Exploring Hidden Beaches on La Digue, Seychelles
La Digue was my first stop in the Seychelles, and was the one I was most excited for. Home to the jaw-dropping Anse Source D’Argent, La Digue is the definition of exotic. La Digue is an idyllic island paradise where the only way to get around is on bicycles, and one stunning beach gives way to another. The pace of life is slow, and finding your own slice of paradise is a matter of a hike through the jungle.
We checked in at La Digue Island Lodge into a room that resembled a Swiss Chalet in the middle of the tropics. Complete with a thatched roof, the room is simply furnished with takamaka hardwoods. Located just a 10 minute bike ride from L’Union Estate, the hotel is the closest to Anse Source d’Argent. Given that biking is the only way to get around, this was a very important factor. Although the service was a bit inconsistent, and the food at the hotel was hit or miss, I would recommend the hotel for the location! La Digue Island Lodge is a good value in the Seychelles (which is expensive), and the chalets were adorable.
Exploring Anse Source d’Argent nearly every day was one of my favorite things about La Digue. Rent a bicycle for just $5/day and cruise through charming villages full of colorful buildings and friendly locals on your way to L’Union Estate. Getting to the beach early is essential, especially for photography, as it is a popular place. The beach itself is visually stunning, with huge granite boulders flanking the stunning white sands. Grab a fresh tropical juice from the local guys, who will gladly add a splash of Seychellois rum into the mix, and bask in the tropical sunshine. Watch the local dogs as they swim in the ocean and, quite literally, go fishing for their dinner!
Getting further off the beaten path on La Digue is quite easy on bicycle. In order to fully explore La Digue, and hike to all of the remote beaches, I do recommend spending at least 3 days on the island. A 45 minute ride through the hilly and lush interior of the island gives way to a set of 3 gemlike beaches: Grande Anse, Petite Anse, and Anse Cocos. Getting all the way to Anse Cocos was quite a trek, complete with sightings of footlong centipedes, but was well worth the serenity found at the end of the trail. As contrasted with Anse Source d’Argent, these three beaches featured no more than a dozen people on each! Though the exposed northern shores of La Digue are not safe for swimming, watching the gorgeous waves was incredible.
For swimming, I loved Anse Severe and Anse Banane, the latter of which may have been one of my favorites on La Digue. Essentially, ride your bike until you run out of road, stopping everywhere that catches your eye!
Heading south around La Digue gives way to a small town full of little shops and restaurants. Among our favorites was Le Repaire, which featured a stellar Italian chef and excellent seafood and pasta dishes. If you’re looking for local cuisine, Zerof was a wonderful experience, and had a wide array of Seychellois creole dishes, as well as a talented young musician who accompanied himself in French, Creole, and English while playing on a keyboard synthesizer. We had a lovely poolside lunch at Domaine L’Orangeraie, which is the only 5 star property on the island.
Overall, while it is impossible for me to pick a ‘favorite’ Seychelles island, La Digue was incredible. Gettting around on an old beach cruiser bike was a memorable experience that I will not soon forget. The splendor of the beaches is, in my opinion, unsurpassed by the other islands I visited in the Seychelles. Do yourself a favor and see La Digue for yourself!
