It’s 7am on a Monday morning, when I set off to the island’s one and only open Market. The air is refreshingly cool carrying a hint of the sun’s impending warmth. In the background, I listen to the enchanting symphony of birds greeting the new day.
As I pedal down the main road, I watch locals heading to work and kids whizz by on their bicycles with their school bags neatly tucked into the rear baskets. Everyone seems relaxed and cheerful, as if nothing matters. Life is so simple here in la Digue – no morning rush or traffic jams.
La Digue, the Seychelles’ third most inhabited island, is considered a marvel and a perfect destination for escapism. Its relaxed lifestyle, natural beauty and stunning beaches make it an ideal retreat for those seeking a break from the outside world.
The island’s small size makes it perfect for exploration by foot or bicycle – the main modes of transportation, along with a handful golf carts for those who prefer not to walk or ride a bike.
It has one road that runs most of the way around the island’s west coast, and a small village situated next to the main boat jetty at La Passe. The rest of the island is mostly beaches and green hills dotted with charming Creole-style houses.
We arrive to La Digue around 18:30 by ferry. The trip from Mahé took around 1 hour and 45 minutes, including a short stop at Prasline. From here, we hop on the back of a big truck with seats, with a Seychellois family who are spending their weekend at the island and are kind enough to let us ride with them, as we haven’t booked transport in advance and options at the ferry station are limited. The ride is a bit bumpy, but we eventually made it after half an hour. As it’s already pitch dark, we decide to stay in for the night.
The next day, we head to Anse Source d’Argent, famous for being one of the most photographed beaches on the planet. As we approach, we are greeted by the sight of towering granite boulders, sculpted by nature and time into smooth and beautiful shapes dotted along a stretch of powdery white sand, set against emerald-green vegetation. The cotton-like sand merges seamlessly into sparkling crystal clear waters, with varying shades of blue and turquoise, inviting us for a swim to cool down from the heat of the day.
We sit under the shade of a Takamaka tree to escape the scorching midday heat, whilst enjoying fresh pineapple juices from a quaint little shack that sells drinks and snacks. It’s incredibly refreshing! Later in the afternoon, after a long swim and some snorkelling, we wander along a stretch of beautiful small beaches that form Anse Source d’Argent. The further we walk, the more beautiful the scenery gets. On the way back, we are treated to one of the most beautiful sunsets – a mosaic of colours that blend together in a spectacular display for its audience.
The following day, I set off on my bike at 7:30 in the morning with the hope of getting some fresh fruits from the local market. I didn’t realise it’s Sunday and everything is closed except for restaurants and a couple of supermarkets that open till noon. I stop at the Fish Trap restaurant for a coffee. They have a stunning view over the jetty. With soft music playing in the background, I slowly sip my steaming black coffee, savouring the sound of the waves gently hitting the shore, the freshness of the morning air and the view of fishermen’s boats dotting the sparkling sea.
In the afternoon, we hop into a club cart and head to Anse Severe, in the northwest coast of the island, not too far from La Passe – the island’s main village. As we arrive, we watch this beautiful stretch of soft white sand beach with clear turquoise waters, framed by stands of Takamaka trees. Unlike the tranquil Anse Source d’Argent, Anse Severe feels livelier with its small shacks and stalls selling fresh juices and platters of tropical fruits. As the day winds down, the sky transforms into a vibrant tapestry of orange, pink, and purple hues dotted with clouds, providing a mesmerising view and a beautiful memory to end the day.
The next morning, after finally getting some fruits from the local market, we go on a boat trip with Belle Petra to Grande Soeur, Petite Soeur and Felicite islands. We stop at each one for snorkelling and swimming. In Petite Soeur, we are greeted by a turtle who wants to swim with us. The waters are so clear, which give us a beautiful view of the colourful fish and underwater world. After a morning of snorkelling and swimming, we head back to shore. Greeted by heavy rains, we quickly take a club cart to Le Nautique restaurant for lunch.
In the afternoon, my sister and I take our bikes and head to the east side of the island towards Grand Anse and Petite Anse. The ride feels very tropical, going up and down a narrow road covered by lush vegetation on both sides. Parts of it are quite steep, so we get off our bikes and walk as most people seem to be doing. An hour later, we arrive to Grand Anse, where we park our bicycles and walk for a couple of minutes through a narrow path to be greeted by beautiful turquoise and blue waters and powdery white sand. The waves at Grande Anse are very strong and it’s not recommended to swim here at this time of the year due to the strong currents. It is, however, perfect for relaxing and switching off, as it’s completely isolated and all one can do here is listen to the sound of waves crushing against the shore.
From Grande Anse, we walk for 15 minutes up and down a trail through a tropical forest. Towards the end, we find ourselves on top of a hill. As we slowly go down a rocky path, a hidden gem gradually reveals itself to us, until we are faced with the most tranquil and serene beach we’ve come across so far on this island. Petite Anse is a secluded beach with fine white sands set against a dense tropical foliage. Like its adjacent neighbour, the waves here are quite strong, and it’s not recommended to swim during this time of the year. Despite this, the unspoilt natural beauty and seclusion of this beach makes it a perfect place for unwinding.
We leave this gem with a heavy heart, as it’s almost sunset and need to ride back before it gets too dark since parts of the road don’t have any lights. It’s a lot easier to ride back as most of the road is flat or downhill. As we pedal away, we watch the sky turning into a blanket of orange and purple colours and listen to the birds signing and performing a symphony, as if it’s an orchestra entertaining locals and visitors alike.
On our last day, we enjoy one last breakfast on this beautiful island and head to the ferry station to catch the 13:30 ferry. As the ferry slowly leaves the shore, we watch the island gradually disappear in the distance. It may be disappearing from our sight, but the memories of this island will certainly stay with us for life. What I realise is that La Digue is not just a natural beauty with stunning beaches; it’s also a place where life seems frozen in time. Whether by design or or not, I hope it remains a sanctuary for those seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of modern civilisation into unspoiled natural spots.
DZ Gallivanter 