Praslin has some of the most beautiful beaches on earth. Anse Lazio on the northwest tip is the famous one, golden sand with granite headlands and clear, swimmable water. Cote d'Or, or Anse Volbert, is the calm all-rounder with safe swimming, amenities and boat trips. Anse Georgette is a hidden jewel reached through the Lemuria resort, and Grand Anse on the south coast is a broad, breezy local beach. A hire car helps reach the far-end beaches like Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette, and going early gives the calmest water.
Praslin packs an extraordinary collection of beaches into a small island, including a couple regularly named among the most beautiful on earth. The water is calmer here than on Mahe’s exposed south, and the granite-and-gold scenery is at its most postcard-perfect. Here are the best beaches on Praslin and how to make the most of each.
Anse Lazio: the famous one
On the northwest tip, Anse Lazio is Praslin’s star and one of the most admired beaches in the world. It pairs a long curve of golden sand with rounded granite headlands and clear, swimmable water, a balanced, classic composition that lives up to its reputation. It is reached by a short drive and a walk over a small hill, and there are a couple of places to eat at either end. Come earlier in the day for the calmest water and the space.
Cote d’Or (Anse Volbert): the calm all-rounder
The long, sheltered bay of Cote d’Or on the northeast coast is the island’s most convenient beach, with calm, safe swimming for much of the year, a walkable stretch of sand, and the widest range of places to stay and eat. It is also the departure point for boat trips to St Pierre and Curieuse. This is the easy, sociable choice and a fine base.
Anse Georgette: the hidden jewel
Tucked at the northwest end within the Lemuria resort grounds, Anse Georgette is a quieter, jewel-like cove of brilliant sand and water. Access is through the resort and may need arranging in advance, which keeps it blissfully uncrowded. The effort to reach it is part of why it stays so special.
Grand Anse and the south
On the south coast, Grand Anse is a broad, breezy beach that is pleasant and far less crowded, though the water can be livelier in the southeast trade-wind season. It is a good local stop and handy for the Baie Sainte Anne ferry side of the island.
| You want | Go to |
|---|---|
| The famous, photogenic beach | Anse Lazio |
| Calm swimming and amenities | Cote d’Or (Anse Volbert) |
| A quiet, hidden cove | Anse Georgette |
| A broad, breezy local beach | Grand Anse |
Tips for the beaches of Praslin
- A hire car helps a lot. Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette are at the far end of the island from the ferry and most accommodation.
- Check access for Anse Georgette, which is reached through the Lemuria resort and may need arranging ahead.
- Pair a beach day with the Vallee de Mai, the ancient forest at the island’s heart, for a perfect Praslin day.
- Go early to Anse Lazio for the calmest water and the space before the day crowds.
Plan your beach days
Praslin rewards a car for reaching its best beaches at the right hour, and it is the ideal base for the inner islands. Book a hire car with free delivery, browse our directory for a place to stay near Cote d’Or or the quieter north, and check the ferry schedule to reach the island and hop on to La Digue.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best beach on Praslin?
Anse Lazio on the northwest tip is the most famous and one of the most beautiful in the world, with golden sand, granite headlands and clear, swimmable water. Cote d'Or is the calm all-rounder, and Anse Georgette a quieter hidden cove.
Is Anse Lazio worth visiting?
Yes. Anse Lazio is regularly named among the most beautiful beaches on earth, pairing a long curve of golden sand with rounded granite headlands and clear, swimmable water. Come earlier in the day for the calmest water and the space.
How do you get to Anse Georgette on Praslin?
Anse Georgette is reached through the grounds of the Lemuria resort at the northwest end of the island, and access may need arranging in advance. That is part of why this jewel-like cove stays so quiet and uncrowded.
Do you need a car to reach Praslin's beaches?
A hire car helps a lot, as the best beaches like Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette are at the far end of the island from the ferry and most accommodation. It also lets you pair a beach day with the Vallee de Mai forest.
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