Slower and flatter than Mahé, with two of the most photographed beaches on earth and a UNESCO forest in the middle where the coco de mer grows wild.
People come for Anse Lazio and leave talking about the Vallée de Mai.
It's a UNESCO site in the middle of the island — a valley of primeval palm forest, the only place the coco de mer grows wild. The nut is the largest seed on earth, weighing up to 25 kilos, and General Gordon believed the valley was the original Garden of Eden. Ninety minutes of easy walking, black parrots overhead, and it costs a fraction of a boat trip. Then Anse Lazio is fifteen minutes away and regularly named among the best beaches in the world.
Two great beaches, a forest, and boats to the islands around it.
UNESCO-listed palm forest, the only wild home of the coco de mer. Ninety minutes, easy paths, and black parrots.
Granite headlands, deep clear water and no buildings behind it. Take a taxi — the walk in is steep and hot.
Free-roaming giant tortoises and a mangrove boardwalk, a short boat away. Usually paired with snorkelling at St Pierre.
Inside the Constance Lémuria resort grounds. Public access exists but must be booked ahead — we arrange it.
The long north-east beach where most hotels sit. Calm, shallow and good for families.
Fifteen minutes by ferry. Bicycles and Anse Source d'Argent — easily done as a day, better as an overnight.
Most hotels are on the north-east coast. The island is small.
Long, calm and shallow, with most of the island's hotels and restaurants. The usual base.
Near the best beach, quieter, and a taxi to anywhere else.
The ferry port and a working village. Handy rather than pretty.
Where the larger resorts and Anse Georgette sit. Sunset side of the island.
Same as the rest of the Seychelles — 28–30°C year-round, with wind the variable.
April, May, October and November bring the calmest seas and clearest water, which matters for the boat trips to Curieuse and St Pierre. July and August are windier and some east-facing beaches collect seaweed. Anse Lazio faces north-west and is sheltered for most of the year.
One hour by fast ferry from Mahé, several times daily, or a 15-minute flight. Book ferries ahead in peak months.
Buses run the main road cheaply. Taxis are expensive; car hire is easy and the island is small.
Seychellois rupee. Cash for buses, boats and small restaurants.
Curieuse, St Pierre and Cousin all leave from Côte d'Or. Book through the hotel or us.
We'll combine Praslin with Mahé and La Digue, book the ferries, and write the payment plan out in full.
Three or four, as part of an island-hopping trip. It's small, and the Seychelles rewards moving between islands.
It's the one that wins the polls. Anse Source d'Argent on La Digue is more photographed. Both are worth seeing and they're different.
Easily — the forest is ninety minutes and Anse Lazio is fifteen minutes away.
Côte d'Or is calm and shallow. The island is quiet, though, with little for older children beyond the water.
Flights, accommodation and transfers as one package. Every one can be reshaped — different dates, different board, a different airport, or a stopover on the way.
Guide prices, per person, based on two sharing, including return flights, accommodation and transfers. They indicate what a holiday of this type has typically cost and are not an offer or a quotation. Your price depends on dates, party, board basis, departure airport and availability, and is confirmed in writing before any payment is taken.
Ready-built itineraries with flights, transfers and internal hops booked as one package, ATOL protected. Every one can be reshaped around your dates.
11 nights · Nov–Apr · from £2,199pp
14 nights · Apr–May, Sep–Nov · from £1,999pp
11 nights · Apr–May, Oct–Nov · from £2,449pp
11 nights · Jun–Oct, Dec–Feb · from £1,799pp
12 nights · Jun–Oct, Jan–Feb · from £3,399pp
12 nights · Jul–Oct · from £3,099pp
14 nights · Dec–Mar · from £1,899pp
12 nights · Nov–Mar · from £1,849pp
