La Digue by Bike in the Seychelles: Itinerary, Beaches and Tips for a Day Trip

On La Digue, the bike is not just one option among others: it is the island’s means of transport. In under 15 kilometres, you reach the most photographed beaches in the Seychelles, a colonial plantation and giant tortoises roaming free. This page details the full loop, the unmissable stops and the practical information to plan your day on the island.

Why is La Digue best visited by bike?

On this 10 km² island, the bike is the only realistic way to explore every beach in a single day. La Digue has very few motorised vehicles. Local life runs on two wheels, and visitors naturally fall in step the moment they step off the ferry or the tender. The coastal roads are mostly flat, hug the ocean and run through shaded coconut groves. Two points to note before you set off: driving is on the left (a British rule inherited from the island’s colonial history), and Aldabra giant tortoises wander freely along some of the island’s paths - a detail that never fails to surprise newcomers.

How do you rent a bike on La Digue?

Several rental shops are set up around the port of La Passe, less than 100 metres from the landing quay. The usual rate is 150 to 250 SCR per day, roughly 10 to 15 euros. Children’s bikes and baby seats are available on request at most rental shops. The majority of accommodations also offer rental directly on site. Before setting off, check the condition of the brakes: the roads remain passable but bike maintenance varies from one rental shop to another.

Do you need to book your bike in advance?

Outside high season, booking is not essential: the supply at the port of La Passe is enough to absorb the morning ferry arrivals. In July and August and over the year-end holidays, it is better to contact your accommodation the day before to make sure a bike is available as soon as you arrive.

What itinerary can you do by bike on La Digue in one day?

The full loop of the island is between 15 and 18 kilometres depending on detours to the beaches. Plan a full day at a relaxed pace from the port of La Passe. The terrain is mostly flat along the coast, with a few climbs inland to reach Grande Anse and Petite Anse. Here is the recommended loop in three stages.

Stage 1 - La Passe and the north coast (Anse Sévère, Anse Patates)

From the port of La Passe, take the road north along the coast. Anse Sévère lies about 3.5 kilometres away - it is a calm, sheltered beach, ideal for a first morning swim. Continuing for about 1 kilometre, Anse Patates offers a more secluded spot, prized for snorkelling. A few dolphins are spotted offshore from time to time. Note that there is no coral reef in this area: at high tide, the sea can quickly become deep. On the north-east coast, the fruit bar “Chez Jules” makes a welcome refreshment stop in the late morning. The north coast takes 2 to 4 hours to cover at your own pace.

Stage 2 - L’Union Estate and Anse Source d’Argent

Head back to La Passe and take the south-west direction. L’Union Estate, a colonial plantation founded in the 18th century, is the compulsory gateway to reach Anse Source d’Argent. The entrance ticket is 150 SCR per person (around 10 euros), valid for the day. The estate opens at 6am and closes at 6pm. Inside: Aldabra giant tortoises in semi-freedom, a restored copra mill, a historic cemetery that delves into the island’s history, the Plantation House listed as a national monument, and plots of vanilla and coconut palms. Anse Source d’Argent, reached from the estate, is the beach of pink granite boulders that is the most photographed in the Seychelles. To avoid the crowds of tour groups, arrive before 10am or come back in the late afternoon for the sunset.

Stage 3 - Grande Anse and Petite Anse, the wild coast

From L’Union Estate, the road to the south-east climbs inland for 2 to 3 kilometres before dropping back down to the wild coast. Grande Anse is a vast beach open to the ocean, lined with granite boulders and pounded by the swell. Swimming is not advised there (strong currents, no coral reef, powerful swell) - but the atmosphere is striking and the photos unforgettable. A restaurant on site lets you have lunch facing the ocean. Petite Anse, about fifteen minutes by bike, is even more secluded. The return to La Passe is by the inland road that drops back down to the port. This half day covers the bulk of the island’s exposed coast.

L’Union Estate: what to see and how much is admission?

The entrance ticket to L’Union Estate (150 SCR, or around 10 euros) gives access to both the historic estate and Anse Source d’Argent beach. This dual access makes it one of the best value for money on the island. The estate is open every day from 6am to 6pm. The five highlights not to miss on site: the Aldabra giant tortoises roaming free (some exceed a metre in length), the copra mill in working order, the historic cemetery that documents the island’s colonial families, the Plantation House (the estate’s main building, listed as a national monument), and the vanilla plots that scent the plantation air. Without visiting L’Union Estate, Anse Source d’Argent remains inaccessible.

