Praslin Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in Praslin

Praslin is the second largest inhabited island of the Seychelles, and is seven miles by roughly two and a half. The striking coral reefs are mere striplings, perhaps six to eight thousand years old. But they are teeming with life ; a landscape painted in the myriad colours of living coral, jewel like shells, and an amazing nine hundred species of fish.

It is also home to one of Seychelles' two World Heritage Sites - the Vallee de Mai - a primeval rainforest containing the famous Coco de Mer palms, which have the largest, heaviest and most suggestively shaped nuts in the world. Vanilla orchids, a variety of lizards and some of earth's rarest birds also reside there. Praslin, though small, more than warrants exploration. Thanks to its geography, it is also the ideal place from which to visit many of the other islands.

On the island of Praslin, Vallée de Mai has largest amount of coco de mer palms in the Seychelles, 4000. This valley's prehistoric forest is World Heritage listed. Here you will also find the fascinating wild pineapple, wild coffee and the allspice bush. You may even spot the Seychelles black parrot, which is only found on Praslin.

Anse Lazio is the best beach on Praslin and one of the best in the country. It is located on the far north of the island. The beach has sparkling white, soft sand some rounded granite boulders and some good waves. The water is a spectacular turquoise colour. It is a great beach for snorkelling.

The islands lie outside the cyclone belt but receive monsoon rains from November to February with the northwest trade winds. This hot and humid season gives way to a period of cooler weather though the temperature rarely falls below 23°.

Locality:

Praslin is off the east coast of Africa, in the Indian Ocean and is 660 mls NE of Madagascar, 995 mls E of Kenya. Praslin's small airport lies 5 mls W of Vallee de Mai and 23 mls NE of the main island of Mahe. It is surrounded by many smaller islands, including La Digue and Curieuse, which is 15 mins by air from Mahe, and 3 hrs by local schooner, and 1 hr by catamaran.

The area is suited to upmarket couples and families, particularly suited to honeymooners and those placing an emphasis on luxury retreat with natural beauty.

There are majestic bays and long beaches alternate with small coves. Most development is focused on 2 main strips of coastline: in the east (Cote d'Or) and in the west (Grand Anse).

The Cote d'Or in particular offers long stretches of golden sand and sheltered, shallow water; good for families. From late May to November the whole of the south west coast is affected by seaweed, while from November to February it is the turn of the north east coast.

Hotels generally provide free transport to the other coast at these times. Snorkelling is best in the more sheltered NW bays and in parts of the Cote d'Or. Anse Lazio, in the NW, is good for swimming and snorkelling and is reputed to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, although arguably there are several which could live up to that title.

Anse Lazio is not directly accessible by public transport, entailing a long walk on very steep roads from the nearest bus stop (you could always use a hire car or taxi).

During the daytime most activities are beach and water sports based, however cycling and hiking in the Vallee de Mai are also popular.

The nightlife here offers a handful of local dance halls, also 3 discos in proximity of hotels which are only open at weekends. The Casino at Cote d'Or provide entertainment for the gambler. Evening entertainment is available in some hotels and restaurants; otherwise it's peace and quiet.

There is a limited choice of eateries which means that many visitors stay on a half-board basis. Only a handful of independent restaurants and cafes exist on the island offering local creole specialities and fish dishes. Hotels provide the usual international fare, often with a creole option; their restaurants are generally open to the public. Prices tend to be high.

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Population: 81.190
Languages: Seselwa Creole 92%, English 5%, French (all offici
Currency: Seychelles rupee
Currency code: SCR
Local Times:
Seychelles - Victoria

Country Dialling Code: +248
Voltage: 240V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
3 large flat prongs

The Seychelles is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar, consisting of more than 100 islands of which 83 are named and 46 are permanently uninhabited. Mahé is the principal island comprising of 142 sq km, with the islands of Praslin, La Digue and Silhouette being the next important . Situated about 1,600 km off the east coast of Africa, Mahe extends 27 km north to south and 11 km east to west and has a coastline of 127 km.

The Seychelles islands are amonsgst the most romantic and beautiful destinations in the world. With crystal turquoise seas, colourful coral reefs, powdery white beaches and vast granite rocks emerging from the lush rainforests, the islands will dazzle the eyes and senses of even the most seasoned tourist. The islands stretch across nearly one million square kilometres of the Indian Ocean.

The granite islands rise above the sea surface to form a peak or ridge which, in the case of Mahé, attains an elevation of 3,000 ft at Morne Seychellois, the highest point. Rugged crests, towering cliffs, boulders and domes contribute to the islands great natural beauty. Here and there, in the hollows between the rock relief, are pockets of lateritic soil, often very thin and easily eroded.

Mahé possesses white sandy beaches which, for a distance of 200 or 300 years, are flats of coral and shell known locally as plateaus, although they rarely achieve an elevation of more than 10 ft above sea level. Small streams descending the mountain slopes deposit alluvial material, creating the most fertile soils on the island.

The coralline Seychelles are, in contrast, low-lying, rising only a few feet above the surface of the sea. Many have the typical Indian Ocean lagoon. Soils tend to be thin with poor moisture retention. These island are suited only to coconut palm and a few other species.

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Praslin Travel Guide

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