Praslin, The Seychelles
Praslin lies 45 km northeast of Mahé and journeying there will take you 15 minutes by air or an hour by catamaran. Ten km long and nearly 4 km wide, it is the second largest island in the archipelago.
This lovely island's main attraction is, the World Heritage Site of Vallée de Mai, where you can wander among the six endemic palms of the Seychelles, marvel at the extraordinary coco de mer and listen for the rare, endemic Black Parrot. It's so beautiful here, it was once believed to be the Garden of Eden.
Beyond the coral reefs surrounding Praslin, you will see the hazy bulk of Mahé to the south and, to the northeast, Curieuse and Ile Ste Pierre. The seabird sanctuary of Aride is to the north, while Cousin (managed by BirdLife Seychelles) and Cousine lie to the west. The island has small, sheltered coves with granite boulders and long beaches of fine, white sand bordered by palm and takamaka trees. Spectacular Anse Lazio is widely acclaimed as the most beautiful beach in the world.
Some of the best snorkelling is off Cote d'Or, where many of Praslin's hotels are found. Anse Lazio, Anse Boudin and Anse Boudin are also good for snorkelling. Sister Rocks, South Marianne and White Bank are among the top dive sites. Praslin is not exactly a budget destination, but it is exquisite and the hotels are superb. It's a fantastic location for a honeymoon.
Dive Sites:
Easter Sister Bank Off Sister Island: Depths: 12 - 20m. A drift dive over dramatic rock formations with swim-throughs and soft corals a specialty. Shoaling Bumphead parrotfish and Hawksbill turtles are regularly seen, as well as the unusual but colourful sight of the Clown triggerfish.
West Sister Rocks off Sister Island: Depths: 8 - 18 m. Huge granite blocks provide a home for shoals of snapper and the extremely rare Armitage angelfish. Great barracuda and the occasional grey reef shark add an exciting touch.
Big Sister Off Sister Island: Depths: 8 - 27m. A large pinnacle covered in sea whips and concealing an unusual collection of shells. A roaming herd of Bumphead parrotfish can be seen along the deeper edge, with shoaling fusiliers in the shallows.
Aride Bank off Aride Island: Depths: 8 - 20m. As part of the Aride Nature Reserve, this site boasts a tremendous array of fish life. Nurse sharks sleep 2 or 3 abreast on ledges, with Napoleon wrasse and barracuda passing by. Dolphins are often seen in the area.
Whale Rock N.W. Off Praslin : Depths: 10 - 18m. Pinnacles and steep gullies typify this site attracting both the stingray, as a place to rest, and the eagle ray as a good feeding ground. There is a small cave to explore, occasionally harbouring sleeping sharks, and the distinctive Flying Gurnard has been spotted here.
Pate Anse Kerlan N N.W. Off Praslin :Depths: 8 to 14m. This curious collection of rocks teams with schooling fusiliers and Jack fish. Hawksbill turtles are regularly seen, and large grouper and octopus shelter in the many nooks and crannies.
Trompeuse Rocks N.W of Cousine Island:Depths: 12 to 26m. A series of dramatic granitic pinnacles just break the surface and are the home for giant stingrays, reef sharks and pristine coral formations. Shoals of fusiliers swoop over the divers and turtles are often seen in the shallows.
South Cousine Off Cousine Island: Depths: 14 to 18m. Within the sanctuary of Cousine Island this site bristles with life. Turtles, Napoleon wrasse and shoals of snappers fight for space along the distinctive granitic ridge. Check out the nooks and crannies for lionfish, scorpion fish and morays.
South Marianne Off Marianne Island: Depths: 14 to 26m. The island drops steeply into the sea forming dramatic cathedral size structures. Three species of shark can be seen in one dive, including up to 25 Grey Reef Sharks patrolling the lower fringes of the reef. Hawksbill turtles, Napoleon wrasse and Eagle rays are easily found, with Guitar fish a rare treat.
South Felicite Off Felicite Island: Depths: 10 to 16m. A long ridge of rock with Bumphead parrotfish on the deeper side and Eagle rays on the other. Gullies enable the whole site to be easily explored.
Roche Marianne Off Felicite Island: Depths: 12 to 24m. Grey reef sharks and stingrays rest on the sand at the base of this pinnacle. Shoals of batfish, snapper and the odd Hawksbill turtle are found slightly shallower, where there is a neat swim-through in the rocks.
Sister Rocks, South of Sister Island: Depths: 8 to 22m. A pleasant variety of corals and granite ridges create a beautiful site. Large moray eels and lobsters are found around 18m, with Napoleon wrasse and Eagle rays around the next corner. Shoals of snapper and squirrelfish hover above the reef there in the shallows. Whalesharks have been spotted in season.
Chimney Rocks. South of Sister Island: Depths: 12 to 25m. This offshore pinnacle is covered in pristine coral formations and is seldom visited by divers. The visibility is usually excellent and sitings of schools of devil rays, giant grouper and reef sharks are common.
Renommee Rock, South of La Digue Island Depths: 10 to 30m. A drift dive around this granitic formation gives a spectacle of perfect corals, Napoleon wrasse, reef sharks and turtles. Shoaling fish gather at either end of the island and surround the divers in an array of colours.
Shark Rock, South of Praslin: Depths: 10 to 18m. Under the huge boulder at the centre of the site are often found docile nurse sharks, with black snapper schooling in the vicinity. There is plenty to explore with rocky and coral outcrops attracting Eagle rays, Napoleon wrasse and even mating squid.
