The 10 BEST Things To Do In Praslin, Seychelles

Want to know about all the best things to do in Praslin and all of the top places to visit in Praslin? Read on below to find out!

Praslin, the second largest island in the Seychelles and (arguably one of the most beautiful) is a nature lovers paradise. 

Not only does it have some of the most beautiful beaches in the country (and the world) but Praslin is also home to the famous Coco De Mer (the largest seed in the plant kingdom).

Whether you want to spend your days lazing on the beach, strolling through national parks or hiking up to stunning viewpoints, there are so many incredible things to do in Praslin for you to choose from.  

Praslin was one of my favourite islands in the Seychelles so do not miss this from your Seychelles Itinerary.

So what are the best things to do in Praslin and where are the top places to visit in Praslin?

Read on below to find out!

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Prepare for your trip to Praslin

Discover Vallee De Mai 

The nature trail, Vallee De Mai, is home to the famed Coco De Mer which is an endemic plant species of the Seychelles.

The Coco De Mer are the largest and heaviest seeds in the world, weighing up to 25 kilograms and measuring 40 to 50 centimetres in diameter. There is also a lot of fascination with Coco De Mer’s resemblance to a human bottom.

You won’t just find Coco De Mer along the Vallee De Mai nature trail, but also a lot of wildlife! Make sure to keep an eye out for the black Parrott!

Entrance to the Vallee De Mai is approximately  £25 ($32) per person. If you would like a guided tour, additional costs apply.

Have a beach day at Anse Lazio

Anze Lazio is the most famous beach on the island and for good reason.

With its never-ending stretch of bright white sand and piercing blue seas, it’s no wonder that tourists flock here to indulge in this slice of paradise. 

Whether you want to go snorkelling to spot some stingrays or chill out with a few Pina Colada’s, a beach day at Anse Lazio is certainly what the doctor ordered.

Anse Lazio is one of the best places to visit in Praslin and not to be missed from your itinerary.

Relax on Anse Georgette

Anse Georgette is considered to be Anze Lazio’s smaller, but just as beautiful, younger sister.

Anse Georgette is a serene and unspoiled beach, that sees much less footfall compared to Anse Lazio. 

Its beautiful sands and calm, clear water make the beach perfect for sunbathing and snorkelling.

If you want to experience a stunning beach, minus the crowds, then Anse Georgette is one of the best places to visit in Praslin for this.

Anse Lazio to Anse Georgette Hike

On the map, Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette are next-door neighbours.

However, if you want to get to those beaches by car, you’ll have to drive all the way around the island to get from one to the other. The drive is approximately 45 minutes.

Thankfully, if you don’t fancy the drive, and want to stretch your legs,  you can hike from one beach to the other. The hike is approximately 3.5 KM and takes roughly 2-2.5 hours to complete. 

The trail can be quite dense and rocky at times so it’s recommended to hike in proper shoes (definitely not flip-flops).

Also, be sure to hike in the morning (away from the midday sun) and to carry enough water and snacks with you. 

You can find more information on the hike here. 

The Anze Lazio to Anze Georgette hike is one of the most adventurous things to do in Praslin.

Make sure you give this a go if you get tired of being a beach bum. 

Not confident hiking the trail on your own? You’ll be pleased to know you can hire a guide.

Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve

When it comes to Nature trails, Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve can often be overshadowed by the famous Vallee De Mai.

However, Fond Ferdinand is just as beautiful and is definitely one of the best places to visit in Praslin to see not just Coco De Mer but also some incredible views of the Seychelles Islands. 

Fond Ferdinand is actually 6 times bigger than Vallée de Mai.

It also has just as many Coco De Mer plants as Vallée de Mai and even more endemic wildlife and plant species too! 

Fond Ferdinand is also home to one of the best viewpoints in the island that looks out over islands such as Curieuse, Coco Island, Felicité, La Digue and Silhouette (and more).

To top this all off the Fond Ferdinand entrance fee is somewhat cheaper than Vallée de Mai and comes with a guide included as opposed to an additional fee. 

It begs the question as to why Vallée de Mai is much more popular.

Looking for more Seychelles Inspiration? Check out my guides here

Curieuse Island Day Trip

If you’re coming to the Praslin you simply cannot miss a trip to see the famous Aldabra Tortoises (some of the oldest living creatures in the world).

You can see these stunning creatures in the wild on Curieuse Island.

Curieuse Island is easily accessible from Praslin by booking an all-day boat tour.

You can book a tour to Curieuse Island with Geoli Charters through Get Your Guide.

This is one I personally went on myself and I had the best time.

The trip included 2 snorkelling stops, island/beach hopping, a guided tour of the Curieuse Island mangroves, lots of time with the Tortoises, a freshly cooked BBQ lunch and Takamaka rum cocktails.

Meeting the Aldabra Tortoises was one of the best things to do in Praslin so do not skip this off your itinerary.

Zimbabwe Viewpoint

Zimbabwe Viewpoint (also known as Grand Fond) is the highest point of Praslin Island.

When you reach the viewpoint you’ll be able to look out over not just Praslin but also the islands of Cousine, Curieuse and La Digue. 

