Praslin
Praslin is known for its coco de mer palms in the Vallée de Mai and for quiet granite beaches, at a slower pace than Mahé.
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Praslin is the second-largest island in the Seychelles, a group of islands in the Indian Ocean off East Africa. Most visitors arrive from Mahé, the main island, by ferry or small plane. The draw is the Vallée de Mai, an old palm forest that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and where wild coco de mer palms grow. The palm bears the largest seed of any plant. The coast has granite boulders, quiet coves and beaches such as Anse Lazio.
Praslin suits a slow beach holiday, a day or two of forest walks, or a stop between longer stays in the Seychelles. Pick the calmer, drier months, when the southeast trade winds blow, and plan two to four nights for the main sights. Roads are narrow and hilly, so a rental car or a driver makes getting around easier.
Praslin in five
- Take the ferry or flight from MahéMahé airport is the main gateway. The Cat Cocos ferry takes about an hour to reach Praslin, and small planes fly the route in about 15 minutes.Getting around
- Go to Vallée de Mai in the morningThis UNESCO-listed palm forest is where wild coco de mer palms grow. Go early, when it is cooler.
- Carry rupees for small cafés and taxisSome small beach cafés and taxis take only cash. Keep Seychellois rupees on hand and ask before you order or ride.
- Ask for documents before buying coco de merThe coco de mer nut is protected, and export is restricted. Ask the seller for paperwork before you buy any nut or product.
- Check return boat times before a La Digue dayFerries from Baie Sainte Anne take about 15 minutes to La Digue. Check the return times at the jetty, since the last boat can leave early.
Need to know
- Currency
- Seychellois rupee (SCR)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; check entry rules with the Seychelles authorities before flying
- Emergency
- 999 for police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not required; many hotels and restaurants add a service charge
- Time
- UTC+4, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryHot, wet
- FebruaryHot, humid
- MarchHot, changeable
- AprilCalm, drier
- MayDry, calm seas
- JuneWindy season
- JulyWindy season
- AugustWindy, drier
- SeptemberCalm, sunny
- OctoberDry, calm
- NovemberWetter returns
- DecemberFestive, wet
Right now in Praslin
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
27
- Feels like
- 30°
- Humidity
- 77%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 43%
Praslin
12:36 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today28°26°43%Tuesday: Rain. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 43%.
- Wed27°25°63%Wednesday: Rain. High 27°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Thu27°25°69%Thursday: Rain. High 27°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Fri27°26°37%Friday: Cloudy. High 27°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Sat27°27°24%Saturday: Cloudy. High 27°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Sun27°25°47%Sunday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 47%.
Updated 10:18 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 14.53 SCR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- La Digueabout 15 min by ferry from Baie Sainte AnneGranite beaches and the island's slow pace, reached by a short ferry.
- Curieuse Islandabout 20 to 30 min by boatGiant tortoises and a mangrove boardwalk in a national park.
- Mahéabout 1 hour by fast ferryThe capital, the airport and more restaurants and nightlife.Read the guide
Before you go to Praslin
Rules for Praslin, checked
- Check Seychelles entry requirements, including any online travel authorization, with the Seychelles immigration authorities before you fly.
- Coco de mer nuts cannot leave Seychelles without an export permit. Check the rules before you buy.
- Taking shells, coral or sand from beaches and marine parks is restricted. Check the rules at each park before you collect anything.
Plan around Praslin
Islands, ferries, entry rules and the main sights across the group
Read the guideGetting aroundFerries, taxis and car hire between Mahé and Praslin
Read the guideMoney and costsPaying in rupees, cards and typical daily spending
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules for visitors and what to check before you fly
Read the guideWhere to stayBeach stays, guesthouses and places near the ferry
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData plans for maps, ferry tickets and booking apps
Read the guidePraslin FAQ
How many days do you need on Praslin?
Three nights gives time for Vallée de Mai, the main beaches and a day trip to La Digue. Two nights is enough for a beach holiday with one inland day.
Is Praslin worth visiting?
Yes, for the beaches, Vallée de Mai and a slower pace than Mahé. If you want nightlife and more restaurants, Mahé has more options.
Do I need a car on Praslin?
Not strictly. Taxis work, but the beaches and Vallée de Mai are spread across the island, so a hired car gives the most freedom.
What is the coco de mer?
A palm native to Seychelles whose double-lobed nut is the largest seed of any plant. Wild palms grow in Vallée de Mai.
Can you visit Praslin and La Digue in one day?
Yes. A short ferry links the two islands, so a day trip works. A longer stay lets you see both at a slower pace.