Praslin, Seychelles: Island guide with the most beautiful beaches and practical tips for your dream trip
- Julian
- Jun 30
- 8 min read
Praslin, a paradise on earth! The island is exactly what I imagined it would be like in the Seychelles – beautiful, untouched, and idyllic. It boasts turquoise waters, palm trees, white sandy beaches, and untouched nature. In this article, I share my experiences and everything you need to know for a trip to Praslin so you too can enjoy this dream island to the fullest.
Don't have time to read? Here's a quick overview of the most important information:
When is the best time to travel to the Seychelles?
The best time to visit the Seychelles is from April to May and October to November, when the weather is pleasantly mild and the water temperatures are ideal for diving and snorkeling.
Do I need a visa for the Seychelles?
You don't need a visa for the Seychelles if you're staying for less than 90 days, as long as you have a valid passport and a return ticket. However, you will need a digital entry permit before entering the country.
Do I need a car on Praslin?
A car is recommended to explore the island flexibly and comfortably.
How do I get between the islands?
You can travel between the islands by ferry or domestic flight, with the ferry being the cheaper but slower option.
Which beaches are particularly beautiful on Praslin?
On Praslin, the beaches of Anse Lazio, Petite Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette are particularly known for their beauty and crystal-clear waters.
Is food expensive in the Seychelles?
Food in the Seychelles can be expensive, especially in restaurants, but you can save money by eating at local food trucks or takeaways.
Is the water in the Seychelles drinkable?
Tap water in the Seychelles is drinkable in most areas, but many hotels recommend using bottled water.
How long does it take to get from Mahé to Praslin?
By ferry it takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, by plane only 20 minutes.
How safe is the Seychelles?
The Seychelles is generally a very safe destination with low crime rates, but as with any other place, you should keep an eye on your valuables and be careful.
General information about Praslin:
Praslin is the second largest island in the Seychelles and is located in the Indian Ocean. It is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, white sandy beaches, and calm, tropical climate. It's ideal for a relaxing holiday, but also for adventure seekers who want to explore the lush vegetation and diverse underwater world.
Best time to travel:
Thanks to its proximity to the equator , the Seychelles are a popular year-round destination with a consistently warm, tropical climate. A trip to Praslin is theoretically possible at any time without having to worry about major temperature fluctuations.
However, the best months to visit are April to May and October to November . During these transitional periods between the monsoons, conditions are ideal: the sea is calmer, the winds light, and the humidity moderate—perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. From December to March, the northwest monsoon brings higher temperatures and occasional rain showers, while the southeast monsoon period from June to September is drier but windier—ideal for hiking and land-based activities.
Visa and entry requirements:
To enter Praslin , you need a valid passport valid for at least six months. A visa is not required; you can stay for up to 90 days without a visa.
Before traveling to the Seychelles , however, you must apply for a digital travel authorization through the official Seychelles government website or mobile app. Processing can take up to 12 hours , so please do so promptly. Without this authorization, you may be denied entry.
Getting to Praslin:
There are two main options for getting to Praslin: ferry and domestic flight. Both options have their own advantages, depending on your time and comfort needs.
By ferry to Praslin:
The ferry is the most popular and also the most affordable way to get to Praslin. There are several daily connections between the islands.
Please note: The ferry port is not located at the airport! However, when booking through "Seyferry," you can add transportation directly.
Duration: approx. 1.15 hours
Cost: 60 € each way
You can book the ferry tickets here: Seyferry
By plane to Praslin:
The much faster way to get to Praslin is by domestic flight. There are several connections daily, and the flight time is approximately 20 minutes. During the flight, you can enjoy stunning views of the turquoise sea and the islands.
Duration: 20 minutes
Costs: between 120 € - 150 € (depending on departure times and days)
You can book your flight tickets here: Air Seychelles
Getting around Praslin:
Car rental on Praslin:
Praslin may not be particularly large, but a rental car is the best way to explore the island at your own pace. I paid €120 for four days with Pristine Cars, which was seamless and professional.
Attention: In the Seychelles, traffic drives on the left !
Public transport on Praslin:
Another (cheaper) way to get around Praslin is by bus. A ride costs approximately 12-15 SCR/approximately 1 € each way. However, the bus doesn't have fixed stops. The buses only stop if you signal or make it clear to the driver that you want to get off.
However, travel is only possible with a valid (rechargeable) ticket. Tickets can be purchased at some supermarkets, SPTC offices, and accommodations, but not from the driver.
Cost: 165 Seychelles rupees (approx. €11.60)
The ticket is then loaded with 165 Seychelles rupees and includes the corresponding number of rides. You can find the current timetable here: SPTC
How many days are enough?
