La Digue: One Day in Seychelles’ Most Photogenic Paradise

Discover the Seychelles’ most iconic island and everything you need to plan one perfect day in La Digue.

While planning our Seychelles honeymoon, we were torn on which islands to visit and how long to spend on each.

Praslin? Check.

This is an island that has it all. Top class beaches (Anse Lazio, Anse Georgette), unique UNESCO World Heritage Sites, world-class resorts and easy (and worthwhile) day trips. We needed a good 5 days here.

Mahè? Check.

This is the main island, and we wanted to set aside a few days to wind down before catching our return flight.

And we were drawn to the idea of visiting one of the outer islands, far from the usual touristic routes, for a true one to one experience with paradise. Denis Private island fitted the bill perfectly.

We were left with one elephant in the room to deal with. What about La Digue?

If you’ve seen any picture of the Seychelles is likely to be of La Digue. This is the most photographed, most praised and most authentic island of the archipelago.

Yes it is smaller and more rustic than Praslin or Mahé, and with a more limited hospitality offer, but the unspoilt splendour of the island is undeniable. But it is not just about the achingly beautiful beaches and bucket-list activities. There’s an unmistakeable aura that feels as though it sweeps you straight into a lost tropical paradise.

The dilemma wasn’t whether to visit La Digue, but how long to stay. Having only two-weeks at our disposal (I know, life could be unfair sometimes) and given that we don’t like to pack our bags every other day, we decided to visit La Digue as a day trip.

But was it enough?

LOCATION

• Fourth-largest island of the Seychelles, about 40 km from Mahè and adjacent to Praslin.

BEST BEACHES

• Anse Source d’Argent, Petite Anse, Anse Cocos, Anse Patates, Anse Marron

BEST TIME TO GO

• April, May and October are the best months balancing sunny days, calm waters, excellent snorkelling visibility and limited crowds
• June – August for sunny but windier conditions

WHERE TO STAY

• Le Domaine de L’Orangerie (high-end option)
• Patatran Village Hotel (mid-range)
• Guesthouses and beachfront lodges (budget / mid-range)

GETTING AROUND

• Rent a bike at La Passe village (best option)
• Limited taxis, some ox cart and almost no public transport

PROS

• Stunning natural beauty
• Best beaches in the Seychelles overall
• Relaxed and authentic vibe
• Amazing day trips nearby (e.g. Praslin, Île Cocos, Félicité, Grande Sœur)

CONS

• Less accommodation options than Mahè and Praslin

The more the better, but unless you’re planning a return to the Seychelles anytime soon, the short answer is YES.

Wild and authentic, La Digue embodies the true spirit of the Seychelles and it’s a place that you must see, whether for a fleeting visit or a prolonged stay.

There are caveats though.

If you’re only staying in Mahè, then you might want to reconsider visiting as a day trip. The ferry takes about 2 hours and the sea can be quite rough, especially if you’re prone to seasickness. With only two to three departures per day and the latest return at 16:30, the schedule can feel restrictive. Altogether, it can make visiting La Digue a bit challenging, or certainly “less enjoyable” if you like slow travelling. At this point, it’s better to split your stay between Mahé and La Digue to fully appreciate both.

If you travel from Praslin, you have significant more travel slots to choose from, and the ferry will only take 15-20 minutes. This makes a day trip significantly more realistic.

La Digue is well connected by ferry from both Mahè and Praslin, although the former will be a longer journey (2h).

The Mahè-La Digue ferry is operated by Cat Cocos, which runs 2-3 times per day and usually includes a short stop-over in Praslin. The one-way cost is about €70 plus €10 for the shuttle to the Jetty (if you are at the airport).

The Praslin–La Digue ferry runs on the smaller Cat Rose, takes 15–20 minutes, and offers more frequent departures for added convenience. The one way cost to visit La Digue from Praslin via Cat Rose is €15.

If you want to day trip to La Digue, we recommend that you start from Praslin.

Both ferries arrive at La Passe pier which is located on the west side of the island.

La Passe pier in La Digue

La Digue is much smaller than Mahè and Praslin but still too big to cover it all on foot.

The most popular way to get around is by far renting a bike. Bike rentals are plentiful in La Passe, typically costing around €10 / day, so you won’t have a problem finding one.

A semi-circular road runs along the island’s northern side from west to east, connecting many of the most popular spots. The road is completely flat and very easy to cycle.

To reach Grand Anse, you’ll need to cross the island’s interior, where the road becomes hillier toward the end. Nothing too dramatic, but if you’re not at least minimally fit it is best to stick to the perimeter.

To go far south on the island, for example to the spectacular Anse Marron, your only option is to hike as there are no roads.

La Digue is where the Seychelles becomes surreal.

Imagine giant granite boulders dotted in the midst of tropical vegetation, overlooking topaz-hued waters and flour-like sand. Creole houses tucked beneath swaying palms, fishermen strolling along with sticks laden with fish, and wooden pirogues gliding quietly across the sea. La Digue is the most authentic and visually stunning island in the Seychelles, and offers that inexplicable sense of freedom that it comes from visiting one of the last slices of paradise in the Indian Ocean.

La Digue doesn’t simply beckon you to visit, it invites you to experience it at the same unhurried pace of the giant tortoises that call the island home. But if you just visit as a day trip, you need to limit yourself with the main highlights.

So what are the must-sees highlights of La Digue?

Beautiful Anse Source d’Argent

The beach of Anse Source D’Argent on the west coast, immediately comes to mind. It would be quite a shame to visit La Digue and skip it. It is probably the most famous place in the Seychelles and one of the most iconic beaches in the world.

