A quick travel guide covering how to get to Anse Cocos on La Digue Island, the Seychelles. Also includes information on what to expect, as well as some inspiring photographs to tempt your visit.
The Seychelles is known for its gorgeous beaches and you might already know that La Digue has some of the very best! If you’re up for a small adventure to discover one of the most postcard-perfect beaches on the island, then this guide to Anse Cocos will have you covered.
More: La Digue Island Travel Guide
Where is Anse Cocos
Anse Cocos is located on the eastern side of La Digue Island in the Seychelles.
You'll find it just north of Grand Anse Beach. However, there is no road to get here, so you'll need to choose one of the options listed below.
- Google Maps Pin: "Anse Cocos Beach"
How to Get to Anse Cocos on La Digue
What's unique about this secluded tropical cove is that you can't ride your bike here or get a taxi. Instead, you'll have two options, both involving scenic jungle walks. Both are included in my guide to the 6 best hikes on La Digue.
Don't Miss La Digue's most beautiful beach: Anse Marron (more secluded)
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Option 1: Short Trail from Grand Anse
The first option is the easiest, and a guide isn't necessary. What you'll want to do is head to Grand Anse Beach, accessible via a sealed, inland road. The best way to get around is to simply rent a bike for 100 SCR per day, plug in the Google Maps pin, and enjoy the ride.
Once you arrive at Grand Anse, you'll want to take the short jungle trail directly behind the beach heading north. Almost immediately, you'll pass a beautiful shallow lagoon with unique granite rock formations. Follow this trail over the headland and down to Petite Anse.
From Petite Anse, the trail continuing on towards Anse Cocos is very obvious. It quickly diverts away from the sandy shores and winds through a scenic, flat jungle area. It might seem like you are walking towards the mountains, but don't worry. Soon, the path cuts right and climbs another small headland before descending down to the southern end of beautiful Anse Cocos.
There are sections near the end that will look like they are leading down to the water. However, generally, if there's still a path heading left and following into the jungle, continue on that until it leads down to the sand.
Related: How to get to La Digue from Mahe
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Option 2: Jungle Trails + Romeo & Juliet Viewpoint
If you're up for a longer, more epic adventure featuring the best viewpoint on the island, then consider this route.
There's an unnamed trail leading off the mountainous road up to the Belle Vue restaurant (trail up to Nid d'Aigle), which cuts through the eastern side of La Digue's interior and finishes at Anse Cocos. Along the way, you'll stop at a viewpoint with a contested name. Many call it the Romeo and Juliet Viewpoint on La Digue but apparently the name is contested.
I walked this track with my guide called Henry, so I'm not going to give up his secret trail (he calls the viewpoint his secret "Unique Viewpoint"). However, I would highly recommend giving him a call if you want to take this trail. Henry has lived on the island his entire life and is very knowledgeable about everything from Seychelloise history to endemic flora and fauna species. If you don't get a guide, it's very easy to get lost as there are many unmarked, diverting trails in this part of the jungle used by loggers.
Contact Henry on WhatsApp: +248 2 580 533
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What to Expect Once You Arrive at Anse Cocos
While some of the popular beaches like Anse Source D'Argent are undeniably breathtaking, sometimes all you want to do is escape the crowds. Of course, secluded nature at its finest is what you'll be rewarded with if you make the effort to get out to Anse Cocos.
This beach is a long stretch of white sand surrounded by an arching cove which is quite well-protected. At the southern end of the beach, you'll find a small beach bar called "Coco Bar". The guys that work here are awesome and they cut me up some delicious tropical fruits following the long hike.
The beach is generally great for swimming. It's quite shallow near the shore but it quickly drops off into the deep blue. You'll need to be a confident swimmer as strong tides and waves can occur.
Anse Cocos Natural Swimming Pool (Pointe Anse Cocos)
One of the highlights that really make Anse Cocos one of the best beaches on La Digue is the natural swimming pool. If you continue on the beach heading north, you'll soon find what I'm talking about.
This is by far one of the best swimming spots on the island. Large, granite boulders converge on the headland to form a naturally protected pool. The water color here has to be seen to be believed. If the tide or waves are too rough on the beach, then the natural swimming pool is where you'll want to swim at Anse Cocos.
Where to Stay on La Digue
La Digue is quite a small island and you can get anywhere on a bicycle within 20-30 minutes. You'll find a lot of hotels on the west side of the island near the jetty but only a few along the narrow stretch of coastal road on the mostly inhabited eastern side.
On La Digue, there are a wide variety of hotel and resort offerings ranging from relatively "budget friendly" self-catering lodges to incredible luxury resorts.
Below is a quick summary of the best picks.
- Amazing Chateau: Hotel Chateau St Cloud (Mid-Range) - This is where I stayed on La Digue and I can personally recommend it as one of the best accommodation options on the island. This three-star hotel is perfect as a mid-range option as the location is excellent– just a little out from the main area on a quiet street that is close enough to both the incredible southwest beaches and the port.
- Waterfront Hotel: Le Nautique (High-end) - Rated as one of the best waterfront accommodations on La Digue, Le Nautique is a luxurious offering combining traditional Creole architecture with modern comforts including king-sized beds and rain-showers. Here, you'll also discover an amazing outdoor restaurant and beautiful garden surrounds.
- Self Catering: Dream Holiday (Budget) -located on the northern end of the island very close to the ferry terminal. Offers queen rooms with air-conditioning, TV, private bathrooms, and even a balcony. This is a great option if you're visiting La Digue on a budget while comfort and location are still a priority for you.
- ...9+ more top hotel picks on La Digue
Looking for More Seychelles Adventure Inspiration?
Now that this quick article covering how to get to Anse Cocos on La Digue has got you covered for one of the Seychelles' most beautiful beaches, make sure to check out some of my other posts too.
I've spent a great deal of time creating the most comprehensive resource for travel in the Seychelles including travel on Mahe and Praslin. So, I guarantee there'll be something here to inspire you!
