Praslin & La Digue Day Tour from Mahe: Beaches & Vallee de Mai

Summary

Visit Seychelles’ Vallee de Mai & Iconic Beaches in One Day

You’ll explore two of Seychelles’ most famous islands in just one day—walk ancient forests in Vallee de Mai, relax on postcard beaches like Anse Lazio and Anse Source d’Argent, and get a real taste of local island life with guides who know every hidden corner.

What’s the experience like?

The boat ride out from Mahe to Praslin takes just about an hour, but it feels like you’re slipping into another world. The sea breeze is salty and warm—sometimes you’ll spot flying fish skipping alongside the hull. When we docked at Praslin, our guide was already waiting with a quick smile and a few tips about the island’s history. Walking into Vallee de Mai, I remember the air felt heavier, almost sweet with the scent of wild vanilla and moss. The giant coco de mer palms tower overhead; their leaves rustle with every little gust. If you listen closely, there’s this soft call—the rare black parrot. Our guide pointed one out high above us, almost hidden in the green tangle.

After wandering those shaded trails, we headed to Anse Lazio. The sand here is powdery and pale underfoot—honestly, I had to shake it out of my shoes for days. There’s a tiny beach café where I grabbed a cold Seybrew before dipping my toes in the water. It’s easy to see why photographers love this place: granite boulders curve around the bay and the water shifts from turquoise to deep blue as clouds pass overhead.

The ferry over to La Digue only takes about half an hour. If you’re lucky (and we were), dolphins sometimes follow along for a bit. On La Digue, things slow down—there are hardly any cars. We hopped onto an ox-cart near the jetty; it’s not fast but that’s kind of the point here. At L’Union Estate, we got to see giant tortoises up close (they’re surprisingly active when someone shows up with lettuce). The old plantation house is still standing—our guide mentioned it was used in “Goodbye Emmanuelle,” which some folks on our tour actually remembered seeing.

For the last stop, we switched to a camion—a sort of open-sided truck—and rolled down to Anse Source d’Argent. The granite rocks here look unreal in late afternoon light; they cast long shadows across the sand. I took way too many photos but honestly, it’s hard not to. There’s always someone selling fresh coconut water near the path back to the truck—perfect after a long day in the sun.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Praslin and La Digue Highlights

• Boat transfer from Mahe to Praslin
• Visit Vallee-de-Mai forest
• Walk the primeval forest paths
• Spot rare Black Parrot
• Visit Anse Lazio beach
• Boat crossing to La Digue (30 min)
• Look for dolphins during crossing
• Ox-cart transfer to L'Union Estate
• Tour copra sheds and giant tortoises
• Visit colonial plantation house
• Camion ride around La Digue
• Stop at Anse Source d’Argent beach
• Photograph granite rock formations
• Return transfer to Mahe by boat

Top questions

How long does the Praslin & La Digue tour take?

This is a full-day experience—about 11 hours from pick-up to drop-off at your hotel on Mahe.

Is lunch included on this tour?

Yes, lunch is part of the package and there are options for different dietary needs if you let us know ahead of time.

Are transfers between islands included?

All boat rides between Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue are covered in your booking.

Can I bring my stroller or pram?

Absolutely! Infants and small children can ride comfortably in a pram or stroller during most parts of the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pick-up and drop-off on Mahe, all inter-island boat transfers, entrance fees for Vallee de Mai and L’Union Estate, plus lunch—so you don’t have to worry about extra costs along the way.