Anse Source D’argent
Perhaps the most photographed beach on earth. On La Digue, a string of shallow lagoons and sculpted pink granite boulders reached through the old L’Union Estate, endlessly beautiful and best caught early or late.
The beach behind a thousand photographs
If you have ever seen a picture of the Seychelles, there is a good chance it was Anse Source d’Argent. On the west coast of La Digue, it is less a single beach than a series of small sandy coves separated by enormous, smooth granite boulders sculpted into shapes that look almost deliberate. A reef sits close offshore, so the water in the lagoons is shallow, warm and glassy calm, glowing turquoise over pale sand.
That combination of pink-tinged rock, still water and palm shade has made it one of the most photographed beaches in the world, and it lives up to the billing. It is a place to wander from cove to cove, wade in the shallows and simply look, as much as to swim.
Getting in, and getting it at its best
Access is part of the experience. You reach the beach through the old L’Union Estate, paying a small entry fee at the gate, and most people arrive by bicycle, which is the classic way to get around flat little La Digue. The ride there past the estate and the granite is half the pleasure.
Two honest notes. The lagoon is shallow, so it is better for wading, photographs and gentle floating than for real swimming, and at low tide some stretches almost dry out. And it gets busy in the middle of the day. Come early in the morning or late in the afternoon and you get softer light, cooler air and long stretches of it closer to yourself.
Know before you go
| Where | West coast of La Digue, reached through L’Union Estate |
| Type | Shallow lagoon coves among sculpted pink granite boulders |
| Access | Through L’Union Estate with a small entry fee, usually by bicycle |
| Swimming | Shallow and calm, better for wading and floating than deep swimming |
| Tides | Some stretches nearly dry at low tide, check the timing |
| Best time | Early morning or late afternoon for light and space |
| Bring | Water shoes, sun protection, a camera |
What visitors say
★ 4.6 · 2,360 Google reviews★★★★★One of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with some of the most magical sunsets I have seen, like paintings in the sky. The best way to fully explore the national park day and night and to experience the beautiful…
Ms. Y · via Google
★★★★★Anse Source d’Argent was one of our favourite beaches in La Digue. The intricately carved granite rocks (by nature) and the colour of the water was what took our breath away Accessibility: There is some amount of walkin…
neldoshi · via Google
★★★Anse Source d’Argent is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and truly unique—especially when it comes to its famous granite rock formations, which make it an incredible photo spot. It’s quite diffe…
Mag. Massimiliano Magnini · via Google
★★★★★Just an absolutely magical place to be at! I thought the Maldives had better water colors, but this is as good as It gets. You add the beautiful rock formation and you get one of the most beaches in the entire World!!
Steve Rainville · via Google
Many visitors see Source d’Argent on a La Digue day trip from Praslin, but the beach rewards those who stay the night. Base yourself on La Digue to reach it by bike at dawn before the crowds.
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 L’Union Estate · Grand Anse (La Digue) · Anse Cocos
Beat the crowds and the tide. Cycle in when L’Union Estate opens in the morning, or come back in the last hour of light, and check the tide so the lagoons are full when you arrive.
