The granite everybody has already seen
Anse Source d'Argent
Beach · The granite
Anse Source d'Argent in short.
A string of small sand pools behind a reef on the west coast of La Digue, between granite boulders that have been worn into shapes that stopped looking real some time ago. It is inside L'Union Estate and there is an entrance fee.
Which months
Behind a reef and shallow, so it is sheltered whatever the wind is doing. The thing that changes here is the tide, not the season.
Anse Source d'Argent, in 6 frames.
Harvested from this beach's own Commons category, with the file's own title naming the beach. Captions are that title.
Photographs, under Creative Commons: A.Savin, FAL A.Savin, FAL A.Savin, FAL A.Savin, FAL A.Savin, FAL A.Savin, FAL A.Savin, FAL
The rocks
The granite of La Digue is among the oldest rock in any ocean island on earth, and at Anse Source d'Argent it has been worn into rounded stacks and hollows that catch the light differently every hour. The beach is not one beach: it is a sequence of small coves you walk between, each with its own set of boulders.
Late afternoon at low tide is the answer to almost every question about this place. The light comes in sideways, the pools go still, and the sand comes back out from under the water.
The estate, and what the ticket covers
The only way in on foot is through L'Union Estate, and the ticket covers the whole estate: the old plantation house, the copra mill with its ox still turning it on some days, the vanilla plantation, and a pen of Aldabra giant tortoises. Take cash.
The swimming is shallow and gentle, which makes it a good beach for children and a poor one for anybody who wants to actually swim. Anse Sévère, ten minutes north, is the answer to that.
How you arrive
About twenty minutes by bicycle from the La Digue jetty, south along the coast road, then through the L'Union Estate gate. Bicycles are rented at the jetty.
The sheet.
Checked 2 September 2026.
- Island
- La Digue, west coast
- Access
- through L'Union Estate. There is an entrance fee
- Water
- shallow pools behind a reef, calm whatever the wind is doing
- Best light
- late afternoon at low tide
What people ask.
When is Anse Source d'Argent calm?
Behind a reef and shallow, so it is sheltered whatever the wind is doing. The thing that changes here is the tide, not the season.
How do you get to Anse Source d'Argent?
About twenty minutes by bicycle from the La Digue jetty, south along the coast road, then through the L'Union Estate gate. Bicycles are rented at the jetty.
Is there anything on the beach?
Nothing built. Take what you need with you.
What we do arrange.
The sand is not ours. The car that gets you to it, the day out that takes in three more of them and the driver who meets the flight all are.
Car hire, from €45 a day
Ten cars, no deposit, handed over at the airport, the jetty or your hotel.
Days out and excursions
Island tours, boat days, snorkelling and walks, with real ratings and free cancellation to twenty-four hours.
Airport transfers
A driver who watches your flight number and waits with your name on a board.
The terminal photograph above: Remi Jouan, CC BY-SA 3.0
Planning a week around the right coast?
Send the dates. Meera will tell you which side of which island is calm in your month, and put the car and the days out around it.