Praslin & La Digue

Cycling on Praslin and La Digue

Cycling is the main way to get around La Digue, with hire shops near the jetty at La Passe and rules on licensing, e-bikes and helmets. Praslin is a larger island with steep stretches of road and far fewer places to hire a bike.

Last verified 16 September 2026

La Digue

The tourism board describes La Digue as the only island in Seychelles where bicycles outnumber motor vehicles. A 2019 Seychelles News Agency guide found the island small and flat enough to get around easily by bike, with most guesthouses and hotels keeping bikes for guests.

On 16 September 2026 the tourism board listed eight bike hire businesses on La Digue, seven in La Passe and one in Anse Réunion. Le Nautique Luxury Waterfront Hotel rents its own bikes to in-house guests at SCR 125 a day and offers to source quotes for tricycles, tandems and e-bikes from local hire companies (Le Nautique, checked 16 September 2026).

Rules

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. Bike rental businesses must provide helmets for hirers under 14.

The 2022 policy exempted riders of ordinary bicycles from wearing helmets, and motorbikes and scooters were not approved for the island.

Distances

L'Union Estate, the way to Anse Source d'Argent, is about 15 minutes from the jetty by bike. Grand Anse, on the south-east coast, is about 40 minutes from the harbour through forest. Beaches such as Anse Coco and Anse Marron are reached on foot from the end of the ride.

Praslin

The tourism board lists one bike hire business on Praslin, at a guesthouse in Amitié. Its driving guide describes Praslin's roads as paved but narrow, winding and steep in places, and says buses move fast. Constance Lemuria offers mountain biking to its guests. The tourism board lists hire cars, taxis and public buses as the main ways around Praslin.

Where to go

Questions

Do I need to wear a helmet on La Digue?
Under the 2022 transport policy, e-bike riders must wear helmets, while riders of ordinary bicycles were exempted. Amendments approved in March 2024 require helmets for children under 14 on bicycles.
Can children ride e-bikes on La Digue?
No. Amendments approved in March 2024 bar riders under 16 from e-bikes and limit e-bikes to 300 W.
Where can I hire a bike on La Digue?
The tourism board lists eight bike hire businesses, mostly in La Passe near the jetty, and many guesthouses and hotels keep bikes for guests.
How long does it take to cycle to Grand Anse on La Digue?
The tourism board gives about 40 minutes from the harbour.
Is Praslin good for cycling?
The tourism board lists only one bike hire business on Praslin and describes its roads as narrow, winding and steep in places. Hire cars, taxis and public buses are the main alternatives.

Sources

Details last verified 16 September 2026.