How to Visit Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue: Travel Guide to the Iconic Beach in Seychelles
All you need to know about the famous paradise beach on La Digue, including how to get there, what to expect, where to stay and our best tips | Hi! We're Alex & Victoria - a digital nomad couple from Copenhagen escaping 9-5 to chase adventures in our beautiful world. Learn more about us here. |
Discovering tropical paradise
Anse Source d’Argent, located on the idyllic La Digue Island, is the best beach in the Seychelles Islands if you ask us.
Perhaps it’s even the most beautiful beach in the world?
Well, it’s definitely up there and thanks to its huge unique rock formations and unparalleled natural beauty, it has become one of the most famous beaches on the planet.
It’s highly likely that the captivating photos of Anse Source d’Argent’s scenic beach views were what sparked your desire to visit Seychelles in the first place.
It sure was one of the main reasons we wanted to go here in the first place. And we’re glad to say that Anse Source d’Argent lives up to the expectations and then some!
Anse Source d’Argent has it all
Whether you’re seeking a relaxing beach vacation, thrilling snorkelling experiences or an Instagrammable spot on La Digue, Anse Source d’Argent offers it all.
As we ventured into this tropical paradise, we were charmed by its pristine white sand beaches, granite boulders and crystal-clear waters.
In this travel guide to Anse Source d’Argent Beach on La Digue, we’ll tell you why you should visit, how to get there, where to stay and our best tips for one of the top attractions in Seychelles.
Where to stay near Anse Source d’Argent:
- Budget: Villa Des Flots – A great budget option.
- Value for money: Le Repaire Boutique Hotel – Where we stayed on La Digue.
- Luxury: Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort and Spa – The best hotel on the island.
Search for the best value accommodation on La Digue Island.
Table of contents
Why visit Anse Source d’Argent
Visiting Anse Source d’Argent is an absolute must for beach lovers and anyone seeking a memorable time in this palm-fringed heaven.
Seychelles’ most iconic beach is where you will find the famous rock formations.
The combination of granite boulders and turquoise waters makes it one of the most unique beaches in the world.
In fact, the pictures of Anse Source d’Argent were the reason we got Seychelles on our radar!
And during our two-week island adventure in Seychelles, the picturesque beach was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.
Is Anse Source d’Argent really worth visiting?
Now, to be honest, Anse Source d’Argent may not be for you if you don’t love beaches.
There’s an entrance fee to visit the beach and some people believe it’s a waste of money.
As a matter of fact, there are other really gorgeous beaches on La Digue Island (and Seychelles in general) and they are all free to visit.
If you only like sunbathing or swimming for a short amount of time or have to keep a tight budget, Anse Source d’Argent might not be worth it for you.
Also, while often mentioned as a secluded beach, we have to point out that it’s not a secret beach (anymore) and that there will be other people.
However, when we visited Anse Source d’Argent in July, we were the first ones on the beach in the morning and the last ones to leave at sunset. During the day, it didn’t feel crowded at all.
Anse Source d’Argent is renowned as one of the top attractions in Seychelles and we certainly see the attraction.
Having visited spectacular beaches in beautiful countries like the Cook Islands, Indonesia and Thailand, we were still blown away by the beauty of Anse Source d’Argent.
If you are a beach enthusiast like us, your Seychelles vacation is not complete without a visit to this tropical paradise!
What to expect of Anse Source d’Argent
Now you know why you should visit Anse Source d’Argent so we’ll tell you a bit more about what to expect.
To get to the unique beach, you will have to go through the L’Union Estate, a former coconut plantation which is interesting to visit in its own right. We’ll tell you more about that further down in the travel guide.
The estate, and therefore also the beach, is located on the southwestern part of La Digue and since the island is quite small, you can easily reach it by bike or by walking from the main town.
When you have entered L’Union Estate, Anse Source d’Argent is about 1 kilometre south of the entrance.
If you’re biking, you can leave your bicycle at the beginning of the path to the beach – there are signs leading you through the estate and it will make sense where to put it when you are there.
Rows of pretty beaches
Following the path to Anse Source d’Argent, you will suddenly find yourself amidst the huge granite boulders and probably recognise some of the spots from this travel guide.
