Making the most of Praslin
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
While at Praslin ships will be at anchor. Guests will be taken ashore via tender. Baie St. Anne is 1.5 miles from the pier. Taxis are generally available at the pier.
Printable map to take along.
This tropical Eden covers 14.5 square miles and lies a mere 28 miles from the island of Mahe. In addition to glorious beaches and fantastic marine life, Praslin is best known for the Vallee de Mai World Heritage Site where the botanical rarity, the coco de mer, grows wild. In fact, this incredible palm forest earned the island its original name of "Isle de Palme".
Arriving by sea into Baie St. Anne, you will be greeted with breathtaking views of the tiny island capital. Its location is 1.5 miles from the pier and it is here that the islands banks, shops, hospital and church are found. Luckily St. Anne and the island managed to remain unspoiled despite the recent influx of visitors. It has retained that unique atmosphere captured in Athol Thomas book Forgotten Eden.
Getting around
Taxis are a popular means of transportation for both short trips and day rental and can be obtained almost anywhere.
It is possible to catch a ferry here to La Dique which has some of the prettiest beaches in the world, where you can hire an ox cart for about $25.00 per person.
Nearby places
There are plenty of secluded beaches, especially along the east and the north coast. The islands forests are also home to rare species of birds, such as the black parrot, the Seychelles blue pigeon, bulbul and sunbird.
Food and shopping
Straw goods, local paintings and art, spices, island tea, mother-of-pearl rings, coral jewelry, locally carved walking sticks, T-shirts and wood carvings are popular buys. A special permit is required to take a coco de mer out of the country.
Money
The islands' currency is the Seychelles rupee (SCR). ATM machines usually have the best conversion rates, however, airports and banks also conveniently exchange money. 1 Euro= 8 rupees.
Staying connected
Languages spoken in the Seychelles are Creole (the official language), English and French.
Opening Hours and
Shopping hours Mon-Fri 0800-1700, Sat 0800-1200. Some shops close weekdays 1200-1300.