Practical Information
The world is filled with breathtaking destinations, but there are a few places on Earth that seem almost otherworldly in their beauty and charm. La Digue, Seychelles, is one such gem in the Indian Ocean. Nestled among the lush tropical islands of the Seychelles archipelago, La Digue is a slice of paradise that promises an unforgettable experience for travellers seeking pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and an authentic island atmosphere. Following our 6 days on Praslin, we hopped on a 15-minute ferry to spend some even more laidback days on this island. Make sure to save this post with my La Digue Seychelles Travel Guide!
Location and Getting There
La Digue is the third-largest inhabited island in the Seychelles, known for its relatively small size and tranquil atmosphere. The island is situated northeast of Mahé, the largest island in the Seychelles. To reach La Digue, you’ll first need to fly into Seychelles International Airport on Mahé and then take a ferry to La Digue. The ferry ride offers stunning views of the Indian Ocean, and it’s an adventure in itself. We loved spotting flying fish on the ferries. A lot of people visit La Digue for a day, however I wouldn’t recommend doing so. It is doable, especially if you are staying on Praslin, but you would miss the true vibe of the island if you just spend a couple of hours here. 4 days were just right for us as we were able to visit the main attractions comfortably and revisit the places we loved the most. For more information on the ferry schedule you can check out the website here.
Where to stay and getting around
Accommodation on La Digue (similarly to all other Seychelles island) is on the expensive side. It can range from Airbnbs and holiday homes/villas to mid range/luxurious hotels. Unfortunately our trip was planned last minute and on La Digue we were not able to find a very good accommodation, so I wouldn’t recommend the holiday home we stayed at. Even though the host was very helpful, the house needs an upgrade. An accommodation that I would highly recommend is a hotel that we visited for dinner. It’s the best compromise between budget, design and location. The name of the hotel is Le Repaire and it is conveniently located along the main road of the island, facing the beach with restaurants and shops nearby. The restaurant of this hotel was delicious and located right on the beach.
Getting around on the island is what I loved most about this place, as it is what makes this island so unique. You cannot rent a car, but you can rent bicycles which are the main mode of transport on La Digue. You can cycle along the main road which goes around almost all the island. However there are some places inland where riding a bicycle can be a little challenging since there are roads uphill. You can also rent a taxi (electric vehicles similar to golf carts) which can take you to the trickiest parts like the beach of Grande Anse. We mostly went around on foot, but used the taxi to visit Grande Anse and Anse Pate. If you are travelling with children like us, there are also bicycles with children carriers that you can rent.
Things to do:
La Digue is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and the main things to do revolve around beaches. Here are the highlights:
Anse Source d’Argent & L’Union Estate Farm
This iconic beach is famous for its unique granite rock formations, crystal-clear waters, and soft, powdery sand. It’s ranked among the world’s most beautiful beaches and the most photographed. We visited twice during our stay on La Digue at different times. Unlike all the other beaches, you must pay a ticket to visit since it is part of the private L’Union Estate Farm. However our host gave us a very useful tip which I am sharing with you: if you enter after 17:00 you can revisit on the next day for free. Visiting during sunset was absolutely lovely! There were less people around and the views of sunset on this beach are undoubtedly breathtaking. Mind you, even though this beach is the most popular beach in all Seychelles (being the most photographed in the world), we still did not find the beach to be overcrowded. It has nothing to do with the beaches in July and August in Malta. You can still find a good spot where to stay and swim peacefully. Another interesting fact about Anse Source d’Argent is that it’s an excellent snorkeling spot. There are a lot of fish you can observe which include the friendly Orbicular Fish – they are huge and might give you a fright as they get very close. You can also rent a clear kayak to see the fish beneath you.
You may take some time to visit the Farm, which you need to pass through anyway to get to the beach. The farm has vanilla plantations, interesting rock formations as well as an area with giant tortoises.
Get to the end of the Road or Anse Fourmis
On one of our days we booked a day tour to get us around the island and see the main attractions more comfortably (we had a 4 month old baby with us) and cycling (sometimes uphill) in tropical temperatures was not an option. We sat comfortably in an electric buggy and went around all the island. The first stop was the end of the road and Anse Fourmis. We were the only people here and along the coast we were able to see the islands of Petite Soeur, Grande Soeur, Felicite and Marianne.
Grand Anse, Petite Anse & Anse Cocos
These 3 beaches offer pristine, less crowded beaches for those who prefer a more tranquil experience. They are next to each other facing the East Indian Ocean. The road leads to Grande Anse and if you plan on visiting the other two beaches you need to take the nother path leading to the other beaches. We stopped at Grande Anse and we loved it. Even though it may be more popular (for Seychellois standards), it is rarely crowded. The beach is over 1.3km long and there were another 20/30 people. There is also one restaurant by the beach if you wish to eat here. The sea was slightly rough when we visited and although I had planned to swim around to Petite Anse I did not risk it.
Anse Cocos is a relatively remote beach known for its wild beauty and privacy, it’s an excellent spot for a quiet swim or sunbathing. We did not visit this beach as getting here is more challenging. It is the favourite beach with locals, since less tourists get to it due to the difficulty with the trail leading to the beach. The trail is uphill in the forest and to be honest we were happy with visiting the more accessible beaches.
Anse Pate, Anse Severe & Bikini Bottom
Anse Pate was another beach we loved and we also visited twice. It is a very small beach facing north opposite a 3 star hotel. Like all the beaches in Seychelles, it is easy to find a good spot where to stay: in the shade or in the sun without bumbing into other tourists. This beach is easily accessible with just a couple of steps from the road.
Bikini bottom is a popular landmark on the island – it’s a colourful bar on Anse Severe with signs facing popular cities in the world.
Cultural Charm
Beyond its natural beauty, La Digue offers a glimpse into Seychellois culture:
- Creole Cuisine: Savor the flavors of Creole cuisine at local restaurants and beachside stalls. Don’t miss out on dishes like fish curry, octopus salad, and coconut bread.
- Bicycles, Not Cars: La Digue has very few cars, and most locals and tourists rely on bicycles to get around. This eco-friendly mode of transportation enhances the island’s laid-back atmosphere. Below are the photos of the busiest area of the island.
- Local Crafts: Explore local craft markets and shops where you can purchase unique souvenirs, such as seashell jewellery and traditional textiles.
Activities and Adventures
- Snorkeling and Diving: The waters around La Digue are teeming with colorful marine life, making it a prime destination for snorkeling and diving. You can explore underwater coral gardens and swim with tropical fish.
- Nature Walks: Another activity you may consider is trekking through the lush interior of the island, where you’ll encounter endemic wildlife, including the Seychelles paradise flycatcher. We did not do this as it was too hot to do any trekking.
- Fishing: Try your hand at deep-sea fishing or book a local excursion to catch a glimpse of the Seychelles’ marine life. Fishing is a very popular tourist activity on all of the Seychelles islands.
Conclusion
La Digue, Seychelles, is a paradise that seems straight out of a dream. With its unspoiled beaches, unique granite formations, and authentic Seychellois culture, it’s a destination that captures the hearts of travellers seeking tranquility and natural beauty. Overall I can say it was my favourite of the islands we visited. Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach, explore pristine waters, or immerse yourself in local culture, La Digue offers an unforgettable experience. So, consider adding this gem to your travel bucket list and prepare to be enchanted by the beauty of this island paradise.
Next up on my blog will be the post on Mahé; our last stop in the Seychelles.
