ROMANTIC BEACH ON LA DIGUE, SEYCHELLES
ANSE SOURCE D'ARGENT

Story and photos by Barb & Ron Kroll

If you're looking for an unspoiled and exotic beach vacation destination, consider Anse Source d'Argent. Located four degrees south of the equator, on the southwest coast of La Digue, Seychelles, the Indian Ocean beach is 1,600 kilometres east of Kenya and 3,200 kilometres southwest of India.

Anse Source d'Argent beach and granite rocks. La Digue.

Photo © Barb & Ron Kroll

Anse Source d'Argent is one of many dazzling beaches in the Seychelles. (The main island of Mahé, alone, has 68.)

La Digue beach

Soaring pink-grey granite boulders frame the crescent of powdery pink sand on Anse Source d'Argent. Shallow, bathtub- warm water tickles your ankles as you stroll along the beach, through the gentle surf. Water color varies from peacock blue to cat's eye green.

The only litter is fallen coconuts from the tall palms fringing the beach. The only concession to commerce is a little shack that sells soft drinks, samosas, fresh coconut and banana fritters.

Don snorkel gear and wade into the water to view iridescent tropical fish hovering near the reef. La Digue, and the Seychelles, offer snorkellers and divers more than 200 species of fish. Underwater visibility is up to 50 meters.

Bird watching

Bring binoculars to watch wheeling frigate birds, petrels and terns. If you're lucky, you may spot an endangered Black Paradise-flycatcher.

The Seychelles were once believed to be the location of the Garden of Eden. The weather is conducive to wearing little more than a strategically placed fig leaf, with year-round temperatures ranging between 24 and 30 degrees C. There is no pollution here. No poisonous insects or dangerous wildlife invade this beach paradise.

How to get to La Digue

To get to La Digue, take a three-hour boat trip northeast of the main island of Mahé or, better yet, a half-hour inter-island schooner from Praslin. (Air Seychelles flies from Mahé to Praslin.)

From the landing dock, ride an oxcart, walk or cycle to the beach. La Digue is small, only five kilometres by three kilometres, with a population of 2,500 people.

Along the route, stop at the Union Estate Copra (dried coconut) Factory museum display. You'll learn how islanders used a bull-powered mill to crush 35 kg of copra to make 10 litres of coconut oil each day. You'll also see some 90-year-old Aldabra tortoises and a small vanilla plantation.

Anse Source d'Argent beach. La Digue, Seychelles.

Photo © Barb & Ron Kroll

Film location

It's no surprise that the beach was the film location for Crusoe and Castaway movies. Seductive, tranquil and pristine, Anse Source d' Argent is the quintessential postcard beach where visitors can indulge their fantasies, be they escapism or romance.

For more information:

Seychelles Islands – Sailing Vacation on Le Ponant