The island of Praslin is found in the Seychelles archipelago, in the western Indian Ocean. Being the second largest island of Inner Seychelles, Praslin is a popular destination for tourists with its beautiful beaches, crystal clear water and incredible tropical forests.

Pricing and Info on renting a boat in Praslin Island

To rent a sailboat in Praslin Island, prices average between £400 - £500 for a day. For a week, a sailboat will cost on average between £4,000 - £5,000. However, these prices are not guaranteed and can fluctuate based on several factors including the type of boat and time of year.

Boat availability on Praslin Island

Due to their great sailing conditions, most tourists prefer to hire sailboats to motorboats on the island of Praslin, which means that there is very low availability for renting a motorboat in Praslin. Prices will be higher and crowds will be busier during the tourist season, which occurs during May, however January and February are also popular times to go, due to Praslin being warm year-round, averaging temperatures of 27 degrees Celsius during the winter months, and 29 degrees Celsius during May However this month can also be the hottest, going as high as 33 degrees Celsius which coupled with the rather high humidity can make this quite an uncomfortable time to visit.

Do I need a license to rent a boat on Praslin Island?

Praslin Island falls under Seychelles law, which states that you will need to have a valid license and an SRC to rent a boat there. You will also have to present a nautical CV, however, if you don’t want to get a license, it is easy to hire a boat skippered in Praslin Island to have a more hands-off experience.

Overview of Praslin Island

Known for its array of wildlife, takamaka trees and natural beauty, Praslin is a great island to visit if you are looking for a relaxing beach vacation, or to explore the natural wonders of the Island. The island of Praslin is located close to Mahe Island, the biggest and most famous of the islands in Seychelles. Whether visiting on a day trip from Mahe or La Digue or planning to remain on the island for your whole vacation, there are activities for every sort of person.

If you are looking to relax and unwind on this holiday, there are no better places to explore than the numerous white sand beaches on the island. Lined with palm trees and granite boulders, the number of beaches means there are different areas for every taste, from the quiet Anse Lazio for a secluded experience to the popular and insta-worthy Cote D’Or Beach. With these beautiful beaches and waters, comes the opportunity for an abundance of water sports such as snorkelling, which is extremely popular on the island due to the array of colourful marine life. One of the most popular places to snorkel is the nearby Cocos Island and Felicity Island. Here you can spot beautiful coral reefs, incredible fish and the rare turtle.

Along with the array of marine life, is the wildlife, as the Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve (and UNESCO World Heritage Site) is home to some of the most unique and beautiful animals on the planet. The forest is littered with the endemic coco de mer palm trees and hosts animals such as the black parrot, the giant tortoise and the flying fox.

With the amazing natural beauty, comes some amazing natural hiking routes. There are some popular short routes from beach to beach which are very popular among tourists, however, if you love hiking you may want to try out the Salazie track or the Pasquiere track. With the hilly and rocky paths, you get some of the most magnificent views of the island, from the valley of Salazie Rivers to the view of the Cousin Islands.

To wrap up your day, head to one of the many incredible restaurants and bars on the island, with an abundance of choice, from burgers to seafood, and try the local lager, Seybrew Lager which is so popular it is found in almost every restaurant and hotel on the island.

Sailing areas around Praslin Island:

• La Digue

• Silhouette

• Ile du Nord

• Fregate

• Arid

• Curieuse