Caiman Rocks, South of Praslin: Depths: 10 to 18m. Hard corals interspersed with unusual granite rocks typify this site, offering stunning possibilities for photographers and naturalists. Hundreds of fusiliers stream over the reef, sharing the site with white-tip reef sharks, turtles and the occasional barracuda.
Anse Marron Bank, South of La Digue: Depths: 10 to 26m. This ridge of granite rock and coral is an extension of the southern tip of La Digue. A favourite gathering point of grey reef sharks and other large pelagics, the constant current makes this an excellent drift dive.
Round Island, of Praslin: Depths: 10 to 14m. A gentle drift along the side of the island can reveal giant stingrays and sleeping reef sharks. Bumphead parrotfish often swim past, unconcerned by the presence of divers. Several species of large grouper can also be found, concealed under overhangs and in holes.
Pate Charlotte, South East of Praslin: Depths: 12 to 24m. This bank is a series of granitic pinnacles surrounded by boulder outcrops covered in corals. You are guaranteed to find small reef sharks and a multitude of shoaling fish.
Channel Rocks, Between Praslin and La Digue: Depths: 8 to 16m.Drift along this granite ridge and see a multitude of shoaling fusiliers, snappers and reef fish. Small reef sharks and some of the friendliest turtles in the Seychelles live here!
Roche en Bas, Between Praslin and La Digue: Depths: 8 to 14m. A circular granite formation adorned with corals with swim throughs and crevices to explore. An ideal location for finding Bumphead parrotfish, Hawksbill turtles and schooling Eagle rays. Small stingrays and white tip sharks sleep under the corals and rocks.
Anse Severe, North of La Digue: Depths: 8 to 16m.This granitic outcrop is perfect for photographers with colourful soft corals, shoals of snappers and a multitude of overhangs and crevices to explore. Watch out for stonefish and octopus hiding under the rocks.
White Bank, Between Praslin and La Digue: Depths: 12 to 18m. This volcano-shaped granitic formation has numerous swim-throughs and canyons providing hiding places for giant pufferfish, reef sharks and shoals of snappers. Shoaling barracuda and Jack fish pass around the site and reef fish, including timid Marbled grouper, occupy the centre.
Ave Maria, Between Praslin and La Digue: Depths: 6 to 20m. This beautiful small island is one of the best inshore dive sites in the Seychelles. The surrounding reefs are ideal for beginners and experienced divers alike and are home to small sharks, turtles, all types of ray and giant moray eels.
Curieuse Reef, Off North East Curieuse island: Depths: 8 to 14m. This coral reef site is protected in the Curieuse Marine Park. Dominated by big coral heads the site is ideal for finding sleeping stingrays, moray eels and lionfish. Marine Park Regulations will apply.
Red Point, Off North East Curieuse island: Depths: 10 to 16m. This red granitic headland jutting out from Curieuse Island is surrounded by a combination of large granite rocks and coral reef. The resulting gullies and overhangs are hiding places for giant stingrays and nurse sharks, whereas the point is a congregating place for shoaling Jacks and barracuda. Marine Park Regulations will apply.
Booby Rock,North West of Praslin: Depths: 12 to 25m. A drift dive around Booby Rock is an excellent way of seeing Eagle rays, Napoleon wrasse, turtles and dolphins. Sleeping sharks and lobsters hide under the rocks and coral heads, while shoals of snappers and soldierfish inhabit the reef tops. Whalesharks a distinct possibility in season.
St. Pierre Island, Off Anse Volbert, Praslin: Depths: 8 to 10m. This idyllic island in the Curieuse Marine Park is a shallow dive ideal for beginner divers. It is, however also an excellent night dive location with octopus, lobster, Spanish dancers, sea hares and other nocturnal creatures out in the open. Ideal for macro photography. Marine Park Regulations will apply.
Coral Gardens, Off East Curieuse: Depths: 10 to 14m. An extensive coral reef tableau dominated by large coral heads and table corals. Excellent location for finding lionfish, octopus, morays and scorpionfish. It's protected status means that you are often surrounded by hundreds of shoaling fusiliers and jacks. Marine Park Regulations will apply.
Amoujie Mamon, North of Curieuse: Depths: 10 to 14m. This range of granitic pinnacles studding the sea bed makes an excellent drift dive. They are a gathering point for many kinds of pelagic and game fish such as dogtooth tuna, large jacks and even sailfish. Look out for nurse sharks, giant stingrays and schooling Oceanic triggerfish.
Wolfgang's Wall, West of Curieuse: Depths: 8 to 14m. This fascinating granite wall drops vertically to 14m then opens up into a pretty coral reef. The crevices in the wall are full of macro life - shrimps, prawns, morays and small fish, whereas the reef is home to a plethora of reef fish. Marine Park Regulations will apply.
Anse Possession, North Praslin: Depths: 6 to 14m. This attractive reef slope is ideal for beginners and makes a super night dive site. The large coral formations are home for morays, lionfish, scorpionfish and the juveniles of many reef fish.
Pate Blanc Chiminee, South of Praslin: Depths: 6 to 30m. This deep granitic bank is an excellent location for seeing shoals of large pelagics. Dogtooth tuna, large jacks, rainbow runners and red snapper roam the outer edge, while the overhangs are home for sleeping sharks, rays and a profusion of reef fish.
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This is a very tranquil island - not one to pick if you crave nightlife. The beaches are superb and some of the hotels are world famous.
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