Anse Source d'Argent is on the south-west coast of La Digue and is one of the most photographed beaches in the world. It is a string of shallow, calm turquoise pools set between huge sculpted granite boulders. You enter through the historic L'Union Estate, which charges a small entry fee and also has a coconut plantation and giant tortoises. The shallow water makes it gentle for families and unbeatable for photos. Come early or late for the best light and the fewest people.
La Digue
The most photographed beach on earth.
Anse Source d’Argent is the beach that put the Seychelles on a thousand posters and screensavers. On La Digue’s south-west coast, it is less one long beach than a series of small coves strung together between giant granite boulders, with shallow water in shades of turquoise. It rewards a little planning, so here is what to know.
Where it is and the entry through L’Union Estate
The beach sits behind the old L’Union Estate, and the normal way in is through the estate gate. There is a small entry fee, so check the current rate when you arrive. The estate is worth the walk in its own right, with an old plantation house, a traditional coconut and copra mill, and a pen of Aldabra giant tortoises. From the gate it is a short, flat walk to the first cove.
Getting there on La Digue
La Digue is famously a bicycle island, and that is how most people reach the beach. You hire a bike near the jetty at La Passe and ride a flat, easy ten to fifteen minutes south to the L’Union entrance. Ox-cart and electric buggy taxis exist for those who prefer not to cycle. If you are coming for the day, the ferry from Praslin takes about fifteen minutes and from Mahe around the hour.
The beach itself
What makes Source d’Argent unmistakable is the granite. Enormous boulders, smoothed and rounded over millions of years, rise straight out of pale sand and shallow water, splitting the shoreline into intimate pockets. The water across most of it is very shallow and very calm, held in by rock and reef, which is why it photographs like glass.
Swimming, families and tides
This is a wading and floating beach more than a swimming one. The shallow, sheltered pools are gentle and safe for small children, but at low tide the water can be too shallow for a proper swim and some areas show more rock and seagrass. If you want deeper water, the coves further along tend to open up. The calm conditions make it one of the most relaxing beaches in the country for families.
The best time and light
Light is everything here. Early morning and the last hour before sunset give the soft, warm glow that makes the granite and water look their best, and those are also the quietest times. The middle of the day brings the most day-trippers, strong overhead sun and the harshest light for photos. Going early also means you beat the bike traffic.
What is nearby
From the far end of Source d’Argent, a guided walk leads on to the wilder Anse Marron, a route best done with a local guide because of the rocks. Elsewhere on La Digue, Grand Anse, Petite Anse and Anse Cocos sit on the east coast, and the whole island is small enough to explore by bike in a day.
Where to stay and how to plan
Many people visit Source d’Argent as a day trip from Praslin, which is easy on the frequent ferry. To wake up on the island and have the beach near-empty first thing, stay on La Digue itself, where guesthouses and small self-catering places are the norm. Browse verified La Digue stays in our directory and check the ferry schedule to line up your crossing. You do not need a car on La Digue, a bike does it all.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entry fee for Anse Source d'Argent?
Yes. The usual way in is through the L'Union Estate, which charges a small entry fee, so check the current rate at the gate. The ticket also gives you the old plantation, the copra mill and the giant tortoises.
Can you swim at Anse Source d'Argent?
You can, but it is mainly a shallow wading and floating beach rather than a deep-swimming one, which makes it gentle and safe for young children. At low tide it can be very shallow with more rock and seagrass. Coves further along open up a little more.
How do you get to Anse Source d'Argent?
On La Digue you hire a bicycle near the La Passe jetty and ride about ten to fifteen minutes south to the L'Union Estate entrance, then walk in. Ox-cart and buggy taxis are available too. From Praslin the ferry takes about fifteen minutes.
When is the best time to visit for photos?
Early morning or the hour before sunset. The soft, warm light makes the granite and shallow water glow, and those are also the quietest times. Midday brings crowds and harsh overhead light.
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