Filled with patchy giant boulders creating a series of interconnected slip of beaches, and with a protective barrier reef ensuring lagoon-like, shallow waters, Anse Source d’Argent is visually stunning (best for photos than actual swimming as a matter of fact).

But as for all things Insta-famous, you have to plan ahead to make sure that your experience is a success. Far from being jam-packed, but it’s likely you’ll see larger crowds than most Seychelles beaches. If you can, avoid visiting during cruise ships stopovers, and aim to be there as early as you can. Also, we recommend visiting between high and low tide, which is when the beach looks its absolute best.

Anse Source d’Argent sits within L’Union Estate, a former coconut and vanilla plantation, which requires a SCR 150 (around €10) entrance fee. While the beach is the main attraction, the estate also offers sites of historic and cultural interest, such as the old plantation house (with Takamaka Rum tasting), the Old Pier, and La Digue’s oldest cemetery. You can also explore the coconut and vanilla plantations and meet the giant Aldabra tortoises.

It’s a fantastic place to explore, though a single day only allows a superficial visit unless you plan to spend most of your time there.

Anse Source D’Argent is probably the most picture-perfect beach in La Digue. But not the one that stole our hearts. Since we came back from our trip, we keep raving about the ultimate trio on the eastern side of the island.

Wild and untouched, Grand Anse, Petite Anse and Anse Coco are the real deal (but be mindful of currents as there is no protective reef).

Grand Anse is the first that you reach after cycling for 15-20 min from the Union Estate. The beach is approximately 500 metres long and is framed by giant granite boulders on each side, making it ridiculously beautiful. You’ll also find a small restaurant which makes it perfect for a lunch and beach combo.

But if you walk 5-10 min around the boulders on the designated trail, you reach one of our ultimate favourites – Petite Anse.

Jungle path to Petite Anse

The beach is slightly smaller and attracts even fewer visitors, as most people are already content with Grand Anse. With its giant boulders, aquamarine water, the lush surrounding vegetation and not a single soul around, this is the closest definition to heaven that you can imagine.

If you are visiting for a day only, you should stick with Grand Anse and Petite Anse. Reaching Anse Cocos means a further 25–30 minute walk from Petite Anse. To see the natural pools, the beach’s main highlight, you’ll need to cross the entire shore. Honestly, going there to only trying to rush back for the ferry can take away from the experience entirely.

From the pier at La Passe, it’s a short ride to Anse Severe and Anse Patates on the north side. Both are especially beautiful at sunset but worth visiting any time.

Anse Severe offers calm, shallow waters ideal for snorkelling, while Anse Patates is smaller, quieter, and better suited for swimming.

Continue cycling a few more kilometres to reach the island’s eastern side, where you’ll find a wild stretch of coastline and a series of small, often deserted beaches until the road comes to an end.

Each of the above are doable on a day trip, but you won’t be able to fully see or truly enjoy them all in just one day.

Realistically, there a three mini itineraries to choose.

Get your bike in La Passe and head to L’Union Estate.

Pay the entrance fee and relax at Anse Source d’Argent before the big crowds come. We recommend spending a couple of hours here, including a quick tour of L’Union Estate, before cycling to Grand Anse (about 20 minutes).

From there, it’s just a 5-10 min walk to Petite Anse, which is one of the ultimate slices of heaven. We would happily stay there forever, but a few hours is probably the right amount. On the way back, stop for a quick lunch at the restaurant in Grand Anse before heading to la Passe to catch your ferry. If you have spare time (and energy), cycle further north of La Passe to Anse Severe and Anse Patates. You may not have time for a swim, but they make a perfect final photo stop.

Start as in Option 1, then head back to La Passe and continue north to Anse Severe and Anse Patates.

Anse Severe is renowned for its calm and shallow waters which are optimal for snorkelling, while Anse Patates is a small but very picturesque beach suitable for both swimming and snorkelling. Anse Patates is also attached to the Patatran Hotel, a good option for lunch in case you get hungry.

All in all, this is a great option to balance relaxation with exploration. While less dramatic than Grand and Petite Anse, these beaches sit side by side and are close to La Passe, so you won’t need to cycle far or rush for the ferry. They’re also generally easier for swimming, and not as affected by rip currents.

If you want a no-frills, chilled-out day this is the one for you! Apart from enjoying Anse Source d’Argent for longer, it will also give you the opportunity to explore the Estate more in depth, have a nice lunch, do Takamaka rum tasting and shop for local arts and crafts.  

Is La Digue worth visiting as a day trip? Absolutely!

This island is the symbol of the Seychelles and even a fleeting visit is better than none at all. You still get to see some of the key highlights and relax in postcard-perfect beaches.

However, if you have the chance, it’s well worth staying a few days. You’ll be able to explore all the island’s incredible beaches and spots (and perhaps even take trips to Île Cocos, Félicité, and Grande Sœur), while enjoying everything at a far more relaxed pace.

That said, you can still have an amazing experience in a single day, and our overall impression was undeniably positive. Yet, it left a subtle, lingering sense of incompleteness, like finishing an open-ended book, and longing for a sequel.

The beauty of La Digue lays in the secluded coves, the hidden bays, the remote and wild corners, often not easily accessible. It is a place that gives its best to those that savour their permanence at the same pace as the giant tortoises populating the island.

And for that, you need time.

Further readings on the Seychelles

• Seychelles Honeymoon: The Ultimate Two-Week Itinerary
• A Complete Guide To Praslin, Seychelles
• Denis Private Island: Ultimate Seclusion in the Seychelles