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Don’t let the price for a day trip to these islands discourage you, it’s absolutely worth it – check out these top things to do in Praslin and La Digue!
When researching the Seychelles, we were a bit too startled to see that a day trip could cost € 200 per person! It’s an insane price, but these two islands are a must. Generally, you can get separate day trips to each of the islands in order to fully enjoy them, but it would cost about € 300 per person. Seeing both islands in a day is a great idea, though, just make sure you get enough sleep the night before 🙂
1. Where to book
We were highly advised not to book this trip from “the beach people” 😀 There are lots of locals walking around on the beach of Beau Vallon, offering to you a great day trip. They do offer better prices, though, but you must be careful. Some of them don’t have a license and the “included lunch” might turn out to be a tuna sandwich. We booked our trip from a little kiosk on the beach (so I guess technically we still got it from “the beach people” 😀 ) and after bargaining a little bit – we got the price down to € 165, which was pretty great. You could always book one of these trips online – otherwise you risk not finding spots.
2. Things to do in Praslin
Our travel guides picked us up at 7:00 sharp in order to be on time for the boat that left at 8:00. The speedboat ride to Praslin is about an hour-long and I do recommend tanning on the boat if you can – the sun is just perfect this early in the morning (yet don’t forget your sunscreen)!
Vallée de Mai
If you‘re looking for a truly unique and unforgettable experience, then a visit to the Vallée de Mai in the Seychelles is a must – definitely one of the top things to do in Praslin. This lush and beautiful nature reserve is home to some of the most stunning and diverse flora and fauna in the world. The Vallée de Mai is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to the world‘s only population of the rare Coco de Mer palm tree. This majestic tree can grow up to 30 meters tall and its fruit can weigh up to 20 kilograms! It‘s an incredible sight to behold and a must–see for any nature lover. The reserve is also home to a variety of other plants and animals, including the Seychelles Black Parrot, the Seychelles Magpie Robin, and the Seychelles Warbler. There are also a number of trails that you can explore, allowing you to get up close and personal with the incredible wildlife. The Vallée de Mai is a truly magical place and a must–visit for anyone looking to experience the beauty of the Seychelles. Whether you‘re a nature lover, a bird watcher, or just looking for a unique and unforgettable experience, the Vallée de Mai is sure to provide you with an unforgettable experience.
The garden holds about 6000 Coco De Mer trees (see the bonus tip in the end to find out about the Coco De Mer!) and many beautiful birds. Please ask your travel guides in advance whether your visit to the island will include going into this garden, otherwise you might miss it.
Anse Lazio
This stunning beach is located on the island of Praslin, and it‘s one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The white sand and crystal clear waters make it a perfect spot for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. The beach is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, and the views are simply breathtaking – definitely one of the top things to do in Praslin. The beach is also home to a variety of wildlife, including giant tortoises, sea turtles, and a variety of birds. It‘s a great spot for nature lovers, and you can even spot some of the rarest species of birds in the world. The beach is also a great spot for water sports, and you can rent kayaks, paddle boards, and snorkeling gear. There are also plenty of restaurants and bars nearby, so you can enjoy a delicious meal or a refreshing drink after a day of exploring. Anse Lazio is a great spot for a romantic getaway, and it‘s also a great spot for families. The beach is safe and clean, and there are plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. Whether you‘re looking for a relaxing beach vacation or an adventure–filled holiday, Anse Lazio is the perfect destination.
No wonder this beach is in the top 10 in the world’s most beautiful beaches! Actually, the area around this beautiful Praslin beach is privately owned by 1 family for a few generations now, but they have been graceful enough to open this beach to the public for free. Very gracious of them, I must add. Can you imagine, however, actually owning one of the most beautiful pieces of land in the whole world?
Looking for another hidden paradise in the Seychelles? Here’s what to know about visiting Ford Ferdinand Nature Reserve, another dreamy place nearby.
3. La Digue
A.k.a. “Bike Island”
After having a great lunch on La Digue, we proceeded to take a bike and ride around the island. Our travel guides told us to just leave the bike when we reach the park. Naturally, some people from our group asked for bike locks, and then our guide laughed pretty hard and said “You don’t need locks! Everybody’s got a bike here, why would they steal yours?? What would they do with it?”. I guess it was a bit embarrassing for us, Europeans 😀 But yes, La Digue is primarily a bike island, it’s pretty small and you can go from one end to the other in just 15-20 minutes by bike. No cars needed – such a cool thing to do in La Digue.
The gorgeous park
Riding a bike around the park in La Digue was honestly an amazing experience. The entrance fee was about € 5 per person. It has a collection of beautiful vegetation and, best of all, giant tortoises! You can find them right next to this huge black boulder, which was formed about 750 million years ago by slow cooling of magma. I actually saw the giant tortoises a few days earlier in my trip around Ste Anne Marine Park and I was incredibly sad to leave, as I knew I’d probably never see these friendly cuties again. But I was so pleasantly surprised (okay, okay, I was ecstatic…) when I saw that the paradise of La Digue harbored a few giant tortoises <3!
You can leave your bike a bit further below that huge black rock or just anywhere around (remember, there won’t really be anyone to steal it 😀 ). And then just walk to Anse Source D’Argent – the most awesome of the things to do in La Digue!
Anse Source D’Argent
This is it, guys. This is the true paradise. THIS is what everyone imagines when they think about an exotic trip! La Digue will most definitely not let you down, it’s actually even more beautiful in person. What a great way to spend your afternoon in the Seychelles!
If you look closely when buying souvenirs in the Seychelles, you’ll see that most of them have photos of Anse Source D’Argent on them! This gorgeous beach in La Digue is also in the top 10 in the world. It is also great for snorkeling – even though it’s a bit shallow, you can see a few pretty big fish.
Bonus: Coco De Mer
Coco De Mer is the largest nut in the world! The tree is a type of palm, but the origins of its name are actually more interesting. During the 18th century when the Seychelles were uninhabited, the shells of the nuts were found washing ashore in the Maldives. This is why they were called “coco de mer” – “coconut from the sea”. They also used to be called “Maldivian coconut”, until people actually found out they don’t grow in the Maldives at all but a few thousand kilometers to the west – in the Seychelles 🙂
Wondering what to do during the rest of your stay in the Seychelles? How about a Marine Safari or a Trip around Mahe?
3 comments
[…] day trip around Ste Anne Marine National Park is quite expensive (not as expensive as the one to La Digue & Praslin, though!), but it was so great to have a guide explaining everything. We booked it through a kiosk […]
[…] парите (а и е двойно по-евтин тур от този до Ла Диг и Праслин, въпреки че те са наистина невероятни!). Турът включва […]
[…] the fisheries, snorkeling and Moyenne island, so it’s quite worth it (and twice as cheap as a trip to La Digue & Praslin, even though they are spectacular!). This tour also includes lunch as there is a restaurant on […]