La Digue Island
La Digue is a granite island that has spectacular rock formations and secluded beaches. The best way to travel around this, the fourth largest island in the archipelago, is by foot, bicycle or ox-cart. There are only a few vehicles on the island.
The highest point on this small two-by-three-mile (3×5 km) island is 1092 feet (333 m). A lovely walking trail is found from La Passe to Grand’ Anse, and can be completed on foot or by bicycle. We spent three days exploring the island by bicycle and would have loved to have stayed longer.
The island is reached by a 30-minute boat ride from Praslin.
Related Travel Information
Seychelles : Geography
The Seychelles are right in the heart of the Indian Ocean between the African East Coast and India. They are a bit closer to Africa geographically speaking but culturally and geologically speaking it is maybe closer to the Indian subcontinent. The Seychelles are the only granite islands in the world (all the others are volcanic or biological in origin) which accounts for it's unusual rock formations. The islands were "left behind" as the Indian sub-continent moved northward on its way to collide with Asia.
The Seychelles consist of 115 islands, all of the type "tropical paradise used in
Felicite Island
Felicite is a small granite island with sandy white beaches reached by a 30-minute boat ride from Praslin or La Digue. This is an exclusive island in that only one party of up to eight guests is accommodated at a time.
Silhouette Island
Located 15 minutes northwest of Mahe by helicopter, the unspoiled granite island is the third largest island in the Seychelles and can be seen from the north coast of Mahe Mountains rise to 2427 feet (740 m) on this thickly forested round island that is approximately three miles (5 km) in diameter.
Desroches Island
Desroches, a coral island six miles long and 1/2 mile wide (10 x 1 km), the largest island in the Amirantes group, is situated an hour by air from Mahe. This is an excellent island for those who enjoy water sports. Scuba diving is excellent.
Bird Island (Ile Aux Vaches)
Bird Island is a small coral island (1.5 x 0.5 mi./2.5 x 1 km) located about 60 miles (100 km) north of Mahe — about a 30 minute flight. A leisurely walk around this pristine island, stopping for an occasional swim and snorkel, takes about two to three hours.
During our visit, there were millions of sooty terns nesting on the island, an event which usually occurs April - October. We also encountered "Esmeralda" — one of the largest giant tor¬toises in the world, thought to be over 150 years old.
