Praslin Island is the second largest Island, with a population of around 7000. The island is 24 miles northeast of Mahé and is accessible from Mahé by daily Air Seychelles domestic flights, (with a flight time of only 15 minutes) or by the Cat Coco catamaran ferry in 50 minutes.
Praslin Island is home to the famous Vallee de Mai, a Unesco World Heritage Site and one of only two places in the world where the famous Coco-de-mer grows wild. The Coco-de-mer is 40 metres tall and around 200 years old. General Gordon of Khartoum was convinced that this was the site of the original “Garden of Eden”
Praslin is intersected by a road that leads through the Vallee de Mai and possesses some of the most striking beaches of the archipelago such as Anse Lazio; widely acclaimed to be the most beautiful beach on earth.
Praslin Island offers a wide variety of accommodation ranging from guesthouses and small hotels like Le Duc De Praslin, medium sized Praslin hotels like Coco De Mer Hotel Seychelles to resort hotels like the newly opened Raffles Seychelles and the Constance Lemuria Resort. Praslin Island restaurants offer international and creole cuisine and the strong tradition of Seychelles hospitality stands at the forefront of the country’s tourism industry.
Praslin is ideally situated for holidaymakers wishing to Island hop to a handful of nearby exotic islands such as La Digue, Curieuse, Cousin, St Pierre, Chauve Souris and the Aride bird reserve.
It is a haven for nature lovers seeking rare endemic species such as the black parrot (Praslin is the last natural habitat for this bird) and for anyone wishing to explore the island’s network of footpaths.
West Praslin
West Praslin is the location of the domestic airport, a giant clam farm and a centre for cultured pearls. You will find some of the most spectacular beaches there as well, each with their own unique qualities, such as Anse Lazio, Anse Kerlan and Anse Georgette. West Praslin also boasts the only 18-hole championship golf course in the Seychelles and is found at Lemuria Resort Seychelles - which is situated at Anse Kerlan. West Praslin also has a range of beachfront hotels and guesthouses all centered around Grand Anse, with a jetty offering boat transfers.
Central and East Praslin
Central and East Praslin is home to the Vallee de Mai, an area of virgin forest that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also reported to be the only place on earth where the fabled Coco-de-mer grows wild. The area also boasts several rare endemic species of flora and fauna.
The beautiful beaches of Anse Possession, Anse Gouvernement and Cote d’Or are strong favourites with Praslin holiday visitors. You will find some excellent daily excursion opportunities to St Pierre and Chauve Souris which have some of the finest snorkelling to be found in the Seychelles. The town of Baie Ste Anne is the commercial heart of Praslin with banks, a boatyard, petrol station, garage, two churches, hardware stores and several other souvenir & grocery shops.
Must do’s on Praslin Island
Vallee de Mai
Anse Lazio beach
Praslin Ocean Farm, giant clam farm.
Island excursions to:-
Cousin bird sanctuary,
Curieuse Marine Park and Nature Reserve,
Aride Bird Reserve,
La Digue, walks and trails.
