Things to do in Praslin: beautiful places and useful tips
Praslin is one of the most beautiful islands in the Seychelles and is particularly well known for its white-sand beaches, turquoise sea and impressive natural scenery. The island is quieter than Mahé but has enough beautiful places to keep you entertained for several days. From the famous Anse Lazio to the tropical Vallée de Mai, Praslin is, in my opinion, the perfect destination to include when island hopping in the Seychelles. In this article, I share the best things to do in Praslin, along with useful tips for your visit.
How many days do you need in Praslin?
Praslin is the perfect place to spend around four to five days. This gives you enough time to visit all the beautiful beaches and actually spend some time sunbathing on them too!
How do you get to Praslin?
There are two ways to reach Praslin. You can take the ferry from La Digue, which takes around 15 minutes, or travel by ferry from Mahé. The journey from Mahé to Praslin generally takes around 75 minutes. More information about current ferry schedules and prices can be found here.
From Mahé, you can also choose to fly to Praslin. The flight may be slightly more expensive than the ferry, but it saves you a considerable amount of time. The journey only takes around 15 minutes, and you get some beautiful views of the islands along the way.
Renting a car in Praslin
Praslin is not a large island, but renting a car is still recommended if you want to explore it easily. Because the island is mountainous and much of it is covered in jungle, a car is one of the most convenient ways to get around. Several rental companies operate on Praslin and can arrange for you to collect your car at the airport or ferry terminal. Make sure you reserve your car at least a few weeks in advance, particularly during busy travel periods. This gives you a better chance of finding an available vehicle. It may also be possible to rent a scooter, but the island has steep, winding roads that can become slippery after tropical rain showers. A car is therefore generally the more comfortable option.
What to do in Praslin
Relax on Anse Lazio
Anse Lazio is one of the largest beaches in the Seychelles and can be found on the north-western coast of Praslin. Not only is it a large beach, but it is also considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Expect soft white sand, green palm trees, warm turquoise water and the impressive granite rock formations for which the beaches of the Seychelles are so well known. It is the perfect place to sunbathe, swim and relax. You can reach Anse Lazio by car, and there are several small bars and lovely restaurants nearby.
Hike from Anse Lazio to Petite Anse Lazio
Next to Anse Lazio, you will find a much smaller beach called Petite Anse Lazio, which is hardly a surprising name! You cannot reach this beach directly by car, but you can follow a short hiking trail from Anse Lazio. We thought this was the most beautiful beach in the Seychelles. It has the same white sand, green palm trees, blue sea and impressive rock formations as Anse Lazio, but it feels much smaller and more intimate, with far fewer visitors. The path begins at the beach and continues through the jungle towards Petite Anse Lazio. The walk takes around 10 to 15 minutes. You will need to scramble over some rocks along the way, so wear proper shoes and avoid carrying too much luggage. My stubborn husband completed the hike in flip-flops because, according to him, we were going to a beach and there would be sand. Proper shoes are still the better option!
Visit Zimbabwe Viewpoint
When you are near Anse Lazio, you can also visit Zimbabwe Viewpoint. This viewpoint is located in one of the highest parts of Praslin. From here, you have a beautiful view across the island and sea, including nearby Curieuse Island. One of the advantages of this viewpoint is that no hiking is required. You can simply drive there by car. This stop will probably not take more than a few minutes, but it is definitely worth including while exploring Praslin.
Go Snorkelling
There are many different boat and snorkelling tours available from Praslin. One of the most enjoyable options is a full-day tour that includes a visit to nearby Curieuse Island. Here, you can meet the island’s giant tortoises and walk through its mangrove forest. Afterwards, many tours continue to the small island of St Pierre, where you can go snorkelling in the warm water. The waters around Praslin, Curieuse and St Pierre are home to coral formations and many colourful fish, making this a popular area for snorkelling.
Visit Vallée de Mai
In the heart of Praslin, you will find Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve. This beautiful jungle covers an area of just 19.5 hectares and is one of the Seychelles’ UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The ancient palm forest has remained largely unchanged since prehistoric times. Besides being a beautiful natural area, where you may spot birds, tree frogs and geckos, Vallée de Mai is particularly famous for the coco de mer. This unusual palm occurs naturally only on the islands of Praslin and Curieuse. Its famous fruit contains the largest seed in the plant kingdom. The fruit takes several years to mature and can become incredibly heavy. Because the coco de mer can only be seen growing naturally on Praslin and Curieuse, you should definitely not miss a visit to Vallée de Mai during your stay on Praslin.
