An inspiring travel guide to La Digue Island in the Seychelles, featuring 20 amazing things to do. Includes up-to-date travel tips, advice, and suggestions for the best places to see and visit.
La Digue, the poster boy for the Seychelles offers a laid-back vibe with postcard-perfect views at every turn. This tropical paradise is the perfect place to unwind or turn up for an adventure, with immaculate beaches, wild nature trails, and friendly, Seychellois hospitality.
In this travel guide, I’ve compiled a comprehensive resource that will help you plan your Seychelles trip and discover amazing things to do on La Digue Island.
You’ll find inspiring travel ideas, as well as hints and tips to make the most of your visit to La Digue. I’ve personally done all the recommendations and taken the accompanying photos on my recent visit and my goal, as always, is to inspire a passion for travel and adventure in you!
Also read: 9 Best Accommodation & Hotels on the Island
- About La Digue Island In the Seychelles
- How to Get to La Digue Island
- 20 Amazing Things to do on La Digue Island
- 1. Visit Anse Source D’Argent
- 2. Join the Iconic Crystal Kayak Tour
- 3. Experience Anse Marron
- 4. Unwind at Grand Anse
- 5. Ride Around the Island
- 6. Spot a Giant Tortoise
- 7. Go Island Hopping To Coco & Felicity Islands
- 8. Walk the Nature Trails
- 9. Hike to Anse Cocos
- 10. Admire the view at Romeo & Juliet Viewpoint (Unique VIewpoint)
- 11. Stay in a Chateau from the Napoleonic warS Era
- 12. Visit The Notre Dame Church of La Digue
- 13. Explore L’Union Estate on La Digue Island
- 14. Grab a Bite at the Old Pier Cafe
- 15. Summit Nid D’Aigle (Eagle’s Nest) – The Highest Point on La Digue Island
- 16. Visit Belle Vue Restaurant (Amazing View)
- 17. Eat Fresh Tropical Fruit on the Beach
- 18. Spot Endemic Species of the Seychelles
- 19. Explore the Forgotten East Coast of La Digue
- 20. Soak in the Magical Indian Ocean Sunsets
- Where to Stay on La Digue
- Getting Around the Island
- More Things to Know About Traveling to La Digue
- More Seychelles Travel Inspiration
About La Digue Island In the Seychelles
La Digue Island is the third most populous island of the Seychelles. It's located approximately 54 kilometers northeast of the main island of Mahe. Along with Mahe and Praslin, La Digue is one of the "three main islands". These are the islands that most tourists visit during their trip to the Seychelles.
La Digue is a sleepier, more relaxed island than even neighboring Praslin. Here, you'll find only a few cars (although the number is increasing yearly). Instead, most locals and tourists get around via bicycle. Furthermore, there is plenty of tourist infrastructure on La Digue, mostly around L'Union on the west side.
This beautiful island is unique in many ways. Firstly, it's a granitic island, which means that it is composed of granite rock. There are only 42 granitic islands in the world, and all of them are found in the Seychelles. La Digue island has some of the best examples of these unique, weathered granite boulder formations that help make its beaches so beautiful.
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How to Get to La Digue Island
Ready to start exploring the incredible island of La Digue, the Seychelles? Still in the planning stages of your trip? Before we get into the list of best things to do and see, here's a quick up-to-date rundown on how to get here.
To start, you have 2 options. Firstly, you could take the Cat Cocos (fast ferry) directly to La Digue Island from Mahe, which costs roughly €60 and takes 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Your second option is to take the Air Seychelles scenic flight to Praslin, then take the Cat Rose to La Digue Island. This is a scenic option and includes a breathtaking low-flying flight over the islands.
Of course, this is a simplified summary. But, if you want more information, I’ve gone into a lot more detail on the options for how to get to the island here.
Tip: For cheap flights, compare prices and routes on SkyScanner and CheapOAir to find the best deals.
20 Amazing Things to do on La Digue Island
Without further ado, let's dive into this La Digue Island travel guide with this list of 20 incredible things to do on the island.
1. Visit Anse Source D'Argent
Anse Source D'Argent is the most famous out of all the incredible beaches on La Digue. In fact, it holds the title of being one of the world's most photographed beaches. Here, you'll find incredible granite rock formations and a sheltered, turquoise water lagoon that is great for swimming.
Visiting Anse Source D'Argent is one of the must-do things to do on La Digue Island. To get here, head to L'Union Estate and continue on to the end. There are signs throughout the estate indicating the way.
