La Digue Day Trip from Mahe: Is It Worth It? Honest Tips

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Thinking about taking a day trip from Mahé to La Digue but not sure if it’s worth it? You’re not alone!

Many first-time travellers to Seychelles wonder if one day is enough to explore La Digue Island and if it’s worth the cost.

With a good plan, you can still enjoy its stunning beaches, laid-back vibe, and car-free roads in just one day.

On our trip to Seychelles, we did this ourselves! In this guide, I’ll share my honest thoughts on what to expect, the best beach not to miss, and whether a day is enough.

This guide is great if you love adventure, hidden spots, and water activities!

A sunny beach with soft white sand and clear, blue-green water. A worn-down stone wall sits by the shore, partly covered in sand. Tall palm trees sway in the breeze, and big smooth rocks rise from the water in the distance. The sky is bright blue with fluffy white clouds.

Table of Contents

What’s Special About La Digue and Why You Should Visit?

La Digue is often considered the most charming island in Seychelles, known for its relaxed atmosphere, breathtaking beaches, and unique car-free lifestyle.

Unlike Mahé’s bustling roads, La Digue moves at a slower pace, with bicycles and tricycles as the main modes of transport.

Here’s what makes La Digue a must-visit:

Anse Source d’Argent: According to this Story Seychelles article, this is one of the world’s most photographed beaches, famous for its granite rock formations, crystal-clear waters, and dreamy beaches. So, as you can imagine, this draws a lot of travellers to visit La Digue.

Laid-back island vibes: If you enjoy slow travel and escaping crowds, La Digue’s peaceful charm will win you over.

Wildlife & nature: Spot giant tortoises and enjoy lush tropical scenery.

Biking adventures: Explore the island effortlessly by renting a bicycle or tricycle, making it easy to visit hidden beaches and local spots.

La Digue is perfect if you’re looking to disconnect from the fast-paced environments and experience island life at its best. Even if you only have a day, it’s worth the trip!

How to Get to La Digue from Mahé

The most common way to reach La Digue from Mahé is by ferry. There are a few options, depending on your budget and comfort level.

1. Cat Cocos Ferry (Most Common Option)

Departs from Victoria Quayside Harbour on Mahé

You’ll first take a 1-hour ferry to Praslin, then switch to a 15-minute ferry to La Digue with Cat Rose

Ferry schedule: Morning and afternoon departures, but times vary; book in advance and make sure you get to the ferry harbour on time, especially on departure, otherwise you may find yourself alone on La Digue island with nowhere to sleep until the following day

Tickets: Buy online; there are several tour operators or at the ferry terminal. Credit cards are accepted, but I’d advise bringing cash to be safe and just to use once you’re on La Digue

2. Private Boat Transfers (Expensive Option)

Some tour operators offer direct speedboat transfers from Mahé to La Digue

Expect to pay around €600 per person; not budget-friendly!

A concrete dock floats on the bright blue water, with two open-air shelters on top. A few people are standing under the shelters, maybe waiting or doing something. The sky has some clouds, and in the background, you can see trees and small buildings along the shore. — *La Digue Island Ferry Terminal*

3. Local Organized Tour Operators (Budget Option)

Some accommodations can arrange a budget-friendly day trip with smaller local boats. That’s the option we decided on.

But I have to say that the boat ride was a little unpleasant. The waves were so strong that the African in me really thought we were going to sink. 😂

The tour package usually includes:

Pick-up from your stay

Ferry ticket

Bike rental or tricycle if, like me, you can’t ride a bike on La Digue

Entry to L’Union Estate (where Anse Source d’Argent beach is)

If you’re on a budget and don’t mind a slightly rougher ride, ask for the arranged local tour package during your stay. They usually know better how to plan this for visitors without ripping you off; it’s kind of a thing on the island.

It is a great way to experience La Digue without spending too much. We paid about €90 (this is considered cheap for Seychelles, FYI); return per person.

Remember that Seychelles is pricey. After going, I can say from personal experience that it’s not a place where you can say, “I’ll skip La Digue.” I hope you get to go back soon!

So if you have a chance to visit La Digue, take it! To be fair, booking an arranged guided tour can also save you the hassle of managing transport and logistics yourself. From what I remember seeing, it seemed hectic.

What to Expect on a La Digue Day Trip

A day trip to La Digue is short but packed with adventure! The boat ride from Mahé takes about one and a half hours, but it can feel longer, if I’m being honest; I guess it’s probably because of the sea being rough.

A woman in a beige bikini leans on a curved palm tree on a tropical beach. The clear blue water, smooth granite rocks, and green trees of Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue Island, Seychelles, make a stunning view. Sunlight shines through the palm leaves, creating soft shadows on the white sand. — *The best thing to do on La Digue is simply to relax at Anse Source d’Argent beach*

Arrival & Briefing

If you’re on an organised tour, you’ll get a wristband before leaving the boat. This helps identify your tour group

Once you arrive at La Digue’s main harbour, a guide will give a quick briefing about the day’s itinerary

Pay close attention to where to meet at the end of the day; it can be confusing when trying to find your boat later

Bike Pick-Up & Exploration

After the briefing, you’ll be taken to collect your bike or tricycle. The guide will stay with the group to make sure everyone gets one

This happens quickly so you can start exploring as soon as possible

All day-trip boats leave by 4 PM, so time is limited

What Can You Do on La Digue?

Since La Digue is small, it’s best explored by bike or on foot. However, with limited time, you’ll need to prioritise key attractions. Here’s what you can fit into your day:

1. Visit Anse Source d’Argent (Must-Not-Miss Beach!)

Okay, let’s be real; undoubtedly one of the biggest draws of La Digue is Anse Source d’Argent, a picture-perfect beach with shallow turquoise waters and massive granite formations.

