Praslin vs La Digue for couples

Pace and getting about

Praslin has public buses and car hire, and the tourism board lists 13 car hire firms on the island. The tourism board's driving guide (checked 16 September 2026) gives national speed limits of 40 km/h in towns and 60 to 65 km/h on open roads, with driving on the left.

La Digue moves at bicycle speed. The tourism board describes it as the only island where bicycles outnumber motor vehicles, and it lists eight bike hire businesses there, all in La Passe or Anse Réunion. L'Union Estate is a 15-minute ride from the jetty, and Grand Anse on the south-east coast about 40 minutes.

Beaches for two

On Praslin, the tourism board suggests the long Côte d'Or beach for sunrise and sunset walks, and Anse Takamaka for couples celebrating a wedding or anniversary. Anse Lazio in the north-west is the island's best-known beach.

On La Digue, the tourism board points to Anse Sévère in the north, which faces Praslin, for sunsets, and to Anse Pierrot, about 1 km south of Anse Source d'Argent, as a beach that suits couples. Anse Coco on the east coast can only be reached on foot.

Walks and time outdoors

Praslin's Glacis Noire trail climbs for up to an hour to a fire tower with views to La Digue, Félicité and Mahé, and the Vallée de Mai has walking routes from about 1.5 km to 4 km. On La Digue, the tourism board rates the Nid d'Aigle trail easy: 1.3 km and about 40 minutes to 333 m, the island's highest point. The Anse Marron trail is rated hard, takes four to five hours and is best done with a guide.

Eating out

On 16 September 2026 the tourism board listed 34 food and drink businesses on Praslin and 29 on La Digue. The tourism board's La Digue article mentions roadside fruit bars and restaurants serving Creole food.

Choose Praslin if…

• You like to drive between beaches, trails and restaurants.
• You want the forest walks of the Vallée de Mai and Praslin National Park.
• You want boat trips to Curieuse and Cousin.
• You would rather have a wider choice of hotels and resorts.

Choose La Digue if…

• You want to spend your days on a bicycle.
• You like the idea of watching the sun go down at Anse Sévère.
• You want to hike to Nid d'Aigle or walk to Anse Coco.
• You are happy with a smaller choice of restaurants.