15 Best Things to do in La Digue, Seychelles
Heading to Seychelles and looking for the best things to do in La Digue, the most charming island in the country? Then keep reading.
La Digue is only the 6th largest island in Seychelles but a place packed with beauty and amazing things to do and see. The main islands to visit in Seychelles are Mahe, Praslin and La Digue – each with its own charm and special attractions.
La Digue is special because it has an authentic island feel with its limited cars (only 7 taxis on the whole island) and laid-back vibe. Everyone here gets around by bike and exploring feels like you are only a few in the world to discover it.
Here are the 15 best things to do in La Digue for the ultimate Seychelles holiday.
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How to get to La Digue Island
You can get to La Digue in a few ways.
- Take a plane from Mahe to Praslin then take the ferry.
- Take a ferry from Mahe to Praslin, then Praslin to La Digue.
- Take a tour.
The best option is number 2. This is best when you plan your stay in Seychelles by first visiting Praslin for a few days and then heading over to La Digue. The ferry from Mahe to Praslin takes 1 hour and the ferry from Praslin to La Digue takes 15 minutes. Book your tickets in advance on Cat Cocos to ensure there is space.
How Long to Visit La Digue
Some people visit La Digue on a day trip and although it is small one day is not nearly enough time to see and experience all the island has to offer. Visitors should plan at least 2 full days in La Digue to see the highlights. Depending on your travel style the ideal number of days to visit La Digue is 2-5 days.
15 Best Things to Do in La Digue
Spend a day on Anse Source D’Argent
Anse Source D’Argent is the most beautiful beach in Seychelles. Even more, year after year it ranks as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. One of the things that make this beach so special are the huge pieces of granite scattered along the shore and beyond that look so perfectly placed that it is as if a God came and put them there themselves.
The beach is not only because of its granite rocks but also surrounded by lush green palm trees, bright blue waters, and white soft sand. Plus is it super long so you don’t have to worry about a small sandy stretch packed with people. Rather you can space out and find yourself with plenty of space! Spending a full day here is easily one of the best things to do in La Digue.
Entrance to this beach is not free. At a cost of 115 SCR (~€7.25), you not only get access to Anse Source D’Argent but also L’Union Estate.
Hike to Anse Marron
Past the huge boulders that sit at the end of Anse Source D’Argent sits another beach much more exclusive and off the beaten track called Anse Marron. This beach has all the same beauty of Anse Source D’Argent with its bouldered beach and huge palms but is much more private. Getting here requires a hike through the forest and over the rocks, or by boat.
However, hiking alone is not allowed. You will need to go on a guided tour with a guide who will either bring you by boat or on the hike in the safest and easiest way possible! This is one of the best things to do in Seychelles for an adventure-filled day.
Go on a Crystal Kayak Tour
One of the best things to do in La Digue that everyone needs to experience is the crystal water kayak tour! This tour with its see-through kayaks is one of the things the island is more known for and has people eager to paddle through the ocean for a day of fun.
The tour starts at the beginning of Anse Source D’Argent and costs €35 – €40 per person depending on where you buy it. You will also have to pay the entrance fee of 115 SCR (~€7.25) to get into L’Union Estate.
The tour departs at a different time each day depending on the weather and tide and lasts for 2 hours. As a result, it is best to not do this tour if you are only visiting on a day trip as the timing may interfere with your return.
The tour is very educational and brings you along the shores of Anse Source D’Argent where you learn about coral and the ocean life in Seychelles. You then visit Robinson Crusoe beach, learn some survival skills, and visit more exclusive beaches.
Cycle around the Island
As mentioned La Digue is the island of bikes. This is AMAZING for getting around with ease and with no time constraints. Also, Seychelles is pretty expensive and the bikes make getting around super affordable!
One of the best things to do in La Digue is rent bikes of your own and go exploring. The roads are super well made, the signs are clear, and there’s no real way to get lost in La Digue.
Taking your bikes on a full circle of the island and seeing all the hidden gems along the way is the perfect way to spend a day. Be sure to wear sunscreen and bring water as the heat accompanied by the biking can get to you quickly.
Hike The Eagles Nest
If you love the outdoors, hiking, and adventure then hiking to the top of The Eagles Nest (Nid d’Aigle) is a must. This hike is moderate to hard difficulty but results in one of the best panoramic views of the island you can find. It is the perfect thing to do if you want to enjoy and soak in the lush jungle atmosphere of the island with a huge reward at the end.
