Looking for somewhere utterly beautiful to unwind, reflect and recharge then Praslin Island is the place for you. With stylish lodgings, lush tangling tropical forests, spectacular talcum powder beaches lapped by gin-clear waters and a laid-back ambience; Praslin is an utter delight.

We’ll show you where to go, when to visit and how much to budget!

Despite being the second biggest island in the Seychelles it has a teeny-tiny population of just 6,000 people. It is sleepy, laid back and far less developed than neighbouring Mahe, yet still large enough to offer a couple of days exploring.

The beaches of Praslin are absolutely breathtaking; talcum-powder white sands and shallow, turquoise seas. It’s no surprise that famous Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette frequently make top ten lists of best beaches and most beautiful destinations worldwide.

If you can drag yourself away from your favourite stretch of sand you’ll find out why Praslin is known as the true Garden of Eden.

Don’t miss…

A living breathing postcard with perfect views everywhere you look - quite possibly the most beautiful beach you will ever set eyes on.

You’ll find Anse Lazio at the end of the road on the north west coast, over a jungle clad hill. With half a mile of sweeping silky white sands sloping into turquoise waters it's a regular contender for 'the best beach in the world'.

It's easiest reached by car as the bus stops at the last settlement near the bottom of the hill to Zimbabwe, leaving you a fair trek over a large forested hill before you reach the beach. But however you get here, the journey is so worth it; the views will take your breath away and there’s good swimming on offer for most of the year.

The long, broad pale-sand beach is lapped by incredible blue waters on one side and a thick fringe of palm and takamaka trees on the other with granite boulders scattered at each end it really is a spectacular sight. You won't find a better place for sunbathing, and there is good snorkelling on offer among the rocks along the edges of the bay. The beach's charms are no secret, but despite it’s popularity it never feels crowded.

Anse Georgette is outstandingly beautiful, hidden away in the grounds of the Constance Lemuria resort, remaining empty, untouched and a wonderful shade of blue.

What makes it so unique - apart from being completely unspoilt - is that there isn't a single rock or piece of coral in the bay, meaning the water is a magnificent turquoise colour unlike anything we’ve seen before. Unfortunately, you can look but don’t be tempted to dive in - due to big waves and strong currents it’s unsafe for swimming for most of the year.

It's location is both a blessing and a curse. For guests of the Constance Lemuria it couldn't be better - the beach is set away from the resort across a golf course, with an hourly buggy service to drop guests on the beach, and towels, water and optional picnics provided.

For outside visitors access is a bit more complicated, as the resort limits the number of visitors allowed in each day to preserve the beaches beauty and tranquility. You’ll also need to be prepared to take the hilly, but beautiful walk through it’s manicured grounds and golf course. Don’t forget to call ahead and plan a time to visit the beach - frustrating, to be sure, but the advantage is that few will make the effort, keeping this wonderful place quiet and empty.

Nature is taken seriously in the Seychelles and the famous UNESCO tourism heritage site, the Vallée de Mai, is the best of the best. In the heart of the island nestled amongst the tangles of palm forest you’ll find one of the finest-preserved ecosystems in the world. Like much of the Seychelles it has been protected by several factors: a relatively small population, a lack of pollution, and steep forested slopes, which make human access rather difficult.

A unique chance to experience a slice of Eden, you’ll find the world-famous Coco-de-Mar as well as other endemic palms, plants and animal species found nowhere else on this planet. Weaving your way through the forest on one of the five hiking trails, immerse yourself in nature and keep your eyes peeled for the elusive black parrots rustling in the the giant palms overhead.

This little takeaway shack offers some of the tastiest Creole delights on the island, and it also happens to be one of the cheapest. Open most days for lunch & dinner, the menu changes depending on what’s fresh and available. You can sample delicious, local favourites including octopus curry, chicken curry, BBQ fish fillet, roast chicken and beef stew. You can keep your dish plain or pile on dhal, salads, fried rice or chilli sauce if you’d like to spice things up. Everything we ate here was delicious and fresh.

At only 50-60 rupees a dish it’s quality food at a great price. Grab a cold drink or frosty beer from the convenience store next door and sit down at one of the little tables and tuck in. I'm getting hungry thinking about this place...if you're in Praslin, you should seek it out.

With it’s calm shallow waters and 2.5km stretch of pristine white sands Anse Volbert is a beautiful spot for a stroll at sunrise or sunset. Spot the boats moored along the shoreline and gaze out onto the islands of Curieuse, St Pierre and Chauve Souris. The beach is long and the hotels are spread thinly making sure it keeps it’s tranquil, empty feel.

The busiest seasons are between December and January, and the Seychelles ‘summer’ from May to September, when the weather is mostly dry and settled, and prices skyrocket. The ‘winter’ from October to April is when the islands receive most of their annual downpours, but with the temperature still hovering around 24 degrees you’ll still have a good chance of catching some beach-lounging weather.

It helps to travel off-season, as prices are generally discounted and there’s more chance of grabbing a bargain.

Praslin was the pricier islands but we still managed on well under £100 a day. We stayed at the clean and comfortable Coco Bay Villa. Perfectly located just 3 minutes walk from the bay in Anse Volbert this was the most basic budget accommodation of our trip so far. At £45 per night it was also one of the cheapest options on the island. For that we got a small, clean en-suite room and a shared kitchen/living area. Whilst it would be fine for couples or groups we found it a bit tricky travelling with young children and would opt for more space and privacy in future. Car hire was c.£30 per day and the rest went on food and drinks which are pricey due to the remoteness of the island.

Praslin really blew us away with it’s beauty, driving around the island we felt like we were exploring a great, big national park. The beaches are simply magnificent and Anse Lazio has quickly become our number one beach in the world so far. If you plan a trip to the Seychelles then make sure you don’t miss Praslin!

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