How do you pick a favourite beach in the Seychelles? With its coral sands and
remote location, the star of La Digue makes a play for travellers’ hearts
Steeped in desert-island allure, the Seychelles
archipelago is scattered with drop-dead
gorgeous beaches. It’s almost impossible to
choose a favourite. Anse Source d’Argent on
the island of La Digue, however, is something
special. Its backdop is dramatically
architectural. Huge grey granite boulders, as
tall as mansions and curvaceous as elephants,
frame the scene. Light bounces gently off the
sea and the water is as shallow as a paddling
pool. Along with Anse Intendance on Mahé
and Anse Lazio on Praslin, its supermodel
good looks are legendary.
These shores are also models of marine
conservation. In March 2020, the Seychelles
announced the final details of a new initiative
to designate 30% of its waters — a region
larger than Germany — as Marine Protected
Areas, to help safeguard ocean species,
habitats and livelihoods against over-fishing
and the effects of climate change.
With a name that means ‘silver spring’,
the kilometre-long Anse Source d’Argent
is particularly envy-inducing. It’s a
quintessential paradise, with immaculate
coral sand, impossibly blue water and the
luxury of solitude — sheer heaven.
HOW TO DO IT: Mahlatini offers an 11-day trip
to Mahé and La Digue in the Seychelles from
£3,270 per person sharing, including half-
board accommodation, transfers and return
flights from London. mahlatini.comBIRYA NI
The Indian Ocean is one of
the world’s most colourful
culinary melting pots: the
air is scented with spices;
breakfast tables are laden
with ripe, juicy fruit; and
chefs work African and
Asian ingredients into
dishes such as biryani (rice
with spices and marinaded
meat or vegetables), bhuna
(curry based on spices fried
in oil) and golden breadfruit
fritters, fried in gram flour
batter. Cooking classes are
available in resorts across
the region: in the Maldives,
for example, luxury
eco-resort Constance
Moofushi offers kitchen
masterclasses on request.
constancehotels.comanse source d’argent
96 nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel
INDIAN OCEAN