Praslin travel guide: best beaches, hotels & things to do

Dreaming of palm-fringed beaches, turquoise waters, and wild jungle trails? Then Praslin Island in the Seychelles is the place for you. The second-largest island in the archipelago, Praslin is even more untouched and secluded than Mahé, offering the perfect blend of stunning nature, world-class beaches, and a laid-back island vibe—without the crowds you often find on Mahé.

In this detailed travel guide, I’m sharing everything you need to know for planning your perfect trip to Praslin — including my personal tips and favourite spots:

•  How many days you need on Praslin (and why I recommend five)
• How to get to Praslin from Mahé and La Digue
• How to get around the island — bus, taxi, or car rental?
• Where to stay (including my guesthouse recommendation)
• The best beaches, hikes, and nature reserves to visit
• My favourite day trip from Praslin — giant tortoises included!
• A breakdown of travel costs and sample 5-day budget for 2025

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Clicking on these links may earn me a small commission at no additional cost to you. However, this helps me keep this site running.

In my opinion, five days is the ideal amount of time to spend on Praslin. You can properly explore the island without having to rush from place to place — and still have time to relax and enjoy it. Before my trip, I spoke to quite a few people who had only spent two or three days here, and almost all of them said it wasn’t enough. They either had to skip some sights or felt constantly on the go.

With five days, you can comfortably visit all the island’s main highlights — spend a day at Anse Lazio, hike to the stunning and less crowded Anse Georgette, explore the UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai, and take a boat trip to nearby Curieuse Island to see the giant tortoises.

And the best part? You’ve still got time left to sleep in, enjoy slow breakfasts, and soak up the island vibes without feeling like you’re on a tight schedule. Anything less, and you’re likely to miss out. Anything more, and you’ll probably just want to revisit your favourite beaches — which, honestly, isn’t a bad plan either.

Getting to Praslin Island is pretty straightforward, with a couple of good options if you’re travelling from Mahé — you can either fly or take the ferry. We actually tried both on our trip: flew there and took the ferry back from La Digue through Praslin to Mahé. However, if you’re heading to La Digue, the only way to get there is by boat, as there are no flights connecting these islands.

•  From Mahé to Praslin by plane. Flying is the quickest and most comfortable way to get to Praslin. Air Seychelles operates short 15-minute flights several times a day. The views from the plane are stunning — think postcard-worthy turquoise water and lush green islands from above. The downside is the price. For non-residents, a one-way ticket costs around €100–200 per person, depending on the season and how early you book. It’s not the cheapest option, but definitely the most scenic and hassle-free.
• From Mahé to Praslin by ferry.  If you're looking to save a bit, the ferry is a solid alternative. It takes about an hour and costs around €60 per person one way. There are two companies running this route: Cat Cocos and Cat Rose. We went with Cat Cocos, and it was a smooth experience — comfortable, clean, and on time. I imagine both services are quite similar. Just a heads-up: the sea can be choppy, especially in the afternoon. If you’re prone to sea sickness, definitely take some sea sickness tablets beforehand. It’ll make a big difference. You can buy ferry tickets online in advance either on Viator or directly on the ferry companies’ websites. Booking ahead is a good idea, especially during the high season or holidays.
• From La Digue to Praslin by ferry. This leg of the journey is super easy — just a short 15-minute ferry ride with Cat Rose or Cat Cocos. Several sailings run daily, and the sea is usually calm since the islands are so close together. Tickets are much cheaper than the Mahé–Praslin route — around €15 per person one way — and you can often book them last-minute, unless you're travelling during a busy period or on a weekend. 

There’s a decent network of public buses running between main villages and popular spots like Baie Sainte Anne, Vallée de Mai, Anse Lazio, and Anse Georgette. The bus fare is very affordable — just 10 Seychellois rupees per ticket (around 60 euro cents). To pay for your rides, you’ll need a travel card, which you can buy and top up at local shops. We got ours at a nearby store. The card itself costs a small amount. We topped it up with about 200 rupees (around €15 for two people) for convenience, and that lasted us until the end of the trip. We even used it on Mahé’s buses. Buses run quite regularly and are a great budget-friendly way to get around.

One thing to keep in mind: if you arrive by ferry with a big suitcase, taking the bus probably won’t work. You’ll need to book a taxi. From our experience, a larger taxi for 8 people from the airport cost about 500 Seychellois rupees (around €30), and a similar taxi to the ferry port — just a 5-minute ride — was 150 rupees (around €10).

If you want maximum freedom, renting a car is probably your best bet. It’s easy to find rental places on the island, and having your own wheels means you can explore hidden beaches and spots off the beaten track whenever you like. Roads are generally in good condition, but some places might be a bit bumpy.

