Seychelles – Praslin Island
Praslin is the second largest island in the Seychelles and a granite island with dreamlike, snow-white sandy beaches. It is still 13 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide. 8,000 inhabitants live here.
The pace of life here is a little slower than on the main island of Mahe. Pralin can be reached by ferry in about two hours from Mahe. Praslin became famous because of a special plant, the Coco de Mer palm. You can find this palm tree in the “Vallée de Mai”. The size of the coconut nuts and the leaves are impressive. The fruit of the palm weighs up to 25 kg. The special thing about the coconut nuts is the erotic shape.
In the north of the island of Praslin you will find the long “Côte d’Or” with a golden sandy beach.
The “Anse Lazio” in the north of the island is probably the most beautiful beach in the world? A sheltered bay, mirror-smooth, light green-turquoise blue sea, white sand and of course the decorative palm trees.
In the east, on the other hand, there are small romantic bays. In the south, the long beach of “Grand Anse” is impressive, which is described by visitors as the dream beach par excellence. Another worthwhile destination is the “Anse Lazio” in the west of the island. Praslin is particularly suitable for all beach tourists, especially those who consider themselves individualists. Even those who are not only looking for peace and seclusion but also local music and some entertainment and want to take an insight into the life of the locals are in good hands here.
Of course, Praslin is a must for all nutur lovers. We drive here with a rented small off-road vehicle to the north of the island to visit Anse Lazio. A visit to the “Vallée de Mai” is particularly recommended. It is open every day from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm. You should plan about 4 hours for the big tour. It is convenient to leave in the early morning hours, as it is still quiet then. The Valle de Mai was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1983.
In this way, the aim is to ensure that the animals and plants protected there are preserved for posterity. On the way we find a small open chapel framed by granite rocks. This narrow dirt road leads through a fantastically beautiful landscape to the north of the island to Anse Lazio.
In the high granite mountains in the background, you can observe birds of prey that have built their nests here in the steep rock faces. After the strenuous day tour, we end the day with dinner with local fish dishes.
