With stunning white sand beaches and lush tropical forests covering the hills, Praslin is a delight. Despite being the second biggest island in the Seychelles it has fraction of the population, inhabited by a mere 6,500 people.

It is sleepy, laid back and far less developed than neighboring Mahe, yet still large enough to explore when you tire of your nearest beach.

The beaches on Praslin stand out, with famous names like Anse Lazio and Anse Geogette frequently making top ten lists of best beaches and most beautiful destinations worldwide, and with good reason.

Cote D'Or is another great draw too. But Praslin is also the only island where you can enjoy an 18 hole round of golf on a championship course, or discover the amazing Coco De Mer, an exotic plant that lead to the belief the Seychelles were the true Garden of Eden.

It's a great base for day trips to neighbouring islands, too; where you can visit the amazing sea birds on Cousine Island, explore the hills and mangroves and meet giant tortoises in the wild on Curieuse, or go swimming or scuba diving around St Pierre or any one of the fantastic dive sites around the island.

The island has three main settlements - Baie St Anne, where the catamaran docks bringing passengers to and from Mahe and La Digue, Grande Anse on the south coast near the airstrip, and Anse Volbert / Cote D'Or on the north coast.

None of these feel much larger than a village, but are handy places to eat or stock up on supplies at the supermarkets. Between these main towns the island is sparsely inhabited, adding to the feeling of being on your own desert island.

The beaches around the island are all dreamlike, picture postcards of white sand and shallow, turquoise seas. That said, the beaches of the south coast are extremely shallow, making swimming off Grande Anse less enjoyable than in Cote D'Or.

From May to October seaweed washes up on the southern shores making the beaches a little less appealing, while this isn't a problem on the north coast.

The beaches on the south east of the island can disappear at high tide, while the north east at Anse La Blague is stunningly beautiful but quite remote - if you stay here you will want your own transport.

The Lemuria has a number of beautiful beaches in its grounds to the west, while anywhere between Anse Lazio and Anse Gouvernment on the north coast is an all round winner.

What to do in Praslin Seychelles

Praslin Island in Seychelles will provide you with plenty of outdoor activities. For instance, Praslin is considered as an excellent diving destination. So, if you want to experience the fun and thrill of scuba diving, then this is the place to be.

The activity can be enjoyed all round the year. The first timers can take the help of certified Seychelles dive shops for eliminating any kind of risk. Snorkeling is another fun activity that can be experienced on this island with very little training.

Being an island, Praslin is also a paradise for birdwatchers all over the world. Some very rare birds can be spotted on this island. Praslin’s Valle de Mai Reserve is the place where you can spot the very rare Black Parrot, Seychelles Bulbul, and the Fruit Pigeon.

A helicopter sightseeing tour can turn out to be an excellent leisure activity for exploring the stunning beauty of Praslin and the rest of the archipelago.

Amical Charter (Boat Hire / Fishing Operator, Deep Sea Fishing)

The friendly service of Amical Charter is well worth your money. It organises deep sea expeditions on a regular basis for either full day or half day. The group also organises snorkeling, island hopping and excursions. Soft drinks and barbecue is offered in between.

Boismare Nature Guide (Walks and tour guides)

Through Boismare Nature Guide Ltd. you can experience the natural environment of Praslin in the best possible way you can. Moreover, their experienced staff will tell you all about the local folklore and culture in between the guided tour.

Casino des Iles

If you love gaming, then head for Casino des Iles for having a great time. The place provides you excellent nighttime activity.

However, do remember that the minimum age limit is eighteen years, and no sandals or shorts is allowed after 1900hrs. The Tante Mimi Restaurant is placed on the premises of the casino and specialises in Creole cuisine.

Lémuria Resort Golf Course

The Lémuria Resort Golf Course is one of the most beautiful golf courses in this planet. With regular golf courses, professional workshops, and play with the caddy sessions, your golfing experience is bound to cross all limits at Lémuria. Surely, golf lovers cannot miss this activity spot at any cost!

V.I.P. Tour (Walks and tour guides)

The V.I.P. Tour gives you the opportunity to explore remote corners of Praslin in the absolute comfort of an A.C. mini bus.

A full day tour of Praslin will cover a trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site- Vallée de Mai, a quick visit to Anse Kerlan’s Aquarium and Pearl Gallery, and the beautiful Anse Lazio beach.