La Digue Island
Seychelles

"No visit to Seychelles is complete without at the
very least a day trip to this island"

La Digue Island, which is ranked third in importance in the economy of Seychelles and also in size of population, is actually the fifth in land area among the islands. It lies 24 miles to the northeast of Port Victoria and 4 miles east of Baie St Anne Praslin. This sleepy little island of 14 sq. km (6 sq. miles) with 2500 inhabitants welcomes 150 to 200 visitors to its shores daily.

You can get to the Island of La Digue either by helicopter transfer or by boat. Although you can travel direct from Mahe, you'll find it more convenient using Praslin as the gateway, and as a visitor it's good to combine the two islands in your schedule anyway. They complement each other in so many different ways. I always recommend two days on Praslin and one on the much smaller La Digue for any kind of holiday in Seychelles.

As for myself I've always used the route via Praslin too. Either fly to the latter or take the fast ferry between Mahe and Baie St Anne first. And then take the ferry from there to La Digue Island.

The direct route from Mahe is usually much slower unless you take the helicopter, and it could take 3 hours or more in rough seas. But more significant to you, you could end up seasick - not the best way to start your trip. So, bring along travel tablets if you want to do it this way.

Although you use the ferry from Praslin too the trip takes less than half an hour from there and the sea is sheltered and calmer. When you arrive on this island, you get the feeling you've travelled back in time 50 to 60 years and that's why visitors love La Digue Island.

The first things you notice here are bicycles. This is the main mode of transport. So make use of it too. Rent one as you arrive at the jetty. You'll find plenty to choose from. This is our own preferred transport here, as it will get you everywhere you want to go and at your own pace. There are no car rentals and no private cars on this small island.

Now you also have a choice of a couple of taxis and tour buses if you do not feel very energetic. The ever present tour operators - the bigger ones from Mahe - are there too offering you the guided tour of the island, which you may have already pre-booked, so they'll pick you up here at the jetty. Want something different? Go back in time... Ox-carts may be to your liking. :).

The famous Sleeping-Giant rocks Anse Source d'Argent La Digue Island Seychelles

On this island everyone knows everybody else. Every house has its own garden and everybody grows a patch of something whether it's some vegetables, a few fruit trees, root crops like sweet potatoes and cassava or just some pretty flowers or even some weeds.

This little island has very warm welcoming people. They still have time to indulge in friendly conversation. Here you'll find some vacation rentals, a few small family-run guesthouses and at least two fair sized Creole-style hotels, one with up to 60 rooms.

Several restaurants and small cafes have also sprouted up recently to cater to the needs of the tourist industry, one such right next to one of our favourite beaches. And don't be surprised if you find your chef doubling up as the fisherman or vice versa. It just means you get the freshest ingredients and freshly cooked too.

Fish traps are laid just a few metres from the shore and half an hour before dinnertime someone wades out to check the traps and bring in the catch. There are many varieties of fish to choose from, each with its own peculiarities but whichever you choose you should try it grilled.

They do it to perfection here barbecued on an open fire. Meat, while available, is not a very popular choice. And I would definitely recommend you try the fish here. Don't miss out on the chance to feast on such nice exotic fish!

A nice traditional lunch on La Digue Island may be something to write home about but be careful how you order if you cannot tolerate much spices. Done the real local way it can set you "on fire." Bear in mind the favourite spice here is the very hot small red fresh chilli pepper.

The world's rarest bird - La Digue Island's
Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher - male

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On a guided tour you may see the Veuve Nature Reserve - the part of the island set aside for the preservation of its own unique native bird "Veuve" or Seychelles Paradise-flycatcher which until recently has only been breeding on this island and is perhaps the rarest bird in the world.

The interesting feature of this small 20 cm bird is that the male is blueish black while the female and the juveniles are brown with a whitish chest. But this reserve frankly is a letdown after you've been to the Vallee de Mai on Praslin Island.

You should also visit the nearby L'Union Estate - a farm with a coconut dryer and an ancient oil mill dating back a century and still in operation. On this island you really travel back in time. And see all the farm has to offer. It's easy to find it - just follow the crowd.

Here you'll also find an interesting old plantation house, a "mansion" in its heyday, with quite a history too. La Digue Island is also known for its vanilla production, so you can visit the plantation and buy real fresh vanilla pods to take home as gifts.

There is much more to see and do like a quick climb to the islands highest point, called Eagle's Nest (almost 350m in height), but I think the highlight of any tour of this island is a visit to the beach. Now which one? You don't need a map but here's one anyway, that you can print out.

Follow the coastal road and have fun discovering them. There are several picturesque beaches on La Digue Island but our personal favourites are over and across the central hills. Yes you'll have to work and push your bike up the steep hills but it's definitely worth it. And be careful on the way down - It's steep!

 

The views, the sea and the fine white sands of the two beaches that await you the other side are worth the effort. They are called Grand Anse and Petit Anse beaches. The road ends at the former and the latter is accessible by a footpath through some bushes. In my view, except for one perhaps, nothing compares to those two beaches.

These are the best two of a series of four beaches you'll find along this part of the coast. When you come to the Island of La Digue don't get too distracted by the more touristy beaches like the picturesque Anse Source d'Argent. Or you'll miss out on the best.

The latter is nowhere as good and you may even have to pay an "entrance fee" to get there as the easiest access is over private property, but you'll also be seeing other interesting things apart from the beach, so it's perhaps worth the fee.

But whatever you do don't skip those two beaches, and even better still, access is free, just like all the other beaches in the Seychelles. Now go enjoy La Digue Island and its beautiful beaches. And perhaps you can tell us all about it after your trip? You can also read all about our first ever trip to La Digue Seychelles here...

Nice as this is with heavenly beaches and being among the best islands of Seychelles it's still not our own personal favourite. And now...

How about yours? Have you been to Seychelles? Do you have a little corner that you love? Do you have a story about your favourite island? ...Your own favourite beach? Why not rave about it here? Did you capture the magic on film? Why not share it too? Tell us your own story and also read others' stories of the places they love right here.

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