2. Join the Iconic Crystal Kayak Tour
Located on the edge of Anse Source D'Argent Beach is a small beach shack running one of the most booked tours on La Digue Island. Chances are, you would have already seen photos on social media of those iconic clear-bottom kayaks floating next to the jurassic La Digue granite boulders.
Let me tell you, this La Digue activity lives up to the hype! For only €35 you'll get an awesome half-day kayaking adventure with visits to incredible beaches only accessible from the water. The best one is Anse Pierrot, which is also known as Robinson Crusoe Beach.
The Crystal Kayak tour for me is definitely one of the best things to do on La Digue! Below I've included some photos from the experience.
3. Experience Anse Marron
Anse Marron is easily one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen. Here, gentle, turquoise waters lap white-sandy shores and large, granite boulders form a protected, natural swimming pool. Many consider it to be the most beautiful beach in the Seychelles!
What makes the Anse Marron experience so unique is that it requires a hike through the jungle to reach it. However, the Seychelles National Parks authority highly discourages tourists to hike here alone.
Luckily, however, there are a few great guided trips to the secluded Anse Marron that you can book online. Below I've linked to the best one, which has hundreds of bookings and a 5-star average review on Viator and Tripadvisor.
Book now: Best Anse Marron Guided Tour on Viator - top-rated in the Seychelles
4. Unwind at Grand Anse
Located on the southeast corner of La Digue Island is the one and only Grand Anse. This wide, sandy bay has some of the bluest water I've ever laid my eyes on. At each headland, towering granite boulders pile up to form natural, protected walls that are connected by a string of coconut palm trees along the shore.
Grand Anse is an excellent beach for swimming because the water is much deeper than those found on the west side. The ambiance here is also much more relaxed, with just a single beach bar and a few small makeshift shelters dotting the shore.
Getting to Grand Anse is very easy by bicycle and doesn't require any hiking.
If you're catching on, many of the La Digue highlights involve its breathtaking beaches. Don't worry though, there are still many more things to do on La Digue below that explore more of the island than just its beaches!
5. Ride Around the Island
La Digue Island emanates laid-back, sleepy vibes. While there are more and more cars making their way here every year, a bicycle is still by far the best way to get around.
You can rent a bike from any hotel or from several stores in L'Union for approximately 100 SCR per day. Most bikes will come with an attached basket on the back where you can keep your beach towel and other necessities.
If you're stuck on things to do on La Digue and just want to explore, hop on your bike and get peddling, it's impossible to get lost!
6. Spot a Giant Tortoise
Endemic to the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles, the Giant Tortoise which shares the same name have now been introduced to several of the inner islands, including La Digue.
The Aldabra Giant Tortoise is one of the largest tortoises in the world and can live up to 200 years! One of these guide really caught me by surprise when I was riding my bike and spotted one lazing on the beach!
Tortoises aren't everywhere on La Digue Island, but you definitely can spot them around if you get lucky. If you want a certain encounter, you can find them in the L'Union Estate (below).
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7. Go Island Hopping To Coco & Felicity Islands
If you want to go snorkeling when traveling on La Digue, then one of the best places to do it is on nearby Coco island. Taking an island hopping trip to Coco Island and Felicity (Félicité) Island is easily one of the most exciting things to do on La Digue.
Unfortunately, there aren't any tours you can book online at the moment. However, you can book a full-day island hopping and snorkeling trip at L'Union or at the harbor with a local operator. These trips usually run for at least 8 hours and include lunch.
Coco Island is the best island for snorkeling. That's because it offers opportunity to swim with loads of fish and the occasional cruising turtle.
Alternative: Coco & Felicity Snorkeling Trip from Praslin (visits La Digue)
8. Walk the Nature Trails
For the adventurous travelers, there are plenty of epic hikes and nature trails that you'll definitely want to add to your list of things to do on La Digue. I spent a lot of time exploring the island's interior and quickly fell in love with its dense jungles, rich biodiversity, and mind-blowing viewpoints.
Some of my favorite hikes include:
- Anse Marron hike
- Eagle's Nest trail
- Romeo & Juliet (Unique Viewpoint) hike
- Anse Cocos trail
- Anse Songe trail
La Digue Hiking Guide: Best Hiking and Nature Trails
9. Hike to Anse Cocos
Anse Cocos is another breathtakingly beautiful beach found on the untamed, eastern side of La Digue Island. There are two options to get here, which I've broken down in my Anse Cocos guide. Both involve scenic jungle trails that are nearly as amazing as the beach itself.
