Praslin & La Digue

Anse Fourmis

Anse Fourmis is a quiet beach on La Digue's east coast where the coast road ends, about five minutes' walk beyond Anse Banane. Shaded by takamaka trees, it suits sunbathing more than swimming, and a path leads south from here towards Anse Cocos.

Last verified 16 September 2026

What it is

Anse Fourmis sits on La Digue's east coast between Anse Banane and the more remote Anse Caïman. It marks the end of the road: SeyVillas notes that the road along one side of the beach was built and then abandoned, which adds a slightly odd feature to an otherwise quiet beach. Tall takamaka trees shade the sand.

Getting there

Follow the coast road from La Passe round the north of the island by bike, on foot or by taxi. It is a natural turning point for a cycle around the north of the island. Anse Banane, with a snack bar and a few small shops, is about five minutes' walk back up the road.

The water

A coral reef protects the beach, but SeyVillas says neither swimming nor snorkelling works well here: at low tide the water is too shallow over exposed coral, and at high tide the currents are too strong. Paddling in the shallows is fine; proper swimming is better elsewhere.

Walking on

The Tourism Board lists Anse Fourmis as one of two starting points for the path to Anse Cocos, the other being Grand Anse. The route passes Anse Caïman, and both the Tourism Board and SeyVillas describe access from the north as difficult and in places passable only at low tide, so most walkers approach Anse Cocos from Grand Anse. Anyone trying the northern route should go with a local guide.

Best for

  • quiet sunbathing in shade
  • the end point of a cycle round the north
  • families playing on the sand

Getting there

End of the east-coast road: on foot, by bike or by taxi (SeyVillas). Anse Banane is about 5 minutes' walk away. A path runs south towards Anse Cocos (Tourism Board), passing Anse Caïman, where access from the north is difficult and partly tide-dependent (Tourism Board; SeyVillas); the Grand Anse route is the easier way to Anse Cocos. Neither SeyVillas nor the Tourism Board lists an entry fee.

Facilities

None on the beach. Snack bar and a few small shops at Anse Banane, 5 minutes' walk (SeyVillas). Shade from takamaka trees.

Swimming

Reef-protected, but proper swimming is difficult: too shallow over exposed coral at low tide, strong currents at high tide (SeyVillas). Suitable for paddling.

Snorkelling

SeyVillas describes the beach as not well suited to snorkelling because of the shallow water and currents.

Map of Anse Fourmis

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Beach

Anse Fourmis

Map of Anse Fourmis with nearby beaches and places to stayCoastline © OpenStreetMap contributors. Positions are approximate.
The 29 places on this map

Places to stay near Anse Fourmis

  • Anse Grosse Roche Beach Villa

    Self-catering in Anse Grosse Roche, La Digue

    Four self-catering villas on La Digue's quiet north-east coast, facing Anse Grosse Roche beach across a road used mostly by bicycles. Three suit couples and a two-bedroom bungalow takes families.

    • Beachfront
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Self-catering
    Check availability on Booking.com

    Affiliate link

  • Chateau St Cloud

    Hotel in Anse Réunion, La Digue

    Chateau St Cloud is a 24-room hotel in a tropical garden at the foot of Eagle's Nest Mountain, in the Anse Réunion area of La Digue. It has a pool, a Creole restaurant, a poolside bar and bicycles to rent, and Anse Réunion beach is about 15 minutes' walk away.

    • Families
    • Pool
    Check availability on Booking.com

    Affiliate link

  • Bernique Guesthouse

    Guesthouse in La Passe, La Digue

    Bernique Guesthouse is a family-run guesthouse of five rooms in La Passe on La Digue, between the forest and the sea, with homemade breakfast and two supermarkets within 50 metres.

    Check availability on Booking.com

    Affiliate link

  • Bois d'Amour

    Chalet in Anse Réunion, La Digue

    Bois d'Amour is a group of wooden Creole-style self-catering chalets in a large garden at the foot of a hillside in Anse Réunion, La Digue, about 1 km from the jetty.

    • Self-catering

  • Cocotier du Rocher

    Self-catering in La Passe, La Digue

    Cocotier du Rocher is a family-run guesthouse of eight self-catering rooms in a fruit-tree garden in upper La Passe on La Digue, about 15 minutes' walk from the jetty.

    • Families
    • Self-catering
    Check availability on Booking.com

    Affiliate link

  • Belle des Iles Guest House

    Guesthouse in La Digue

    A small self-catering guesthouse with three units in a garden, inland on La Digue. Each unit has cooking facilities, and guests share a small pool and barbecue.

    • Self-catering
    • Pool

  • Calou Guesthouse

    Guesthouse in La Passe, La Digue

    Calou Guesthouse is a guesthouse in La Passe on La Digue, about 500 metres from the inter-island ferry, with an on-site restaurant, garden terrace and bicycle rental.

    • Families
    Check availability on Booking.com

    Affiliate link

  • Villa Verte

    Villa in Anse Gaulettes, La Digue

    Villa Verte is a three-bedroom self-catering house opposite the beach at Anse Gaulettes, on La Digue's north-east coast, sleeping six to eight. The beach in front is not safe for swimming.

    • Self-catering

  • Dan Kazou

    Self-catering in Grand Anse, La Digue

    Two self-catering apartments in a garden on the inland stretch between L'Union and Grand Anse, La Digue, with the owners on site. Breakfast and dinner can be ordered, and bicycles can be hired on request.

    • Families
    • Self-catering

Where to stay on La Digue

Questions

Can I walk from Anse Fourmis to Anse Cocos?
A path exists, but it passes Anse Caïman, where the Tourism Board and SeyVillas both describe access from the north as difficult and partly passable only at low tide. The route from Grand Anse is easier; go with a local guide if you try the northern approach.
Is Anse Fourmis good for swimming?
Not really. SeyVillas says the water is too shallow at low tide and currents are too strong at high tide.

Sources

Details last verified 16 September 2026.