Honestly, on Praslin it’s not that important exactly where you stay because buses go pretty much everywhere on the island, so getting around is easy. If you want to be closer to the beach, there are plenty of options around Anse Volbert. This area has lovely beaches nearby and offer a good range of accommodation — from guesthouses to resorts.

We stayed at Belle Rose Vue Guest House in the Baie Sainte Anne area and had a wonderful time on Praslin! The apartment was exactly as described — clean, spacious, and well-equipped. The hosts were super friendly and welcoming, explaining everything to us and making us feel right at home. The kitchen had everything we needed for cooking, including little essentials like oil, salt, and pepper, which was a nice touch. As a lovely surprise, they also gave us fresh papayas, bananas, and delicious homemade jam. Highly recommended — we’d definitely love to come back! One thing to note: the apartment is located on a hill, which means you get an amazing view — absolutely worth it! But keep in mind, the climb can be a bit challenging for some. It was totally fine for us, but if you have mobility issues, it might be tricky.

Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic places on Praslin. This ancient palm forest is home to the legendary coco de mer — the world’s largest and heaviest seed, which grows only in the Seychelles. We explored the trails in every direction and saw plenty of these impressive palms, along with lots of other fascinating endemic plants. The whole place feels like a real-life Jurassic Park — humid, lush, and almost prehistoric. Entrance is 410 Seychellois rupees per person (about €25), and if you’re into nature like we are, it’s absolutely worth it. Don’t forget to visit the official website to download a map and read about the park beforehand. You can also pick up all the necessary brochures at the ticket office on the day of your visit.

If you’re up for a short hike, you can also do the Glacis Noir Nature Trail, which starts near Vallée de Mai and leads up to the Mont Azore viewpoint. It’s not too long — around 1.4 km — but it does get steep in places. At the top, you’re rewarded with amazing panoramic views over Praslin, the surrounding forest, and nearby islands like La Digue. The entrance fee to the national park is 100 Seychellois rupees (about €5.50), which you can pay in advance on the official website. We didn’t do this trail ourselves, as we were already a bit tired after hiking on Mahé, but several people we met spoke very highly of it. If you decide to go, bring water and wear proper shoes, especially if the ground is damp.

Many travellers also recommend visiting Fond Ferdinand, a nature reserve that’s often compared to Vallée de Mai, but with far fewer crowds and more varied scenery. The entrance fee is slightly lower, and the hike includes guided commentary, incredible viewpoints, and a chance to see coco de mer palms as well. We didn’t make it there on our trip, since we chose to focus on Vallée de Mai, but I read it’s one of the most underrated places on the island. Note that access is only allowed in the morning, as all visits are guided and start before noon, so be sure to plan ahead. You can also buy a combined ticket for Vallée de Mai and Fond Ferdinand if you want to see both and save a bit on entrance fees.

Anse Georgette. One of the most beautiful and untouched beaches on the island — and also one of the quietest. To access it, you’ll need to walk through Constance Lemuria Resort (you can call ahead or register at the gate). We came here after visiting Vallée de Mai and spent the late afternoon on the beach. In the water, we spotted a stingray, and there’s a great little snorkelling area to the right near the rocks. Bring your own gear and enjoy the clear water and peaceful surroundings.

Anse Lazio. Probably the most famous beach on Praslin — and for good reason. Perfect white sand, turquoise water, and big granite rocks make it incredibly photogenic. There’s even a small enclosure with giant tortoises, which is fun to check out. We rented sunbeds, and they kindly gave us bottled water for free. There’s also a beach bar where we ordered tasty samosas and cocktails served in coconuts — ideal for a full day of beach bliss. We easily spent the whole day here just relaxing.

If you have a spare day, don’t miss a boat trip to Curieuse Island, located just off the coast of Praslin. It’s best known for its population of giant Aldabra tortoises, stunning white-sand beaches, and a beautiful mangrove boardwalk trail. We booked with a local tour company Infinity Charter Seychelles and absolutely loved the whole experience.

First, we were picked up from our accommodation and driven to the boat departure point. The ride to Curieuse takes about 20 minutes, and once you arrive, you’ll need to pay the National Park entrance fee — 20 euros (card only).

You’ll start with some time to relax on the beach before the guided walk begins. The trail across the island isn’t difficult, but it’s a good idea to wear a hat and sunscreen — some sections are exposed to the sun. The path takes you through a mangrove forest, while the guide shares lots of interesting facts about the island and local plant life. At the other end of the trail, you’ll arrive at the tortoise area and lunch spot. The grilled lunch was fantastic — lots of options including fish, chicken, meat, vegetables, salads, and side dishes. After lunch, we had plenty of time to hang out with the tortoises, take photos, and even feed them leftovers (which they loved!).

