Hello and welcome to my travel guide on the beautiful La Digue island in the Seychelles! My name is Yvonne and I grew up in Frankfurt, Germany – a wonderful city of banks and skyscrapers. The locals here also call Frankfurt “Mainhattan” because of the river called Main which runs through the city.
Frankfurt has the largest international airport in Germany, so it’s a gateway to the world right on my doorstep. I have always been fascinated by traveling and seeing the most beautiful places. My boyfriend has been by my side for almost 10 years and he shares the same travel passion as me.
Staying in La Digue, Seychelles for Two Weeks
The Seychelles was on our bucket list for a while, as we wanted to go there for many years. We decided to spend two weeks on La Digue island – one of the most popular and beautiful islands in the Seychelles. La Digue is the calmer sibling to the larger Seychelles islands of Mahe and Praslin. There is no airport on this tiny island, so you will first meet La Digue from the water.
We spent our whole vacation on this island as we just wanted to relax – and what a great decision that was! Imagine a poster from your childhood room of a dreamy beach and suddenly you are right in the middle of it! The beauty of nature is breathtaking and hardly comparable to any other place.
With its turquoise blue water, powdery sand and fascinating granite rocks – the beaches of La Digue are among the most beautiful beaches in the world. We spent our stay at a hotel called Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie, located 200 meters north of the small ferry port in the town of La Passe.
Our villa on the hillside gave us spectacular views of the sunset every evening. The hotel had a pool with a bar where you could enjoy the sunset with a delicious cocktail in hand. A large spa is another highlight of the hotel but unfortunately it was closed when we went due to the pandemic.
Best Beaches in La Digue: Anse Source d’Argent & Anse Patates
One of my favorite places in La Digue was the famous beach Anse Source d’Argent, a beautiful fine-grained sandy beach with crystal-clear water and unique rock formations. It really is a wonderful place! After all, it’s not for nothing that it’s one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. There are two fruit bars there where you can enjoy a cocktail, fruits and coconuts.
However, the island has more to offer besides that one famous beach. Anse Patates in the northeast is a little smaller but is just as charming as Anse Source d’Argent. Here there are also big rock formations and the large palm trees provide shade for relaxation. It’s definitely a postcard idyll. But if you want to go snorkeling, the beaches on the west coast are better.
5 Best Things To Do in La Digue
1. Explore the East Coast of the Island by Bike
You can either walk or ride a bike around La Digue in the Seychelles. Except for some supply vehicles and the electric resort golf buggies, there are no cars as private vehicles are not allowed. This makes La Digue perfect for a relaxed bike tour without much traffic. There are bike rentals on every corner and also in the hotels (they cost around 10€ per day for hire).
We started our bike tour on the east coast from our hotel, which is located north of La Passe. Be prepared for many photo opportunities because the route takes you along the sea. Past the stunning Anse Severe, the largely uninhabited east coast extends behind a small headland.
Biking further past Anse Patates and the small Patatran Village Hotel, you pass other beautiful beaches such as Anse Gaulettes and Anse Banane. Many beaches on this side of the island are not ideal for swimming, as the underwater current is very strong here. But you can still hop in for a dip!
After riding around for a bit, you can take a break at the beach restaurant Chez Jules. Grab a drink or a snack with an amazing view of the sea. The road ends at Anse Fourmis. It’s not possible to go around the whole island.
2. Visit the Big Turtles at Anse Severe Beach
If you do that east coast bike tour near Anse Severe, be sure to keep an eye out for a couple of turtles which are located between the beach and the fruit bars. It’s always a breathtaking encounter with these creatures.
3. Go Snorkeling in the Crystal Clear Waters
Anse Severe Beach is one of the best snorkeling spots on the island at high tide. The entire bay is protected by coral reefs. The famous Anse Source d’Argent is also perfect for snorkeling – the coral reef in front of the beach forms a lagoon with calm, shallow water in which colorful fish swim.
4. Take a Tour with Crystal Water Kayaks
Crystal Water Kayaks is located by Anse Source d’Argent and the tours leave from this very spot. This is a great way to combine a tour with a stay at the beach. The kayaks are not colored, as is usual, but transparent – so you can easily discover the underwater world by looking down. Additionally, you have a fantastic view of the landscape from the water.
5. Enjoy the Colorful Sunsets in La Digue
The magic of sunset – is there anything more magical? The sunsets in the Seychelles are particularly beautiful. Whether on the beach or at the hotel bar, these moments are not to be missed. I can recommend our hotel Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort & Spa. We especially loved the pool area.
Need to Know Before you Go
Those who like things a little smaller are in good hands in the pretty boutique hotels: Le Nautique or Le Repaire in La Passe. You can spend the evening there for drinks or to eat. The food at Le Nautique restaurant was especially delicious. We also tried some of the local dishes, the creole food.
As mentioned, the island is car-free. Experience a relaxed life without noisy traffic. You can stop anywhere by bike and explore the area. Be sure to visit the less famous beaches, you will be fascinated by the beauty of each spot. My best tip ever: turn off your phone and enjoy heaven on earth!
