Travel Guide Praslin
This island of the Seychelles archipelago, splendid and preserved, a destination of paradise and luxury, is located 37 km off Mahé. You approach Praslin by ferry (45 min from Mahé) through the vast and beautiful natural bay of Sainte-Anne. Many land near their hotel, a fifteen minute flight from Victoria. Wealthy tourists from all over the world come to Praslin for its lush nature, beaches, turquoise waters and seabed. This island, which is barely hilly, culminates at Fond Azore (367 m above sea level). Baie Sainte-Anne is home to a small picturesque town with churches, health center, banks, post office, gas station and small markets. It is here that you can find a car to rent. You will not miss the jewel of the island, the Vallée de Mai National Park, a natural area classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rich in lush jungle with exotic birds, some of which are rare, and 7,000 cocos de mer, the famous cocos-fesses. The northeast and west coasts of the island, protected by vast coral reefs, are home toAnse Lazio and Anse Georgette, among the most beautiful beaches in the world. Off the island of Praslin you will discover the charming small islands of Cousin, Curieuse and St-Pierre during a day trip. The island of Cousin is home to the villas of a very luxurious hotel... On the island of Praslin you will find more large hotels than guest houses. In both versions, in any case, your purse will have to be full!
What to visit Praslin?
When to go to Praslin?
The best periods to stay in La Digue are the months between the dry and wet seasons, i.e. April and especially October. Light wind, fleeting showers, calm ocean, ideal heat: the beautiful weeks are here! Whatever the date chosen, the heat is never overwhelming (25 to 32°C during the day, at least 24°C at night). The humidity level is always bearable (about 80%). Maximum rainfall is generally observed between mid-December and mid-January. The high tourist season generally corresponds to the European vacation periods, i.e. July and August, Christmas, February and Easter. You have then all the tourist offer available (restaurants, diving clubs, souvenir stores...). However, you can go all year round in the Seychelles and in La Digue which does not really have an off-season. You should also know that from November to April, the sea is ideal for diving and sailing. The climate is warm and humid, the wind is light and the sea is calm. And if you come in March, you will attend the International Carnival of Mahé and its parade of floats representing the different participating countries. And in October it is the Kreol festival, very colorful in the three islands of the archipelago.
Weather at the moment
The climate of the island of Praslin is equatorial, with pleasant temperatures all year round between 26°C in August and 31°C in April. From October to March, it is hot and humid, and the sea is generally calm. However, it rains less in Praslin than in Mahé. From May to September, the atmosphere is cooler and drier, and the sea is rougher. October and April are the most pleasant months. On Praslin, the sky is often overcast in July and August, the ocean is rough and showers are scattered.
The local currency is the Seychelles Rupee. Mastercard/Access and Visa credit cards are widely accepted. Given the price of a plane ticket to Victoria (from €750 to €1,300 in economy class) and the duration of the flight (10 hours), it is preferable to stay two weeks on the island of Praslin. The Seychelles is not a cheap destination. Count on a minimum of 100 € per day for your stay in Praslin.
To stay in the Seychelles archipelago, especially on the island of Praslin, you must have a passport valid for at least six more months, a confirmation of the reservation for the accommodation, at least for the first three nights, with a contact in Praslin, a return air ticket, and a sufficient budget for your stay (approximately 135 € per day).
Good news: a tropical country without health problems! Health conditions are good in the Seychelles, and particularly on the preserved island of Praslin, no malaria, no diseases specific to the tropics. No vaccinations are necessary, but standard vaccines are recommended as elsewhere. There is no specialized hospital infrastructure on Mahé, and even less so on Praslin. It is better to plan for a medical repatriation solution in case of serious medical problems.
Practical information
- When to travel?
- Weather forecast
- Budget
- Formalities
- Health
- How to travel by yourself?
- How to get organized?
- Getting around
Media
How to go to Praslin? Our advice & tips
Many agencies offer trips to the Seychelles, which often combine the three granite islands (Mahé, Praslin, La Digue) and a coral island, in 10 to 12 days. It is possible to discover La Digue and its islands by coastal cruises organized for small groups on board comfortable sailing boats or catamarans. Stays in Praslin are generally oriented towards the beach, nature, diving, fishing and hiking.
Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destinationVisitors usually approach the Seychelles via Mahé and Victoria airport. No need to worry about landing alone. Moreover, French is quite frequently understood so you can easily organize yourself on the spot. You can reach the island of Praslin by shuttle, in a quarter of an hour by boat. You can choose the discovery formula on a sailboat which allows you to plan your stay "à la carte" and to save on accommodation.
It is possible to take cabs in Mahé (price to be negotiated before). Private companies provide catamaran cruises in the archipelago. You can rent a bicycle in Praslin to walk around the island and schedule hikes on good trails. You can also rent a car in Praslin.
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Other destinations Praslin
- Anse Lazio
- Saint-Pierre
- Côte D'Or
- Anse Gouvernement
- Parc National De Praslin
- Aride
- Ronde
- Cousin
- Grand'Anse
- Anse Bois De Rose
- Anse Kerlan
- Anse Consolation
- Cousine
- Amitié
- Curieuse
- Anse Takamaka - Anse La Blague
- Baie Sainte-Anne
- Anse Volbert
- Anse La Farine
- Pointe Cabris
- Anse Possession
- Anse Petite Cour
- Anse Boudin
- Anse Saint-Sauveur
- Grosse Roche