Getting there: the ferry from Baie Ste Anne
Passenger ferries shuttle between Baie Ste Anne jetty (Praslin) and La Passe (La Digue) several times a day in each direction — morning departures out, late-afternoon boats back. The crossing takes about 15 minutes; buy tickets at the jetty or online a day ahead in high season, and double-check the day's timetable when you buy — the last return boat is the one that matters.
What to do with your rental car: leave it at the parking area by the jetty — that's normal practice, free, and exactly what it's there for. If you're only picking your car up later that day, most owners will happily hand it over at the jetty when you come back — see hotel and jetty delivery.
One thing you can't do is bring the car across: La Digue is deliberately near car-free, and that's the whole charm.
On La Digue: rent a bicycle, that's the vehicle
Bike rental stands cluster right at La Passe pier — you'll be pedalling within ten minutes of docking. The island is small and mostly flat along the coast; a bike covers everything worth seeing in a day. Electric bikes exist for the hill-averse.
The classic loop:
- Anse Source d'Argent via L'Union Estate (entry fee payable at the gate) — go first thing to beat the day-trip crowds; the pink-granite light is best before noon anyway.
- Lunch back near La Passe or at a beach shack.
- Grand Anse → Petite Anse on the wilder east side (20–30 minutes' ride, one honest hill) — powerful scenery, but swim carefully: the surf is real in season.
- Back through the ox-cart lanes and vanilla plantations, ice cream at the pier, ferry home.
Timing that works
| Time | Where you are |
|---|---|
| 08:30–09:00 | Ferry out (be at Baie Ste Anne 20 minutes early) |
| 09:30 | Bikes rented, riding to Source d'Argent |
| 12:30 | Lunch near La Passe |
| 14:00 | Grand Anse side |
| 16:30–17:00 | Return ferry — don't cut the last boat fine |
Total budget for the day: ferry + bike + L'Union entry — modest by Seychelles standards, and the day needs no tour operator at all.
Why the car still matters
The trip works because you drive yourself to the jetty on your own clock — no taxi negotiations at 8 AM, no waiting for a shuttle after the return boat, and your beach gear stays in the boot instead of on your back. It's the pattern for the whole island: your own car on Praslin turns every plan into a 15-minute decision.
FAQ
How long is the ferry from Praslin to La Digue?
About 15 minutes each way, from Baie Ste Anne jetty to La Passe. Boats run several times daily; check the current timetable when you buy tickets.
Can I leave my rental car at the Praslin jetty for the day?
Yes — the parking area by Baie Ste Anne jetty is free and commonly used for exactly this. Don't leave valuables visible in the car.
Can I take my rental car to La Digue?
No — the passenger ferry doesn't carry tourist cars, and La Digue is a bicycle island by design. Rent bikes at the pier on arrival.
Is one day enough for La Digue?
For the highlights — Source d'Argent, the east-coast beaches and the village lanes — comfortably yes, if you catch a morning ferry out and the late-afternoon boat back.