Lying some 44 kilometres east of Mahe, Praslin is one of the most visited islands in the Seychelles with a large number of resorts and hotels to accommodate visitors. Travellers come in search of the island's beautiful beaches and relaxed lifestyle. Another major attraction is the Valle de Mai gardens, a treasure trove of plants and birdlife including the rare Coco de Mer palm, the nut of which has a very suggestive shape!
In its past Praslin Island was used as a hideaway by pirates and Arab merchants, these days it performs much the same function, except pirates have been replaced by tourists seeking a peaceful hideaway from the turbulent pace of life outside this relaxed and laid back tropical island. It helps that the island with its lush green vegetation, sandy white beaches and pristine coral reefs is the perfect venue for an island holiday. In addition the island has many luxurious resorts and hotels, which cater to a traveller's every need. Have a look at some of these fine venues on our Praslin Island Accommodation list or have a look at the Praslin Island Map to see where all the places to stay are located.
In 1768 the island gained its name in honor of French diplomat César Gabriel de Choiseul, duc de Praslin. Its substantial tracts of tropical forests are home to rare and beautiful birds such as the Seychelles Bulbul and the endemic black parrot. It is also home to the rare coco de mer palm, the nut of which can grow up to 16kgs and is the world's largest. The nut also has a very distinctive and suggestive shape, that of the female vulva! You can find these and much more in the famous Valle de Mai gardens.
Praslin is also famous for its soft white sandy beaches, and there are far too many to name, with the exception of Anse Lazio, which has consistently been voted one of the world's best beaches. They offer safe bathing and excellent snorkelling among the living corals, which are home to an amazing nine hundred species of fish. One can either hire a bicycle, a taxi, go on an organised trip round the island, or hire a self-drive car. In your adventures round the island you may come across a Championship Golf course or a Casino, it is the only island in the Seychelles outside of Mahe that has one.
From Praslin it is easy to reach a number of outlying island like La Digue, Cousin, Curieuse and St. Pierre. These beautiful islands are inhabited by thousands of birds and turtles, and their waters possess beautiful coral reefs. A trip to any one of them will be well worth it. Information on how to get to Praslin itself can be found in our Praslin Island Getting There section.
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