Sunset Dinner at Belle Vue Restaurant
If you are not much of a hiker but still want to see and experience the stunning panoramic views from the top of the mountain then dinner at Belle Vue is ideal. Belle Vue is a mountain top restaurant in the middle of La Digue with the best views of the island and is especially beautiful during sunset. It is perfect for a romantic sunset dinner enjoying local Creole food and refreshing drinks.
The best way to get here is to ask your hotel to set up a taxi to drive you and pick you up for dinner so you can enjoy everything without stress.
Explore Grand Anse and Petite Anse
On the southeast side of the island, you will find two more beautiful and mesmerizing beaches: Grand Anse and Petite Anse. These two beaches are huge! With more sand space than you know what to do with, huge granite boulders and aqua blue waters.
The two beaches are separated by a short hike through the jungle that takes around 10 minutes. They are perfect for laying on the beach, drinking fresh coconuts and soaking in the exclusive atmosphere.
The most important thing to know when heading to the beaches on this side of the island is DO NOT SWIM IN THEM. There is no coral reef protecting these beaches from the strong Indian Ocean undercurrents and swimming here is extremely dangerous as a result. It may look tempting and you may see many other people swimming but for your own safety do not.
Go Giant Tortoise Spotting
Although you won’t find as many Giant Tortoises on La Digue as you will on Curieuse Island in Seychelles, looking for these magical animals is a must. Going on a guided tour is the best way to learn about these amazing creatures and the surrounding area.
You can most easily find them in L’Union Estate as there is a small enclosure full of them. However, here you cannot enter the enclosure and touch them or interact. You will also see them scattered around the island relaxing on the sand and such.
Hike to Anse Coco
Beyond the beautiful beaches of Grand Anse and Petite Anse sits Anse Coco another stunning beach with its own major attraction. This beach is only reachable by a 45-minute hike through the jungle and huge rocks. It is not a super hard hike but be sure to wear sturdy shoes!
The highlight of this beach is the “natural baths” that can be found at the end of the beach. Where rocks protect this part of the beach from the waves and currents and form a bath of sorts. This is the only place along the part of La Digue where you can swim in safely.
Be sure to pack a ton of water as it is very hot and there are only small juice and coconut stands on the beach.
Enjoy the View from Romeo and Juliet Viewpoint
There is no shortage of hikes and active things to do in La Digue and Romeo and Juliet Viewpoint is among those! This viewpoint offers stunning views over Grand Anse and Petite Anse plus the lush jungle. It is only reachable by guide and without one you could easily get lost.
Explore L’Union Estate
L’Union Estate is located on the Southern end of La Digue and is the best place to visit on all of the islands. The estate is a former coconut and vanilla plantation and offers a unique insight into Seychelle’s colonial history. In addition to this, here you will find a tortoise habitat, a history cemetery, Crystal Kayaks, Anse Source D’Argent and more.
The entrance costs 115 SCR (~€7.25) and is well worth it for all the amazing things it has to offer. Plan to spend at least half a day here as it really is one of the best things to do in La Digue.
Try Fresh Tropical Fruits
One of the best things to do in La Digue is enjoy the fresh tropical fruits freshly prepared in front of your eyes. There are fruit stands all around the island where you can get fresh coconuts and fruit platters as you wish. Be sure to bring cash if you plan to spend a day on the beach and indulge in some delicious fruits.
Watch the Sunset on the Beach
The sunsets from La Digue are unreal. If you plan to watch the sunset from the beach be sure to stay on the west side of the island as this is where the sunsets from. Sitting on the warm sand with a few snacks to enjoy the sky turning pink and red is one of the best things to do in La Digue.
Enjoy a Meal by the Water
There are not a ton of restaurants in La Digue but luckily most of them are near the water. Finding a nice restaurant with a sea view is the best way to enjoy a meal. If you want to have a nice dinner plan ahead! Most places require a reservation and these fill up very quickly. Some top places to head to for dinner by the water are:
Explore Hidden Beaches
There are many hidden beaches all around La Digue. If you couldn’t tell La Digue is a wonderful island for beach lovers and in addition to all the famous beaches, there are even smaller more exclusive beaches to find and enjoy. Taking your bike and exploring the island to find your own secret beach to enjoy the day on is one of the best things to do in La Digue.
Best Tours in La Digue
Where to Stay in La Digue
Discover the best hotels in Seychelles here. And the best hotels in La Digue are below!
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There are so many amazing things to do in La Digue, the adventure of a lifetime awaits.
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Love,
SSW
