If you’re searching for how to get to Praslin Island, when planning your Seychelles trip, this guide is for you!
I’ve visited this true Garden of Eden, or Palm Island multiple times. Inside you will find options on how to get from Seychelles airport to Praslin and get to the island from Mahe Port, or La Digue.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN SEYCHELLES:
• Hilltop Boutique Hotel (I stayed here in Victoria on Mahé)
• Sun Properties & Resort Hotel (I stayed here in Beau Vallon on Mahé)
• Marie Laure Suites (I stayed here in Bel Ombre on Mahé)
• Bambous River Lodge (I stayed here in Bel Ombre on Mahé)
• Palm Beach Hotel (I stayed here in Grand Anse on Praslin)
• Chez Bea (I stayed here in Cote’Or on Praslin)
• Cote D’Or Footprints (upscale stay in Cote D’Or on Praslin)
• La Digue Self Catering Apartments (I stayed here in La Passe on La Digue)
• Le Nautique Waterfront Hotel (perfect beachfront location on La Digue)
• Chalets d’Anse Reunion (perfect paradise stay on La Digue)
TOP EXPERIENCES and TOURS IN SEYCHELLES:
• Mahé: Anse Major hike (I did this fun hike!)
• Mahé: Private Tour on Mahé (I did this)
• Mahé: St. Anne Marine Park with Lunch (I did this!)
• Mahé: Rock pool hike (on my wishlist)
• Mahé: Day trip to Praslin and La Digue (great if you are short on time)
• Praslin: Vallé de Mai and Anse Lazio (I did this!)
• Praslin: cruise to Curieuse and St. Pierre Island (top-rated tour)
• La Digue: Anse Marron (hike to an isolated beach)
• La Digue: Crystal Water Kayaks tour (my favorite!)
Praslin is home to my favorite beach Anse Lazio, and the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve with Coco de Mer palm tree, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Both are well worth a visit.
The most common ways to get to Praslin include taking a ferry from Mahe or a domestic flight. For a faster route, consider a private helicopter transfer.
Still unsure how to get to Praslin Island from Mahe and La Digue?
Here you will find an updated guide and everything you need to plan your trip to Praslin so that you can choose the best option for your budget, time, and travel style.
FRIENDLY REMINDER
Never leave for a trip without travel insurance. Unexpected issues can arise so I suggest using insurance that covers people from all over the world, while outside their home country. You can buy this travel insurance even if you are already abroad.
How to get to Praslin Seychelles
KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Praslin is located northeast of the main island Mahé.
● The island is easily accessible by ferry from Mahé and La Digue or by helicopter.
● There are daily ferry connections between the main three islands of Seychelles (Mahé, Praslin, La Digue).
● Ferry travel time takes around 1 hour from Mahé to jetty on Praslin and around 15 minutes from La Digue.
● Helicopter flight from Mahé to Praslin takes around 15 minutes.
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Where is Praslin island
Praslin Island is one of the 43 inner islands in the Seychelles archipelago, consisting of 115 islands.
It is located approximately 44 km (27 mi) northeast of Mahé and about 7 km (4.3 mi) west of La Digue. Praslin is the second largest island in Seychelles (not counting Aldabra Atoll) by land area.
The total land area of Praslin is 38.5 km² (14.9 mi²).
The island has a population of around 8,000 people, with most residents living in the main town of Grand Anse and nearby villages.
Quick travel guide to Praslin Island
FROM | HOW | COST | TIME |
---|---|---|---|
Mahe | Cat Cocos Ferry | economy 60€ ($66) business 83€ ($91) | 1 hour 15 minutes |
Domestic flight | from 130€ ($140) | 15-20 minutes | |
Helicopter flight | from 900€ ($1000) | 15 minutes | |
Private transfer | varies | 30-45 minutes | |
Day trip | from 200€ ($220) | 10 hours or more | |
La Digue | Cat Cocos Ferry Cat Rose Ferry | 12€ ($13) 16€ ($17) | 15 minutes |
No trip to the Seychelles should be made without stopping at Praslin. Home to endemic Coco de Mer palm in Vallée de Mai, the starting point for Curieuse island, and the beautiful white sand beach Anse Lazio with takamaka trees. Luckily, getting there is easy by sea or air.