And while you can settle down at the white-sanded beach right at the beginning, you should know that Anse Source d’Argent actually consists of several small beaches along the coast – so don’t be afraid to walk a bit further and check them out before finding the perfect place for the day.
The rows of beaches are also the reason it’s relatively easy to find your own spot in the powdery sand despite Anse Source d’Argent’s popularity.
Snorkelling at Anse Source d’Argent
A coral reef shields Anse Source d’Argent from the open ocean, resulting in calm, shallow waters with gentle waves.
That makes the beach an excellent spot for snorkelling!
Explore the underwater world and encounter a diverse array of marine life, colourful corals and tropical fish.
Kayaking at Anse Source d’Argent
There are more ways than one to enjoy the splendour of Anse Source d’Argent and what could be better than to witness the immense granite boulders from the water’s perspective?
Crystal Water Kayaks is located just before you enter the beach and from here, you can rent a see-through kayak to take out into the sea for a unique view of the rock formations and palm-lined stretches of sand.
They are also perfect for that Instagram-worthy photo you’ve been dreaming about.
If you want to explore more, you can go on what they call a 3-hour educational adventure tour.
The fully-guided group tours are dependent on the tides and can start anywhere between 09:00 and 16:00.
Apart from delightful views, the tour includes beach time on Anse Pierrot (one of the harder-to-reach beaches on La Digue), a coconut survival competition, a cave visit and more.
L’Union Estate
L’Union Estate on La Digue serves as a historic estate and attraction, providing insight into Seychellois culture, history and traditional practices – and it also has a functional plantation.
To access Anse Source d’Argent Beach, you have to go through L’Union Estate.
While you can certainly get a good impression of the estate from walking or biking through it, we recommend you spend a little more time here as this is also one of the best things to do on La Digue Island.
Perhaps the most striking feature of the estate is the 700 million-year-old Granite Monolith, taking up a whopping 4,000 m².
Around it lives a big group of Aldabra giant tortoises, sadly enclosed – in contrast to their free-roaming counterparts on Curieuse Island.
Right next to the enclosure, you can check out the vanilla plantation which is still in use.
The estate is also home to the cemetery of the original settlers of La Digue.
Don’t miss The Plantation House in L’Union Estate for a prime example of the French colonial architecture on the island.
Practical information
Price of visiting Anse Source d’Argent
Since the beach is part of the private L’Union Estate, there’s an entrance fee of 150 SCR (about 11 EUR/11 USD)* per person.
But it is well worth the money if you ask us! Especially if you are a beach lover like we are.
The entry pass grants you access for the entire day, allowing you the flexibility to leave and return to the estate and Anse Source d’Argent multiple times at your convenience.
*The price was last updated in 2023.
Food and drinks
The Old Pier Café is located inside the L’Union Estate and it’s a great spot to visit for lunch if you can get yourself to (momentarily) leave one of the world’s most beautiful tropical beaches.
Thankfully, the beach view from Old Pier Café is still great.
We ordered two delicious vegetable curries and fresh mango juice.
Next to Old Pier Café, you can find toilets, too.
There are also a couple of drink stalls serving fresh coconuts and fruit juices on Anse Source d’Argent.
How to get to Anse Source d’Argent
Assuming you are already on La Digue, reaching Anse Source d’Argent is quite straightforward.
From the main town or La Digue jetty, you can either walk or rent a bicycle to get to L’Union Estate and the beach.
Walking to the entrance of the estate takes about 15-25 minutes depending on where in town you’re staying.
Biking is undoubtedly quicker and highly convenient for exploring L’Union Estate’s surroundings.
Anse Source d’Argent is about 1 kilometre south of the entrance.
Visiting Anse Source d’Argent from Praslin or Mahé
If you are staying on Praslin or Mahé, it’s possible to visit Anse Source d’Argent on a day trip – but it will probably involve an early start.
While a day trip can provide a taste of Anse Source d’Argent’s beauty, we think you should consider staying overnight on La Digue to fully immerse yourself in the experience and explore more of the island’s attractions.
