Praslin & La Digue
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Anse Grosse Roche

Anse Grosse Roche is a roadside beach on La Digue's north-east coast, named after the large rock behind it, with shallow water, a snack bar and views of the Sisters, Félicité, Ile Coco and Marianne. It appeared in the film Crusoe (1988), starring Aidan Quinn.

Last verified 16 September 2026

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What it is

Anse Grosse Roche sits on the north-east coast of La Digue, between Anse Gaulettes and Anse Banane, with the large rock that gives it its name, the Grosse Roche, rising in the background. The Tourism Board notes that the scenery was used as a backdrop for films, including Crusoe starring Aidan Quinn (the Tourism Board dates it 1989, SeyVillas 1987; Wikipedia gives a 1988 UK release). SeyVillas measures the beach at about 450 m by 20 m, places it between the road and the sea, and records infrequent visitors.

Getting there

OpenStreetMap maps the coast road past the beach as concrete-surfaced, running 1.55 km south to where it ends at Anse Fourmis (way 689245487, last edited 25 August 2025) and 2.31 km back towards La Passe (way 41680813, same date). From the La Digue Ferry Terminal (OpenStreetMap node 446041309) the beach is 1.81 km away in a straight line. There is no bus on La Digue: the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation's network covers Mahé and Praslin (checked 20 September 2026). Taxis are few — eight operators and provision for twelve club car taxis against about 5,000 bicycles, in the Ministry of Transport's land transport policy of 18 March 2022. SeyVillas says the road leaves room to park, and that crops grow between it and the sand. No source consulted records an entry fee or opening hours.

What is there

A snack bar stands at the entrance to the beach, with benches and shade, selling drinks and snacks (Tourism Board; SeyVillas); neither names it. OpenStreetMap maps a kiosk beside the road 0.20 km north of the middle of the beach (node 2010749267, last edited 20 January 2022), and records no public toilets, showers or drinking water anywhere along this coast (checked 20 September 2026). The nearest restaurant with a Tourism Seychelles registry listing is Chez Jules at Anse Banane, 0.71 km south in a straight line, listed as open 9am to 9pm daily (entry updated 30 September 2025), though OpenStreetMap gives 09:00 to 22:00 (node 2010749269, last edited 27 October 2024).

The water and the view

The Tourism Board describes shallow water. SeyVillas says the sea is generally calm but can turn violent in the south-east trade winds, and neighbouring Anse Gaulettes has strong currents at high tide, so check the sea before going in and stay close to shore. Offshore, the Tourism Board lists views of the Sisters, Félicité, Ile Coco and Marianne.

When to go

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office says east-coast beaches are unsafe during the south-east winds season, around May to September (checked 20 September 2026), and the Seychelles Meteorological Authority records weed washed ashore on beaches exposed to those winds between June and September, with April and November the calmest months at sea. There are no lifeguards: the Tourism Department's Beach and Sea Safety Guide, 2nd edition, stations them only at Beau Vallon on Mahé and at Anse Lazio and Côte d'Or on Praslin, and gives the Seychelles Life Guard Services number, 2529976, for a beach without a warning sign. Anse Grosse Roche is not on its list of signed beaches.

What is nearby

Straight-line distances: Anse Banane 0.63 km south, Anse Gaulettes 0.91 km north-west, Anse Sévère 1.14 km west, the end of the road at Anse Fourmis 1.36 km south, and inland Nid d'Aigle, a peak recorded at 333 m on OpenStreetMap (node 6049068030, last edited 6 January 2022), 1.38 km south-west with Belle Vue Cafe below it.

Best for

  • views of the Sisters, Félicité and Ile Coco
  • a snack stop on a cycle round the north
  • film-location photography

Getting there

Beside the concrete-surfaced coast road on the north-east of the island, reachable by bike or car (Tourism Board). OpenStreetMap maps 1.55 km of that road south to where it ends at Anse Fourmis (way 689245487, last edited 25 August 2025) and a further 2.31 km back towards La Passe on the same surface (way 41680813, same date). The beach is 1.81 km from the La Digue Ferry Terminal in a straight line (OpenStreetMap node 446041309). No bus: the SPTC public bus network covers Mahé and Praslin (checked 20 September 2026). Eight taxi operators and provision for twelve club car taxis on the island, against about 5,000 bicycles (Ministry of Transport land transport policy, 18 March 2022); electric bicycles limited to 300 watts, riders 16 and over in helmets. SeyVillas says the road alongside leaves room to park and that crops grow between the road and the sand. Also walkable from accommodation such as Patatran, about 1 km away (SeyVillas). Neither the Tourism Board nor SeyVillas lists an entry fee, and no source consulted records opening hours (checked 20 September 2026).

