What to do in La Digue in the Seychelles?

After writing about Mahé Island, sharing with you my best experience of my few days on the idyllic island, I’ll tell you in this article a new story about another paradise: La Digue Island.

Why should you absolutely go to La Digue during your trip to the Seychelles? I wrote this article based on my personal experience. I went to La Digue a few years ago, in combination with Praslin, for my honeymoon, and I remember it as if it was yesterday! So I can easily tell you about it. From your arrival in this small harbor to the white sandy beaches, through the typical transportation on this island and the timeless moments, you will surely come home with a lot of memories. I suggest you discover here what I know about this piece of paradise on earth.

To make the most of your stay, don’t forget to check out our detailed guide to the best time to visit Seychelles when planning your trip.

Since then, we’ve also published a complete guide to everything you can do in Seychelles.

You will quickly realize, when you set foot on land, that there are no or very few cars on La Digue. So, the most popular means of transportation will be by bicycle. And even if you are not really a fan of this two-wheeler, you will enjoy it much more than expected!

Swimming in the turquoise waters after sweating is a real pleasure! And above all, you will have the time to discover beautiful landscapes, to enjoy them at your own pace and to stop where and when you want. Cycling is a must during your vacation on La Digue Island!

This former coconut and vanilla plantation is a must-see on La Digue. There is an entrance fee of about 100 Seychelles rupees (less than 10 euros). You will see how vanilla grows and its surprising hand pollination, but also how coconut oil is made from copra (the dried flesh of coconuts).

You will also visit the old cemetery, where the first colonials of La Digue are buried. Children are fans of the Aldabra giant turtle enclosure! In the Union Estate, there is also the plantation house, of French colonial architecture. A Mauritian family, who made their fortune after settling on the island, had this beautiful house built with precious woods and palm leaves. Finally, admire the impressive giant Union rock, 4,000 m² in area and 40 m high. It is estimated to be 700 million years old!

When you arrive at La Digue, you are immediately impressed by La Passe harbor. It is as small as it is cute! From there, the main street of the harbor begins. It is lined with small shops, where you can buy food and drinks, souvenirs and local music CDs sung in Seychellois Creole, the Sega.

You will also come across colonial houses with typical Seychelles architecture and vestiges of the archipelago’s history.

If you like hiking, then I recommend this one to experience the unique beauty of the paradise island in the Seychelles. This 4 kilometer mountain hike will take you to the highest peak of La Digue (333 m). You should leave early in the morning, as most of the trails are not in the shade. But once you reach the top, you will be rewarded with superb and breathtaking views of La Digue and the surrounding islands (Praslin, Félicité, Marianne, and sometimes Frégate, if the weather is clear).

On your way, you will pass by “La Veuve” Reserve. You will be able to observe an endemic and protected bird, called Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher, or Black Widow. It can be recognized by its black plumage with bluish reflections, and its long tail. In this reserve, banana trees, lataniers, vanilla trees and orchids grow. It is a very rich place botanically speaking.

Well, of course, if you go to Seychelles, and more precisely to La Digue, Anse Source d’Argent is THE beach to see! It’s the one you see on all the postcards to symbolize this dreamy archipelago. It is the ultimate paradise beach, with its huge granite rocks, its white sand, its translucent waters and its coconut trees. It is common to see brides and grooms taking beautiful wedding photos, and sometimes even weddings celebrated there. But beware, you have to earn it because it is located at the end of the Union domain! You have to pay to get there and walk a bit. But the atmosphere of the end of the world is guaranteed…

Anse Sévère is also worth a visit, especially at sunset which offers breathtaking colors to both the sky and the water. It is located north of La Digue and offers a beautiful and breathtaking view of Praslin. Protected by the coral reef, it is ideal if you go there with children. The sea is calm and shallow at low tide. On the beach, you can enjoy a bar and a store. You will find it easily, since it is located on the roadside. I definitely recommend this place for snorkeling.

I also wanted to tell you about my favorite beach on La Digue: Anse Patates. It is for me the most beautiful beach of the island, and even of the Seychelles! When you arrive from the road, you will be captivated by the view on this beautiful cove. You have to walk up a staircase to get there. You have to go there at low tide, because the sand bank is not very wide, and to wear shoes to go in the water (because of the numerous corals and sea urchins). But once you put on your fins, mask and snorkel, it will be real treat for you. You will have the sensation of swimming in an aquarium, among multicolored fishes of any beauty! In short, I really recommend you make a stop there.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to do a cruise when I was on La Digue, but I heard that this excursion is really worth it. For about 120 euros per adult for one day, you will explore these islets, but also discover the underwater fauna and the coral reefs.

The departure is around 9:30 am, in the direction of Coco island, a national marine reserve since 1996, where you can snorkel. Lunch is provided on site. In the afternoon, you will visit Grande Sœur and Félicité, where you will be able to walk in the middle of the luxuriant vegetation and dive among fish, turtles and maybe sharks. The return trip is scheduled around 5:00 pm.