However, if you don’t have the time, check out these boat trip day tours that will take you to Seychelles’ most iconic beach.
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Map of Anse Source d’Argent
Anse Source d’Argent is situated on the southwestern coast of La Digue Island in Seychelles.
When to visit Anse Source d’Argent
Best time of the day to visit Anse Source d’Argent
Our best tip is to arrive early in the morning as most people start showing up around 10-11 AM.
If you have the time, stay until sunset when everyone has left.
This will give you complete privacy to enjoy one of the best beaches in the world in total tranquillity (and hopefully with a colourful sunset).
Best time of the year to visit La Digue
Seychelles is a year-round destination, but it’s important to note certain seasonal weather fluctuations that could be beneficial to be aware of.
The sun almost always shines and the temperatures consistently hover between 24°C and the low 30s (it very rarely gets hotter than 32°C).
The best time to visit is generally considered spring or autumn when tourism is at its lowest and the weather is at its best.
High season is the summer months of July and August and over Christmas and New Year in December and January. Autumn is also a popular time to visit.
The warmest months are February, March, April and May.
The sea breeze is at its strongest between May and October, which isn’t ideal for snorkelling or diving. The best visibility is found during April, May, October and November.
It rains all year (it’s the tropics, after all), but often just in short bursts. The average humidity is 80%.
The south-east-trade wind picks up between May and September, while the north-west trade wind blows between December and February. In-between there’s almost no wind.
La Digue very rarely gets hit by tropical storms because of its lucky location.
The ocean temperature stays at around 26°C year-round.
Where to stay near Anse Source d’Argent
Where to stay on La Digue Island
As La Digue is so small, where you stay geographically on the island isn’t super important as you can easily go everywhere with a bike.
Getting to Anse Source d’Argent is easy no matter where you choose to stay.
But there are small differences.
The main three places to stay on La Digue can broadly be categorized as staying by the town waterfront, on the town backstreets or by the northern beaches.
- There is only one “town” on La Digue (it’s very small!), and this is where you’ll find almost all the shops, restaurants and hotels.
Staying waterfront here is perfect. While the beaches aren’t the best, you’re situated in the middle of the island and can go everywhere easily. And you have all amenities at your doorstep.
- Staying in the backstreets is the budget option. This is where most of the cheaper guesthouses are found. You’ll be further from the action, but not much more than a few hundred metres.
- Staying near the northern beaches is an interesting option. You’ll be very near some of the loveliest beaches on La Digue, but you’ll also be (relatively) far away from the rest of the island.
We tried staying on both the town waterfront and in the backstreets and liked both options a lot. Next time around, we could easily see ourselves being based by the northern beaches.
Search for the best value accommodation on La Digue here (adlink).
The best romantic hotels on La Digue
Le Repaire Boutique Hotel
We stayed our first two nights on La Digue at Le Repaire and absolutely loved our stay.
The hotel very much has a boutique feel to it. It’s small, cosy and there has been paid a lot of attention to detail in the rooms. The communal spaces also feel super relaxed.
There’s a pool as well as direct beach access to one of the best beaches on the western side of La Digue.
The beaches here aren’t as postcard pretty as their counterparts on the rest of the island, but the beach right in front of Le Repaire is great for relaxing in the sun and cooling off in the water.
Quality pizza is hard to come by in the tropics in general, but somehow Le Repaire manages to bake outstanding pies in their Italian restaurant.
Breakfast is served as a buffet and here again, the food quality is satisfyingly high. Our experience as vegans was great.
It’s possible to rent bicycles directly from Le Repaire.
All in all, there’s no way around the fact that Le Repaire Boutique Hotel is a top choice for a romantic stay on La Digue.
Check prices and availability at Le Repaire Boutique Hotel (adlink).
Le Nautique Waterfront Hotel La Digue
Le Nautique is located right next to Le Repaire and seems rather similar in several aspects.
Here the pool overlooks the ocean, and while there’s not much of a beach in front of the hotel (depending on the tide), the beautiful waters are still very swimmable.
The rooms look wonderful and the restaurant comes recommended.
We have no reason not to think staying here would be an incredible experience.
