Black Pearl (Seychelles) Ltd
At Black Pearl experience three attractions in one: The Giant Clam Farm, Pearl Farm and the Black Pearl shop. Enjoy the unique chance to encounter over forty thousand giant clams and to learn about their feeding and reproduction habitats at the Black Pearl Ocean Farm. Black pearls are also cultured here in the first and only pearl farm in the Indian Ocean region. Situated next to the farm is the Black Pearl Shop, selling a selection of beautiful high-class jewellery and other exotic creations made from locally cultivated pearls from the Seychelles ‘Black Lip Oyster’. You can choose from the array of matching rings, earrings, pendants or strands designed and hand crafted by Linneys the internationally awarded West Australian jewelers. Set in yellow or white 18-carat gold and with argyle diamonds, many of which are of a “One Off” design.
Vallée de Mai – UNESCO World Heritage Site
Seychelles’ second UNESCO World Heritage Site is the legendary Vallée de Mai, administered by the Seychelles Islands Foundation. So remarkable that it was once believed to be the original site of the Garden of Eden, this hauntingly beautiful primeval forest is home to some 6000 Coco-de-mer trees, considered to be among the botanical wonders of the world. The Vallée boasts six endemic palm species as well as many other indigenous trees and is also the last habitat of the endangered Black Parrot.
The Seychelles Islands Foundation has also launched the “Vallee de Mai” mobile app for IPhone which can be downloaded at: https://itunes.apple.com/sc/app/vallee-de-mai/id826373015?mt=8
Praslin Museum
Praslin Island boasts its first museum which is located on Cote D’Or roughly 50 metres from the Acajou Hotel. The museum, which showcases the traditions of Seychelles as well as its culture in general, also features a garden of endemic and medicinal plants of Seychelles where visitors can view fruit bats and also enjoy a glass of Citronelle tea or local fruit juice. Visitors are encouraged to participate in coconut dehusking, grilling breadfruit and other traditional activities which give a taste of the traditions of yesteryear.
Grand Anse (on Praslin)
On the eastern side of Praslin, close to the airport, Grand Anse is the longest beach on Praslin. This large bay has several hotels overlooking the seashore. Grand Anse is a large wide beach, and the sea here is good for swimming and water sports. The beach is at its best during the north-west trade winds when the sea is calm and clear. During the south-eastern trade wind season, seaweed can occasionally drift into the bay; when this occurs many of the hotels around Grand Anse will provide free transfers to Côte d’Or or other beaches for their guests.
Directions : Grand Anse beach starts immediately after you turn left from Praslin Airport. The beach runs parallel to the main road going through Grand Anse Village.
Anse Volbert / Côte d’Or
Praslin’s main beach, with its many hotels and guesthouses lining the golden coastline is rarely crowded. Anse Volbert / Côte d’Or is a dazzlingly white stretch of beach and the crystal clear sea here is excellent for swimming and water sports. Further out in the bay, around Chauve Souris island and St Pierre islet, the snorkelling is superb.
Directions : Côte d’Or Beach / Anse Volbert lies approximately 4 km from the jetty. From the Baie Ste. Anne jetty, turn right and drive to the north towards Côte d’Or. Passing Barclays Bank on your left, continue on the main road until you pass Acajou hotel and the beginning of Côte D’Or. Arriving at the junction at MCB Seychelles bank, take the road to the right. Côte d’Or continues as far as the Paradise Sun hotel.
Anse Matelot
Anse Matelot is a small sandy cove, a short walk away from the L’Archipel Hotel. Its remote location means it is often deserted. Suitable for swimming.
Directions : From Praslin airport turn left onto the main road towards Grand Anse (4kms). Turn left through the Vallée de Mai to Baie Ste Anne. At Barclays Bank turn left again, and drive towards Cote d’Or for some 2km until you reach the secondary road at the sign indicating “Hotel L’Archipel” on the right. Travelling time is approximately 20 minutes. Easily accessible by boat or on foot during low tide.
Anse Lazio
The most famous beach on Praslin, and rightly so. Well worth the long winding drive from Côte d’Or, Anse Lazio can claim to be the perfect tropical paradise beach and is often listed among the world’s top ten beaches. Beautifully framed by granite rocks, this dream beach has soft white sands leading gently down to calm clear waters with a gentle gradient absolutely perfect for swimming and snorkelling. The Bon Bon Plume and Le Chevalier restaurants are nearby and can provide lunch and refreshments.
Directions : Anse Lazio Beach is situated approximately 11km from Baie Ste. Anne. From the jetty at Baie Ste. Anne, turn right and drive north passing Barclays Bank on your left. Continue on the main road keeping to the left of MCB Seychelles bank at the junction. Anse Lazio is at the end of this road, about a 25-minute drive past the Paradise Sun hotel.
Anse Kerlan and Petit Anse Kerlan
These two stunning aquamarine bays are part of the Lémuria Resort. Both have sandy coves surrounded by picturesque granite rocks. Swimming and particularly snorkelling here is excellent. There can be strong currents pushing swimmers out to sea at certain times of the year, but the hotel will advise guests on the suitability of swimming.
Directions : Non-residents of the Lémuria Hotel should obtain prior permission from the resort for access to the beach. From the Praslin airport, turn right onto the main road. You will pass Super Value supermarket along the way then come to a T-junction. Take the road on the right and follow it to the next T-junction and then take the left hand side road, and follow it to the end to Lémuria Resort.
Anse Gouvernment
On the edge of the Côte d’Or coastline, this smaller white sandy bay is situated between the Côte d’Or Lodge and the L’Archipel Hotel. It is safe for swimming and there are water sports facilities nearby.
Directions : This beach is adjacent to the Acajou Hotel, approximately 1.5km from Baie Ste Anne. From the Baie Ste Anne jetty, turn right and drive north to Côte d’Or. Passing Barclays Bank on your left, continue on the main road until you see the sign for the Acajou Hotel on the right. From this point Anse Gouvernment extends as far as Hotel L’Archipel.