Anse Lazio, Praslin © Angelo Cavalli / STMA

The popular holiday island of Praslin lies 21 miles (34km) north-east of Mahé in the Seychelles archipelago, a popular stop for cruise liners and a vacation destination for honeymooners and beach lovers. The island's favourite beach, Anse Lazio, is one of the world's most exquisite, but the entire island is ringed with beautiful secluded beaches, sporting coral reefs and crystal clear waters. Praslin is known for being the exclusive home of the rare 'coco de mer' palm, that produces the world's largest nut, and delights ornithologists with glimpses of some of the world's rarest birds, like the black parrot and fruit pigeon. Several large resort hotels have been developed on the island, but this has not interfered with the natural beauty or abundant flora and fauna, or its reputation as being as close to the Garden of Eden as one can get. There are a few villages sprinkled across the island, housing the permanent population of a few thousand souls, most of whom work in the hotels and resorts or depend on fishing for a livelihood.

Attractions

Black Pearl (Seychelles) LTD

Exquisite black pearls are cultured at the only oyster farm in the Indian Ocean, but that is not all you can investigate at this attraction which, apart from displaying the art of cultivating pearls in the Black Lip Pearl Oyster, also explains the breeding and feeding of the Giant Clam species, Tridacna maxima. The farm features a touch pool and aquarium, and of course the black pearls are on sale in the onsite jewellery store.

Address: Amitié, Praslin, alongside the airport; Telephone: 233 987; E-mail: prof@seychelles.net; Website: www.seychelles.net/prof; Opening time: Daily from 10am to 4pm weekdays, and Saturday 10am to 12pm

George Camille Gallery

Praslin artist, George Camille, is famed not only locally, but his works have been exhibited extensively in London and Paris. He works in a variety of mediums in an effort to capture the colour and excitement of Creole life. His works may be viewed or bought at his popular studio at Cote d'Or on Praslin Island.

Address: Casino de Iles, Cote de’Or; Telephone: 232 956; E-mail: sunstroke@seychelles.net; Opening time: Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturdays 10am to 1pm; Admission: Free

Vallée de Mai

First stop for most visitors to Praslin island in the Seychelles is the fantastic Vallée de Mai, hidden in virgin forest, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984. Apart from the rich variety of plant and animal life in this beautiful spot, the main attraction here is that this is the only place in the world where the 'coco de mer' palm grows, producing a nut that weighs up to 40 lbs (18kg): the largest nut in the world. What makes this nut even more renowned is that it is shaped like a female pelvis. Its rarity, shape and alleged aphrodisiac properties have led to it becoming a collector's item. The Vallée is also home to three of the world's rarest birds: the black parrot, fruit pigeon and Seychelles bulbul. Guided tours to the Vallée are conducted every day from all the resort hotels on the island. There is also a self-guided walking trail through the area.

Telephone: 32 17 35; E-mail: sif@seychelles.net; Website: www.sif.sc; Opening time: Daily 8am to 5.30pm; Admission: €15 (adults), children under 12 free. Residents receive concessionary rates

Travel Guide powered by Word Travels, copyright © 2008 Globe Media Ltd. All rights reserved. By its very nature much of the information in this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. Neither Globe Media nor Educational Directories Unlimited can accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.