Day Trips from Praslin: La Digue & Islands
Praslin sits at the heart of the inner Seychelles — La Digue is just 15 minutes by ferry, while Curieuse, Cousin and Aride islands each reward a half-day trip from the shore.
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La Digue by Ferry from Baie Ste Anne
The Cat Rose ferry links Baie Ste Anne jetty on Praslin to La Digue in roughly 15 minutes — one of the most convenient inter-island crossings in the Seychelles. Fares are €15 per adult one way, plus a €1 port tax, and €7 per child aged 2–11. Because La Digue is almost entirely car-free, you leave your hire car behind at the jetty before boarding — bicycles and ox-carts are the main ways of getting around once you arrive.
Cat Rose Ferry Departures from Praslin
| Day | Departures from Praslin |
|---|---|
| Monday – Friday | 07:00 · 09:00 · 10:00 · 11:30 · 14:45 · 16:30 |
| Saturday & Sunday | 09:00 · 10:00 · 11:30 · 14:45 · 16:30 |
Schedules change seasonally and may be adjusted at short notice. Always confirm live departure times directly with Cat Rose before your trip, and book seats in advance during July, August and the Christmas peak.
Once on La Digue, bicycle hire runs around SCR 100–150 per day — the standard way to reach the island's famous beach, Anse Source d'Argent. That beach sits inside the L'Union Estate, which charges SCR 150 per person to enter; your wristband allows same-day re-entry, so you can leave, grab lunch, and return without paying again.
If you plan to combine La Digue with beach time on Praslin itself, the Vallée de Mai and Praslin beaches guide explains how to structure both into a single busy day.
Parking at Baie Ste Anne While You're Away
Parking at Baie Ste Anne jetty is free, on-road and informal — there is no managed car park, no ticket machine and no security. Spaces run along the road close to the ferry terminal and fill up quickly before the 09:00 sailing in high season.
Arrive at Baie Ste Anne at least 30 minutes before your ferry in peak season to secure a space. Leave absolutely nothing of value visible inside the car — bags, electronics and documents should be locked out of sight or taken with you.
- Parking is free — no payment or permit required.
- Spaces are on public road, not a dedicated car park.
- The lot fills fast before the 09:00 crossing in July–August and at Christmas.
- No CCTV or attendant — treat it as street parking and secure the vehicle accordingly.
- Check your hire-car agreement for any restrictions on leaving the vehicle for an extended period — see the Praslin airport and ferry car hire options for which operators are based near Baie Ste Anne.
Curieuse and St Pierre by Boat
Curieuse Island lies roughly 20 minutes by boat from Côte d'Or or Baie Ste Anne, and it is one of only two places in the world where giant Aldabra tortoises roam freely outside their native habitat. The island sits inside the Curieuse Marine National Park, which charges an entry fee of SCR 300 per adult (children under 12 enter free). The park is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00.
What to Expect on Curieuse
- Free-roaming giant Aldabra tortoises throughout the island interior.
- A mangrove boardwalk — one of the most accessible mangrove walks in the inner islands.
- A Creole beach barbecue, usually included in group-trip packages.
- The restored Doctor's House, a 19th-century ruins used during the island's leprosy colony era.
- Clear shallow water ideal for snorkelling along the granite boulders.
St Pierre is a tiny granite islet sitting between Praslin and Curieuse, visited purely for snorkelling above its vivid reef. It falls within the Curieuse Marine Park boundary, so there is no separate admission fee — your SCR 300 park ticket covers both stops. Most operators combine St Pierre and Curieuse into one half-day itinerary.
Combined Curieuse and St Pierre group boat trips run roughly €66–90 per person; private charters start from around US$250. Note that marine-park fees are almost always collected separately at the ranger station and are not included in the boat price. The ranger station accepts card and online payment only — cash is not taken, which catches a surprising number of visitors off guard. For advice on driving to the departure points on the north coast, the Praslin driving guide covers the road conditions at Côte d'Or and Anse Volbert.
Cousin and Aride Nature Reserves
Two outer islands — Cousin and Aride — offer a very different kind of day trip: genuine wildlife reserves with restricted access, guided landings and strictly managed visitor numbers. Neither can be reached casually; both require planning, and Aride demands advance booking.
| Reserve | Open | Adult fee |
|---|---|---|
| Cousin Island Special Reserve | Mon–Fri, 09:45–12:30 only | SCR 600 |
| Aride Island Special Reserve | Oct–Apr only, Mon–Fri | SCR 650 |
Cousin Island
Cousin is a seabird reserve managed by Nature Seychelles and open Monday to Friday from 09:45 to 12:30 — no afternoon or weekend visits. Entry is SCR 600 per adult; under-12s are free. All landings are guided, and visitors transfer from their boat onto a reserve vessel offshore before coming ashore. Trips generally depart from Grand Anse on the south-west coast of Praslin.
Aride Island
Aride is the more remote option, sitting north of Praslin, and is open only from October to April — the reserve closes completely from May through September. Visits run Monday to Friday only. Adult entry is around SCR 650 and SCR 300 for children. Pre-booking at least 48 hours ahead is required, as landing permission can be refused if weather or nesting activity makes a visit unsafe. Like Cousin, you transfer to a reserve boat offshore before landing.
Where to Park for Each Boat Trip
Knowing where to leave your hire car before boarding a boat makes the morning far less stressful. Departure points vary by destination, so match your parking to your trip.
- La Digue ferry: park on the roadside at Baie Ste Anne jetty — free, informal, arrive early.
- Curieuse and St Pierre trips: most group boats leave from Côte d'Or or Anse Volbert; park free on the roadside along the beach strip.
- Curieuse trips departing Baie Ste Anne: use the same jetty parking as the La Digue ferry.
- Cousin Island trips: boats typically leave from Grand Anse on the south-west coast; roadside parking is available near the beach.
- Aride Island trips: departure point confirmed at booking — usually Grand Anse or Côte d'Or; check with your operator.
If you have not yet sorted your hire car for getting around Praslin, compare car hire deals to find the best rate for your travel dates. For full details on picking up or dropping off a car near the ferry terminal and airport, the Praslin airport and ferry car hire page covers all the key operators and pickup options.
None of the island-trip departure points have guarded or managed car parks. Use the same precautions at all of them: lock the car, take valuables with you, and avoid leaving bags visible on seats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take my hire car to La Digue?
How much is the ferry from Praslin to La Digue?
Is parking safe at Baie Ste Anne jetty?
How much does it cost to visit Curieuse?
Why won't the Curieuse ranger take cash?
When can I visit Aride Island?
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