Once you arrive, you'll find a secluded beach with a long stretch of white sand surrounded by an arching cove. At the southern end of the beach, you’ll find a small beach bar called “Coco Bar”.
However, the best spot on the beach is on the southern end, where visitors will find an amazing natural swimming pool. Here, large, granite boulders converge on the headland to form a naturally sheltered 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.
10. Admire the view at Romeo & Juliet Viewpoint (Unique VIewpoint)
The next La Digue attraction on this list of things to do is a remote viewpoint on the east side of the island. I was shown it by my local guide Henry. He has visited this spot since he was a young kid but in recent years, a German wedding photographer, with the help of some viral photos, made the spot blow-up. He named it the Romeo and Juliet viewpoint, but Henry prefers to call it his Unique Viewpoint.
This viewpoint is a huge granite boulder overhanging the jungle canopy. The view stretches over the green, tropical jungle and all the way down to the Anse Cocos, Petite Anse, and Grand Anse. It's by far my favorite view on the island.
If you're interested in checking it out, I recommend contacting my good friend Henry on WhatsApp: +248 2 580 533.
11. Stay in a Chateau from the Napoleonic warS Era
With so many great resort and hotel options on La Digue Island, it's always a tough choice picking where to stay. If you're after a unique experience with a touch of luxury, then I highly recommend staying at Chateau St Cloud.
This historic chateau is one of the first buildings on the island. It was first constructed as the plantation house of a large vanilla farm during the Napoleonic Wars.
These days, it's been reinvigorated and expanded to serve as one of the best accommodations available on the island. I stayed here for three nights and was really blown away by the hospitality.
12. Visit The Notre Dame Church of La Digue
The Notre Dame de L'Assomption Church is the first Catholic church built on La Digue in 1854. Chances are, you'll spot this church by accident as it's located on the main coastal street on L'Union, just before the estate.
This beautifully maintained, orange building is great for photos or a quick peak inside. I found it was quite an impressively large church for the tiny population on the island.
13. Explore L'Union Estate on La Digue Island
L'Union Estate is listed in almost every La Digue travel guide and list of things to do on the island. That's because this historic estate offers a unique opportunity to learn about the colonial history of the Seychelles, complete with some of the oldest examples of French colonial architecture on the island.
L’Union Estate is located on the southern end of La Réunion on La Digue’s west coast. It's really easy to get to by bicycle if you ride south on the coastal road from the port.
Entry to the estate costs 115 SCR and inside you'll find the historic Plantation House, coconut mill, giant granite monolith, tortoise enclosure, and of course, the one and only, Anse Source D'Argent.
14. Grab a Bite at the Old Pier Cafe
While you're exploring the L'Union Estate, make sure to drop by the Old Pier Cafe. This is a beach-side restaurant right next to a beautiful old pier. They serve up amazing food and cold drinks and should not be missed!
15. Summit Nid D'Aigle (Eagle's Nest) - The Highest Point on La Digue Island
One of the most epic things to do on La Digue is to summit the island's highest point; Nid D'Aigle, or "Eagle's Nest". This mountain towers 333 meters out of the Indian Ocean and its summit offers amazing views over La Digue's west coast and all the way out to Praslin.
The hike is not too long at under 1-kilometer return from the road. However, it is quite steep and the trail can be difficult to find in sections. If you're interested in hiking up to Nid D'Agile, message my friend Henry (number above), who is one of the best local hiking guides on La Digue Island.
16. Visit Belle Vue Restaurant (Amazing View)
The Belle Vue Restaurant is the tallest establishment on La Digue Island and is actually the starting point for the Nid D'Aigle hike (above). Getting to the Belle Vue Restaurant is a bit of an adventure in itself, following a very steep and winding concrete road nearly all the way up the mountain. When I say steep, I mean it. There's no way you're riding a bicycle up here!
In terms of great views, Belle Vue easily takes the cake! They also serve up fresh juices, delicious meals, and of course, cold Seybrew.
17. Eat Fresh Tropical Fruit on the Beach
Sometimes, it's the simple things to do that really make the trip to La Digue stand out. On almost every beach on the island, you'll find small local beach huts serving fresh drinks, fruits, cocktails and sometimes even BBQ meals.
