La Digue – An Island of Relaxation and Romance
Before talking about our stay in the Seychelles, I wanted to mention that we flew with Ethiopian Airlines, and I must say it far exceeded our expectations. The latest-generation aircraft were brand new and clean, with excellent in-flight entertainment, so much so that we hardly noticed the 12-hour journey. We booked our hotels through SeyVillas and, once again, were completely satisfied with the services provided and with the helpfulness and attention to detail we received throughout. We stayed on Praslin for just one night to recover from the journey, then moved on to La Digue the following day, and that is the island I will be writing about.
It is ideal for anyone who loves peace and quiet and is looking for a relaxing holiday far removed from the outside world and the bustle of everyday life. Although it is the smallest of the islands most frequently visited by tourists, it offers countless glimpses of paradise. There are many beaches, each with its own distinct character, so the scenery is always surprising and breathtaking. Another special feature of the island is that it is almost entirely free of motorised vehicles, apart from one or two taxis; otherwise, the only available means of transport is the bicycle.
We stayed at Pension Michel, a truly lovely and comfortable property. The attention to detail, cleanliness, beautifully maintained garden, and the kindness and helpfulness of the staff were remarkable. Everything felt very welcoming and friendly.
As I mentioned earlier, the beaches are very varied, and each has its own distinct character. On the western* side, the sea is calmer, and the beaches are best visited in the afternoon to enjoy the beautiful sunsets and the warm afternoon sunshine. We visited all of them, but the one that impressed us most was Anse Severe, as well as, of course, Anse Source d’Argent, where we were able to watch several wonderfully simple and original wedding ceremonies.
Heading further north on the island, you come to Anse Gaulettes and Anse Banane. These beaches are windier and the sea is slightly rougher, but they still offer a spectacular display of colours and crystal-clear water. Along the coastal road, which passes a succession of beaches, coves and little bays, there is an excellent snack bar serving fantastic sandwiches, fruit platters and fresh juices.
On the eastern side of the island, meanwhile, you will find the beautiful Grand Anse, Petite Anse and, in our opinion, the most beautiful of all, Anse Cocos. The turquoise waves topped with brilliant white foam filled our eyes with unforgettable scenery! The dazzling white sand and lush vegetation meet the distinctive rocks and the sea. Truly picture-postcard landscapes.
We had the most fun swimming at these beaches, where playing in the waves made us feel like children again. Grand Anse and Petite Anse are easy to reach by bicycle, while Anse Cocos requires a walk of around 20–30 minutes along a well-signposted path through the vegetation. The Reunion park is also not to be missed, with its vanilla plantations and giant tortoises, which are astonishing and incredible to see. Unfortunately, because of the bad weather, we were unable to take any boat trips or visit the other nearby islands, but that gives us the perfect excuse to return to this earthly paradise! If there is one thing I would genuinely recommend to everyone, it is taking the Air Seychelles flight from the capital to the smaller islands in one of their little aircraft. It is an exciting experience, and the views are priceless.
What else can I say? Our only piece of bad luck was the poor weather, which stayed with us throughout the holiday. Local people recommend October and November as the least rainy period, but even with a little rain, ours was still an unforgettable holiday!
* Note from SeyVillas: swimming conditions at individual beaches vary depending on the season. Please see our ‘Climate and Location’ section to find out everything you need to know about the trade winds and tides.
