A tiny, exquisite beach at the northern tip of La Digue. Sculpted granite, a shallow turquoise pool and easy snorkelling make this little cove one of the island’s most photogenic corners.
A jewel at the top of the island
Anse Patates sits at the very northern tip of La Digue, a small pocket of sand hemmed in by some of the most beautifully shaped granite boulders in the Seychelles. It is little, and that is exactly its charm. Where the famous Anse Source d’Argent draws the crowds on the west coast, Patates offers a similar granite-and-turquoise beauty in a more intimate, easy-to-reach package right by the coast road.
The boulders here have been worn by the sea into smooth, sweeping forms, and the shallow water between them glows a startling blue-green. It is one of the most photographed little beaches on the island for good reason.
Snorkelling and a place to stay
When the sea is calm, the clear shallows and the rocks make for pleasant, easy snorkelling close to shore, with reef fish moving among the granite. As with all of La Digue’s more open beaches, take care when there is swell, but on a settled day it is a gentle, rewarding swim. The cove is small, so it feels quiet and personal even when other beaches are busy.
Anse Patates is easy to reach by bicycle, the classic way to get around flat little La Digue, and the well-known Patatran hotel sits right above it, making this corner an easy and lovely base or stop at the top of the island.
Know before you go
| Where | Northern tip of La Digue, on the coast road |
| Type | Small, scenic granite cove |
| Swimming | Pleasant on calm days, take care with any swell |
| Snorkelling | Easy and close to shore when the sea is settled |
| Access | A short cycle or walk from La Digue jetty |
| Best time | Calm, settled days, and softer light early or late |
What visitors say
★ 4.8 · 203 Google reviews★★★★★It is a small beach next to the road, but very pretty and also a decent spot for snorkeling and spotting turtles. It is hard to miss when cycling along the coastal road (as everyone should when on La Digue) and it will b…
Robbie van Doorn · via Google
★★★★★Beautiful place just below the road. Initially you won’t believe such a beach exists! Rock formations and blue water! Loved it!
Abhinav Bhardwaj · via Google
★★★★★One of the nicest beaches on the island. Yes small but quite. water is nice at least it was in september beginning of october. Keep in mind the winds do change with the 2 seasons.
Matthew Shope · via Google
★★★★★Small and unique beach. Def worth the bike ride. The sea itself is not very welcoming as there are a lot of rocks.
Yoni Budovsky · via Google
Little Anse Patates is one of the easy pleasures of a slow La Digue day. Staying on the island lets you reach it by bike at the quiet ends of the day rather than rushing a trip from Praslin.
Island day tripLa Digue island day tourfrom €200 per groupBook this tripTours via Viator, stays via Booking.com. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Anse Source d’Argent · Grand Anse (La Digue) · L’Union Estate
Bring a mask on a calm day and come by bike. This little cove is close to the road at the top of the island, so it is an easy, photogenic stop with gentle snorkelling right off the sand.