There are daily connections between all three main islands of Seychelles; Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue. So you have plenty of flexibility when planning your itinerary.
You can take a scenic 15-minute flight from Mahé or hop on a Cat Cocos ferry, which offers several daily trips. For a quicker, more exclusive journey, consider a helicopter transfer.
I usually travel to Praslin by ferry, after exploring Mahé for a couple of days. But if you’re looking to get to Praslin right away, flying might be the best option since you’ll already be at the airport.
If visiting during the high season (April-May, October-November), book your tickets in advance using Cat Cocos online booking system, as this is also the best time to visit Praslin Island.
Read on for the best options to reach Praslin from Mahé or La Digue.
How to get from Mahé to Praslin Island
There are five ways to travel from Mahé Island to Praslin: by ferry, plane, helicopter, private transfer, or as part of a day trip.
Each option is presented below!
Choose the one that suits your travel style, budget, and your travel group and Seychelles itinerary the most.
How to get from Seychelles Airport to Praslin
If you’ve just flown into Seychelles and want to visit Praslin as soon as possible, there are two options to reach the island from Seychelles International Airport on Mahé.
Domestic flight from Mahé to Praslin
Since you are already at the airport, the quickest and most convenient way to get to Praslin is by taking a domestic flight with Air Seychelles.
The flight takes around 15 to 20 minutes, offering stunning aerial views of the islands below. Multiple flights operate daily, but it’s best to book in advance, especially during the busy season.
Prices range from €130 to €230 ($140 to $250) for a one-way ticket, depending on availability and booking time.
Once you arrive at Praslin Island Airport, you can take a taxi or rent a car to reach your hotel or explore the island.
Helicopter from Mahé to Praslin
You can take a helicopter flight from Seychelles International Airport to Praslin for a more exclusive and direct route.
The flight takes around 15 minutes offering a bird’s eye view of the Seychelles islands. You can book a one-way or return journey but note there is a 30-minute check-in time before your flight.
Mahe to Praslin airport prices start at €916 ($1012) all-inclusive. You can also choose a transfer to some of the resorts on Praslin, like Chateau de Feuilles, Raffles Seychelles, and Lemuria Resort.
You can find more info and book your helicopter flight on ZilAir.
How to get to Praslin Island from Mahe port
If you’re already on Mahé and want to reach Praslin with a more budget-friendly option, heading to the port is your best bet.
Domestic flight from Mahé to Praslin
The most common way to get to Praslin island from Mahé is by the Cat Cocos ferry.
Ferries between islands run 2-3 times per day (depending on the day of the week and the travel direction) and the ferry ride takes around 1 hour 15 minutes.
The price of the ferry ticket from Mahé to Praslin will depend on the date, age, nationality, time of your outbound journey, and sailing Class.
One-way ferry ticket for an adult, traveling on lower deck Economy (Coco De Mer) will cost around 72€ ($80), or around 95€ ($105) for a Business (Lazio Lounge) ticket. Regarding children (from 2 up to 12 years), a one-way ticket on the lower deck will cost 38€ ($40), and infants (less than 2 years) travel for free.
One-way ferry ticket for an adult, traveling on lower deck Economy (Coco De Mer) will cost around SCR 865.00 60€ ($66), or around 83€ ($91) for a Business (Lazio Lounge) ticket. One-way ticket for children (from 2 up to 12 years), on the lower deck will cost €29 ($32), and infants (less than 2 years) travel for free.
The ferry terminal (Cat Cocos Berth) is located in Victoria, about 9.8 km (6 mi) away from the airport or 5.5km (3.4 mi) from Beau Vallon Beach. You can reach the port by taxi or arrange a transfer through your hotel.
