La Digue Island is often considered to be the island you must visit when taking a trip to Seychelles. Out of the 115 islands that make this beautiful country, La Digue is the fourth largest in size and third largest in population. However, that is not much as the population of this island is a mere 2000 residents that live mainly in the village of La Passe. This leaves the rest of the island virtually uninhabited which lets the island retain its natural beauty.
The Anse Source d'Argent is possibly one of the most famous beaches in Seychelles, if not the world. The beach has been dubbed the most beautiful beach in the world for several years due to its azure waters, soft golden sands and the pink granite boulders that make it the unique attraction it is today. This renowned beauty of the beach has made it a hotspot for several photoshoots that range from simple wedding photos to movie shots for famous movies such as Crusole or Cast Away and famous adverts such as the Bacardi advert and the Bounty chocolate ad.
Things To Do in Anse Source d'Argent
Aside from this Anse Source d'Argent is also a famous beach for snorkelling as visitors need not wade too far into the waters to swim amongst an array of colourful fishes.
The beach might not be ideal for swimming due to its too shallow waters, but it is a gorgeous place to stroll along the shore with a breathtaking view or to click pictures.
For those looking to escape the crowd that usually flocks to the beach, you can walk past the first cove which is the most crowded and reach the next cove past the boulders.
The beach has around 11 coves in total which are separated by boulders that provide a sense of privacy.
To enter the famous Anse Source d'Argent, one must pass the L'Union Estate. This estate is a cultural attraction in itself that visitors of the beach should not miss out on. The estate is a historical treasure trove with a museum, turtle exhibit, the oldest cemetery at La Digue, old coconut mills, as well as the oldest plantation in Seychelles. All these points of interest reveal interesting facts about the history and culture of Seychelles and are great places of learning.
Explore L'Union Estate The plantation can be explored by renting a bike and pedalling through the scenic views which are a treat in itself. While visiting these pieces of history, you will also pass a working vanilla plantation which holds interest for many people. Further down is the esteemed pirate ship which is possibly the most famous spot for the estate and is used as a background for several wedding and photo shoots. L'Union estate also holds the biggest granite boulder which covers an acre of land and is truly a sight to behold. The boulder is said to be 750 million years old and towers the estate.
Admission Fee: The Union Estate charges a fee of SCR 100 to access the Anse Source d'Argent beach. However, the fee also includes various other amenities, as well as access to points of attraction in the estate. Operating Hours: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM (after closing hour access is available for those who purchased a ticket earlier that day)The beach is crowded from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) at Mahe is usually the point of entry for most international citizens. From Mahe, a ferry to La Digue Island is the only route of transfer.
A ferry from Praslin also transfers to La Digue seven times a day. The average time from Praslin to La Digue is 15 minutes.
In- Island Transport: The island of La Digue is unique in a way as its main source of transport is the ox carts which are found in abundance. Another convenient way to trapeze the island is through rental bikes available at La Digue.
The best time to travel to La Digue is from May to September.
La Digue Island is often a dream come true for most visitors due to its laid-back island lifestyle, stunning beaches with the best views and tons of excursions to participate in.
While on La Digue, you can also witness giant tortoise roaming freely on the island and can stop to take a picture or two. For history enthusiasts, a visit to the Chateau St. Cloud is a must. What used to be a plantation house of a vanilla farm now contains several architectural ruins and a small walk from here, at Belle Vue, reveals the base of the summit of Nid D'Aigles, the highest point of La Digue.
The Village of La Passe in La Digue is located on the east coast and contains the majority of the residents. This is where you would land when you enter La Digue through the ferry and is the perfect place to explore the Creole Culture and interact with the locals. The village is a 10-minute cycle ride from one end to another and receives some of the best views of the hues of sunset and Praslin which is across the waters.
Beaches Near La Passe The waters at the east coast, however, are too shallow and therefore not compatible for swimming.
The closest beaches which are perfect for swimming are further north with the best choice being Anse Severe. This beach is also a great place to take out the snorkelling gear and explore the marine life, as well as enjoy a stroll on the practically deserted beach.
Anse Patates which is further north is known to have the best snorkelling waters and is definitely worth the visit.
For the explorers, Anse Gaulettes and Anse Gross Roche are great visits, both of which are wilder and hence not safe for a swim, but provide a great view of the waters.
La Digue is well known for a select few beaches, but the other beaches on the island can also hold their own and easily beat most beaches in the world for their beauty. Three such charming beaches on La Digue are Grande Anse, Petite Anse and Anse Cocos. All three of these beaches are not great places for a swim. However, Anse Cocos, which lies 30 minutes from Grande Anse, creates a natural pool of sorts which can be used for swimming. All three beaches are famous for their pearl white sands, secluded nature and high boulders that could rival the ones at Anse Source d'Argent.