Check prices and availability at Le Nautique Waterfront Hotel La Digue (adlink).
Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort and Spa
While there are technically no 5-star resorts on La Digue, Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort and Spa probably comes the closest.
It’s expensive, naturally, but for all those Seychellois rupees you do get a lot of value.
The pool area is spacious, and so is the beach here (which is very unique for staying in the town).
The location of the hotel kind of marks the end point of the town, which is in many ways the perfect place to be. This way, you’re still close to the ferry, restaurants etc., but you’re also just a quick walk away from Anse Severe – perhaps the best all-around (family-friendly) beach on La Digue for swimming and relaxing.
Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie is a beautiful place to stay. A romantic holiday is almost guaranteed here.
Check prices and availability at Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort and Spa (adlink).
Six Senses Zil Pasyon
Six Senses Zil Pasyon is not located on La Digue, but rather a stone’s throw away at Felicite Island.
If you’re looking for a true 5-star (or 6-star? 7-star??) experience in Seychelles, this is it.
The resort is considered one of the best in the world (and also one of the most expensive).
Staying here for just one night costs more than most people make in a month – or even a year.
But if you have that kind of money to spend, this is where you would want to do so.
Check prices and availability at Six Senses Zil Pasyon (adlink).
The best budget hotels on La Digue
Hotel L’Ocean
Situated at La Digue’s northernmost tip, a long family-friendly beach is just metres away from Hotel L’Ocean – and so is the super small but very photogenic Anse Patates.
The rooms look comfortable, and like all the other hotels recommended here, there’s free wifi, A/C and a private bathroom.
Check prices and availability at Hotel L’Ocean (adlink).
Villa Des Flots
With a secluded location in La Digue’s northeast right next to the beach, staying at Villa Des Flots is quite different from staying in one of the hotels in town – even though it’s just 2.5 kilometres away.
Up here, the tempo is as slow and relaxed as it gets.
The beaches are wild, untamed and stunning.
And if you just want to get away from it all and listen to the sounds of the ocean, this is the perfect place.
Check prices and availability at Villa Des Flots (adlink).
Zanboza Guesthouse
Located on the way to the island’s wild eastern coast just after the town, Zanboza Guesthouse is worth taking a look at if you want a no-frills stay close to nature.
Staying here means it’s easy to get to both sides of the island.
As the hotel is located on top of a (relatively small) hill, it’s perhaps not ideal if you easily feel out of breath. The upside is that the views are great.
Check prices and availability at Zanboza Guesthouse (adlink).
What to bring to Anse Source d’Argent
- Travel insurance. Never travel without it!
- A good camera – here’s a guide to the gear we use.
- Sunscreen, a sunhat, sunglasses or other sun protection.
- Swimwear and a beach towel.
- Water and snacks.
- Cash in case the credit card machine at L’Union Estate doesn’t work.
Sustainable travel tips
To minimise your impact on Anse Source d’Argent, follow these guidelines:
- Bring your own drinking water in a refillable bottle.
- Avoid single-use plastics.
- Dispose of waste properly. While putting your trash in a nearby trashcan is convenient, wrappers and other small items are prone to get taken by the wind and end up in the ocean.
- Check your sunscreen. Many brands contain oxybenzone and other chemicals that are harmful to corals.
- Take only photos, leave only footprints. Let shells and corals stay in their natural home.
- Respect wildlife.
Thanks for reading
Thanks for reading our travel guide to Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue Island in Seychelles. We hope it has been useful!
What do you think about the granite boulders and turquoise waters?
If you’ve been to Anse Source d’Argent, it would be awesome to hear your best tips and tricks.
If you haven’t been yet, please don’t hesitate to ask us anything in the comments. We’re glad to help.
Our favourite travel resources:
- Booking.com for cheap hotels.
- Momondo for the best flight deals.
- SafetyWing for travel insurance. We also like World Nomads and True Traveller. All three compared here.
Our camera gear:
- Panasonic GH5. Used for all of our photos and videos.
- DJI Mavic 2 Pro. Best drone out there!
- Sirui Tripod. Lightweight and strong.
- See all of our camera gear here.
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