Raffles 1887
Our Raffles Butler’s Guide to Praslin, Seychelles
Seems like, if you look for it, there's plenty to do in paradise after all. Here's our Raffles Seychelles butler's guide to three precious, perfect days on Praslin Island in the Seychelles. Just in case curiosity stirs you from your sunlounger...
Day One
Morning
A visit to Victoria
Start your adventure by taking the ferry to the Seychelles' biggest island, Mahé, to visit Victoria, the world's smallest capital city. You can get around this lovely laidback place in a couple of hours, visiting the Victoria Clock Tower (which chimes twice an hour) and the famous Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke fresh produce market, open every day except Sunday. Take a bit of extra time to visit the Botanical Garden, a short stroll to the south of the old town, with 40 different types of palm trees and more than 150 different orchids.
Afternoon
Discover Félicité, island of corals
Back on Praslin, activities on the water beckon. Journey by catamaran to Félicité Island, a 652-acre lush granite atoll famed for its clear waters and vibrant coral reefs. Beneath the surface, intricate brain corals and gorgonians create a stunning underwater spectacle. You can snorkel or scuba dive through this tranquil marine paradise, landing on the soft sand beach.
Evening
Sunset voyage through the inner islands
As golden light falls across the archipelago, board a private catamaran for a sunset journey through the inner islands, accompanied by champagne and canapés. Uninterrupted views create a moment of quiet splendour, where sea, sky, and islands meet in perfect harmony.
DAY TWO
Morning
Forest of legends: Vallée de Mai at first light
A living reminder of the ancient palm forests, the Vallée de Mai is the mysterious green heart of Praslin Island, and guardian of one of the Seychelles’ cultural icons, the distinctive coco de mer palm. In the stillness of the early morning, we'll guide you on an easy trail around one of the world’s smallest natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites, where millions of years of isolation have led to the evolution of unique species found nowhere else in the world. Described as the true ‘Garden of Eden’ by General Charles Gordon in 1881, the Vallée de Mai has long been a source of inspiration for botanists, naturalists and anyone seeking immersion in the wonders of nature. Breakfast is served in a peaceful clearing beneath a canopy alive with birdsong.
Afternoon
Secrets of La Digue
Across the sea, La Digue is one of the most authentic islands in the archipelago, a picturesque old-world vision of Seychelles charm. Named after a French ship that arrived from Mauritius in 1768, it can only be reached by water, and is best explored on foot, by bike or by ox cart. During your time on the island, hike through plantations of coconut and vanilla and discover the traditional methods of coconut oil production. You'll arrive at Anse Source d'Argent – a beach that’s a star in its own right, with powder-white sands and smooth granite boulders that glow silver and pink at different times of day.
Evening
Castaway picnic at Anse Lazio
Anse Lazio, at the north-western edge of Praslin, is one of the world's most famous beaches, renowned for its white sands and sensational sunsets. This makes it an ideal spot for a sundowner and a picnic of chilled champagne and delicious canapés served by your own private butler. Go barefoot on this celebrated shore, and watch the sun go down over the ocean's infinite blue, surrounded only by wheeling birds and the pristine beauty of nature.
DAY THREE
Morning
Meet the giant tortoises
Named after the coral atoll where they originated, the giant Aldabra tortoises of the Seychelles are majestic forces of nature that live for over 100 years. On Praslin's neighbouring island of Curieuse, more than 300 of these gentle giants roam the beaches wild and free in their natural habitat. You are invited to bring the family and climb aboard for the 20-minute boat trip to Curieuse. Here a knowledgeable local guide, who knows each tortoise by name, will teach you how to monitor, nurture and feed them, sharing stories about their long lives. Some of the oldest natives of the islands also reside at Raffles Seychelles, in our very own tortoise sanctuary.
Afternoon
The Raffles Spa Twilight Ritual
As evening settles over Praslin, retreat into an after-hours spa ritual designed for deep restoration. Candlelight, island botanicals and the gentle rhythm of the ocean set the scene for the serene 90-minute ocean seashell massage. Combining seashells, warm oils and specific techniques, this unique massage incorporates the benefits of the ocean, ancient healing rituals, energy, meditation and hands-on massage, in a one-of-a-kind experience.
Evening
Chef’s Table under the stars
In a secluded setting chosen for its beauty and atmosphere, enjoy a bespoke dining experience curated by the culinary team and orchestrated by your legendary butler. Each course is shaped by island ingredients and the mood of the evening, creating a dinner that feels less like a reservation and more like a story unfolding by candlelight.
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