La Digue Island in the Seychelles is a true tropical paradise, known for it's laid-back charm, pristine beaches and traffic-free streets. What you might not know is that it's also a haven for adventure and hiking, with some of the best hikes we've ever done.
This is an action-packed two day guide to help you make the most of your time on the island, from exploring photogenic beaches like Anse Source d'Argent to jungle hikes and epic transparent kayaking adventures.
Plus, I’ll include tips to help you make the most of your stay, including where to stay, where to eat, and how to get around.
Day 1: Exploring beaches on La Digue
Morning: Arrival, Settling in and bike ride to Grand Anse Beach
Arriving on La Digue feels like stepping into a tropical paradise, so no doubt you'll want to start exploring the pristine beaches and lush nature straight away, we did!
We'd reccomend arriving as early as possible to make the most of your time on the island. Ferry's from Mahe and Praslin usually start from around 7/8am, so you can reach La Digue in the morning.
After arriving at the ferry terminal, make your way to your accomodation. Usually, hotels or apartments will arrange a pickup from the terminal. La Digue isn't a big island, so it won't take long to reach your accomodation.
Once you're settled in, it’s time to get exploring! The best way to explore the island is by bike, and luckily, renting one is easy. Most accommodations offer bike rentals, or you can pick one up at one of the many rental shops near the main village.
We stayed at Coco Luxury Apartments and had free bikes for the duration of our stay. There are no vehicles allowed on the island apart from a few commercial vehicles for hotels and businesses, so it's very easy and safe to cycle around the island.
There are mutiple bike routes you can do around the island, depending on what you want to see and how long you have. You can cycle around the northern beaches, through jungle to Grand Anse Beach, or around L'Union Estate Park.
We would reccomend cycling to Grand Anse Beach for your first adventure of the day. Grand Anse is located on the southeast side of La Digue and is accessible by a jungle road, approximatly 3km from the main town and port (La Passe). It takes around 20-30 minutes to cycle here, so it's a great activitity for the morning. There are a few small hills along this road, but nothing too crazy.
Once you reach the beach you'll be blown away by the turqoise blue water and pristine white sand, it really feels like paradise! You can spend a few hours here relaxing, swimming and taking in the beautiful landscape. There is a restaurant and beach bar here so you can grab some food and drinks before making your way back to the main town.
Afternoon: Explore L’Union Estate Park and Anse Source d'Argent
In the afternoon, make your way to L’Union Estate Park, located on the southwest of the island. L’Union Estate Park is a former coconut and vanilla plantation, and is now open to the public to explore and access the iconic Anse Source d'Argent beach. It does cost SCR. 150 (around £8 / €10) to enter the park and access the beach, but the experience is worth every penny.
You can take bikes into the park and cycle through the coconut plantations, visit the old copra mill, and say hello to the resident Aldabra giant tortoises.
Make your way through the park to visit Anse Source d'Argent, often regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world! Famous for its striking granite boulders, powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters, this beach is a true tropical paradise.
It's the most photogenic beach we have ever visted, we spent hours wandering around and capturing different angles of the unique boulders and leafy green palm trees. You can swim or snorkell in the calm shallow waters, relax on the beach with a fresh coconut water, or even try some clear kayaking!
If you want this incredible beach to yourself, we'd reccomend visiting at sunrise, we did this and had the entire place to ourselves!
Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant and watch the sunset
As the sun begins to set, head to a local restaurant to try some authentic Creole cuisine. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from that serve fresh and flavourful dishes, often featuring seafood caught the very same day.
We reccomend the Fish Trap Restaurant near the waterfront as it has beautiful views for sunset and serves both local and international cuisines. Make sure to pair your meal with a refreshing takamaka rum cocktail or freshly squeezed tropical juice, and try an authentic desert like the 'banana caramel' - it was delicious and so sweet!
Find the best photo spots 👇
Chloe Butcher
Day 2: Hiking and transparent kayaking in La Digue
Morning: Hiking to Anse Marron or Anse Cocos
La Digue doesn't just have tropical beaches, it also has some of the most incredible hiking trails that take you though lush jungle to reveal hidden beaches.
We did the Anse Marron Hiking Adventure Tour with Sunny Trail Guide, which takes you to Anse Marron, one of the island’s most secluded and breathtaking beaches, only accessible by foot with the help of a guide.
The trail winds through dense jungle, over rocky terrain, through shallow water and along dramatic coastal paths. When you arrive at Anse Marron, you’re rewarded with pristine white sand and turquoise water framed by the iconic granite boulders. You can ejoy the surroundings while eating a fruit platter prepared by the guide.
The hike is moderate and you'll need a decent level of fitness and ability, as you'll be navigating rocky terrain and though boulders. The hike will take 6 hours overall, with two of those hours spent at the beach.
If you’re up for an adventure, we can’t recommend this tour enough! Just remember to wear hiking shoes, pack plenty of water and bring sunscreen.
If you’d prefer a shorter and easier hike, consider heading to Anse Cocos. This trail is much less demanding but still offers a serene jungle walk to a stunning remote beach. You can bike to the trailhead which starts from Grand Anse Beach, and it's a 40-60 minute walk (roughly 2km) to reach Anse Cocos.
Both options offer incredible ways to experience La Digue’s natural beauty, whether you’re up for a challenge or looking for something more laid-back.
Afternoon: Transparent Kayaking in La Digue
After an active morning, spend the afternoon relaxing in a transparent kayak - one of the most unique ways to explore the island's stunning coastline.
One of the best spots for this activity is around Anse Source d’Argent, where the calm, shallow waters are perfect for paddling. As you float over the turquoise sea, you’ll be able to spot colorful fish, coral reefs and the views above the water are just as incredible, with the iconic granite boulders and lush palm trees framing the shoreline.
You can choose to rent a kayak and explore at your own pace, or join a guided kayaking tour where you'll be taken to the most photogenic spots and guided to different beaches. We did our tour with Sunny Trail Guide, and came away with the most beautiful photos as Robert, our tour guide, knew all the best spots!
Evening: Dinner and sunset
On your final evening in La Digue, you can either head to another waterfront restaurant such as Le Repaire, an authentic italian restaurant, or if you're looking for something more casual, grab a takeaway and head to the beach. We reccomend a takeaway from Rey & Josh Cafe, where you can get local dishes like curry or grilled fish (Try the veggie curry - its great!).
How do you get to La Digue Island?
There is only one way to get to La Digue, which is by ferry! There's no airport on the island, so you can catch a ferry from either Mahe or Praslin, depending on where you’re starting. The ferry from Praslin only takes 15 minutes, whereas from Mahe its around 1 hour 45 minutes.
When is the best time to visit La Digue?
La Digue has great weather year-round, but some months are more ideal depending on what activities you want to do. April to May and October to November are considered the best times to visit as the weather is warm, the seas are calm, and it’s perfect for snorkeling, swimming, and beach lounging.
How do you get around La Digue?
Getting around La Digue is easy as the primary mode of transport is bikes, which you can rent from shops or your accomodation. There are only a few cars on the island for businesses like hotels, so you may be picked up in a vehicle to reach your accomodation. La Digue is small enough that you can reach most places within 15-30 minutes by walking or biking.
Where to stay on La Digue?
La Digue has a range of accommodations for all budgets, from cosy guesthouses to luxury villas, but it doesnt have any big luxury resorts as it's a small island.
We stayed at Coco Luxury Apartments, which we highly recommend as it has modern amenities, a delicious breakfast and is located close to the main town.
Other options include charming beachfront guesthouses like Etoile Labrine Guest House for a more relaxed feel or boutique resorts like Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie for a luxury experience.
