La Digue Island
La Digue is a small and perhaps the most beautiful island of the Seychelles. The 10km² area is concentrated with luxurious beaches and landscapes that are hard to find anywhere else. La Digue is constantly visited by movie directors and photographers from fashion magazines. On this perfect tropical island, it seems as if time has stopped. Locals move around its territory on bicycles and oxen sleds and impress tourists with their friendliness.
Video: La Digue Island
Contents- General Information
- Climate and Weather
- History of La Digue
- Walking the Island
- 10 Things, worth doing on La Digue
- La Digue and neighboring islands
- Cuisine
- Where to stay
- How to get there
General Information
La Digue is close to the larger Seychelles – 6 km from Praslin and 43 km from Mahe, with which it is connected by ferry. The size of the island is 3 by 4 km, with impenetrable jungle and cinnamon and coconut plantations occupying the main area.
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There is a good road along the coast, fringed with tropical vegetation. Heading north, you reach the beach of Anse Sever. Beyond it, the road turns south and passes rocky coves. From May to September, the south-east monsoon blows here and the sea becomes very rough. From Anse Banan Bay, hiking trails lead to more secluded coves.
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Grand Anse is La Digue’s largest beach, but the place is wild, rocky and dangerous. Warning signs in several languages are posted on the beach. Powerful currents pose a serious danger to bathers and divers. But Anse Sours d’Argent, which is very close to La Passe, is a true gem of La Digue.
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Climate and weather
La Digue falls under the influence of a maritime subequatorial climate. Due to the Seychelles’ proximity to the equator, temperatures fluctuate only slightly throughout the year and vacationing on the island is quite comfortable at any time. However, the high tourist season on La Digue is from April to October, when rainfall is less likely than in winter. In these months the thermometer reaches +25…+29 ° C, refreshing breeze blows, and the waves are small. Water in the ocean is warm, +24…+26 °С. Nights on the island are warm. Even during the wet season, the rains do not last longer than an hour.
.History of La Digue
2. Chateau St Cloud
4. L’Union Estate
This plantation grows vanilla, produces copra and oil from coconut palms. Coconut oil is used in perfumes and cooking. Giant tortoises roam throughout the plantation. The huge granite rock of La Digue is considered a national monument. Like other granite cliffs, it was formed by the gradual cooling of volcanic magma. It is part of the mountains formed 750 million years ago. The landmark of the estate is the planter’s house, the oldest in the Seychelles. The house is surrounded by lawns that face directly onto the beach.
. L’Union Estate. Tel: 234-240. Open: 7.00-17.00. Entrance fee is 7.5 € per person. Turn left onto Anse Sours d’Argent beach..https://trevaladvisor.com/img%img/Ostrov-La-Digreterte/L_Union-Estate-1.jpg” alt=””/>‘ From the pier in La Passe, yachts sail daily to the neighboring islands northeast of La Digue. These small islands resemble the mountain peaks of a lost continent that perished in the Great Flood. Large valleys and caves are hidden beneath the water. The coastal waters are home to a variety of marine life. Here you can see whole flocks of parrot fish, sweetlips and groupers. Even whale sharks make an appearance in November. All islands, except Felicite, can be visited from Praslin. Felicite Island is located 3 kilometers northeast of La Digue. This private island is densely forested and has gorgeous beaches. It is actively developing tourism; 66 magnificent residences await foreign buyers and investors. Guests at the Zil Pasyon (Creole word for “passions”) resort can enjoy water sports, tennis, great cuisine, relax in the beautiful pools, and visit the world’s first wine cellar carved right into the rock. The hotel has a Per Aquum spa complex and its own helipad. The hotel opened in July 2011. These two islands belong to the Morel family from Praslin. They are located 2 kilometers south of Felicite Island. Grand Ser has two coral reef fringed beaches. This is where the Morel family home is located. Petit Serre Island, which is three times smaller than Gran Serre, is uninhabited. It is difficult to land there as there is no beach. From La Digue, you can get here with an organized excursion that includes swimming and barbecue. It is possible to spend up to a week on the Gran Ser. The Morel family also owns the Chateau de Feuilles hotel on Praslin. On weekends, the island is reserved exclusively for its guests. The hotel also offers a free excursion to the island with a barbecue. The Grand Serre can also be visited on weekdays – the ship departs from the hotels in Baie Santa Anna. There are around 90 hotels, villas and guesthouses on La Digue, despite its tiny size. Fans of the tropics and secluded vacations book accommodation in the center of the island, while lovers of water activities prefer to stay as close to the beaches as possible. . One of the best is the four-star Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort & Spa, located in the north of La Digue. Guests are accommodated in luxurious villas standing on stilts. You can also feel the romance of the island in Chateau St Cloud, which has the same star rating, but is much cheaper. Next to it there is Cocotier du Rocher 3,5* mini-hotel surrounded by a garden. Patatran Hotel 3* has rooms with mesmerizing ocean views and a good cafe. Budget accommodation is offered by the charming Hotel L’Ocean 2,5*. Small cozy hotel is perfect for family vacations. An inexpensive stay is also available at the Oceane Self Catering. The hotel is run by the cheerful and energetic owner Marie. It is indicative that some guests return here every year.
5. Anse Source d’Argent (Anse Source d’Argent)
10 things to do on La Digue
La Digue and neighboring islands
Felicite
Grande Soeur and Petite Soeur
The islands of Cocos, Fouche, Plate and Zave (Ile Cocos, Ile la Fouche, Ile Plate, Ile Zave)
Cuisine
Where to stay
How to get there
Private flights are operated by the local airline Zil-Air. The cost of the ticket depends on the number of passengers, model of helicopter, weight of luggage. The price varies from 345 to 2500 € per flight, the company provides exact information only on request. The trip may include a small sightseeing tour. The flight from Mahe to La Digue lasts 17 minutes, from Praslin no more than 7 minutes.
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