For a relaxing stay on Praslin, 4-5 days are usually sufficient. This allows you to enjoy the main beaches and also take excursions to other islands like Curieuse or Vallée de Mai National Park. However, if you have more time, you can also relax and experience the island's peaceful atmosphere even more intensely.
Internet on Praslin:
Most hotels, resorts, and cafes on Praslin offer free Wi-Fi. The connection is usually reliable, although not quite as fast as in larger cities. Overall, Praslin is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and relax – without having to be constantly connected. However, if you still want to be reachable, you should either buy a SIM card at the airport or get an e-SIM beforehand.
Catering:
The Seychelles isn't a cheap destination, especially when it comes to food. Restaurants can be expensive, so my tip: takeaways . On every corner on Praslin, you'll find food trucks or local takeaways where you can get meals like burgers and fries for just 100-150 SCR (approximately €7-11).
My recommendations: La Mer Pizzeria & TakeAway & Leo's Food Bus
These are the most beautiful beaches and sights on Praslin:
Anse Lazio
Anse Lazio is the definition of a dream beach . Everything you'd expect from a picture-perfect beach can be found here. The water looks like a picture, palm trees line the beach, and the granite rocks typical of the Seychelles add a special touch. I mean, just look at this water – it's DREAM !
Getting to the beach is super easy. There's a parking lot about a 5-minute walk from the beach, where you can park for a small fee. From the parking lot, it's just a few minutes' walk to the beach. The beach itself is incredibly long, so everyone can find their perfect shady spot.
Petite Anse Lazio
Right next to Anse Lazio is Petite Anse Lazio, also known as Lovers Bay. This beach is my favorite on the entire island!
You can get here in about a 10-minute hike from Anse Lazio. This hike isn't particularly difficult. It's just difficult to find the starting point.
The hiking trail isn't signposted and is just a dirt track. However, in my opinion, you should definitely take this route, because it's worth it!
This beach looks simply perfect. Since hardly anyone finds or even knows about this hiking trail, we always had the beach completely to ourselves. You'll find plenty of coral right in the water. So be sure to bring your snorkeling gear!
Anse Georgette
Now let's move on to Anse Georgette. This beach is located near the Constance Lemuria Hotel and can only be accessed after checking in with the hotel.
To do so, simply send an email (2-3 days in advance) to: ots@lemuriaresort.com
After a few hours, you'll receive written permission to enter the area that day. So super easy!
Upon your arrival, you will show your permit to the ranger and you will be allowed to enter the area.
A little tip : Try to arrive as early as possible, as there is NO proper parking in front of the site. Parking is only available on a small shoulder.
The walk to the beach was quite challenging. It took us about 20 minutes to get there. Anse Georgette is perfectly signposted, though. It was just very hilly at times.
Cote d'Or
Cote d'Or, or Anse Volbert, was our "hotel beach." This beach is one of the most popular and longest on the island. Along the coast, you'll find many guesthouses and hotels. The water here is quite shallow and calm, offering ideal conditions for families with children.
By the way, you'll also find a super nice photo motif with this cool palm tree!
It is important to know that there are tides at Anse Volbert and Cote d'Or.
You can find the current tides here: Tides on Praslin
Other activities on Praslin:
Besides the beautiful beaches, there's a lot more to discover. Here are two other activities you can do on Praslin:
Excursion to Curieuse Island
Curieuse is an island of just under 3 km² off the coast of Praslin. Here you'll find something very special. Around 300 Aldabra giant tortoises live here . Most of them live in a ranger station. But you can also spot them all over the island, even on the beach!
Curieuse is also the only island besides Praslin where the endemic Coco de Mer palm grows in the wild. These palms produce the largest seeds in the world, known for their distinctive shape. They are a symbol of the Seychelles and considered a botanical rarity. Here, too, you'll find beautiful beaches and a breathtaking underwater world.
Vallée de Mai
The Vallée de Mai is a national park and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983. Here you will find many endemic plants, such as the famous Coco de Mer. The Coco de Mer is a unique palm tree native to the Seychelles and is known for its distinctive, giant seeds, which are the largest in the world.
The seeds have a striking, double shape, often interpreted as a reference to the female anatomy . This shape has made them a symbol of fertility. The coco de mer grows only on the islands of the Seychelles, particularly on the islands of Praslin and Curieuse. It is therefore an important element of the native flora and fauna. This national park is definitely worth a visit!
Entrance fee: 450 SCR (approx. 33 €)
Opening hours: Daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
By the way : Follow me on my social media channels to get exclusive insights into my travels! On Instagram (@juliantravelstheworld), I'll take you to the most beautiful places in the world, share insider tips, inform you about local prices, and show you my accommodations. I'll link everything for you so you're perfectly prepared. Let's discover the most beautiful places in our world together!
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