1. Vallée de Mai: Also known as May Valley, Vallée de Mai lies in the heart of Praslin and is known for its numerous nature trails and verdant views of the surrounding natural landscapes. This “Heart of Praslin” is the abode of some of the only remaining original palm jungles of Seychelles. Exuding a secluded and mystical, yet tranquil ambience, the valley has many beautiful viewpoints which offer visitors to come up close with black parrots and the Seychelles cave swiftlets. The valley has also gained the status of a world heritage site, where one can find the Coco de Mer, the largest seed in the entire world.
- Location: Praslin, Seychelles
- Timing: 08:30 a.m. to 04:30 p.m.
- Entry Fee: INR 1,198.55 onwards (per person)
2. Grande Anse: The Grande Anse is the largest settlement in Praslin and exudes quite a soothing and tranquil atmosphere. Home to many resorts, hotels, restaurants and food shacks, this settlement district is also the administrative region for Cousin Island, Aride Island, Cousine and Booby Island. You can find many tall mango and breadfruit trees scattered here, which often serve as home to the rare Black Parrot, endemic only to this region. The beach here is also quite long and is known for its still, warm waters which are great for a swim, in addition to other water sports. You can also enjoy a sunbath here.
3. Baie St Anne: The Baie St Anne is a port in Praslin, which has a jetty that connects the boats from Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. Located around 2 kilometres to the south of the Baie Sainte Anne village, the port has been named after the patron saint of the first Catholic church on this island. The port island is home to numerous offices, boutique shops, art galleries and restaurants, where you can spend some leisure time. You can also find many small resorts and hotels which offer beautiful views of the bay of Sainte Anne.
4. Anse Lazio: Located on the northern shore of Praslin Island, Anse Lazio, also known as Chevalier Bay, is one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Seychelles. However, it is only accessible by a hike over a hill. Surrounded by huge rocks, hills and forests of coconut and takamaka trees, Anse Lazio boasts of soft white sands and crystal-clear waters, which are great for a relaxing swim. In addition to relaxing walks along the shore, one can also enjoy mesmerising views of the sunset, sunbathing and fun-filled water sports, such as surfing and scuba diving.
5. Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve: Located close to the Baie St Anne on the western shore of Praslin, the Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve is a relatively new reserve in the region. Sprawling across an area of 122 hectares, the nature reserve is home to a lot of different wildlife and endemic species. It also consists of 860 mature female Coco de Mer palms. With many nature trails and paths, you can explore the nature reserve and soak in its wonders, from small ravines and densely forested paths to breathtaking natural views of Praslin and the surrounding islands.
- Location: Grand Anse, Seychelles
- Timing: 09:30 a.m. to 03:00 p.m.
- Entry fee: INR 100 per person
6. Curieuse Island: Home to a unique copper-toned land, this island also serves as a breeding ground for giant tortoises, who you can see roaming around freely here. Mostly covered with takamaka and casuarina trees, this island is the only place in the world (besides Praslin), where you can find the Coco de Mer palm trees growing naturally. Accessible by boats from the Praslin Island, the Curieuse Island was also an erstwhile leper colony. The south shore of this island still houses the ancient ruins of the leprosarium, along with a doctor’s house, which is considered to be a preserved national monument.
7. Cousin & Aride Islands: Known as the first carbon-neutral nature reserve in the world, Cousin Island is home to the rare tiny Seychelles warbler, which is endemic to this land. Additionally, the island also serves as the nesting area for the endangered hawksbill turtle in the whole western Indian Ocean. Aride Island is a granitic island located in the northernmost region of Seychelles. This nature reserve dates back to almost 250 years. It is in these two islands where you can enjoy a close look at birds like the Seychelles magpie, Seychelles brush warbler, the wedge-tailed shearwater and the Seychelles turtledove.
8. Côte D’Or: Also known as Anse Volbert, the Côte D’Or beach is arguably one of the most popular beaches in Praslin. This long beach is characterized by white sands, shallow blue waters and calm waves, making it great for enjoying a serene snorkelling experience. This beach is also the longest beach in the region, in addition to being motorable, where you can drive along the shores or take a tranquil walk. You can also enjoy other water sports like swimming, surfing, windsurfing, scuba diving and sailing here. When hungry, you can visit one of the many restaurants and food shacks lined up along the beach to savour your hunger.
9. Praslin National Park: Tired of visiting beaches and enjoying water sports? Pay a visit to the scenic Praslin National Park. Also known as the Vallée de Mai National Park, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a verdant park that is home to over 4,000 rare giant Coco de Mer fruit palm trees. This national park also boasts of some of the rare plant species in the world, including palmiste, latanier, vanilla orchids and the splayed traveller’s palm, among others. You can also catch a glimpse of various species of lizards and rare birds, like the black parrot, the fruit pigeon as well as the rare Seychelles bulbul.
- Location: Praslin, Seychelles
- Timing: 08:30 a.m. to 04:30 p.m.
- Entry fee: INR 1,640 per person
10. Praslin Museum: The Praslin Museum, located on Anse Volbert, is the first museum of Praslin, in addition to being one of the most interesting attractions here. It is also the best place here to learn about the rich culture, history and traditions of Praslin. From tasting the delicious Praslin cuisine to learning about the country’s endemic and medicinal plants, the museum offers a lot of unique experiences to visitors. You can also indulge in numerous fruit juices or citronella tea here. Some of the activities here include coconut dehusking, breadfruit grilling or feeding a fruit bat.
- Location: Côte d’Or, Praslin, Seychelles
- Timing: 09:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m.
- Entry fee: INR 616.19 per person
