A 15-minute ride on the Cat Cocos ferry brought me from La Digue to Praslin (pronounced pra-lin). Being at the tail end of my trip to Seychelles, and with only one day to spend on this island, I hadn’t planned to do much. The only item on my itinerary was the hike from Anse Lazio to Anse Georgette.
Before travelling to Praslin, I had spent 2 nights in Mahé and 4 in La Digue. During that time, I had the opportunity to explore some exciting hiking trails and stunning beaches and was looking forward to doing the same for my day in Praslin.
Taking the Ferry from La Digue to Praslin
Getting to Praslin from La Digue was quite easy. I booked a ferry ride through Seychelles-Ferry and hopped on the high-speed Cat Cocos Ferry from the La Passe jetty. Depending on the season, the ferries make up to 5 trips between both islands each day.
Travellers can either book tickets online or directly at the terminals. Online ticket reservations are preferable as seats on the ferry tend to get sold out pretty quickly, especially during peak travel seasons. For my journey, I booked the second ferry out of La Digue and arrived at Baie Ste Anne, where Robert, whose services I had hired, picked me up.
Getting around in Praslin
Much like Mahé, the best way to get around the island is by renting a car. As I am not confident enough to drive in a different country, I decided it was best to hire Robert’s services. He was professional and timely and I can certainly recommend him should you need this same service.
Another great option to get around Praslin is to book a tour on Get Your Guide. I didn’t use this service for tours but I did use it for my airport transfer from the Seychelles International Airport to Beau Vallon and I can also recommend it.
After Robert dropped me off at my hotel, I took a walk around the surrounding areas to try to find a takeaway place that was open but as I arrived on a public holiday, most places were closed. Luckily, supermarkets stayed open and I was able to get something to cook at my self-catering accommodation.
Later in the evening, I pitched up on the beachfront to watch the sunset and hung out with a few residents who also came to do the same.
Beach Hopping in Praslin – Grand Anse
The next morning, Robert picked me up bright and early and dropped me off at Anse Lazio, where I would begin my hike down to Anse Georgette. The previous evening, on our commute from the ferry terminal, I had told him of my plans to do this hike solo and he had expressed some concern.
This put me a little on the edge so I googled the trail to read up on any recent news about it. To my horror, I discovered that a few hikers have gone missing both on this particular trail and a few others in the country. Sadly, some of these hikers were never found – which made the stories even more horrifying.
I thought about cancelling this hike altogether but at the same time, I felt quite confident after doing solo hikes successfully in La Digue and reading about other hikers’ positive experiences. But to further allay my fears, I reached out to another female blogger, Seychelles Mama, who lives in the country and has done this hike a number of times.
Her response put me at ease and gave me the extra confidence boost I needed to go for it.
Beach Hopping in Praslin – Hiking from Anse Lazio to Anse Georgette
The starting point of my hike was Anse Lazio. Robert dropped me off at about 6:30 am. I spent a few minutes watching the sunrise over the beach before setting off toward the marked path.
The hike was going very well until I reached the turn-off for the Anse Georgette trail, where I saw a warning sign stating that the trail beyond that point was not suitable for hiking. Still, there were signs pointing to it, so I figured it couldn’t be that bad.
And it wasn’t. Equipped with my offline map, enough water, great cool weather and good shoes, I navigated my way through the jungle. For the most part, the trail paths were clearly visible. When I got confused, I looked at my map and with a combination of common sense, I was able to reroute my way correctly.
Honestly, this is one of the best hikes I’ve ever taken! It was short, not gruelling and as it had rained the previous night, the leaves were still dripping with water, providing a constant source of refreshment as I passed through. And to top off the experience, I was rewarded with gorgeous views from different vantage points and of course, the beautiful beach at the end of it all.
If you are considering this hike, here are some tips to note:
Safety Tips for Hiking from Anse Lazio to Anse Georgette
- It is preferable and advisable to hike the Anse Lazio to Anse Georgette Trail with a guide or a partner
- If you are hiking alone, be sure to download maps.me. I used this app for all my hikes and walks in Seychelles. It has well-defined routes that are easy to follow and is available offline
- There are two ways to do this hike – through the bushes or up the road. I went through the bushes and made it out in 45 mins
- Start out early in the morning to take advantage of the best weather and visibility conditions
- Carry a working phone for emergencies – I didn’t get a sim card, so instead, I let Robert know my routes and when to expect me at Anse Georgette
- When you see the arrows on the trail, follow them
- Be sure to wear sturdy shoes as parts of the trail can be quite slippery
- You don’t need to redo the hike back to Anse Lazio. You can simply walk out to the main road going past Constance Lemuria’s golf course
- If you want to access Anse Georgette without hiking, you need to make a reservation with Constance Lemuria at least a day before your visit. The beach is a public beach but going through their property requires prior notice.
- Get travel insurance (this one is compulsory anyway when visiting Seychelles)
Stay Safe While You Travel
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Other Things to Do in Praslin (That I Didn’t Do)
The hike from Anse Lazio to Anse Georgette is not the only thing to do in Praslin. One of the more popular activities is a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vallée De Mai Nature Reserve. Here, you will find island endemic Coco de Mer and learn more about Seychelles’ flora and fauna.
I skipped this visit because the entrance and guide fees were quite steep for me. In addition, I had seen the Coco der Mer seeds on other islands and even from the roadside in Praslin, hanging from a palm tree. If I had more time in Praslin, I might have opted to visit Fond Ferdinand instead. I’ve heard this is a better experience for travellers on a budget.
My visit to Praslin was short and sweet with the highlight being the hike from Anse Lazio to Anse Georgette. When my time there was over, I hopped back on the ferry to Mahé, where I spent the night before getting on my flight back to Nairobi.
Have you been to Seychelles? What was your favourite Island? Would you consider doing this hike (solo) in Praslin? And Finally, what is the best hike you’ve ever been on? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below!
