La Digue – A Seychelles cycling paradise
- Cinti
- Sep 17
- 6 min read
The Seychelles archipelago is a true gem of the Indian Ocean, a perfect tropical paradise where turquoise waters and pristine white sands meet gigantic granite boulders. The island nation consists of 115 islands. The main inhabited islands include the largest, Mahé, where the capital city of Victoria is located. Mahé is also home to the international airport and most of the country’s hotels and tourists. The second-largest island is Praslin, which boasts one of the world's most beautiful beaches, Anse Lazio, and is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve with its famous Coco de Mer palms. Due to a lack of time during our visit, we unfortunately missed out on Praslin.
However, many consider the true jewel of the Seychelles to be the fourth-largest, but also the most tranquil island: La Digue. This is the island we explored by bicycle, and the focus of this article.
How to get there?
The simplest and most affordable way to get there is to organize your own trip and take the ferry with either Cat Cocos or Cat Rose from Mahé. It's a good idea to compare prices, which are generally similar on the official and partner websites, but you can sometimes find special promotions that help you save money. Another option is to book a package tour, for example, through a site like GetYourGuide. These often include transfers within Mahé and even bicycle rental on La Digue. The first option is cheaper but requires you to arrange your own transport to the ports. The second option is more convenient because everything is organized for you—all you need to do is show up at the right place at the right time. It's important to mention that these ferry trips can be quite rough if you are prone to seasickness. When we went, the waves were huge on both the outbound and return journeys, and several people on board got sick. Please keep this in mind when you're planning your trip!
About La Digue
La Digue feels like a place where time has stood still. Instead of cars, both locals and visitors get around on bicycles, which gives the island a unique, relaxed atmosphere. Our trip included bike rentals, so shortly after arriving, we were already cycling toward our first destination. Since our options were limited, I unfortunately ended up with a rickety, noisy bike. For those who prefer more comfort, you can rent an electric bike for a higher price, which can be a great help on the hillier sections of the island. The main village on the west coast, La Passe, is the busiest part of the island, yet it still maintains its small-town charm. The East Coast, however, is much more isolated and a paradise for hikers. This island is a true sanctuary, perfect for relaxing and recharging. It’s a much more peaceful experience compared to Mahé, thanks to the absence of cars.
Anse Source d'Argent
La Digue's most famous beach, and often considered the most photogenic in all of the Seychelles, is Anse Source d'Argent. Its name is quite fitting, translating to "bay of the silver spring." The granite monoliths here, sculpted by millions of years of wind and water erosion, take on spectacular colors during sunset. Our organized tour included admission to the L'Union Estate plantation, where this beach is located. The entrance fee is 150 SCR per person (approximately 11 USD). The estate itself is well worth exploring, as it still operates as a coconut and vanilla plantation. You can also find giant tortoises here, as well as Roche L'Union, a massive granite monolith that is about 700 million years old. Since the area is flat, cycling around was a great way to warm up and soak in the local vibe. I was really looking forward to seeing the famous Anse Source d'Argent, but I have to admit, it was a bit of a disappointment. The experience was dampened by the sheer number of people and the fact that it was low tide. While the place is undeniably beautiful and truly postcard-perfect, another beach on the island definitely became my favorite.
Exploring other beaches
Due to our limited time, we had to choose where to go next. We knew that the currents on the western coast are strong, making it less than ideal for swimming for everyone, though it's still good for a splash if you don't mind the big waves. Our options were Anse Cocos or Grand Anse, and we chose the latter. The bike ride to Grand Anse was far from a leisurely stroll. The weather was hot and humid, and although the sun was out, the jungle provided shade for most of the ride. There were some significant inclines on the way, which were a challenge for me and my rickety rental bike. There were times I had to get off and push, while other times I was racing down the slopes. Despite the effort, I enjoyed the ride and was happy to park behind the beach bar, finally. This beach was an untouched paradise, with a wild, untamed beauty. We settled onto the sand under a palm tree and just soaked in the moment. When we were there, the waves were huge. It was okay for a strong swimmer to stay near the shore, but it was not suitable for children. There were hardly any other people around; it felt as if we had the entire beach to ourselves. This spot became my favorite on the island. From here, Anse Cocos can be reached via a short jungle hike, as it's not accessible by bike. If you have the time, it's definitely worth going, as that area is beautiful as well.
The journey back to Mahé
The day's cycling, sunshine, heat, and humidity, plus carrying our backpacks, left us feeling pretty drained. So while we waited for the ferry to depart, we found a seat on the terrace of The Black Bull Café and Bar to grab an iced coffee. The place had a great design and a cozy atmosphere; if we'd had more time, I would have loved to stay for dinner. The iced coffee gave both me and Ádám a jolt of otherworldly energy, which we then used to dive into the gift shop chaos. We wanted to find a small souvenir to take home, something that would remind us of this experience whenever we looked at it. The return journey on the ferry was even more intense than the ride there, if that's possible. The huge waves made my stomach lurch as if we were on a rollercoaster. It was a full-day excursion; we took the 8 a.m. ferry and returned on the 5 p.m. one. It was already dark by the time we docked at the Mahé port and got into our transfer bus. We were sweaty, tired, and a little sunburnt, but rich with a thousand memories as we bounced our way back to our apartment.
Summary
All in all, you shouldn't miss La Digue if you're visiting the Seychelles! I'm so glad we were able to fit it into our schedule. Since we made our plans late, we ended up visiting as part of an organized excursion. A Bucketlister tip: You can save a lot of money by booking your ferry tickets well in advance (at least two weeks) and arranging the trip yourself. Anse Source d'Argent and the L'Union Estate plantation, where it's located, are essential stops. However, the experience might not be exactly what you imagine due to the high number of daily visitors. It's worth considering spending a night or two on the island. By staying overnight, you can visit the famous beach during less crowded times and truly cycle around the entire island at a relaxed pace, discovering several less-frequented but breathtakingly beautiful beaches. I highly recommend Grand Anse if you're looking for a bit of tranquility and want to experience the wild beauty of the Seychelles.
Thanks for reading!
If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment or send me a message!
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