La Digue in the Seychelles: things to do
La Digue is the smallest of the three best-known islands in the Seychelles. It has very little motorised traffic, making it a wonderful place to cycle around and discover all the beautiful parts of the island.
Below, you will find an overview of the best things to do on La Digue!
How many days do you need on La Digue?
La Digue is a small island, and you can cycle around a large part of it in around two hours.
You therefore do not need several weeks to explore the island. However, La Digue is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, where you will probably want to spend at least a few hours... For that reason, three to five days is enough time to see all the beautiful places on La Digue while also enjoying the incredible beaches.
How do you get to La Digue?
La Digue is easy to reach by ferry from Praslin or Mahé. The ferry from Praslin takes around 15 minutes. The journey from Mahé takes longer and usually includes a short stop or transfer on Praslin. Depending on the sailing, the total journey generally takes around one hour and 45 minutes to two hours. You can find the exact ferry schedules and book your tickets through this link.
Renting bicycles on La Digue
Although the island is not very large, we strongly recommend renting bicycles. They are the easiest way to reach the island’s beautiful beaches and attractions. La Digue is known for its limited motorised traffic, and bicycles are the main form of transport for both locals and visitors. A small number of taxis, electric buggies and authorised vehicles operate on the island, but most visitors explore La Digue by bicycle.
You can usually rent bicycles through your accommodation. Sometimes bicycle rental is included in the price, while other accommodations offer it as an additional service.
Below, you will find an overview of the best things to do—with a bicycle 😉—on La Digue!
What to do on La Digue?
Visit one of the most beautiful beaches in the world: Anse Source d’Argent
Anse Source d’Argent may be one of the main reasons you want to travel to the Seychelles. This beach has regularly been described as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world—and not without reason! Expect soft white sand, blue water and the famous granite rock formations for which the Seychelles is so well known. You absolutely cannot miss this place when visiting La Digue. There are several small stalls and restaurants near the beach where you can buy snacks and refreshing drinks.
Although most beaches in the Seychelles are free to visit, Anse Source d’Argent is accessed through L’Union Estate. You therefore need to purchase an entrance ticket, which is valid for the entire day.The entrance fee gives you access not only to the beach but also to the rest of L’Union Estate.
Rent a Kayak
You get some of the most beautiful views of the beaches of the Seychelles from the water. It is therefore great fun to rent a kayak and paddle between the enormous granite rocks. You can rent kayaks in several places, but Anse Source d’Argent is one of the best locations to do so. Crystal Water Kayaks operates here and offers guided tours in transparent kayaks, allowing you to look into the clear water beneath you. Prices and tour options can change, so check the latest availability directly with the operator before your visit.
See the giant tortoises
Giant tortoises can be found in several places on La Digue. You may suddenly need to cycle around one relaxing beside the road. We even saw one wander into a restaurant!
If you spend a few days on La Digue, there is a good chance that you will come across them somewhere on the island. When you specifically want to see the tortoises, you can visit L’Union Estate, where a group of giant tortoises lives in a designated area.
Relax on Anse Patates
Anse Patates is a small beach that is easy to cycle past. As a result, it can sometimes be quieter than the island’s more famous beaches, making it a lovely place to relax and swim. We even had the entire beach to ourselves. Several giant tortoises visited us, and there was a small fruit stall where we could buy fresh fruit and delicious smoothies. Like many beaches in the Seychelles, Anse Patates has beautiful granite rock formations along both sides. You can climb between the rocks or use them as a beautiful background for photographs.
Cycle or walk through L’Union Estate
As mentioned earlier, the famous Anse Source d’Argent is accessed through L’Union Estate. You need to purchase a day ticket to enter the estate. At the time of writing, admission for international visitors costs SCR 150 per person. Always check the current price before your visit, as fees can change. However, L’Union Estate offers much more than access to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
A large group of giant tortoises lives inside the estate, and there are several lovely paths that you can explore on foot or by bicycle. You will also find a traditional coconut plantation, vanilla plants, historic buildings and a small café where you can stop for a drink. It is therefore worth taking some time to explore the estate instead of cycling directly to Anse Source d’Argent.
