VRENTY CAR is an independent comparison service. The search above is provided by our partner Localrent and lists local agencies side by side; you book directly with the provider. Always confirm the price, insurance and deposit before you pay.
📍 Praslin: the second-largest island of Seychelles, reached from Mahé by ferry or a short flight; cars here are rented separately from Mahé.
Is a Car Worth It on Praslin?
Praslin is much quieter than Mahé, but the main beaches and the Vallée de Mai are spread along one winding road. Buses run on fixed routes and taxis are costly over several days. A car is useful if you want to visit both coasts, but it is not essential if you stay at one beach.
Our advice: book the car for the days you want to move around, and check whether the agency picks you up at the ferry jetty or the island airport. Do not plan to bring a Mahé car on the ferry unless the agency allows it in writing.
Drive Times on Praslin
Times are approximate; roads are narrow and winding, so allow extra time.
| Destination | Approx. distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Baie Sainte Anne ferry area to Anse Volbert | ~10 km | about 15–25 min |
| Anse Volbert to Anse Lazio | ~10–15 km | about 20–30 min |
| Anse Volbert to Vallée de Mai | ~10 km | about 15–25 min |
| Grand Anse (airport) to Anse Volbert | ~10–15 km | about 20–30 min |
Getting There, Hills and Beach Parking
Most visitors arrive from Mahé by ferry or a short domestic flight; check current timetables, as schedules change and can be disrupted by weather. Praslin's main road is narrow with steep hills, villages and few places to overtake. The popular beaches, especially Anse Lazio, have limited parking, so arrive early and park only in marked bays.
- Confirm where the agency hands over the car: jetty, airport or hotel
- Arrive early at Anse Lazio; parking is tight
- Never drive on the beach or on tracks: insurance is not valid there
- Fines from police and cameras are sent to the agency, which charges you after the rental
Pick-Up and Delivery
Pick-up is usually delivered to your hotel on Praslin, or met at the ferry jetty or the island airport if the agency offers it. Use the "Specify location" option in the search to choose, and check the car card for any fee. Do not rely on a named office unless it is written on the car card. If you arrive late, give the provider your flight number.
Documents and Age
- Valid driving licence, usually held for at least a year; minimum age is typically 21 (23 or 25 for larger or premium cars)
- valid national driving licence and, depending on the agency and the licence, an International Driving Permit (IDP) — requirements can change, so confirm with the agency which documents it wants and check current rules before you travel
- Passport and the booking voucher
- A payment method that matches the offer: many agencies block the deposit on a credit card; use the No deposit or No credit card filter if you need an alternative
Insurance and Deposit Explained
With basic insurance the excess — your share of any damage — can be large and the agency blocks a deposit. Full coverage brings the excess close to zero and, with many local agencies, means no deposit. Typical exclusions are tyres, glass, the underbody, interior damage and lost keys, and the cover is not valid off-road. Fuel, parking and fines are billed separately, and the excess on basic cover can be high on narrow roads where scrapes are common. Photograph the car with the agent at pick-up and return and make sure all damage is in the acceptance document.
Driving in Praslin: Roads and Habits
Expect slow vehicles, goats or dogs near the road, and sudden rain. Stop early for buses on blind bends and keep to the left.
- Traffic drives on the left; look right when pulling out and keep the car well inside your lane on bends
- Island roads are very narrow, steep and winding, often with no shoulder and deep concrete drains right at the edge of the tarmac
- Speed limits are low and signed (typically around 40 km/h in villages and up to about 65 km/h on open stretches); speed cameras and police checks are possible
- Buses and trucks often run in the middle of the road on bends; slow down, stop early and give them room
- Strict drink-driving limit — the safest rule is zero alcohol before driving
- No handheld phone; seatbelts are compulsory and children need a suitable seat
- Heavy tropical rain can cause slippery surfaces, mud and fallen debris on hill roads
- Do not drive on beaches or unpaved tracks: insurance is not valid there
- A rental car stays on the island where it was rented; check with the agency before moving it by ferry