The Seychelles have always had the admiration of many avid travelers and travel experts. This group of islands lying in the middle of the Indian Ocean is an underwater paradise, and a sanctuary for wildlife and a wide range of bird species.
If that is not enough to impress, the archipelago’s coasts are dotted by pristine yet undisturbed white sandy beaches. Although Seychelles is composed of 115 islands; the small distances between these islands enable any adventure-seeking traveler to experience one of best island hopping excursions. Praslin is the second largest island in Seychelles. About 44 kilometers northeast of the Mahe Island, it is classified as a granite island. Praslin suits the description of the perfect tropical destination.
The island measures about 10 kilometers long and 3.7 kilometers wide. Thus, it is possible to take an entire island tour by car in about two hours. Praslin is home to a wide range of coral reefs, some of which are about 8,000 years old. Thus, it is not surprising that visitors come to the island mainly to snorkel or scuba dive to marvel at the coral up close.
Praslin is perfect for beach bums as the island offers wide and long powdery white sandy beaches that are suitable for both swimming and snorkeling. Travel enthusiasts even believe the island’s beaches are not only superior to the ones found in its neighbor Mahe; but are also some of the most beautiful in all of the Seychelles. If you do have the time, try to enjoy the most notable ones, including the Anse Georgette, Anse Volbert, Anse Lazio, and Anse Kerlan. Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette are regularly included in the world’s best beaches lists by reputable travel media.
Even on dry land, there are plenty of things to see. Praslin is the only island in Seychelles that has a Championship Golf course. The island is covered with untouched forests, which are habitats for rare animals and plant species. Wildlife excursions to these forests expose you to various mammals, reptiles and creatures like the Black Parrot and the Seychelles Bulbul, which is endemic to the archipelago. If you can’t get enough of Praslin’s natural gifts, head over to the Vallèe de Mai Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This reserve area is quite special as it is believed by historians to be the “Garden of Eden” mentioned in the Holy Bible. Sacred or not, a trip to Vallèe de Mai is definitely satisfying as you can get to see various colorful plants and flowers including the vanilla orchids and coco de mer.
For your accommodation needs, there are plenty of options. You can choose to stay in a lavish world-class resort or rent out a comfortable bungalow near the beach area. There are also several high-quality restaurants around the island; some of which specialize in serving fresh seafood cuisine. Compared to the hustle and bustle you will experience in Mahe, Praslin is more relaxed but not too sleepy. Thus, it makes an ideal base for trips and tours to neighboring islands like St. Pierre, Cousin and La Digue. To reach Praslin, you can take a flight with Air Seychelles, which services most of the scheduled and charter interisland flights in Seychelles.
