Things to do in La Digue
And where to stay, the best time to visit, what a day costs, and the traps to skip.
Best time to visit La Digue
• a note or something on ✦ an occasion worth the trip
Calm transition windows between the trade winds, with the best snorkelling visibility, the easiest ferries and both coasts most usable.
South east trades: cooler, drier and breezier, the west coast sheltered, and the east coast beaches unsafe for swimming.
North west monsoon: hot, humid and wet, December and January wettest, and the west coast becomes the side to check before swimming.
What's on
- Feast of the Assumption 15 August
La Digue's patronal festival, with Mass, processions and a long weekend of local celebration; the island books out.
- Festival Kreol October
The national Creole festival centred on Mahe, with smaller events on La Digue in the calm October window.
Best things to do in La Digue
Anse Source d'Argent
The granite boulder beach reached through L'Union Estate for a SCR 150 fee, best for wading and photos.
L'Union Estate
The coconut and vanilla plantation gating the famous beach, with a plantation house, copra mill and tortoises.
Veuve Nature Reserve
A small takamaka forest reserve protecting the rare Seychelles paradise flycatcher, best visited quietly in the morning.
Anse Severe
The sunset side beach north of La Passe, with calm facing water and easy snorkelling in calm weather.
Grand Anse
The wild east coast beach for walking and watching surf, with dangerous currents and no swimming.
Anse Patates
A small boulder cove at the northern tip, a picnic and photo stop at the end of the north coast ride.
Where to stay in La Digue
La Passe
all-round base, jetty, eating out and first nights
The jetty village with bike rentals, takeaways, small shops and most restaurants, Anse Severe to the north and the estate road to the south.
Anse Reunion
quieter beachfront boutique and hotel stays
The beach just south of the jetty on the road to L'Union Estate, walkable to La Passe while feeling a step quieter.
Anse Severe side
luxury and sunsets
The north west coast above La Passe, facing Praslin and the sunset, with the island luxury resort and the default evening beach.
Grand Anse road inland
budget guesthouses and a local feel
Inland lanes on the ride toward Grand Anse, cheaper than the beachfront and still a short pedal from La Passe and both coasts.
Think twice about
- Grand Anse and Petite Anse for swimming
No protective reef, strong currents and shore break, warning signs and no lifeguard. Walk and watch the sea here; swim on the sheltered west coast instead.
- The south coast to Anse Marron without a guide
The route is a tide dependent scramble and wade where unguided visitors get into difficulty. Book a local guide and let the tide table set the day.
- Unlit roads away from La Passe after dark, on foot or by bicycle
Roads are narrow, unlit and shared, so be particularly alert in isolated areas at night. Arrange the Belle Vue ride and carry a light.
Best restaurants in La Digue
Le Nautique Waterfront Restaurant
The waterfront restaurant at Le Nautique, the island's most praised special occasion table for Creole seafood.
Fish Trap Restaurant & Bar
The busy central Creole and seafood restaurant near the jetty, the reliable first night dinner at La Passe.
Chez Jules
A family run Creole restaurant on the east coast road, known for fish curry, grilled octopus and fresh juices.
Belle Vue Snack Bar
A small high road snack bar visited for sunset over Praslin with a Creole plate and a drink.
Rey & Josh Cafe Takeaway
The beloved budget takeaway for curry and rice at local prices, eaten on the terrace or carried to a beach.
Mimi's Cafe
A small Creole cafe for a simple curry and coffee, a useful cheap stop on the Grand Anse road.
Outdoor things to do in La Digue
Anse Cocos
A walked to cove past Petite Anse, where boulders shelter natural pools while the open sea stays dangerous.
Anse Marron
A hidden south coast beach with a rock pool, reached only on a guide led scramble and wade set by the tides.
Nid d'Aigle
The island high viewpoint at about 333 m, a short steep climb for a panorama over the sister islands.
Crystal Water Kayaks
A guided clear kayak paddle along the Source d'Argent coast, with reef life visible through the hull.
Ile Cocos
A marine park islet reached by half day boat from La Passe, for snorkelling with turtles and reef fish.
Grande Soeur Island
The splurge boat day beach, combined with Felicite snorkelling on a full day from La Passe.
Best hotels in La Digue
Le Domaine de l'Orangeraie
The island luxury resort of garden and pool villas with a spa, on the sunset side north of the jetty.
Le Nautique Waterfront Hotel La Digue
A small waterfront boutique hotel at La Passe by the jetty, with a pool and its own restaurant.
Le Repaire - Boutique Hotel & Restaurant
A small beachfront boutique hotel on Anse Reunion with a pool and an Italian leaning restaurant.
La Digue Island Lodge
The larger older island hotel on Anse Reunion beach, with gardens, a pool and a spa.
Zanboza Guesthouse
A small family guesthouse on the Grand Anse road, with a garden and restaurant at budget pricing.
Zerof Guest House
Simple guesthouse rooms near La Passe and a supermarket, the budget base with self catering logic.
Is La Digue expensive? What a day costs
| Budget | SCR 1,600 a person |
|---|---|
| Classic | SCR 3,800 a person |
| Splurge | SCR 9,000 a person |
A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room
What to book ahead
- Anse Marron: a few days ahead
- Crystal Water Kayaks: a few days ahead
- Ile Cocos: a few days ahead
- Grande Soeur Island: a few days ahead
- Le Domaine de l'Orangeraie: weeks ahead
- Le Nautique Waterfront Hotel La Digue: weeks ahead
- Le Repaire - Boutique Hotel & Restaurant: weeks ahead
- La Digue Island Lodge: a few days ahead
- Book Cat Cocos and Cat Rose ferry seats well ahead in season and for the Feast of the Assumption week.
- Reserve the Anse Marron guide, the clear kayak tide slot, boat days and Belle Vue sunset tables a few days ahead.
- Apply for the Seychelles Travel Authorisation online a few days before travel, on the official portal only.
Is La Digue safe?
- Smaller islands have limited medical care off Mahe.
- Be particularly alert in isolated areas at night and do not leave valuables unattended on beaches.
- No lifeguards at these beaches; do not swim at Grand Anse or Petite Anse, and use only the sheltered pools at Anse Cocos in calm conditions.
- Bike accidents are the everyday injury risk, and serious care means a boat or air transfer to Mahe. Emergency number 999.
La Digue travel tips: tourist traps to skip
- Treating Anse Source d'Argent as a deep swimming beach; it is shallow and tidal, and the SCR 150 estate fee is per entry day.
- Planning to swim at Grand Anse because the water looks inviting; local warnings against it are explicit and year round.
- Renting the first bicycle without checking its brakes, then meeting the Grand Anse hill.
- Assuming dinner is a wander; choice is limited and kitchens close early, so plan the evening meal.
Getting around La Digue: public transport and more
- Rent a bicycle at the jetty on arrival, check brakes, gears and tyres before paying, and take the Grand Anse hill and all descents slowly.
- There are very few cars on La Digue; use ox cart and small truck taxis for luggage and for the steep Belle Vue run.
- Cat Cocos runs Mahe to Praslin in about 1 hour, Cat Rose hops Praslin to La Digue in about 15 minutes, and Cat Cocos Mahe to La Digue sailings stop briefly at Praslin.
Who La Digue suits
| Solo travellers | Good |
|---|---|
| Groups of friends | Good |
| Couples | Great |
| Bachelor parties | Not ideal |
| Families | Good |
| Bachelorette parties | Not ideal |
Make La Digue your trip
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