It’s located within the L’Union Estate mentioned above. Hop on your bike and ride toward the beach. Don’t worry; it’s easy to find! Just follow the other cyclists, and you’ll be there in no time.

A tropical beach scene featuring large, smooth granite boulders along the shoreline of crystal-clear turquoise waters. The sky is bright blue with fluffy white clouds, and lush green palm trees add to the paradise-like atmosphere. Gentle waves lap against the rocks, creating a serene and picturesque coastal view. — *Anse Source d’Argent Beach* *(FYI-This is only one of several beach views)*

Riding a tricycle for the first time can be an adventure! I probably spent half an hour just trying to ride it to the beach instead of relaxing and swimming.

But do I regret it? Not at all! It was a fun and unique experience on one of the most beautiful islands in the world.

If you only have time for one beach, this is the one to visit!

Pro Tip: Most people visit La Digue to see the famous Anse Source d’Argent beach, so it can get crowded. When we arrived around early noon, nearly half the beach was packed, which was a bit disappointing.

The good news is that the beach has large granite rocks, creating small hidden spots where you can relax and swim. If you walk further away from the crowds, it gets quieter. But since we were on a short day trip, we didn’t have time to explore too much.

Overall, the beach is truly beautiful, but I recommend getting there early or staying overnight to enjoy it fully. If you have a drone, you can capture amazing views from above!

2. Explore the Island Sustainably

The best way to get around La Digue is by renting a bike (available only near the ferry terminal).

The island has very few cars, and cycling allows you to soak in the relaxed island vibes while moving between attractions quickly in a sustainable manner.

A woman wearing a straw hat, beige top, and white shorts rides a red tricycle down a sandy path lined with lush green trees and palm trees. A woven bag and an orange sit in the bike’s rear basket. The tropical setting, likely on La Digue Island, Seychelles, gives a relaxed and picturesque vibe. — *This looks like a perfect picture, but I was struggling to cycle faster* 😅

3. Relax at Grand Anse, Petite Anse & Anse Cocos

If you’re looking for more remote beaches, the Grand Anse, Petite Anse, and Anse Coco trio are worth the effort. Most people have said these are much more spacious and less busy than Anse Source d’Argent.

However, reaching them may require a short hike, which may be challenging on a bike and a rushed day trip. Since this guide is just for a day trip to La Digue from Mahé, it’s good to plan carefully.

Decide which beaches or activities you want to see since you’ll be exploring on your own. You don’t have to follow my itinerary exactly; just use this guide to get an idea of what to expect and the best things to do in a day!

4. Wander Through the L’Union Estate

Apart from Anse Source d’Argent, L’Union Estate offers a glimpse into Seychelles’ history with its old plantation house, coconut mills, and giant tortoises. It’s a great stop if you have time to spare.

A giant tortoise stretches its long neck to reach and nibble on green leaves in a lush, tropical forest. Its thick, wrinkled skin and large, sturdy shell contrast with the soft, moss-covered rocks and dense greenery in the background. The sandy ground and stone wall add to the natural setting of this peaceful moment in the wild.

5. Have Lunch at Local Restaurants near the Ferry Harbour

Most budget-friendly tours, like the one we took, don’t include lunch. So, make sure to eat before you leave; cycling all day will make you hungry!

When we visited, there weren’t many local restaurants open.

So, we ended up at a tourist-friendly restaurant about a 5-minute walk from the bike rental spot, in the same direction as Anse Source d’Argent beach.

I had a steak, and Alex had pasta; both meals were delicious!

A restaurant table set with two meals and drinks. In the foreground, a plate of creamy pasta garnished with a green asparagus spear. In the background, a person sits behind a plate of grilled steak with mashed potatoes and colourful vegetables. The table also holds a glass of beer, a green glass bottle, a bottle of Schweppes, and silverware on a wooden board.

Is it worth going to La Digue?

Yes, it’s absolutely worth going to La Digue! It’s home to some of the most stunning beaches you’ll ever see, like Anse Source d’Argent, and has such a relaxed vibe. Even if you have only a single day, you will have the opportunity to appreciate its beauty and experience a sense of being in paradise.

But if your itinerary allows, consider staying a night or two to fully embrace the island’s slow-paced charm.

If you only have one day, here are some quick reminder tips to make the most of it:

Catch the earliest ferry possible to maximise your time

Rent a bike immediately after arriving; I’d suggest prearranging in advance if you can. Some people couldn’t find bike rentals due to tour operators pre-booking in bulk for a lot of people

Prioritise your must-visit spots; if beaches are your focus, stick to Anse Source d’Argent and one other.

Pack light; unless you’re planning to spend a night or two, you don’t need too many (especially heavy) items: sunscreen, a swimsuit and beach towel, a hat, or cap, water, snacks, cash (some places don’t take cards), sunglasses, a travel tech bag (with only essentials, though) and a dry bag for valuables

Final Thoughts: Should you visit La Digue while you’re in the Seychelles?

Yes! A day trip from Mahé to La Digue is a fun and unforgettable experience. You can enjoy beautiful beaches like Anse Source d’Argent and relax in the peaceful atmosphere.

With some planning, you can make the most of your time and see the best parts of La Digue.

If you want more tips on how to travel to Seychelles and other places on a budget, check out my guide on visiting Seychelles affordably and get more travel ideas for your next adventure!

Mahe, Seychelles, to La Digue Day Trip: Is the Tour Worth It? (Guide & Tips)

What’s Special About La Digue and Why You Should Visit?