La Digue is a sleepy island where life is relaxed and nobody is ever in a hurry. Creole houses nestle under papaya trees with flowers overflowing from window boxes and plant pots. Fishermen dawdle along the road with fish hanging from sticks, wooden pirogues glide across the water and ox-carts and bicycles are the principle forms of transport.
Whilst small, just 5 kilometres long and 3 kilometres wide, La Digue is not short of exquisite beaches. The coast is lined with pretty coves, soft, white sand, interspersed with granite boulders that turn pink in the sunset. The beaches are flanked by coconut palms and fairy terns and white-tailed tropicbirds are a common sight. Offshore, La Digue is surrounded by a necklace of coral reefs. Here, snorkelling will reveal corals, sponges, and all manner of fish from emperor angelfish to starfish and turtles.
La Digue is ideal for relaxation, although there are gentle activities to enjoy as well. You can enjoy bike rides along the coast, visit the coconut plantation and ramble to view points and deserted beaches. Hundreds of black paradise flycatchers are protected in La Digue Vev Reserve, a lovely spot to while away a few hours, where gentle trails lead through takamaka and badamier trees. Finally, you can take boat trips to the islands of Iles Cocos, Marianne and Les Soeurs, all of which are even quieter than La Digue.