The last part of the trip was snorkelling. Originally we were supposed to go near St. Pierre Island, but the waves picked up after lunch, so our guide took us to a calmer bay instead. It turned out to be a great choice — the coral was beautiful and the visibility was excellent.

All in all, it was a perfect day out, combining nature, wildlife, and a bit of adventure. On top of that, I highly recommend the Infinity team — we really loved them, true professionals! You can choose between a half-day or a full-day tour. The difference is that after the hike and meeting the tortoises, the half-day tour doesn’t include lunch or snorkelling and heads straight back home.

If you’re wondering how to plan your days on Praslin, here’s the exact 5-day itinerary we followed — relaxed, scenic, and with just enough adventure. It worked perfectly for a first visit and gave us time to see all the island’s highlights without feeling rushed.

Day 1: Arrival by plane, hotel check-in & grocery run. We flew into Praslin from Mahé — a short and beautiful 15-minute flight with postcard views. After landing, we checked into our guesthouse, settled in, and headed out to stock up on basics at the local shop. Most places have kitchenettes, so grabbing fruit, snacks, and water early on is a good idea.

Day 2: Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve + the Glacis Noir Nature Trail & Anse Georgette in the afternoon. We began the day exploring Vallée de Mai, but didn’t do the hike to Mont Azore via the Glacis Noir Nature Trail ourselves, as we were already a bit tired from previous treks. However, many people we met highly recommended it for the incredible views. After lunch, we headed to Anse Georgette for a peaceful and beautiful beach afternoon. It’s one of the quietest beaches on the island and the perfect way to unwind after a morning of walking. 

Day 3: Full beach day at Anse Lazio. This was our lazy beach day — we arrived early, rented sunbeds, snorkelled, sipped coconut cocktails, and stayed until sunset. You could also fit in a quick stop at Anse Volbert in the morning, or visit Fond Ferdinand if you didn’t the day before.

Day 4: Full-day boat tour to Curieuse Island. A big highlight of the trip! We joined a tour that included giant tortoises, a mangrove walk, beach time, grilled lunch, and snorkelling in a calm bay. It was a full, adventure-packed day and a great way to see more of the Seychelles beyond Praslin.

Day 5: Packing up & ferry to La Digue. On our last morning, we took it slow — packed up, had one last tropical breakfast, and caught the short ferry ride to La Digue for the next part of our island adventure.

When it comes to budgeting for a 5-day trip to Praslin Island in 2025, costs can vary quite a bit depending on your travel style.

For budget travellers, it’s entirely possible to enjoy the island without breaking the bank. Accommodation in guesthouses or budget hotels typically costs between €40 and €60 per night for two, especially if you stay around Baie Sainte Anne or Anse Volbert. Eating out at local cafés or takeaway spots will generally set you back around €6 to €10 per meal, but if you buy fresh fruit and groceries and prepare some meals yourself, you can save even more. Transport is very affordable with public buses costing around €0.60 per ride, so expect to spend roughly €15 on transport during your stay. Most of the island’s natural attractions, like Vallée de Mai, have entrance fees of about €25, and the beaches are free to enjoy. You might want to keep an extra €10 to €20 aside for occasional taxis or small extras. Altogether, budget travellers can expect to spend around €350 to €500 for five days on Praslin for one person.

For those looking for a bit more comfort and flexibility, a mid-range budget is the way to go. Mid-range hotels or guesthouses offering extra comforts typically cost between €150 and €400 per night for two. Meals at nicer cafés or hotel restaurants usually range from €25 to €40 each, with the occasional cocktail or special treat adding to the experience. Renting a car is a popular choice for getting around and exploring at your own pace; this usually costs about €40 to €60 per day. You might also take some taxis now and then, with fares between €10 and €30 per trip. Activities like guided tours and boat trips to Curieuse Island generally cost between €50 and €150 per day. It’s wise to set aside some extra money for souvenirs, tips, or spontaneous adventures. Overall, mid-range travellers should budget around €750 to €1500 for a 5-day stay for one person.

No matter your budget, Praslin offers stunning beaches, lush nature, and unforgettable experiences, so you can tailor your trip to suit your needs and still have an amazing time.

Praslin isn’t just a destination — it’s an invitation to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with nature in its purest form. Whether you’re wandering through ancient palm forests, soaking up the sun on untouched beaches, or swimming alongside giant tortoises, every moment here feels like a rare gift. This island effortlessly combines tranquility with adventure, offering a peaceful escape that leaves you refreshed and inspired.

So, pack your bags and let the gentle sea breeze and lush landscapes of Praslin carry you away. Your next unforgettable adventure is waiting just beyond the horizon.