Facilities

Snack bar at the entrance to the beach, with benches and shade, selling drinks and snacks (Tourism Board; SeyVillas, undated); neither names it. OpenStreetMap maps a kiosk beside the road 0.20 km north of the middle of the beach (node 2010749267, last edited 20 January 2022), and records no public toilets, showers or drinking water anywhere along this coast (checked 20 September 2026). Nearest restaurant with a Tourism Seychelles registry listing: Chez Jules at Anse Banane, 0.71 km south in a straight line, listed as open 9am to 9pm daily (entry updated 30 September 2025); OpenStreetMap gives the same restaurant 09:00 to 22:00 (node 2010749269, last edited 27 October 2024), so the two disagree on when it closes. Natural shade.

Swimming

Shallow water (Tourism Board). SeyVillas describes the sea as generally calm, but says the tide can turn violent during the south-east trade winds, bringing larger waves and seaweed. SeyVillas also warns of strong high-tide currents at neighbouring Anse Gaulettes. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office says east-coast beaches are unsafe during the south-east winds season, around May to September, and advises asking locally first (checked 20 September 2026). The Beach and Sea Safety Guide, 2nd edition, records no lifeguards at any beach other than Beau Vallon, Anse Lazio and Côte d'Or, does not list Anse Grosse Roche among the La Digue beaches carrying warning signs, and gives the Seychelles Life Guard Services number, 2529976, for advice where there is no sign.

Snorkelling

SeyVillas says the sea is shallow enough for a look underwater, and notes that the coral seabed calls for care. The Seychelles Meteorological Authority records a high incidence of weed washed ashore on beaches exposed to the south-east winds between June and September, and names April and November as the calmest months at sea (checked 20 September 2026).

Map of Anse Grosse Roche

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Beach

Anse Grosse Roche

Map of Anse Grosse Roche with nearby beaches and places to stayCoastline © OpenStreetMap contributors. Positions are approximate.
The 48 places on this map

Praslin or La Digue for beaches?Every beach on Praslin and La DigueWhat lives on the reef here

Open stays with live Booking.com links near Anse Grosse Roche

Distances are measured in a straight line from the beach; the walking or driving route may be longer.

Explore every bookable stay

  • Anse Grosse Roche Beach Villa

    Self-catering in Anse Grosse Roche, La Digue

    168 m straight-line from Anse Grosse Roche

    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
    More information
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  • Lakaz An Bwa

    Villa in Anse Gaulettes, La Digue

    693 m straight-line from Anse Grosse Roche

    Lakaz An Bwa is a wooden Creole villa for up to eight (four adults and four children) at Anse Gaulettes, on La Digue's north-east coast. The beach in front is not safe for swimming.

    • Families
    • Self-catering
    More information
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  • Le Relax Luxury Lodge

    Hotel in Anse Gaulettes, La Digue

    968 m straight-line from Anse Grosse Roche

    Le Relax Luxury Lodge is a six-chalet hotel in a beachside setting at Anse Gaulette on La Digue. It has a pool, a restaurant serving Creole, international and Indian dishes, a bar and in-villa dining.

    • Beachfront
    • Pool
    More information
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  • Bernique Guesthouse

    Guesthouse in La Passe, La Digue

    1.2 km straight-line from Anse Grosse Roche

    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.

    More information
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  • Kaz Ladouceur

    Guesthouse in La Digue

    1.2 km straight-line from Anse Grosse Roche

    A five-unit bed and breakfast on a hillside on La Digue with sea views, a garden and a terrace. Units have air conditioning and a kitchen, according to the tourism board listing.

    • Families
    • Self-catering
    More information
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  • Calou Guesthouse

    Guesthouse in La Passe, La Digue

    1.2 km straight-line from Anse Grosse Roche

    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
    More information
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  • Maison Ed-Elle

    Apartment in La Passe, La Digue

    1.3 km straight-line from Anse Grosse Roche

    Maison Ed-Elle is a small self-catering property at La Passe on La Digue, under 800 metres from the jetty, with four one-bedroom apartments that the owners aim at couples, each with its own kitchen and veranda.

