La Digue Island Top Attractions



	La Digue Island On the tiny, quieter island of La Digue bicycles are the modus operandi and the only vehicular traffic is a few trucks, which double as taxis and an ancient ambulance (which, curiously given the absence of other cars still has the word ambulance written in reverse for viewing through the rear-view mirror!) The short transfer from Praslin, or the three hour crossing from Mahé, is in an old wooden schooner – a good preparation for the somewhat sleepy adventure that follows. La Digue seems wrapped in a timewarp. The road from the jetty leads past rows of bicycles, perfectly aligned like soldiers standing to attention, to the tiny guesthouses and boutiques tucked away in the trees. Everyone is friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed and peaceful even by Seychelles standards. You can visit for a day but you’ll miss the essential La Digue if you do. Rather stay for a few days and explore.




	Best beaches Anse Source d’Argent One of Seychelles most photographed beaches, the golden sands and dramatic granite boulders of Anse Source d’Argent, lies a few kilometres from the jetty. It’s glorious at any time of day and is the perfect sundowner spot but its also the only place on the island where you feel part of a crowd. Grand Anse, Petite Anse and Anse Cocos If you have the energy you can hike or cycle over the hill to t Grand Anse and the beaches on the east coast. This is wild country where the waves crash against the shore and notices warn of the dangers of swimming in the strong currents. The sea is an amazing turquoise, the beaches are deserted and if you follow the trail all the way to the end of the third beach, Anse Cocos, you will find a deep sheltered gully where you can swim safely and picnic in your own corner of paradise. The Union Estate Anse Source d’Argent beach is accessed through the Union Estate – an old coconut plantation turned museum where you can watch the extraction of oil from copra (the dried flesh of the coconut) or view the antics of one of Seychelles star attractions - the giant Aldabra tortoise. Have some dollars or euros handy for the entrance fee – as with most tourist outlets in Seychelles local rupees are not accepted. Veuve Reserve Take a walk through the forest and lush vegetation of the small Veuve Reserve and you might see the black paradise flycatcher, a rare bird endemic to La Digue. It takes its name ‘veuve’ (widow in Creole) from the flycatcher because the male, with its long black tail, looks as if it is in mourning. There are only a few breeding species left in Seychelles and reserve was set up to preserve the takamaka and almond trees which form the flycatchers’ habitat. Wining and dining Zerof opposite the Veuve Nature Reserve has a limited menu but serves up tasty Creole cuisine. Chez Marston, near the jetty, has a tables in the garden as well as the main restaurant and is lively with interesting décor and good food. The little beachfront restaurant at Grand Anse beach is a great place to have lunch if you are heading over to the wild side.