It’s best to arrive at least 45 minutes before departure to check in and drop off your luggage. You will board a ferry without your luggage and get it at your final destination.
From Mahé to Praslin there are 2 ferries on Tuesday and Thursday and 3 ferries on the rest of the days.
Ferry schedules differ by day, but there is usually one ferry at 8:00, one around midday (10:30 on workdays and 11:00 on weekends, 14:00 on Sunday), and an afternoon one at 16:30 on all days of the week.
Going from Praslin to Mahé situation is a bit different. There are 2 ferries on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and 3 ferries on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Ferry schedules differ by day, but there is usually one ferry leaving Praslin at 8:00 on all days of the week. On all workdays, there is one around lunchtime (14:00) and an afternoon one (17:00 on Monday and Wednesday and 17:30 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).
Have a look at the schedule below but check Cat Cocos website for any timetable updates.
Private boat transfer to Praslin from Mahe
If you’re short on time or prefer to travel exclusively with your group, a private boat transfer might be ideal for you.
While this option is pricier than public transport, it offers a more luxurious experience. You can set your own schedule, enjoy a more personalized journey, and skip the ferry lines in Victoria.
If private transfer is something that you are looking for, I would recommend traveling with LizzyBoat.
Praslin and La Digue Day Trip from Mahe Island Seychelles
If you are really short on time, you can also come to Praslin on a day trip.
While I haven’t done a day trip to Praslin myself, I’d highly recommend spending at least two days there to fully enjoy its lush environment.
Beyond the UNESCO World Heritage site, beautiful beaches Anse Georgette and Anse Volbert, Praslin has a lot to offer.
You can self-organize a day trip from Mahe, by booking an early morning ferry at 8:00 and arrive at Praslin around 9. Then book the last ferry back to Mahé at 17:00 or 17:30 (look at the times in the tables above). This will give you around 8 hours on the island. You can opt in for a car rental, get around Praslin Island by bus, get around with a private driver, or book this tour to be completely stress-free.
Another option is to book a day trip from Mahé and combine it with a visit to La Digue Island. You can opt-in for a shared or more flexible private tour.
How to get from La Digue to Praslin Island
You can get from La Digue in three different ways. By ferry, with a private transfer, and as a day trip.
Ferry from La Digue to Praslin
I only traveled from Praslin to La Digue, but the principle is the same.
There are two ferry companies if you wish to get to Praslin from La Digue.
Cat Cocos and Cat Rose run regularly, with up to 6 daily departures on Cat Rose and 3 on Cat Cocos, depending on the day.
The journey takes only about 15 minutes. A one-way ticket costs around €16 ($17) with Cat Rose and about €12 ($13) with Cat Cocos per person.
Private boat transfer from La Digue to Praslin and a day trip
You can also travel from La Digue to Praslin with a private boat transfer or as a day trip.
With LizzyBoat you can customize your schedule for the trip between the islands or even add a few snorkeling stops along the way. This option provides flexibility and a more personalized experience.
Alternatively, a day trip from La Digue to Praslin is easy to arrange, given the frequent ferry services. To make the most of your day, catch the first ferry leaving La Digue at 7:30 AM and return on the last ferry from Praslin at 6:00 PM, giving you about 10 hours to explore Praslin.
Final thoughts on How to get to Praslin Island
Visiting Praslin is a must in Seychelles, and getting there is easy.
The simplest option is the ferry, but you can also take a short flight or book a private transfer for a more personalized experience.
Whether you’re just starting to plan your Seychelles trip or deciding how to get to Praslin from Mahé or La Digue, this guide outlines all your options so you can pick the one that best fits your itinerary and budget.
If you need help with planning, feel free to reach out!
Meanwhile, check out my other Seychelles travel guides for tips on the best beaches in the world, top things to do in Praslin, where to stay on Praslin, my thoughts on the Crystal Water Kayak tour, and how Seychelles compares to destinations like Barbados and Zanzibar.
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