Praslin

The tropical island of Praslin is the second largest island in the Seychelles with around 8,000 inhabitants and boasts fantastic landscapes of mountainous terrain, forests and dream beaches.

Only 37 km northeast of Mahé, Praslin can be easily reached by ferry in an hour or by small plane in just 20 minutes. The trip there is definitely worth it - hardly any other island in the Seychelles has as much to offer as Praslin. Green slopes already adorn the coastlines and give an idea of ​​what to expect there. The tropical forests of Praslin are unique in the world and do not occur again in the same way on the other Seychelles islands.

Above all, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Valleé de Mai is probably the biggest attraction.

The rustic palm forest invites you to go on shady hikes on extensive paths. On guided tours you can learn everything about the famous Seychelles nut - the coco de mer - a unique type of palm that only grows in the Seychelles and especially in the Valleé de Mai. As an endemic plant species, it used to be found increasingly in the Seychelles.

In the course of the discovery of Praslin in 1744 and the subsequent colonization of the Seychelles, however, its existence was almost completely destroyed. Fortunately, the Coco de Mer now has healthy stocks again and thanks to various efforts, visitors can experience the fascination of the special palm up close.

In general, there is a lot to discover in the nature of Praslin that makes the hearts of many active vacationers beat faster. On many hilly paths through dense greenery you can observe unique, colorful tropical birds, waterfalls and other exotic animals and plants - an absolute must for every nature lover! The Salazie & Pasquière Track is particularly recommended. These two (not always easy) routes can be optimally combined and lead past beautiful beaches, where you can take a refreshing break. The Fond Ferdinand nature reserve may not be as famous as the Valleé de Mai - but it also offers fantastic hiking trails through a tropical valley. Here, too, you can marvel at Coco der Mer palms, enjoy magnificent views and find out more about the nature and fauna of the Seychelles.

But it's not just the forests that make Praslin unique - the island's many beautiful beaches also invite you to dream and linger. Bays with fairytale views of other islands or out to the open sea, white powder sand and crystal clear sea are probably the reasons why Praslin is also called the beach island of the Seychelles. Depending on the wind, weather and monsoon season, there are countless opportunities for bathing on all sides of the island. There are also small, inconspicuous beaches that you sometimes have to yourself. The beach highlight, however, is the undisputed Anse Lazio - a picture-perfect beach in the north of Praslin, one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world. Visitors can expect a mix of turquoise blue, imposing granite rocks and white powdered sugar sand. This is an excellent place to relax and active people will also get their money's worth.

Offshore, smaller reefs with colorful sea creatures are an argument for many snorkel fans and bathing with mostly shallow waves is unparalleled fun - an absolute holiday paradise! Another beach that is postcard quality is Anse Georgette a little further east. To get there, you take a short hike over the tropical golf course of the Lemuria Resort. Lots of great views await you there, but the sight of Anse Georgette Beach from a little further up won't let even the most experienced holidaymakers get out of the traffic jam. No wonder, because the turquoise blue sea is framed by white sand and huge green palm trees.

Entertainment is of course also provided on Praslin! The area around Cote d'Or has most of the supermarkets, bars and restaurants and shops on Praslin. At the picturesque and lively Anse Volbert you can take long walks on the beach, marvel at the sunset in the evening and end the day with delicious cocktails and Creole food.

Fresh coconuts are sold directly on the beach and after a relaxing day at the beach you can have fun in the localities. During the day, the beach is ideal for families with children, who find optimal conditions in the shallow, shallow water. There are lifeguards and many amenities that are part of a relaxing day at the beach. Many locals come to the beach in the afternoon to play ball or splash in the evening sun and the atmosphere is balanced. In the small town of Baie St. Anne there is always a market on Saturdays, where fresh fruit and vegetables, fish and meat from local farmers are offered.