Experience the best of La Digue

La Digue is the fourth-largest of the Seychelles' granite islands, only about five kilometres long, named after a ship of the French explorer Marion du Fresne. There is little traffic. Most people cycle, and ox-carts still carry some visitors along the lanes. The main settlement, La Passe, is a landing quay with a few cafés, shops and guesthouses, and a track leads on to the old coconut plantation at L'Union Estate.

Anse Source d'Argent, with its smooth granite boulders and shallow, clear lagoon, is often named among the loveliest beaches in the world, and Grand Anse and Petite Anse have long stretches of sand and strong surf. In the Veuve reserve, the rare black paradise flycatcher nests in the takamaka woods. A boat from Praslin takes about fifteen minutes.

Fresh fish, octopus curry, banana and breadfruit are served with rice and chilli at small family restaurants and beach shacks. The island is still, hot and green, and the pace is slow. The trade winds from May to October bring cooler, drier air, and the monsoon months are warmer and wetter.