Côte d’Or is the name everyone uses for the long beach of Anse Volbert, on Praslin’s north-east coast. It is the island’s main beach village: a few kilometres of sand lined with hotels, guesthouses, self-catering villas, restaurants, a few small supermarkets and the desks of boat and dive operators.
For visitors interested in Curieuse it has an obvious advantage. Across the bay sit St Pierre and, behind it, Curieuse, and many boat trips start from the beach or pick up nearby. The water is shallow and generally calm, the sand fine, and the sunsets behind the islands are lovely.
What to see and do: Côte d’Or & Anse Volbert
Book your Curieuse trip on the beach — or online
Operators along the beach road sell Curieuse trips. Booking online in advance lets you compare reviews, inclusions and cancellation terms and secures a place in busy periods; see our day-trip guide.
Swim and paddle
Shallow water makes Côte d’Or one of the best family beaches on Praslin. Kayaks and paddleboards can sometimes be hired.
Eat out
Côte d’Or has the island’s widest choice of restaurants, from takeaways to hotel dining rooms.
How to get to Côte d’Or & Anse Volbert
- Praslin’s buses run along the coast road through Côte d’Or. From the ferry jetty at Baie Sainte Anne it is about a 10–15 minute drive; from Praslin airport about 20–25 minutes.
Insider tips
- If you want the shortest hop to Curieuse, stay here — see where to stay.
- Seaweed can wash up at times of year when the wind blows onshore; hotels usually clear their stretch.
- Supermarkets close early by European standards; stock up on water for your boat day the evening before.
Best tours & tickets for Côte d’Or & Anse Volbert
These top-rated experiences pair well with a visit to Côte d’Or & Anse Volbert:
Full-day boat trip from €79 Praslin: Curieuse & St. Pierre Full-Day Boat Trip with Lunch
The most-reviewed Curieuse trip on GetYourGuide, with close to 1,900 reviews. The classic day: snorkel off the granite islet of St Pierre, land at the ranger station to meet the tortoises, walk through the mangroves to a quiet beach, then eat a barbecue lunch and swim before the boat takes you back to Praslin.
- Giant tortoises and the mangrove walk on Curieuse
- Snorkelling at St Pierre, gear included
- Barbecue lunch on the beach
Full-day guided boat trip from €82 Curieuse Guided Tour, St Pierre, BBQ & 2 Snorkel Stops
A full-day guided cruise from Praslin to Curieuse with two separate snorkelling stops rather than one, a guided walk among the tortoises and a barbecue lunch with local drinks. Rated 4.9 from more than 1,100 reviews.
- Two snorkelling stops
- Guided visit on Curieuse with the giant tortoises
- BBQ lunch with local beer and rum
Half-day boat trip from €48 Curieuse and St Pierre Snorkeling Half-Day Trip No BBQ Lunch
Four hours instead of seven: the mangroves, the tortoises’ habitat and a snorkel at St Pierre, without the long beach lunch. A good choice with young children, in hot weather, or if you want the afternoon for Anse Lazio or the Vallée de Mai.
- Mangrove swamp and giant tortoises
- Snorkelling at St Pierre
- Back in time for lunch or an afternoon on the beach
Catamaran snorkelling cruise from €141 Sister, Coco, and Felicite Island: Seychelles Catamaran Tour
Your second boat day. This catamaran trip from Praslin or La Digue heads for the small islands east of La Digue — Coco Island, the Sisters and Félicité — for some of the best snorkelling in the inner islands. Rated 4.8 from more than 160 reviews.
- Snorkelling at Coco Island
- Sister and Félicité islands
- Food and swimming on board