One of the best things to do in Praslin is to visit the Zimbabwe viewpoint at sunset for some awesome panoramic views bathing in that orange sunset glow.

Day Trip to La Digue 

La Digue is one of the most chilled islands in the Seychelles and home to one of the most famous beaches in the world, Anse Source D’Argent.

Why not head here for the day to enjoy some laid-back island life and admire yet more stunning beaches?

The best way to explore La Digue is to rent a bicycle.

You’ll be able to rent a bike for the day from the ferry port. Bike rentals start from roughly £10 ($13) a day.   

Whilst I would always recommend spending a few days in La Digue it is easily accessible as a day trip from Praslin. 

There are around 6 ferries a day that take passengers between Praslin and La Digue and the ferry is just a short 15 minutes. Make sure to check both the Cat Cocos and the Cat Rose websites for ferry timetables.

Anse Volbert

Anse Volbert (also known as  Cote D’or) is the longest beach on the island and comes in at number 3 (behind Anse Lazio and Georgette) as one of the best beaches to visit in Praslin. 

There are a handful of hotels and resorts that run adjacent to this beach which is why it’s extremely popular amongst the tourists on Praslin. 

This long stretch of pure white sand is the perfect spot to spend your days sunbathing,  swimming and snorkelling.

Not only that you may also have the opportunity to scuba-dive and wind-surf along this stretch of beach. 

Anse Volbert is the main beach on the island where all the tour excursions depart.  If you prefer to book things in person you can head down to Anse Volbert to see what tours are on offer.

Island Hopping tour

Want to see even more stunning Seychelles Islands? Why not book an island hopping and snorkelling tour? These tours will take you to incredible places such as Felicite and Coco Islands.

This is one of the most beautiful things to do in Praslin and a great way to see more of the Seychelles.

How to get to Praslin

Ferry

You can easily catch a ferry from both Mahé and La Digue Islands to Praslin.

The Cat Cocos ferry company runs the route between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. There is also an additional route between Praslin and La Digue that is run by the Cat Rose ferry company. 

There are between 2-4 ferries a day from Mahé to Praslin and more than 6 ferries a day from La Digue to Praslin. Make sure to check both the Cat Cocos and the Cat Rose websites for ferry timetables.

The journey between Mahé and Praslin is approximately 1hr 15m and will cost around £50 ($63).

The Journey between La Digue and Praslin is just 15 minutes and will cost around £14 ($18) per person.

I would recommend buying a ticket online at least 48 hours prior to your journey.

You can buy at the counter on the day, however, you do risk queues and tickets potentially selling out so it’s better to plan ahead and secure your seat.

Flight

Another way to get to Praslin is by flying. You can only catch a flight from the main island of Mahé. The flight from Mahé to Praslin is just 15 minutes.

Flight prices range from £110-£170 ($140-$215).

How to get around Praslin

RENT A CAR

The most convenient and cost-effective way to get around Praslin is to rent a car. From the ferry port, you can rent a car for as little as £45 ($57) a day or alternatively you can book ahead for a potentially better deal.

Public Bus

Praslin has a public bus service, but there are only three routes with limited schedules. 

If you want to make the most out of your Seychelles trip and see all of the best places to visit in Praslin, then I would recommend renting a car on Praslin.

Taxi

Taxis are readily available on Praslin, but they are extremely expensive. Again, I would recommend renting a car if you plan to travel around the island.

Where to stay in Praslin

When thinking about where to stay in Praslin there 3 main areas to choose from.

These are Grand Anse, Anse Volbert and/or Anse Lazio. 

Anse Volbert and Anse Lazio are beautiful locations both with stunning beaches.

Grand Anse on the other hand, isn’t the most beautiful beach on the island, however, it’s in an ideal location to be close to lots of the best things to do in Praslin.

Budget

• Mango Lodge –  Located at Anse Volbert, Mango Lodge is a pretty amazing Budget option with rooms that have some spectacular sea views! 
• Sahaj Holiday Apartments – Located close to the ferry port, Sahaj Holiday apartments with large spacious rooms and even a beautiful swimming pool starting from just £98 a night.

Mid-Range

• Bliss Hotel Praslin – Located on Grand Anse this is a great option to experience boutique Luxury at a reasonable price. The rooms are spacious and there are 2 swimming pools and an onsite tortoise enclosure as well as a restaurant and bar. 
• Ajacou Resort –  Located at Anse Volbert, Ajacou Resort offers spacious rooms, a pool and their own private slice of the beach.

Luxury

• Raffles Praslin – Located close to Anse Lazio, Raffles Praslin is the epitome of Luxury with the price tag match. This is a great option for those celebrating something special like a honeymoon. 
• Constance Lemuria – Located close to Grand Anse, Constance Lemuria is yet another impressive luxury option that even boats its own golf course!

How long to spend in Praslin

If you want to experience all of the best things to do in Praslin and see all of the top places to visit in Praslin, then I would recommend staying for at least 3-4 days.

This will give you the perfect balance of rest and relaxation as well as adventure. 

Happy Exploring

I hope you have a wonderful time uncovering all of the best things to do in Praslin. I hope this post has helped to influence your Praslin itinerary. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out.