Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve

Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve is a protected palm forest on Praslin island in the Seychelles, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its unique endemic vegetation. The reserve is internationally known for containing large numbers of the endemic Coco de Mer palm (Lodoicea maldivica).

The reserve’s primary attractions are its dense palm groves, marked footpaths and close-up encounters with endemic plant species and birds. Visitors walk boardwalks through the valley to see the distinctive double-lobed Coco de Mer seeds and search for the Seychelles black parrot, the only endemic bird species largely restricted to Praslin.

The area has long been recognised for its botanical importance and was set aside for protection in the 20th century; it gained UNESCO World Heritage status for its undisturbed example of a palm-dominated forest and its contribution to biodiversity conservation. Management focuses on conserving native species and restricting unregulated access.

Located near the centre of Praslin island, the reserve lies inland from the main coastal settlements and is accessed by a short road from the island’s harbour and village areas. The site occupies a discrete valley that retains a humid forest microclimate distinct from the surrounding coastal terrain.

• Coco de Mer and wildlife: Home to the world's largest seed produced by the endemic Coco de Mer palm and a stronghold for the Seychelles black parrot, the site is protected and visited by controlled numbers on marked trails.

What to See #

• Coco de Mer groves: A core grove of the endemic Coco de Mer palms that features the species' distinctive double-lobed seeds and tall, free-standing trunks, concentrated along the reserve's shaded valley floors.
• Main trails and boardwalks: A network of short, waymarked trails and boardwalks through the palms and understory that concentrate visitor access and protect the forest floor while allowing close views of endemic plants and birds.