Things to do on La Digue
La Digue, an island in Seychelles, is small enough to see by bike: plantation history and tortoises at L'Union Estate, a reserve for one of the country's rarest birds, walks to beaches that no road reaches, and a 10-minute boat ride to Ile Cocos.
L'Union Estate and Anse Source d'Argent
L'Union Estate, a 15-minute bike ride from the jetty, is a former plantation. Its former plantation house, Old Pier and La Digue's oldest cemetery are national monuments, and visitors can see the copra kiln, the ox-driven copra mill, rows of vanilla and Aldabra giant tortoises. Takamaka Rum opened a showroom and tasting bar there in late 2025. The estate opens 6:00 to 18:00 daily, and entry for foreign nationals is SCR 150 (L'Union Estate, checked 16 September 2026). It is the way in to Anse Source d'Argent and to transparent-kayak tours along the coast.
Veuve Special Reserve
The Veuve Special Reserve at Anse Réunion covers 21 ha of the island's western plateau and was set up for the Seychelles black paradise flycatcher. Staff help visitors find the birds, and the reserve also shelters the Seychelles sunbird, Seychelles bulbul and Seychelles terrapins. It opens Monday to Friday 8:00 to 16:00 and Saturday 9:00 to 15:00. Entry for non-citizens is SCR 150, or SCR 200 guided (SPGA, checked 16 September 2026).
Walks
The tourism board's trail guide rates these La Digue walks:
- Nid d'Aigle: easy, 1.3 km with a 213 m climb, about 40 minutes to 333 m, the island's highest point. Starts at the Bellevue restaurant.
- Anse Coco: medium, 2.2 km through forest from Grand Anse, past Petite Anse.
- Anse Marron: hard, 6.5 km, four to five hours, with a guide recommended.
- Romeo and Juliet viewpoint: 2 km from Bellevue on a rocky, slippery path.
On the water
Ile Cocos Marine National Park, 10 minutes by boat, is known for hawksbill turtles, and whale sharks are seen around August to November. The tourism board describes Félicité as an island of large boulders and forest, with snorkelling. Transparent kayaks and paddleboards can be hired on the west coast. For surfers, the tourism board singles out the waves outside the reef at Grand Anse.
Heritage
The Notre Dame de l'Assomption church, built in 1864, was the island's first Catholic church, and its feast on 15 August is a major event. Chateau St Cloud, a former plantation house from La Digue's vanilla era, is now a small hotel that the tourism board says welcomes visitors. The Colonial Yellow House at Anse Réunion is a national monument.
Where to go
Anse Marron guided coastal hike
La Digue
The Anse Marron guided hike is a 6 to 7 hour scramble over granite boulders and reef along La Digue's undeveloped south coast to the rock pools of Anse Marron, finishing at Anse Source d'Argent. SeyVillas says it is only possible with a guide; the L'Union Estate fee is extra.
Art galleries and studios on La Digue
La Digue
Art galleries and studios on La Digue include George Camille's gallery at Anse Gaulette, Rita Morel's Maison de L'Histoire at L'Union Estate, and two La Passe studios: Leon Bacco's driftwood sculpture and Mala Rama's wildlife watercolours.
Creole cooking and craft workshops on La Digue
La Digue
Creole cooking and craft workshops on La Digue include a daily Creole cooking class, a weekday coconut leaf weaving class at Anse Source d'Argent and a traditional dress photoshoot at L'Union Estate, all run by Kokosye. Georgie's Home Cooking at Anse Réunion offers private four-hour cooking sessions.
Creole food on La Digue
La Digue
Creole food on La Digue ranges from octopus and coconut-milk curry at Chez Jules in Anse Banane and buffet nights with a live band at Zerof in Anse Réunion to fish in banana leaf at Fish Trap in La Passe and a hilltop café at Belle Vue.
Cycling on La Digue
La Digue
Cycling is the main way to get around La Digue, a 10 km² island with few cars. Bikes rent near the La Passe jetty for about SCR 150 a day (Tourism Board listings, checked 16 September 2026); SeyVillas suggests rides to L'Union Estate, Grand Anse and Anse Patates.
Feast of the Assumption on La Digue
La Digue
The Feast of the Assumption, known locally as Lafet La Digue, is a Roman Catholic festival held on La Digue every 15 August. Tourism Seychelles describes open-air mass, a procession, food stalls, live music and sporting events, and advises booking accommodation well ahead.
Grand Anse to Anse Caïman coastal walk
La Digue
The Grand Anse to Anse Caïman walk follows La Digue's east coast past Petite Anse and Anse Cocos. SeyVillas rates it easy: 2.25 km with 60 m of climbing, about two hours there and back with photo stops. For swimming, SeyVillas recommends the sheltered area of Anse Cocos or Anse Caïman.
Greentree health garden, La Digue
La Digue
Greentree is a private health and wildlife garden at La Passe on La Digue, run by Unels and Rachel, who describe themselves as conservation biologists. Visits include a garden tour, medicinal plants and a welcome drink. The owners call it the best spot on the island for the paradise flycatcher. Entry is SCR 200 (Tourism Board listing, updated 25 June 2026).
