Praslin is the Seychelles’ second-largest island and, for many travellers, the one with the most famous beach of all: Anse Lazio, regularly voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Add the prehistoric palm forest of the Vallée de Mai, where the giant coco de mer grows, and the hidden cove of Anse Georgette, and you have a perfect island day.
This is my one-day Praslin itinerary for 2027 – how to get there, the best order to see the highlights, entrance fees, swimming tips and how to combine Praslin with the other islands. For the big picture, start with my Seychelles travel guide, then read one day on La Digue and one day on Mahé.
Praslin at a glance
- Best for: Anse Lazio, the Vallée de Mai (UNESCO) and quiet beaches
- Getting there: Cat Cocos ferry from Mahé (about 1 hour) or a short domestic flight (about 15 minutes)
- Getting around: rental car (drive on the left), local bus or taxi
- Must-pay: Vallée de Mai – SCR 450 according to the official SIF website in 2026
- Best beach: Anse Lazio – ranked 6th in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice World’s Best Beaches 2024
- Money: Seychelles rupee (SCR); in 2026 €1 was roughly 16–17 SCR
Getting to Praslin
Most visitors arrive from Mahé. The Cat Cocos fast ferry docks at Baie Sainte Anne on Praslin after about an hour; in 2026 a one-way ticket cost very roughly €60. The crossing can be bumpy when the trade winds blow (especially June to August), so take seasickness tablets if you’re sensitive. There are also short domestic flights from Mahé airport. From Praslin, La Digue is only about 15 minutes away by ferry – the two islands are easy to combine.
My one-day Praslin itinerary
Start early at the Vallée de Mai while it’s cool and quiet, then spend the rest of the day on the beaches of the north coast.
8:30 – Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve
The Vallée de Mai is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and feels like walking into a prehistoric world: towering palms, huge leaves rustling above you and the strange, enormous nuts of the coco de mer – the largest seed of any plant on Earth – which grows naturally only here and on neighbouring Curieuse. Listen for the rare Seychelles black parrot, which lives in the reserve.
- Opening hours: 8:30–16:30, last entry 15:30 (closed on 25 December and 1 January)
- Entrance: SCR 450 per the official Seychelles Islands Foundation website (2026); cash or card in SCR, EUR, USD or GBP
- Time needed: 1.5–2 hours on the marked trails
- Tip: wear proper shoes and bring mosquito repellent
11:00 – Anse Lazio: the most beautiful beach in the world?
Drive to the northwest tip of the island for Anse Lazio. It’s the beach everyone talks about – a curve of soft white sand framed by granite boulders and takamaka trees, with clear turquoise water. In 2024 it was ranked 6th in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice World’s Best Beaches, and plenty of travellers would put it at number one.
Anse Lazio is usually at its calmest during the southeast trade-wind season (roughly May to September), when the northwest coast is sheltered. During the northwest monsoon there can be swell. There are no lifeguards, so swim within your limits and check the conditions. Bring snorkelling gear – the rocks at both ends are great for fish.
13:00 – Lunch at Anse Lazio
There are a couple of restaurants right behind the beach. They aren’t cheap, so if you’re on a budget, pick up a takeaway Creole lunch or snacks earlier in the day and have a picnic in the shade.
15:00 – Anse Georgette (if you can get in)
Anse Georgette is a small, perfect cove on the grounds of the Constance Lemuria resort – it came 8th on the World’s 50 Best Beaches list in 2024. Non-guests can usually visit, but you need to inform the hotel at the gate and they let people in depending on how busy it is. Some people hike over from Anse Lazio (around 45 minutes), and private boat tours often stop here too. Careful: the sea floor drops off quickly, so it isn’t ideal for weak swimmers or unsupervised children.
17:00 – Côte d’Or (Anse Volbert) for sunset drinks
Finish on the northeast coast at Côte d’Or, also called Anse Volbert – a long, easy beach with guesthouses, cafés and boat trips to nearby islands. It’s a relaxed place for a swim and a drink as the light softens.
Costs for one day on Praslin (2026)
| Item | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Cat Cocos ferry Mahé – Praslin (one-way) | about €60 |
| Vallée de Mai entrance | SCR 450 (official SIF website) |
| Anse Lazio / Côte d’Or | Free |
| Lunch at a beach restaurant | Expensive – a takeaway or picnic saves a lot |
| Car rental or taxi | Varies – compare before you book |
Tips for Praslin
- Go to the Vallée de Mai first thing – cooler, quieter and better for spotting birds.
- Choose beaches by the wind: the calm side changes between the southeast and northwest seasons.
- No lifeguards on most beaches – never swim alone in rough water.
- Carry cash in rupees for small shops and buses.
- Combine with La Digue – it’s only 15 minutes by ferry from Praslin.
- Don’t take a coco de mer home without a permit – they’re protected and need official certificates.
More of the Seychelles
Hop over to La Digue for bikes, giant tortoises and Anse Source d’Argent, or spend a day driving around Mahé – beaches, big waves and the best cheap Creole takeaways. Entry rules, best time to visit and costs are all in my Seychelles travel guide. More of the continent: Africa travel guide.
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Are you a hotel, guesthouse, boat operator, restaurant or tourism board in Praslin or elsewhere in the Seychelles? I create honest one-day itineraries, photos and Instagram stories that help travellers plan real trips. Find out how we can work together or get in touch.
Praslin FAQ
Is one day on Praslin enough?
One day is enough for the Vallée de Mai in the morning and an afternoon at Anse Lazio, with time for Anse Georgette or Côte d’Or. Stay longer if you also want island-hopping to Curieuse or St Pierre.
Is Anse Lazio the most beautiful beach in the world?
It is often called that. In 2024 Anse Lazio was ranked 6th in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice World’s Best Beaches, and many visitors think it deserves first place.
How much is the Vallée de Mai entrance fee?
The official Seychelles Islands Foundation website lists SCR 450, payable in rupees, euros, US dollars or pounds, by cash or card. The reserve is open from 8:30 to 16:30 with last entry at 15:30.
Can anyone visit Anse Georgette?
Anse Georgette lies within the Constance Lemuria resort. Non-guests usually need to inform the hotel at the entrance and are admitted depending on visitor numbers. You can also hike from Anse Lazio or arrive on a boat tour.
How do you get from Mahé to Praslin?
Take the Cat Cocos ferry, which takes about an hour, or a short domestic flight of around 15 minutes from Mahé airport.
When is the sea calmest at Anse Lazio?
Anse Lazio is usually calmest during the southeast trade-wind season, roughly May to September, when the northwest coast is sheltered.
Miki Kokica
Travel blogger behind One Day Itinerary. I test every route myself and write honest, practical guides so you can make the most of a single day anywhere.
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