La Digue Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in La Digue

The Seychelles is an unspoilt tropical paradise thousands of miles from anywhere. Here you will find magnificent palm-fringed beaches, superb snorkelling and diving, and plenty of forested wilderness filled with wildlife.

La Digue is situated a short distance from Praslin, but is unreachable by plane, instead a short boat ride from Praslin to La Digue is required, lasting only 20 minutes or so.

La Digue is the fourth largest and third most populated of the islands within the Seychelles, with over 2,000 inhabitants. Several hotels exist on the island, providing comfortable accommodation, the most popular being La Digue Island Lodge. In addition there are several guesthouses offering simpler accommodation. It is also possible to visit the island on a day trip from Praslin.

Suited to middle to upmarket nature-lovers seeking total relaxation and an away-from-it-all holiday. A haven for romantically inclined couples, a popular honeymoon destination.

Locality:

La Digue is off the east coast of Africa, in the Indian Ocean. (it is 660 mls NE of Madagascar and 995 mls E of Kenya. Nearest international airport is on the neighbouring island of Mahe, 27 mls). La Digue is the fourth largest of the Seychelles group.

Population: 81.190
Languages: Seselwa Creole 92%, English 5%, French (all offici
Currency: Seychelles rupee
Currency code: SCR
Local Times:
Seychelles - Victoria

Country Dialling Code: +248
Voltage: 240V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
3 large flat prongs

The Seychelles is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar, consisting of more than 100 islands of which 83 are named and 46 are permanently uninhabited. Mahé is the principal island comprising of 142 sq km, with the islands of Praslin, La Digue and Silhouette being the next important . Situated about 1,600 km off the east coast of Africa, Mahe extends 27 km north to south and 11 km east to west and has a coastline of 127 km.

The Seychelles islands are amonsgst the most romantic and beautiful destinations in the world. With crystal turquoise seas, colourful coral reefs, powdery white beaches and vast granite rocks emerging from the lush rainforests, the islands will dazzle the eyes and senses of even the most seasoned tourist. The islands stretch across nearly one million square kilometres of the Indian Ocean.

The granite islands rise above the sea surface to form a peak or ridge which, in the case of Mahé, attains an elevation of 3,000 ft at Morne Seychellois, the highest point. Rugged crests, towering cliffs, boulders and domes contribute to the islands great natural beauty. Here and there, in the hollows between the rock relief, are pockets of lateritic soil, often very thin and easily eroded.

Mahé possesses white sandy beaches which, for a distance of 200 or 300 years, are flats of coral and shell known locally as plateaus, although they rarely achieve an elevation of more than 10 ft above sea level. Small streams descending the mountain slopes deposit alluvial material, creating the most fertile soils on the island.

The coralline Seychelles are, in contrast, low-lying, rising only a few feet above the surface of the sea. Many have the typical Indian Ocean lagoon. Soils tend to be thin with poor moisture retention. These island are suited only to coconut palm and a few other species.

La Digue Travel Guide

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