L'Union Estate
La Digue
L'Union Estate is a former coconut and vanilla plantation at Anse Réunion on La Digue's south-west coast, now a heritage park with a plantation house, copra mill, giant Aldabra tortoises and rum tasting, and the gateway to Anse Source d'Argent. SCR 150 day pass; open 6am to 6pm (estate site, checked 16 September 2026).
La Digue fruit and vegetable market
La Digue
La Digue's fruit and vegetable market sits near the jetty at La Passe and sells produce from the island's farmers. Its Tourism Board listing gives opening hours of 7am to 5pm every day.
Nid d'Aigle (Belle Vue) hike
La Digue
Nid d'Aigle (Belle Vue) is La Digue's highest point, 333 m, reached by a short, steep footpath from the Belle Vue restaurant in the centre of the island, with views to Praslin, Félicité, the Sisters and Marianne. SeyVillas times it at about 45 minutes up and 30 down.
Scuba diving from La Digue
La Digue
Scuba diving from La Digue is offered by Azzura Dive Center at La Digue Island Lodge, Anse Réunion, which runs morning and afternoon boat dives and PADI courses, with non-divers welcome to snorkel. Nearby sites include Marianne Rock and Sister Reef.
Secret Garden nature trail, La Digue
La Digue
The Secret Garden is a private botanical garden and nature trail in the hills above La Passe on La Digue. A ticket covers the trails, a guided tour, a fish pond and a view deck. The trail passes a terrace facing the Sister islands and Félicité, then climbs to a hilltop view over La Passe and Praslin.
Transparent kayaking at Anse Source d'Argent
La Digue
Transparent kayaking at Anse Source d'Argent, inside L'Union Estate on La Digue, uses clear-hulled kayaks to paddle over the reef: a 3-hour guided trip to Anse Pierrot or a 1 hour 15 minute self-guided rental. No sunscreen on board; the L'Union Estate fee applies.
Veuve Special Reserve
La Digue
The Veuve Special Reserve is a 21-hectare woodland reserve at Anse Réunion, on La Digue's western plateau, protecting the Seychelles black paradise flycatcher. Staff help you find the birds. SCR 150 unguided or SCR 200 guided for non-citizens over 12 (SPGA, checked 16 September 2026).
More things to do
Ready to book
Stays you can book now
A spread of what is open and has a live, property-specific Booking.com link, from hotels to self-catering.
La Digue Island Lodge
Resort in Anse Réunion, La Digue
La Digue Island Lodge is a beachfront resort at Anse Réunion on La Digue, built in 1973 and described by the lodge as the island's first hotel. It has A-frame chalets built from takamaka wood, rooms in the historic Yellow House, a pool with a swim-up bar and four places to eat.
- Beachfront
- Honeymoon
- Couples
- Families
Ambiance Villa
Villa in Anse Réunion, La Digue
A self-catering family house with a pool and garden at Anse Réunion, on La Digue's west coast, a short walk from the beach. The owners mention a reggae bar next door.
- Couples
- Families
- Self-catering
- Pool
Badamier Self Catering
Self-catering in Anse Réunion, La Digue
Badamier Self Catering is a small self-catering guesthouse at Anse Réunion on La Digue, with air-conditioned rooms and barbecue facilities, not far from shops and Anse Source d'Argent.
- Families
- Self-catering
Questions
- How much is the entrance to L'Union Estate?
- SCR 150 for foreign nationals (L'Union Estate, checked 16 September 2026). The pass is valid for the day, or for the next day if bought after 16:30, and stays of more than five days qualify for a special rate.
- When is the Veuve Special Reserve open?
- Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 16:00 and Saturday from 9:00 to 15:00. Entry for non-citizens is SCR 150, or SCR 200 with a guide (SPGA, checked 16 September 2026).
- What is the highest point on La Digue?
- Nid d'Aigle, at 333 m. The tourism board rates the trail easy: 1.3 km and about 40 minutes.
- Do I need a guide for Anse Marron?
- The tourism board recommends one. It rates the trail hard, at 6.5 km and four to five hours, and describes the path as slippery.
Sources
- L'Union Estate, official siteOfficial website, checked 16 September 2026
- La Digue Island Lodge: home pageOfficial website, checked 16 September 2026
- Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority, Ile CocosGovernment, checked 16 September 2026
- Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority, Veuve Special ReserveGovernment, checked 16 September 2026
- Tourism Seychelles blog, 10 Trails for Trekking Experiences in Seychelles (updated 27 December 2024)Tourism board, checked 16 September 2026
- Tourism Seychelles blog, Another World of Seychelles: Places to Dive, Surf and Snorkel (updated 12 July 2024)Tourism board, checked 16 September 2026
- Tourism Seychelles blog, Day Excursions on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue (updated 13 June 2025)Tourism board, checked 16 September 2026
- Tourism Seychelles blog, La Digue Absolutely! 8 Reasons Why it Should be Part of Your Holiday Plan (updated 21 October 2025)Tourism board, checked 16 September 2026
- Tourism Seychelles, Anse MarronTourism board, checked 16 September 2026
- Tourism Seychelles, La Digue Transparent Kayak & Sups SeselTourism board, checked 16 September 2026
Details last verified 16 September 2026.