Order a fruit plate to taste fresh, tropical fruits including papaya, banana, pineapple and coconut. This is the best way to indulge in a healthy way and really settle into island life!
18. Spot Endemic Species of the Seychelles
The Seychelles is home to several endemic species that are found nowhere else in the world. On La Digue, you'll get the opportunity to spot some of the rarest including the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher which always catches the eye thanks to its unique blue color.
Other species to keep an eye out for include the Seychelles Treefrog, Bronze Gecko, and the White fairy tern. You'll get an opportunity to spot these animals on many of the nature trails across the island. However, if you're adamant on seeing a Paradise Flycatcher, head over to the Veuve Nature Reserve which is a known breeding ground.
19. Explore the Forgotten East Coast of La Digue
Everyone visits Anse Source D'Argent and hangs out at La Réunion. But, if you're looking for unique things to do on La Digue then I suggest exploring the forgotten east coast!
There's a convenient coastal road that runs all the way up from L'Union Estate to the far southeast point of the island. This is bicycle friendly and very scenic. I rode this stretch of coast most mornings during my visit and loved the views along the way.
The east side of La Digue Island is very quiet but there are a few nice restaurants and secluded beaches. I highly recommend stopping by Anse Banane.
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20. Soak in the Magical Indian Ocean Sunsets
To wrap up this quick travel guide, the last item on the list of things to do on La Digue is to switch off and soak in those magical sunsets. I don't know what it is about the Seychelles, but you're almost guaranteed incredible explosions of color and light at each setting sun.
The best sunset spots are on the west coast, where you can watch the sun slip away behind the endless horizon. I recommend making a visit to Anse Source D'Argent at least once to watch the warm light dance off the weathered granite boulders.
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
Getting Around the Island
The best way to get around on La Digue is to rent a bicycle. You can rent one from almost any hotel or from one of the several rental shops on the main street for roughly 100 SCR. La Digue Island is quite small and there are only a few small hills to get over, making it the perfect island for bicycle riding.
More Things to Know About Traveling to La Digue
Wrapping up this La Digue Island travel guide, here are a few last things about the island you'll want to know before you arrive.
- Currency & ATMs: Seychellois rupee (SCR), at the time of writing, 15 SCR is equivalent to approximately 15 Euros. You'll find ATMs near the port when you first arrive on La Digue. However, it might be a good idea to bring cash from Praslin or Mahe just in case.
- Internet: Wifi is notoriously slow in the Seychelles. However, LTE (4G) connection is surprisingly quite fast and reliable on La Digue. There are two main operators; Airtel and Cable and Wireless. You can pick up a Sim when you arrive at Mahe airport at the stall outside arrivals.
- Language: The three official languages of the Seychelles are Seychellois Creole, English, and French. Almost everyone speaks great English which makes travel very easy.
- Clients: One interesting thing that I discovered is that Seychellois call tourists "clients". This isn't that important to know but something I found quite funny and made me feel a little bit fancy.
- Cost: Traveling on La Digue isn't typically more expensive than the other two main islands of the Seychelles. Expect similar prices on everything from food to lodging. The Seychelles isn't a very budget-friendly place, favoring the honey-moon and luxury crowd. However, it is possible to travel to La Digue on a decent budget if you stick to self-lodging accommodation and pick things to do that are free like hiking and beach-hopping.
More Seychelles Travel Inspiration
I really hope that you've enjoyed this comprehensive La Digue Island travel guide featuring 20 amazing things to do. If you discover something that needs to be on this list, let me know in the comments below. Otherwise, why not check out some of my other articles below for more Seychelles travel inspiration?
Natalie
Tuesday 25th of January 2022
Hi, Olly Thanks for all the brilliant advices and breathtaking pictures! I wanna ask a question about the drone flights in the Seychelles. Did you obtain some kind of permission? Are most of the beaches available for DJI drones or not?
Olly Gaspar
Wednesday 26th of January 2022
Hi Natalie,
Yes the drone application process is a little frustrating for creators in the Seychelles. There's quite a bit of bureaucracy involved, which is unfortunate as responsible drone use is safe and creates great, free advertising opportunities for the Seychelles.
Fortunately it was easy for me as I was on a sponsored press trip with the Tourism Board when I took these images and they handled most of that for me.
If you want to go through the process, you need to contact SCAA in the Seychelles and register your drone. With that said, I saw loads of people flying their DJI drones on La Digue and I'm assuming they didn't do this.