La Digue

La Digue is one of the most peaceful inhabited islands in the Seychelles, lying east of Praslin and reached by a short ferry ride. Its unhurried pace, granite boulders, tropical vegetation and near-empty beaches give the island a distinctive, low-key character that differs from busier Mahé and Praslin.

The island was named after a ship of the French explorer Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne and later developed around plantations producing copra, vanilla and cinnamon. Much of that heritage survives at L'Union Estate, a historic plantation area that also provides the main entrance to the celebrated Anse Source d'Argent.

Anse Source d'Argent is widely regarded as one of the world's most photographed beaches, with pink sand, shallow turquoise water and sculpted granite formations. Other highlights include Grand Anse, Petite Anse and Anse Cocos on the wilder eastern coast, the Veuve Nature Reserve, and the Nid d'Aigle viewpoint with sweeping island views.

Daily life centres on the western village of La Passe, where the ferry jetty, small shops and guesthouses sit near the main settlement. Bicycles are the traditional way to explore, and many visitors ride between beaches, snorkelling spots and forest paths with only occasional taxis or ox-carts on the roads.

For leisure travellers, La Digue offers swimming, snorkelling, hiking and a slower island rhythm, while small hotels and guesthouses host visitors for romantic getaways, family holidays and modest retreats. Business and event needs are limited, but transfer and ground services help connect the island smoothly with Mahé and Praslin.