Vallée de Mai, Praslin, Seychelles

Visiting this place is a lifetime experience. The coco de mer trees are absolutely unreal, there are other rare species of trees as well. The uniquely shaped coco de mer seeds are something that one will never see anything similar anywhere. We were very lucky to spot the black parrots too, also spotted the geckos.

We visited Vallée de Mai on a rainy day, and it was magical. Despite the rain, we stayed completely dry — the enormous jungle leaves created a natural umbrella over the entire trail. It felt like walking through a prehistoric world, surrounded by lush greenery and the unique beauty of the coco de mer palms. We chose the longest trail, about an hour and a half, and it was a peaceful, easy walk through this stunning UNESCO-listed forest. A beautiful, calming experience — perfect even in the rain. 🌿🌧️✨ After the walk, we had coffee at the on-site bar, but it wasn’t particularly impressive — there are much better spots for coffee elsewhere on the island. Still, the nature experience itself was unforgettable and well worth the visit. 🌴☕🌧️

Praslin’s iconic Coco de Mer sanctuary is a must-see. Within the park, visitors can explore three distinct trails of varying lengths. If you're lucky, you might also spot fascinating wildlife such as chameleon, gekko or the rare black parrot.

Gorgeous nature reserve. We cycled there from Coco De Mer. I would not recommend cycling there unless you are very fit and an experienced cyclists. Take the bus or hire a car instead. The reserve was gorgeous. We saw birds, lizards, snails, lots of spiders and a tenrec (which was super cute) If its a cloudy, wet or windy day, I would definitely suggest going. We did it without the tour and were perfectly happy going around ourselves.

Breathtaking Nature Reserve- Vallée de Mai is a must-visit in Praslin, Seychelles! This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a stunning nature reserve filled with the iconic coco de mer palms and other endemic species. Walking through Vallée de Mai felt like stepping into a prehistoric forest. The tranquility and beauty of this place are simply unforgettable. If you're in Praslin, don't miss Vallée de Mai. It's a gem of Seychelles with its palm forests and rich biodiversity. Hours: Open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Features: A protected area with endemic coco de mer palms and other unique flora and fauna

Must see of you visit Praslin. Make sure to spend a bit extra on a guided tour because you’ll learn so much more about the coco the mer palm and all the other plants in the forest. And the guide is way better in spotting the wildlife than you’ll ever be.😁

Vallee de Mai is very impressive and diverse. Worth a trip for sure. I recommend to take a guide through Vallee de Mai - just to see as much as possible. And thanks to our guide Dora, she is very nice and friendly and just shared her great knowledge with us. She showed us the different palms, animals and plant. Thanks 😃

Valle de mai is breathtaking natural reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that feels like a true lost world. It’s home to the legendary Coco de Mer palm, which produces the largest and most unique seed in the plant kingdom. The trees themselves are ancient and majestic, and the shape of the nut, famous for its resemblance to the female form, is both symbolic and culturally important to the Seychelles. The Coco de Mer only grows naturally on Praslin and Curieuse islands, making it incredibly rare and protected. It plays a vital role in the local ecosystem and is a key part of Seychellois identity and heritage. To really appreciate its biological and cultural significance, I highly recommend visiting with a knowledgeable guide. They’ll share fascinating insights not just about the Coco de Mer, but also about the rare birds, plants, and legends tied to the forest. Without a guide, it’s easy to miss these stories. The experience is unforgettable and absolutely worth including in your Seychelles trip.