Paradisiacal Beaches on La Digue
My partner and I had already decided the previous year that we wanted to fly to the Seychelles. We quickly settled on the island of La Digue. Everything is accessible by bicycle or even on foot, with picture-perfect beaches and plenty of jungle – which was important to us.
After the taxi had taken us to our wonderful bungalow (Oceane L'Union Villa), and we had admired the beautifully landscaped garden with its romantic pool and the lovingly furnished bungalow, we got straight on our bicycles and explored the island.
We particularly liked the friendliness of the local people, the lush vegetation, the countless beautiful beaches and the impressive granite boulders found almost everywhere.
We had a great experience with Henry Bibi, a very friendly and highly professional guide. He knows the island inside out and makes the best fruit platters you could imagine. With him, we climbed the island’s highest mountain and then visited what we felt was its most beautiful beach, with breathtaking rock formations: Anse Cocos.
On our way through the jungle, we saw millipedes and spiders. Both are harmless. We also collected nutmeg and spotted many different species of bird. As Henry grew up on the island, he has many fascinating stories to tell about it and knows all the best viewpoints.
Another magnificent beach is very close by, Grand Anse: enormous, deserted and an absolute dream. However, it is not ideal for swimming because the waves are relatively strong. As on nearly every beach, there are also impressive granite boulders to admire. The beach is perfect for a long walk too.
Union Estate National Park is another highlight of the island. On foot or by bicycle, you can explore vanilla and coconut plantations as well as a huge tortoise enclosure. Here, you can watch the tortoises mating, cuddling and eating. Visitors are also allowed to feed these ancient creatures. Baby tortoises can be seen right next door.
This beach is definitely a must when visiting La Digue, as the scenery will leave you speechless. It is one of the most photographed beaches in the world.
We were also impressed by the free-roaming tortoises we often encountered while cycling. They were always delighted to receive some fresh leaves.
We especially liked that it was always possible to find a deserted beach where we could relax undisturbed. And the beaches have everything you could hope for: white sand, turquoise, crystal-clear water, plenty of palm trees and wonderful views of the neighbouring islands.
Despite visiting during the low season, we had wonderful weather in June. The skies were mostly cloudless, with plenty of sunshine. If it rained at all, it was only at night. The temperature was very pleasant for cycling and hiking, as well as swimming, of course.
The Creole dishes are another highlight. There is plenty of fish and chicken, but pizza and Italian pasta dishes can also be found on the island. The supermarkets stock almost everything you could want too. The freshly squeezed fruit juices are also delicious and available in nearly every restaurant and bar.
We would recommend a holiday on La Digue because the island is so varied and there is always something new to discover.
