Praslin & La Digue

A day trip from Praslin to La Digue

A one-day plan for visiting La Digue from Praslin in Seychelles, using the 15-minute ferry from Baie Sainte Anne. It takes an early sailing out, a hired bike to L'Union Estate and Anse Source d'Argent before the crowds, an afternoon on the north coast or at Grand Anse, and the last listed sailing back at 17:00.

Last verified 16 September 2026

1 days

Praslin and La Digue

How the day works

La Digue is 7 km from Praslin, and the ferry from the ERO terminal at Baie Sainte Anne to La Passe takes 15 minutes. Seychelles Bookings, which sells Cat Rose tickets, calls the day trip the most common way to visit the island. The plan below takes an early sailing out, puts Anse Source d'Argent first while it is quieter, and comes back on an afternoon ferry.

Who it suits

It suits visitors staying on Praslin who have one free day and want to see Anse Source d'Argent, one of La Digue's most famous beaches, and L'Union Estate. It works for families with children who can ride a bike for 15 minutes each way; a 2019 Seychelles News Agency guide found no car rental on La Digue and only a handful of taxis. Under the 2022 transport policy, bicycles must be licensed and insured and e-bike riders must wear helmets. Amendments approved in March 2024 limit e-bikes to 300 W, bar riders under 16 and require helmets for children under 14 on bicycles.

How to adapt it

At weekends the first listed Cat Rose sailing from Praslin is at 09:00, not 07:00 (Seychelles Bookings, checked 16 September 2026), which pushes back the start and brings the beach closer to its busy hours. Anse Source d'Argent is shallow and best for swimming around high tide, so check the tide times the evening before and decide whether to swim in the morning or save it for later.

If you want the walk from Grand Anse to Anse Cocos, which SeyVillas puts at about two hours for the round trip, or a boat to Ile Cocos, give La Digue a night or two instead. Seychelles Bookings says schedules can change without notice, so confirm times when you book and again the day before.

Day by day

  1. La Digue

    L'Union Estate, Anse Source d'Argent and the north coast

    Morning

    Be at the ERO terminal in Baie Sainte Anne at least 30 minutes before departure. Seychelles Bookings lists Cat Rose sailings from Praslin at 07:00 on weekdays, then 09:00 and 10:00 daily (checked 16 September 2026). Taxis and bike rentals meet the ferry at La Passe. L'Union Estate opens at 6:00 and puts the ride from the jetty at 15 minutes; foreign nationals pay SCR 150 (L'Union Estate, checked 16 September 2026). Reach Anse Source d'Argent before about 10:00, when SeyVillas says the crowds build, and see the giant tortoises and copra mill on the way out.

    Afternoon

    Eat at the restaurant near the beach entrance or back in La Passe. Then either ride to Grand Anse, 40 minutes from the harbour by the tourism board's timing, to look rather than swim, as SeyVillas warns of strong currents, or head north to Anse Sévère and Anse Patates for calmer water and snorkelling close to the shore.

    Getting back

    Seychelles Bookings lists Cat Rose departures from La Digue at 16:00 and 17:00, the last of the day (checked 16 September 2026). Return the bike first and be at the jetty 30 minutes ahead.

Questions

Is one day enough for La Digue?
One day covers L'Union Estate, which the estate puts 15 minutes from the jetty by bike, and Anse Source d'Argent inside it, plus one more beach. Longer outings such as the Grand Anse to Anse Cocos walk, about two hours for the round trip according to SeyVillas, fit better with an overnight stay.
What time is the last ferry back to Praslin?
Seychelles Bookings lists the last Cat Rose departure from La Digue at 17:00, daily. It notes that schedules are subject to change without notice, so check the time when you book.
Can I do the day trip at a weekend?
Yes. Seychelles Bookings lists five Cat Rose sailings each way at weekends. The first from Praslin is at 09:00 rather than 07:00, and the afternoon returns from La Digue stay at 16:00 and 17:00.
What does the L'Union Estate ticket include?
Entry is SCR 150 for foreign nationals (L'Union Estate, checked 16 September 2026) and lasts for the day, or for the next day if bought after 16:30. It gives access to Anse Source d'Argent, the giant Aldabra tortoises, the copra mill and the vanilla plantation.

Sources

Details last verified 16 September 2026.