From Mahe, you can take a ferry (Cat Cocos) over to Praslin (and from there to La Digue if you wish). Once you get to the port on Praslin, there are plenty of taxis that will take you where you need to go. For most people, it seems there are two main reasons to visit Praslin, and both of them are worth the trip. First is the Vallee de Mai forest which is where the famous Coco de Mer nut grows. It is worth a trip just to be able to see this forest. It looks like somewhere from the Jurassic period with huge palm fronds and these nuts growing in the trees. If you are lucky, you may even get to see the Black Parrots there, which are endangered. I didn't get to see one on my trip, but I did get to see plenty of the Coco de mer. The trail into the forest takes about 1 hour if you don't stop and there is a fee to get into the park. I believe it was 250 rupees but I could be wrong. It is a very cool place and definitely should be on the list of things to do on a trip to the Seychelles.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Vallee de Mai
The gardens were established in 1901 and it covers around six hectares with almost 500 different plants. As it is mostly on the flat, it is a really pleasant place to walk around, very peaceful and beautifully landscaped.
The gardens are open 08.00 to 17.00 and there is a charge of US$ to enter.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
The second reason most people seem to come to Praslin (other than the Coco de Mer) is to visit this beach. I would not say I'm an expert on beaches, but I have visited many of the beaches in the U.S. and I would say this beach is the most beautiful I have seen. Large bolders on each end, white sand, virtually deserted, more fish that you care to see on either end by the rocks if you like to snorkel and the water is a brilliant blue. It looks like crystal. It may well be one of the best beaches in the world and worth a trip. If you want to be surprised, don't look at the pictures, but they can't compare to the real thing. There is a small creole restaurant there at the beach, but nothing else, so come prepared with some water, sunscreen, towels, etc.
Written May 24, 2010
Address: Anse Lazio
Beau Vallon beach seems to be the center of activity for fun. It is a huge, beautiful beach. Some of the activities they have there are snorkeling, parasailing, and kayaking. There are also some guys walking up and down the beach asking you if you want to go fishing. Boats for fishing and diving come right up to the beach and pick you up from your hotel. Fishing for 4 people will run around 1000 rupees per person for half a day and 1500 rupees for a whole day or more. You can troll for Dorado or sailfish or bottom fish for snapper and grouper. If you are going to try and fish from shore, bring your own equipment. It is incredibly difficult to find any sporting goods whatsoever. There is one small place I found, which is on Beau Vallon Beach, next to the Boathouse called “Stryker”, which has enough equipment on hand to at least make an attempt to fish. But trust me, I love to fish, bring your own gear. Parasailing is around 400 rupees. Pretty much everything is negotiable so these prices can vary. As far as snorkeling, bring your own gear if you can. You can find snorkel equipment here, but you’ll have to look to find them. They cost about 500 rupees. There is a dive center at the Berjaya and from what I am told they have great trips and a reasonable price.
Written May 14, 2010
visit the island of Praslin..where you need to visit the National Park of Vallee de Mai (up to 500 metres over sea level) famous as World Heritage Site as the Original Garden of Eden: a magical forest thick with wild tropical vegetation, home of the world unique Coco de Mer and many other rare plants and animals
Updated Aug 14, 2009
Website: http://www.infotour-africa.com/mocambique/island_highlights_praslin.html
The water is extra salty, but it is well worth it. The scenery is so much more beautiful than anything I've ever seen. It is a very relaxing little island with some of the kindest people you'll cross paths with. Have fun catching "Seychelles Fever."
Written Jun 17, 2009
Inside the reefs there will be quite a lot of fish and other aquatic life during high tide. Most of the fish tend to go out of the lagoons with the current on ebbing water. Compared to the outer reef itself, it's very limited life inside the reef. Still, it's enjoyable and fun and not dangerous to don a mask and flippers and flap about in the lagoons and study colorful fish. There will be some live coral, too, but limited. Bring a book of reef fishes etc., and you'll have your day made out for you, beach bumming and learning too! Careful, so you do not get sunburnt on your back side as you swim about in the shallows, and watch your feet for sharp coral.
Updated Jun 13, 2008
The case for yiourins the boat(s):
If you want to do a day trip to la Digue on the cheap, go by the first catamaran in the morning to Praslin and transfer directly to the schooner to La Digue. The cat and the schooner use the same pier, and they correspond. On La Digue, rent a bike as you arrive (in the quay area) and buy your food (grocery store a bit on the main road to the right as you enter the "main road" from the quay. Bring a map, bike on to the beaches, choose site depending on the surf situation - varies with the season. The Grand Anse (see my travelogue section) is probably the best bet. Deeper water, better swimming than the Anse Source d'Argent, but a tad on the dangerous side if there is strong current and big surf that can trash you. There is a good beach restaurant on the Grand Anse. Find a restaurant in the main town near the quay (see my relevant tips) as you wait for the schooner to return you to Praslin and on by cat to Victoria.
The cat is fast, but in big swell it can be uncomfortable. Do not stuff yourself with breakfast before you go. The schooner is normally smooth sailing, not so exposed to swell between Praslin and La Digue.
If you fly to Praslin, you need to recon that you need to transfer to the schooner quay on Praslin, some distance away by taxi. The Valle de Mai is en route, so if there is time, you can take it in, otherwise skip it (too bad....). I have flown and I have taken the cat; I'd go for the cat again. Your time gain by flying quickly gets eaten up by check-in, security, boarding, disembarking, unloading luggage etc, so it adds up; especially when considering the cost of doing it.
Now check the schedule to find out the feasibility.... It's becoming a while since I were there, so better check for recent news.
Saagar
Written Jun 13, 2008
L'Union Estate Park is a national heritage site on the island of La Digue.You can stroll around the gardens,vanilla plantations or go horse back riding.And of course see the most photographed and famous granite rocks of Anse Source d' Argent.The estate only accepts euro,dollar or english pounds for the entrance fees.
Entrance Fee: 4 Euro or 2£
Updated May 26, 2008
Address: La Digue Island
Probably the steepest road on the island but offers the best view .Quiet scaring,especially if you're not use to left hand driving but public bus runs here as well.If you're driving,just take your time and be careful driving,the road is so steep and narrow and some bus drivers there are sometimes running too fast.
Updated May 26, 2008
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