A travel guide to inspire you to explore the best beaches on Praslin Island in the Seychelles!
Praslin is one of the best inner islands of the Seychelles for beach lovers. It’s an amazing vacation island mixing what Mahé and La Digue have to offer. Here, you’ll still find a laid-back, sleepy vibe similar to La Digue, only the island is much bigger!
In this guide, I’ve rounded up the 8 best Praslin beaches that I visited across the island with the aim of inspiring you to find your next favorite seaside vacation spot.
8 Best Beaches on Praslin Island
Before we get into the list, here is a map that shows all of the best Praslin beaches mentioned in this article. This will prove useful for planning your beach-hopping adventures on Praslin.
1. Anse Lazio - The Most Beautiful Beach on Praslin
Nestled on a cove on Praslin’s northwest coast is one of the most breathtaking beaches you’ll find anywhere in the Indian Ocean– and that's saying something!
Anse Lazio is Praslin's most famous beach and is an immeasurably beautiful tropical paradise.
At Anse Lazio you'll likely find the bluest water you'll ever have seen. There isn't any fringing reef on this section of the coastline. Instead, visitors can enjoy a swim in the deep water right off the shore. The shore is lined with sparkling white sand and scattered granite boulders dot the edge of the sand.
Getting to Anse Lazio is quite easy but usually involves some kind of transport. If you're short on time and want to experience two of the best highlights on Praslin Island, then a good idea is to book the Vallée de Mai and Anse Lazio Day Trip. This is one of the top-rated tours on the island and definitely a great bet for those looking to get more from their visit.
2. Petite Anse Lazio
Okay, I bet you've heard of Anse Lazio already but did you know that there is a petite version, which is basically a tiny deserted beach, right next door?
Petite Anse Lazio is one of the best beaches on Praslin if you're looking to soak in the tropical vibes without the crowds (perhaps you'll get it all to yourself).
You can walk to Petite Anse by following unmarked trails through the jungle on the north part of the island. Otherwise, if you book an island-hopping tour around Praslin, you'll likely stop at this amazing beach via boat.
3. Anse St Jose
This next beach isn't technically on Praslin Island but just across a narrow strait on neighboring Curieuse Island. However, the great thing is that this unique place is easily accessible from Praslin on a day trip.
St Jose Beach is a long stretch of white sand dropping into shallow water with a long stretch of fringing reef. This is one of the best beaches near Praslin for snorkeling and you can often spot cruising turtles and even some friendly little reef sharks here.
Even if you don't come for the beach, a visit to Curieuse Island should be on everybody's list of things to do on Praslin. This island is the largest sanctuary in the inner Seychelles islands for the giant Aldabra Tortoise. You'll see them walking around freely on the island, where they are protected and a successful breeding program is in place.
4. Anse Georgette
Anse Georgette is another impeccably gorgeous Praslin beach located on the northwest side of the island. This is a much quieter and laid-back beach than Anse Lazio but is often considered equally as beautiful.
However, to get to Anse Georgette you'll either need to stay at the Constance Lemuria Resort, or take a scenic 1-hour trail through the jungle. This trail picks up from the west end of Anse Lazio beach and climbs a hill before dropping back down to Anse Georgette.
5. Anse Kerlan
Hopping across the island you'll find another great Praslin Beach to visit called Anse Kerlan. This beach is quite long and behind it you'll find plenty of hotels. That's because it's one of the closest beaches to Praslin Airport.
So, chances are if you're flying into the island, you'll see it from the air, or drive pass it on the way to your hotel!
While Anse Kerlan might not be as breathtaking as Anse Lazio or Anse Georgette, it certainly has its charm. It's a laid-back Praslin beach and it certainly is scenic. You'll find the famous white sand typical of the Seychelles islands, as well as plenty of coconut trees to catch some shade under.
6. Cote D'Or Beach (Anse Volbert)
The main tourist beat of Praslin Island is found right on the edge of Cote D'Or Beach. Cote D'Or, also called Anse Volbert, is a long stretch of beach backing onto a vibrant resort strip. It's also one of the best beaches on Praslin for swimming and has some amazingly clear water.
Since this beach is very long, you can enjoy those memorable sunrise or sunset walks. There is also a famous set of bent palm trees found right in front of "Galerie Passerose" which is a great spot if you want to take some tropical vacation photos.
