Hafen
La Digue

OVERVIEW

Delight in the pristine beauty of the Seychelles during this boat ride and excursion to an unspoiled island where nature abounds. Board a motorboat for an enjoyable ride to lush Aride Island, which is preserved by the Royal Society of Nature Conservation and is one of the most striking of the Seychelles’ granitic islands. You’ll discover the islet’s sheer escarpments offer spectacular views and numerous photo opportunities. Learn that Aride is also home to several avian species, such as frigate birds, brush warblers, roseate terns, red-tailed trop birds and the largest concentration of noddy and sooty terns of any granitic island in the Seychelles. You’ll wander along a nature trail, gaze at panoramic views of the surrounding islands and see the endangered Wright’s gardenia, unique to Aride Island. Savor time at your leisure to go for a swim in the Indian Ocean’s transparent waters or perhaps bask in the brilliant sun. As a memorable and tasty conclusion to your visit to this tropical wonderland, you’ll partake in a barbecue-style lunch on the glorious white-sand beach.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise on a motorboat to verdant Aride Island, property of the Royal Society of Nature Conservation.
• Marvel at Aride’s dramatic escarpments, expansive views and plethora of photo opportunities.
• Watch for birds like the brush warbler, noddy tern, frigate bird or the red-tailed trop flit among the trees.
• Stroll an inviting nature trail in search of the rare and fragrant Wright’s gardenia.
• Refresh with a dip in the glittering Indian Ocean or relax in the warm sunshine.
• Feast on a barbecue-style repast served on a fabulous, sun-kissed beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear swimwear under a cover-up and comfortable beach shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

OVERVIEW

Discover an abundance of diverse and colorful marine life during this superb snorkeling adventure in the teeming waters off diminutive Coco Island. Transfer to a jetty in La Digue and embark your awaiting catamaran for a cruise to idyllic Coco Island, a small granite outcrop boasting a few palm trees but hiding a magnificent treasure in its surrounding depths. You’ll find you need not worry if you have no snorkeling experience, as your professional crew will be on hand to provide assistance throughout your outing. After receiving instruction and your snorkeling gear, plunge into the translucent waters of this natural aquarium. You’ll swim above a wealth of coral amid turtles and hundreds of vividly multi-hued fish, rejoicing as blue tangs, Moorish idols and scissortail sergeants dart to and fro. You’re certain to cherish your immersion into this magical underwater world.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise on a catamaran to beguiling Coco Island and snorkel its crystalline waters.
• Receive guidance and equipment from experts, so no snorkeling experience is necessary.
• Relish time in the gin-clear waters, sighting turtles, colorful fish and striking corals.
• Spot vibrant blue tangs, eye-catching Moorish idols and striped scissortail sergeants.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Experience the Old World beauty and charm of the Seychelles during an orientation tour of picturesque La Digue. Enjoy a scenic drive to L’Union Estate, where you’ll gain insight into La Digue’s history at the estate’s old Creole house and coconut factory, and delight in daily life characterized by a decidedly relaxed pace punctuated by bicycles. Continue to La Digue’s beaches, considered to be among the world’s finest, including nearby Anse Source D’Argent, which has been called a bather’s and photographer’s dream. You’ll thrill to the soft white sands and dramatic granite boulders that have long enchanted visitors to the island. Keep a sharp lookout for the resident avian wonders, as you might catch sight of a Seychelles paradise flycatcher, a rare bird endemic to these islands that sports glossy black plumage with elongated tail feathers.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit intriguing L’Union Estate and see a coconut factory, a traditional Creole house and oxcarts that evoke the island’s colonial past.
• Appreciate La Digue’s white-sand beaches, recognized as some of the world’s most stunning.
• Search for one of the island’s splendid endemic birds, the exotic Seychelles paradise flycatcher.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

OVERVIEW

Embrace the exquisite beauty of the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on this pleasurable walking tour. Board a local ferry for a leisurely cruise to the charming island of Praslin, where you’ll embark on a coach ride to the lush Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve. Set off on an informative and enchanting guided tour surrounded by tropical vegetation and numerous species of exotic endemic palms, including the uncommon double coconut, or coco de mer, which bears the largest nut in the plant kingdom. Keep a sharp watch for the national bird of the Seychelles, the elusive black parrot, as it calls this island home and feeds on the reserve’s abundant fruit. You’ll enjoy refreshments before you leave this captivating haven, where your spirit and soul will surely be stirred by the wealth of nature’s bounty.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride a ferry to sublime Praslin Island for a visit to the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Delight in a guided stroll through myriad species of lush, tropical vegetation.
• See the endemic coco de mer palm, or double coconut, which produces the largest nut of any plant worldwide.
• Try to catch sight of the rare black parrot, the Seychelles’ national bird.
• Savor a welcome refreshment amid picturesque natural surroundings.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Snorkelling fans can discover the exotic marine world the Seychelles are famous for. After your tender ride ashore, board the catamaran and sail towards Coco Island. Cruise onboard a sailing catamaran for a snorkelling experience that is second to none. The island is merely a small granitic outcrop with a few palm trees, but its real treasure lies in the depths around. Often compared to a living aquarium, the site attracts numerous fish species floating to the surface to feed - a unique underwater paradise.

From the boat, enter the crystalline waters to swim and snorkel among brilliantly coloured fish. You may want to wear a T-shirt while snorkelling as sun protection and bring a second T-shirt to change into afterwards. Refreshments are served on board the catamaran. Upon your return to La Digue's Jetty you may decide to stay on La Digue or return on board for lunch with the ship's tender.

Embrace the captivating, Old World beauty and charm of La Digue, one of the prettiest islands in the Seychelles, during this scenic, half-day sightseeing and beach excursion.

La Digue Island, La Passe Village, l'Union Estate, Plantation House

Disembark La Digue's jetty and board the converted camionettes for the short drive to the l'Union Estate. From the picturesque harbour village of La Passe to l'Union Estate, this island has a special magic. The estate, with its fine, old Creole house and Coconut Factory, harkens back to a bygone era. During your visit, take a guided walking tour of the copra kiln, traditional coconut oil mill and Colonial plantation house.

Anse Source D'Argent, Free Time, White-Sand Beach, Granite Boulders, Swimming, Bird-Watching

Next, head by foot to Anse Source D'Argent Beach passing through the Vanilla Plantation. La Digue's beaches are among the finest in the world, especially Anse Source D'Argent, a bather's paradise and photographer's dream. The soft, white sands and dramatic granite boulders have enchanted visitors to the island through the centuries. During your free time here, you can soak up the tropical sun, stroll the white-sand beach and swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean. Sharp-eyed bird-watchers may be lucky enough to spot La Digue's paradise flycatcher, with its distinctive black plumage.

La Passe Village, Shopping Stop, La Digue Jetty

Following your beach visit, re-board return to La Digue Jetty