The wild counterpoint to La Digue’s calm west coast. A wide, dramatic beach on the exposed east side, backed by hills and open to the ocean, gorgeous to look at and serious about its surf.
La Digue’s untamed side
While the west coast of La Digue is all sheltered lagoons, Grand Anse on the eastern side shows the island’s wilder face. It is a broad, handsome sweep of white sand facing the open Indian Ocean with no reef to soften the swell, so the waves roll in with real power and the whole beach has a big, elemental feel. Green hills rise behind it, and on a bright day the contrast of white sand, deep blue water and breaking surf is spectacular.
Reaching it is part of the adventure. Most people cycle across the island from the west coast, a ride of around half an hour that climbs over a low hill before dropping to the beach, and the sense of arriving somewhere less tamed is real.
A serious sea and a walk beyond
The honest warning matters here. In the southeast trade-wind season, roughly May to October, the currents and shore break at Grand Anse can be dangerous, and it is not a safe swimming beach when the sea is up. It is at its calmer and more swimmable during the northwest-wind months, but always judge the water carefully and do not underestimate it. Even when you cannot swim, it is a magnificent beach to walk and to photograph.
From Grand Anse a footpath leads on around the coast to the quieter neighbours of Petite Anse and Anse Cocos, turning a beach visit into a small hiking adventure for those with the time and the water to carry.
Know before you go
| Where | East coast of La Digue, reached by bike over the island |
| Type | Wide, wild ocean beach with no protecting reef |
| Swimming | Often unsafe in the trade-wind season, strong surf and currents |
| Access | Around a 30-minute cycle from the west coast, over a low hill |
| Onward | A trail continues to Petite Anse and Anse Cocos |
| Facilities | Limited, bring water and sun protection |
| Best time | Northwest-wind months for calmer sea, any time for the scenery |
What visitors say
★ 4.7 · 905 Google reviews★★★★★Grand Anse Beach is a long and beautiful beach with nice waves. It is clean and peaceful, and you can easily find a good spot on the beach to sit or lie down, relax, and enjoy the ocean view. Perfect place to spend some …
Aruna nair · via Google
★★★★★Clearly my favourite and the best beach of the world I would suggest. It is clean and you are at peace once you get here. To get here is a task, as it is a steep uphill climb even on the bikes you will feel pressure, pro…
Sumith Koshy · via Google
★★★★★Grand Anse is a very beautiful beach with stunning scenery and crystal-clear water. Especially the left side with the granite rocks gives the beach a unique and wild character. There is not much shade, so it can get qui…
Mag. Massimiliano Magnini · via Google
★★★★★A very long and beautiful beach with impressive waves, perfect for surfing enthusiasts. The access from the town is through a stunning forest, which you can explore either on foot or by bicycle, making the journey as en…
Alin Popescu · via Google
Grand Anse is the reward at the far side of a La Digue bike ride, and staying on the island lets you time it around the safest sea and the best light. Base yourself on La Digue to explore the east coast at your own pace.
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 Cocos · Anse Source d’Argent · L’Union Estate
Respect the sea here. In the trade-wind months the surf and currents are genuinely dangerous, so come for the drama and the walk, and save your swimming for the calmer west-coast lagoons.