Of course, you will first have to go to the Seychelles, via the international airport of Mahé. As usual, I recommend you to look at the Skyscanner website to compare prices and see the most interesting seasons in terms of price. If you are flexible on your dates, you can find very good prices to go to the Seychelles, between 500 and 600€ round trip from Paris. If you are looking for cheap flights, I recommend you to look at Skyscanner, the flight comparison website I have been using for a long time.

You have two possibilities:

• The Cat Cocos ferry, which you can take :
  • Directly from Mahé, which is located 45 km away. The trip takes about 1h10 and it will cost you about 60€ per person for a one-way trip;
  • Most often, Cat Rose’s boats stop in Praslin. The trip from Praslin to La Digue takes 15 minutes (the distance between the two islands is 7 km), and costs about €15 one-way.

• Helicopter: yes, there is no airport or airfield on the island, but it has a landing strip for helicopters! Flights are operated by the company ZilAir from Mahé or Praslin to any of the 11 islands of the Seychelles.

Personally, I stayed 3 nights in La Digue, and I think that’s good. The tropical island is not very big, but there are a lot of things to do, so staying there less time is a pity because you might not be able to “see everything”, even if, between us, it is not necessarily the ultimate goal. And above all, it’s good not to do everything in a hurry. To answer the question of how long to stay in La Digue, the ideal for me is 3 nights, combining with other islands: Mahé-Praslin-La Digue or Praslin-La Digue. It all depends on the length of your trip in Seychelles.

• By bicycle: this is the most common means of transportation on La Digue. If you are staying in a hotel or guest house, bicycles are often available for loan or rental. But be careful with the quality of the bicycles, which are sometimes not very new… I suffered from it the first day, I still remember it! Apart from that, the island is perfect for two-wheelers and this mode of transportation will allow you to fully enjoy the landscape and to go around at your own pace.
• By cab (very rare on the island): you will see, there are very few motorized vehicles on the island (this is also what makes its charm!). There must be about thirty private vehicles to transport tourists. For my part, I did not use this means of transportation, I preferred to follow the local habits for daily travel.
• By private cart from the hotel (upon arrival and departure): you get off the boat and a small vehicle (golf cart type) is waiting for you and will transport you (and your luggage) to the hotel. It’s fun and it gives a little VIP touch to your arrival and departure. I liked it!
• By oxcart: it was once the main means of transportation in La Digue. There are only a few left, mostly for tourists. A change of scenery guaranteed!

Le domaine de l’Orangeraie Resort and Spa

I stayed in this fabulous 4-star resort during my visit to the tropical island of La Digue. My experience of this hotel is more than positive, I keep a memorable memory of it. The room was just sublime, with its bathroom in natural materials, its warm decoration and the outside terrace where you can bask at the end of the day. The room is always impeccable, thanks to a constant cleaning service, with the added bonus of little chocolates on the bed!

What about the food? Excellent! With a service worthy of the hotel’s standing. You can eat with your feet in the sand or choose a table on the pier, at the water’s edge. And if you have the opportunity, treat yourself to a massage. The spa is located high up, so you can get there by cart. Once you are comfortably seated on your massage table, you just have to contemplate the breathtaking infinite blue ocean and enjoy this magical moment!

Nautique Waterfront Hotel La Digue

This 4-star hotel has excellent reviews. Its location on the west coast of the island is ideal for enjoying the beautiful sunsets with an unobstructed view of Praslin! You can enjoy the beautiful white sand beach at the foot of the hotel, or, if you prefer, an infinity pool is available. It’s ideal for a relaxing seaside vacations. You can also take advantage of direct access to the sea to discover marine life in the crystal-clear waters. The staff is very welcoming (the kindness of Seychellois is well known!). Rooms are spacious and well-maintained, with a refined design. A very good address on La Digue, the Seychelles!

Domaine Les Rochers

If you’re looking for a quiet place to stay, Domaine Les Rochers is the place to go. Whether you come as a couple or with your family, you are bound to find the apartment or bungalow you need. Here, you are independent. Since the establishment is located in the village of La Passe, there are restaurants and stores nearby. Moreover, you are 150 meters from the beach and 5 minutes walk from the pier. Bicycles are available for rent at 250 m from the estate. What more could you ask for?

Lucy’s guesthouse

The Lucy’s guesthouse in la Digue has many advantages. The welcome is warm and the owners will give you lots of practical advice about the paradise island. You can rent bicycles on the spot to get around the island. The nearest beach (Anse La Réunion) is 250m away and Anse Source d’Argent less than a kilometer away. A food shop is located next to the house, if you wish to eat at a low cost.

If you want to go further, I’ve written a very comprehensive guide to accommodation on the island of La Digue. It details all the different types of accommodation, so you’re sure to find what you’re looking for!

That’s it, our tour of the island of La Digue is over. Now you know all about the things to do in La Digue. I let you discover this little paradise by yourself, hoping that you will find as much pleasure as I did. In conclusion, if I have only one piece of advice to give you: do not go to the Seychelles without spending a few days on the island of La Digue! If you go on vacation in this little paradise, I invite you to read our other article about the island of Praslin, a real wonder.

See you soon