7. Cocos Island Beach
On Cocos Island, visitors will find another beach accessible from Praslin on a short boat trip. This beach is the best beach near Praslin for snorkeling and is abundant with schooling fish and a few turtles. The beach itself is a narrow string of white sand connected by large granite boulders.
Cocos Island is very small but neighbors Felicity Island, which is usually included if you book a boat trip out here. If you're looking for unique things to do on Praslin, check out Cocos Island Beach. The link to the one below also visits La Digue as part of an awesome full-day island-hopping adventure.
8. Anse Boudin
Coming into number eight, and the final item on this list of the best Praslin beaches is Anse Boudin. This is a nice beach on the northern end of Praslin. You'll find white, fine sand, huge granite rocks, plenty of shade under the palm trees, and best of all, not many people!
Anse Boudin is great for swimming but keep in mind that on a very high tide, the beach could almost disappear into the ocean.
How to Get to Praslin
Of course, for those still in the planning stages of their Seychelles trip, you'll first need to get to Praslin Island before you can enjoy the amazing beaches on offer.
If you want more information, I’ve gone into a lot more detail on the options for how to get to Praslin here.
However, in general, you have 2 options. Firstly, you could take the Cat Cocos (fast ferry) directly to Praslin Island from Mahe. This arrives at the eastern side where the main boat ferry terminal is.
The second option is to take the Air Seychelles scenic flight to Praslin. These run multiple times a day and the trip is only 20 minutes. Best of all, you'll get an unforgettable view over the islands as you fly in!
Praslin Beach Hopping Travel Tips
- Getting around - Praslin is much bigger than neighboring La Digue but it's still much sleepier than Mahe. Your best bet to get across the island is to take a taxi or book organized tours.
- Beach bars - at most of the popular beaches on Praslin, you'll find palm leaf-roofed bamboo huts serving fresh fruit and drinks. There's nothing better than a fresh tropical fruit platter on a hot day in paradise!
- Travel insurance - if you're planning on exploring some of the hiking trails on Praslin then, it's a good idea to get travel insurance. Check out HeyMondo for affordable insurance with great coverage. Their app is excellent and makes making claims stress-free. You'll also get 5% OFF as a We Seek Travel reader.
- Costs - visiting all the beaches on the island is free, but there are currently none that require an entrance fee.
Where to Stay on Praslin Island Near the Beach
Praslin is the second largest of the inner islands and flaunts some incredible hotels and resorts. Being a little sleepier than Mahe, Praslin caters to the more relaxed crowd.
The main area to stay in Praslin is along Cote D'Or Beach. This is the main tourist strip with plenty of hotels and beachside resorts. However, there are many more resort areas and accommodations in Praslin, including near Anse Lazio. Below are my top 3 picks.
1. Acajou Beach Resort Mid-Range
A 4-star resort right on the doorstep of the white sands of Cote D'Or. I had the pleasure of staying here and it was one of the best resorts I've ever stayed at.
2. Constance Lemuria Luxury
Tucked away between 3 of the best beaches on Praslin, this luxury, 5-star resort is ranked as one of the best honeymoon resorts in the Seychelles with an attached luxury spa center complete with a hot tub & sauna set in a palm and bamboo forest.
3. Treasure Island Retreat Self-Catering
This hotel offers seafront apartments on Anse Kerlan, each complete with king-sized beds and a fully-equipped kitchen, and a furnished terrace or balcony.
Beyond Praslin: More Must-See Seychelles Beaches
Looking to explore some of the other must-see islands of the Seychelles? Below are more clear-water beach guides for some of the beaches on both Mahe and La Digue that you should not miss.
La Digue: Beach Guide
Mahe: Beach Guide
- Anse Major
- Beau Vallon
- Grand Anse
After the Praslin Beaches: More Seychelles Blogs
That's a wrap for this guide to the best Praslin beaches. If you're looking for more Seychelles travel inspiration or tips, make sure to check out some of my other articles below!
If you have any updates or recommendations for this guide, leave a comment below– I answer every one!
- 50 Things to do in the Seychelles - Ultimate travel guide with lots of great activity recommendations
- 18 Best Beaches in the Seychelles - These are the best beaches across all of the islands
- 10 Best Islands in the Seychelles - My roundup of the best islands to visit on your trip
- 15 Best Hikes in the Seychelles - Get outdoors and experience amazing hiking trails and jungle viewpoints
Plan Where to Stay in the Seychelles
Wondering where to stay in the Seychelles? Don't miss these up-to-date accommodation guides.
