palm forest on Praslin, one of only two places where the coco de mer grows wild, and home of the black parrot.
Best for Nature
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Parks & gardens © Photo by Miriam Pereira on Unsplash Curieuse Island
Island marine park off Praslin with hundreds of giant tortoises, a tortoise nursery and a mangrove boardwalk at Baie Laraie.
Best for Wildlife
- Parks & gardens Photo of Praslin © Photo by Bram Wouters on Unsplash
Aride Island
Nature reserve north of Praslin run by the Island Conservation Society, home to large seabird colonies and open October to May.
Best for Birdwatching
- Parks & gardens Photo of Praslin © Photo by Bram Wouters on Unsplash
Cousin Island
Small nature reserve off Praslin run by Nature Seychelles, visited by boat with a tour operator; no facilities on the island.
Best for Birdwatching
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Parks & gardens © Photo by Bram Wouters on Unsplash Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve
A coco de mer reserve in the south-east of Praslin, run by the Seychelles Islands Foundation, with a combined ticket for the Vallée de Mai.
Best for Nature
No places match those filters — turn a chip back on.
Explore
Explore the area
Praslin · Around the island · 1 island · 3 beaches · 3 attractions
© OpenFreeMap · OSM · terrain Mapterhorn
Budget
What it costs in Praslin
- Careful
- self-catering, buses and village takeaways keep costs down; park fees are the biggest fixed cost.
- Comfortable
- a mid-range hotel on Côte d'Or, one boat trip and the Vallée de Mai.
- Splurge
- a resort on a quiet bay with transfers by air from Mahé.
When you'll go
When to visit Praslin
Seas calmer around the April monsoon reversal and in October–November; west coast sheltered in the south-east trades (May–September)
North-west monsoon (December–March)
What to expect — Warm, humid and the wettest months, with January the peak; calmer seas on many coasts, but GOV.UK warns west-coast beaches are dangerous in this season.
Transition (April and October–November)
What to expect — Light winds and calmer seas: the Seychelles Meteorological Authority calls April the month of the monsoon reversal and says sea conditions are pleasant in November.
South-east trades (May–September)
What to expect — Drier and slightly cooler but windy, with rough seas at the August peak and weed on south and south-east facing beaches; the west and north-west coast is the sheltered side.
Know before you go
Know before you go
Honest swaps
Skip a long-haul flight to French Polynesia for palm forest and granite beaches → try Praslin, one stop from London via Dubai or Doha. Swap a crowded Mahé beach day in August → Anse Lazio on the sheltered north-west coast.
Park fees
The Vallée de Mai costs SCR 450 for non-residents (under-12s free with ID), payable in rupees, euros, dollars or sterling; Curieuse costs Rs300 and Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority sites take cards only.
Entry
British visitors need a Seychelles Travel Authorisation, applied for online up to 30 days before arrival; the standard fee on the official portal is €10. You also need a return ticket and confirmed accommodation.
Hotel levy
Since 1 January 2026, hotels with 25 to 50 rooms charge an environmental levy of SCR 75 per person per night and larger hotels SCR 100; small establishments no longer charge it. Children aged 12 and under are exempt.
Safety
The FCDO's Seychelles advice describes crime as mostly non-violent, such as break-ins, robberies and bag snatching, and advises extra care in isolated areas at night. The bigger risk is the sea. GOV.UK says beaches on the west coast are dangerous during the north-west monsoon, about December to March, and beaches on the east coast during the south-east winds, about May to September, and that there are few lifeguards. Swim only where the sea is calm and you can see others swimming, and do not swim alone. TravelHealthPro reports a risk of dengue and chikungunya in Seychelles, with chikungunya cases in travellers returning to Europe since November 2025, so use insect repellent day and night. Heavy rain from November to March can cause flooding and landslides. Read the latest FCDO advice before you travel.
Culture & etiquette
Seychelles was uninhabited until French settlement from the 1770s. Britain took control under the 1814 Treaty of Paris, and the country became independent in 1976. The result is a Creole society with French roots in its language, cooking and Catholic culture and an English layer of administration and law, and Seychellois Creole, English and French are all spoken. A greeting in Creole goes down well. On Praslin, much of the culture you meet is about conservation: the Vallée de Mai and Fond Ferdinand are run by the Seychelles Islands Foundation, Curieuse by the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority, Cousin by Nature Seychelles and Aride by the Island Conservation Society. In the reserves, stay on the paths, do not touch or feed wildlife, and follow the wardens and rangers, who explain the rules at the start of a visit. Ask before photographing people.
Daily budget
Seychelles is an expensive destination and Praslin is no exception; we have not priced current hotels or meals, so treat any figure as indicative and check before you book.
Emergency numbers
Check the current emergency numbers on GOV.UK's Seychelles travel advice before you travel
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Getting there
We found no direct flights from the UK to Seychelles, so you fly to Seychelles International Airport on Mahé (SEZ) with one stop, for example via Dubai with Emirates or via Doha with Qatar Airways. From Mahé there are two ways to Praslin. Air Seychelles flies Twin Otters to Praslin Airport (PRI) in about 15 minutes; the non-resident allowance on domestic flights is 23 kg checked plus 5 kg hand baggage. The Cat Cocos fast ferry takes about 60 minutes from the Inter Island Quay on Mahé to Baie Ste Anne, with two or three sailings a day each way (for example 08:00, 10:30 and 16:30 from Mahé on Mondays and Wednesdays). Cat Cocos allows non-residents 25 kg in Economy.
- Praslin Airport (PRI)
- Seychelles International Airport, Mahé (SEZ)
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