Which beaches can you reach by bike on La Digue?

The loop lets you reach five distinct beaches in one day, each with a different character. The table below sums up the practical information to plan your itinerary.

Beach	Distance from La Passe	Swimming	Highlight
Anse Sévère	~3.5 km	Yes (calm)	Sunset, view of Praslin
Anse Patates	~4.5 km	Yes (caution at high tide)	Quiet, snorkelling
Anse Source d’Argent	~3 km via L’Union Estate	Yes (tide dependent)	The most photographed in the Seychelles
Grande Anse	~5-6 km (inland road)	No (dangerous currents)	Wild beach, dramatic scenery
Petite Anse	~6-7 km	No (same coast)	Very secluded, quieter

For a full itinerary covering the most beautiful beaches in the Seychelles, including those reachable only from the sea, see our selection of the most beautiful beaches in the Seychelles.

What practical tips are there for a day of biking on La Digue?

The main mistake is to underestimate the heat: with 30 degrees and tropical humidity, setting off before 9am and carrying 1.5 litres of water per person is the minimum. Here is the list of what to pack before leaving the port: enough water, a high-factor sunscreen, a hat or cap, your swimsuit, and cash to settle lunch in the local restaurants (few accept cards outside the big hotels). Ride on the left - the Seychelles highway code is a reminder, but the habit takes a few minutes to settle in. Street lighting is almost non-existent on the island: getting back before dark is a necessity, not a comfort tip. If your bike fails, return to the rental shop: replacement without argument is the usual rule.

How can you visit La Digue on a stopover from a catamaran in the Seychelles?

From a catamaran anchored off La Passe, La Digue can be explored by bike in half a day - with the freedom to come back in the evening without the constraint of a ferry timetable. Catamarans sailing through the archipelago generally anchor off La Passe, on the west coast of the island, in the authorised anchorage zone. The tender ride to La Passe quay takes a few minutes, and the bike rental shops are set up less than 100 metres from the quay. No ferry ticket, no imposed return time: the stopover can last the day or extend at anchor for a second night to enjoy the sunset over Anse Source d’Argent. Our crews recommend coming back aboard before 5pm, as the light fades quickly in the tropics. For families with children, the north coast between La Passe and Anse Sévère is doable in half a day from the catamaran, without needing the full loop of the island.

A catamaran cruise in the Seychelles lets you build this island-hopping itinerary at your own pace. Sailoe offers organised crewed cruises from Mahé, including stopovers at La Digue, Praslin and the neighbouring islets. To discover the whole archipelago from our base in the Seychelles, contact us at charter@sailoe.com or on +33 2 97 84 61 61 - a quote is sent within 24 hours.

Frequently asked questions about biking on La Digue

How do you get around the island of La Digue?

The bike is the main means of transport on La Digue. The island has very few motorised vehicles on the road. Taxis in golf carts or electric vehicles exist but remain rare and more expensive. Bike rentals are available the moment you step off the ferry or the tender, at the port of La Passe, as well as in most accommodations.

Where can you rent a bike on La Digue?

Several rental shops are set up around the port of La Passe, accessible immediately on stepping off the ferry or the tender. Most accommodations also offer rental on site. The usual rate is 150 to 250 SCR per day (around 10 to 15 euros).

What distance do you cover to ride around La Digue by bike?

The full loop of the island is between 15 and 18 kilometres depending on detours to the beaches. The route is mostly flat along the coast, with a few climbs inland to reach the wild coast of Grande Anse and Petite Anse.

Can you swim at Grande Anse on La Digue?

Swimming is not advised at Grande Anse because of strong currents and a powerful swell (no coral reef in this area). It is a beach to admire and photograph. For swimming, Anse Sévère, Anse Patates and Anse Source d’Argent are the recommended alternatives on the island.

Do you have to pay to access Anse Source d’Argent?

Yes. Anse Source d’Argent is accessible only through the L’Union Estate, whose entrance is 150 SCR per person (around 10 euros). The ticket is valid for the whole day and includes the estate visit: Aldabra giant tortoises, historic plantation, copra mill and colonial cemetery.