Hiking to Anse Marron: The Most Adventurous Trail on La Digue, Seychelles

🏝️ About La Digue: Seychelles’ Laid-Back Island Paradise

La Digue is the third most populated island in Seychelles, yet it feels like a world of its own. Known for its granite boulders, postcard-perfect beaches, and bicycle-only roads, this tranquil haven is the epitome of slow island living.

📍 Location: La Digue lies northeast of Mahé and just 15 minutes by ferry from Praslin. The island is small enough to explore by foot or bike, but its wild southern coast is best tackled with a guide.

🌟 Why It's Special: With no cars and a laid-back vibe, La Digue invites you to disconnect and soak in nature. It’s also home to Anse Source d’Argent, one of the world’s most photographed beaches, and the rare Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher.

🚤 How to Get There: Fly into Mahé International Airport, ferry to Praslin, then hop on a catamaran or ferry to La Digue. Daily connections are frequent and scenic.  You can conveniently search schedules, compare prices, and book your ferry tickets HERE via 12GoAsia – your go-to platform for seamless island-hopping in the Seychelles.

🗓️ Best Time to Visit: April to October offers dry, sunny weather – perfect for hiking and swimming. Avoid January and February if you don’t like rain.

💡 Travel Tip: You can easily search, compare, and book the best flight deals to the Seychelles right HERE via Booking Flights – fast, reliable, and tailored to your travel dates.

🌅 Why the Hike to Anse Marron is So Special

Even though La Digue is a relatively small island, its southern trails are surprisingly wild, rugged, and often unmarked. Therefore, navigating them on your own can be risky. Without a guide, it's easy to lose your way, especially when the trail leads through dense jungle, slippery granite boulders, and sea-washed paths.

Thankfully, we had Robert by our side – not only a certified guide and lifeguard, but also a true local legend. His deep knowledge of the terrain, tides, and hidden paths made us feel safe and confident throughout the journey. In addition, his sense of humor and jungle survival skills added a whole new layer of fun to the experience.

Moreover, this isn't your average island stroll – the hike includes climbing, crawling, and wading through shallow coastal waters. As a result, it's physically demanding, but the reward is priceless: a beach so remote, it feels like your own private paradise.

💡 Travel Tip: Since this hike is only possible during low tide and gets booked out quickly, make sure to reserve your spot in advance.

🗓️ Key Info About the Anse Marron Hiking Tour

🌿 The Route: From Jungle Trails to Hidden Beaches

The trail winds along the wild southern coastline of La Digue, blending jungle mystery with rugged seascapes. As we moved forward from the golden sands of Grand Anse, each new stop revealed a different side of the island’s untouched beauty.

🌊 Anse Songe – This small, rocky beach greeted us with dramatic waves crashing against sculpted granite cliffs. Although swimming here is not safe, the wild energy of the sea and the raw landscape was breathtaking.

🌿 Grand L’Anse – A sweeping, crescent-shaped beach followed next. It felt almost surreal – wide, empty, and completely silent except for the wind and the waves. Along the way, we noticed tiny crabs skittering across the sand and driftwood scattered along the shore.

🪸 Pointe Camille – At this point, the trail became more technical. We had to climb massive boulders and walk along narrow rock edges. Fortunately, Robert was always close by, offering encouragement and pointing out safe footholds.

🤍 Anse Marron – After nearly three hours, we finally reached our destination. Nestled between polished granite boulders, Anse Marron felt like a lost world. Because of the natural rock formations, it offers a protected tidal pool, making it perfect for a refreshing swim.

Along the entire route, we climbed over jagged rocks, ducked under tree branches, and occasionally waded knee-deep through saltwater. Even though the path was demanding, the experience was profoundly rewarding.

Thankfully, Robert made it manageable. He guided us step by step through the hardest parts, helped anyone who struggled, and even carried a few bags when needed. As a result, we felt confident and safe despite the remote and wild terrain. Hiking to Anse Marron: An Epic Seychelles Adventure with Sunny Trail Guide.

🧙‍♀️ Wildlife & Jungle Survival Tricks

Along the way, we spotted a surprising variety of wildlife and flora.  The rare Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher flew close to us, curious and unafraid. This elusive bird, which is endemic to La Digue, is a special sight for nature lovers. We also came across wild cinnamon trees – and yes, we chewed the leaves, which had a warm, spicy flavor that lingered on the tongue.  In addition, we saw lizards basking on rocks, intricate palm spiders weaving their webs, and countless plants we’d never seen before.

Because Robert is not only a hiking guide but also a skilled outdoorsman, he gave us a quick jungle survival lesson. Within seconds, he scaled a nearby palm tree with ease, grabbed several coconuts, and returned to show us how to open them using nothing but a sharp rock. The coconut water was cool and hydrating, and the soft flesh was the perfect post-hike snack.

Moreover, this spontaneous moment felt like a scene from a nature documentary. We all stood in awe, watching Robert demonstrate the simple yet powerful knowledge of how to live off the land. His energy and passion for the island’s ecology made the final stretch of the hike both educational and unforgettable.

After about 2.5 hours of hiking, we reached Anse Marron – and it was everything we had dreamed of. Surrounded by massive granite formations and untouched wilderness, the beach felt like a secret sanctuary far away from the rest of the world.

This secluded beach features golden sand, shallow turquoise pools, and smooth granite boulders that create a naturally sheltered lagoon. Because these formations block strong currents, the water inside the rock pool is calm, making it ideal for a relaxing and safe swim.

In contrast, the open ocean just beyond the boulders can be extremely rough. Therefore, it's essential to stay within the natural pool area.

💡 Travel Tip: Don’t swim beyond the protective rocks. The current is deceptively strong and could pull you out to sea.

We spent nearly two magical hours at Anse Marron. First, we swam and floated in the crystal-clear water, soaking in the surreal beauty of the place. Then, we stretched out on warm rocks, enjoyed the sunshine, and took hundreds of photos from every possible angle. Finally, just as our energy started to dip, Robert surprised us with a Creole-style lunch: juicy tropical fruits, savory samosas, and crispy fried chicken – all served right on the rocks, picnic-style.

Because the setting was so serene and isolated, we truly felt like we had the entire beach to ourselves. It was one of those rare travel moments where time seems to stand still, and nature embraces you fully.

🎒 What to Pack for the Anse Marron Hike

Don't underestimate this adventure. Here’s what to bring:

• 2–3L of water (it gets really hot)
• Sneakers or solid water shoes – flip-flops = pain
• Swimsuit, towel, and dry bag
• Camera or GoPro
• Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
• Insect spray for the jungle bits

💡 Packing Tip: If your shoes aren’t waterproof, bring a second dry pair for the end.

🙌 Final Thoughts: A Must-Do Experience on La Digue

This wasn't just a hike – it was the highlight of our trip to Seychelles. It’s adventurous, wild, beautiful, and incredibly rewarding. From stunning beaches and crystal waters to thrilling climbs and fascinating wildlife, the hike to Anse Marron is everything a nature-loving traveler could ask for.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. If I ever return to La Digue, this tour will be at the top of my list.

📩 Ready to book?

Contact Robert and the Sunny Trail Guide team via their website or email at sunnytrailguide@gmail.com.
You can also reach him on WhatsApp: +248 252 53 57.