    • Couples
    • Families
    • Self-catering
    More information
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  • Cocotier du Rocher

    Self-catering in La Passe, La Digue

    1.3 km straight-line from Anse Grosse Roche

    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
    More information
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  • Chateau St Cloud

    Hotel in Anse Réunion, La Digue

    1.3 km straight-line from Anse Grosse Roche

    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
    More information
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  • Chalets Bamboo Vert

    Chalet in La Passe, La Digue

    1.3 km straight-line from Anse Grosse Roche

    Chalets Bamboo Vert is a group of ten ground-level chalets in a flowering garden at La Passe on La Digue, eight minutes' walk from the jetty, with its own restaurant and bar.

    • Families
    More information
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  • Buisson Guest House

    Guesthouse in La Passe, La Digue

    1.3 km straight-line from Anse Grosse Roche

    A small family-run guesthouse in a leafy garden at La Passe, a few minutes' walk from the La Digue jetty. Guests have use of a fully equipped kitchen and a communal lounge, and dinner can be booked on site.

    • Families
    • Self-catering
    More information
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  • Beryl Guesthouse

    Guesthouse in La Passe, La Digue

    1.4 km straight-line from Anse Grosse Roche

    Beryl Guesthouse is a three-bedroom, owner-run guesthouse in La Passe on La Digue, close to the pier, with homemade breakfast and help arranging cycling and boat trips.

    • Families
    More information
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Read the full where-to-stay guide for La Digue

Anse Grosse Roche Beach Villa168 m in a straight line

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Questions

Which islands can you see from Anse Grosse Roche?
The Tourism Board lists the Sisters, Félicité, Ile Coco and Marianne.
Can I get to Île Cocos from La Digue?
Yes, by boat. The Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority describes Ile Cocos Marine Park as a 10-minute boat ride from La Digue, with visits organised through tour operators and boat charters from La Digue or Praslin. Non-residents over 12 pay Rs200 entry, usually included when you book through a tour operator. The park takes in Ile Cocos, Ile La Fouche and Ilot Plate, and the Tourism Board notes that Anse Peniche on Félicité falls inside its boundary.
How do I get to Anse Grosse Roche without a car?
By bicycle or on foot along the concrete coast road, which OpenStreetMap maps running past the beach (way 689245487, last edited 25 August 2025). There is no bus on La Digue: the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation describes its public bus network as covering Mahé and Praslin (checked 20 September 2026). The Ministry of Transport recorded eight taxi operators and provision for twelve club car taxis on the island, against about 5,000 bicycles (land transport policy, 18 March 2022). The beach is 1.81 km from the La Digue Ferry Terminal in a straight line (OpenStreetMap node 446041309).
Is there anywhere to eat at Anse Grosse Roche?
There is a snack bar at the entrance to the beach, with benches and shade (Tourism Board; SeyVillas), though neither source names it. The nearest restaurant holding a Tourism Seychelles registry listing is Chez Jules at Anse Banane, 0.71 km south in a straight line, listed as open 9am to 9pm daily (entry updated 30 September 2025); OpenStreetMap gives the same restaurant 09:00 to 22:00 (node 2010749269, last edited 27 October 2024), so the two disagree on when it closes.
When is the sea roughest on La Digue's east coast?
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office says east-coast beaches are unsafe during the south-east winds season, around May to September. The Seychelles Meteorological Authority puts the south-east trades setting in in May and peaking in August, calls conditions at sea rough in July and August, and records weed washed ashore on beaches exposed to those winds between June and September; it names April and November as the calmest months at sea. Both checked 20 September 2026.
Are there toilets or lifeguards at Anse Grosse Roche?
No. OpenStreetMap records no public toilets, showers or drinking water anywhere along this coast (checked 20 September 2026), and the Tourism Department's Beach and Sea Safety Guide, 2nd edition, says lifeguards are stationed only at Beau Vallon on Mahé and Anse Lazio and Côte d'Or on Praslin. Where a beach carries no warning sign and you are unsure, the guide gives the Seychelles Life Guard Services number, 2529976.

Sources

Details last verified 16 September 2026.