Anse Gaulettes Beach

La Digue has no cars, so you'll arrive by bicycle or on foot from La Passe village — a straightforward 15-minute ride or walk. Look for the narrow gap between walls that opens onto the beach; the access runs through private property, so stay within the designated passage and respect the boundaries on either side. There's no parking of any kind on the island, no entry fee, and the route is manageable daily. Note that the narrow gap makes this beach inaccessible for visitors with mobility limitations.

A short walk south brings you to Anse Pierrot, a west-coast sunset beach with a granite diving shelf — worth the 0.8km detour as the light drops. L'Union Estate, about 2km away, is a historic coconut and vanilla plantation where giant tortoises still roam, offering a grounding slice of La Digue's cultural past. Félicité Island, visible directly offshore from Anse Gaulettes, is accessible by boat charter for those who want to get closer to that granite silhouette on the horizon.

Eau Claire de Lune and Natural are both around 1.2km from the beach and offer a change of pace after a morning on the sand. For something fitting the fishing-village mood, Fish Trap Bar & Restaurant at 1.6km leans into the local seafood culture, while Tarosa at 1.5km is a solid fish-focused option. La Digue Pizzeria, also 1.6km out, covers you if the group wants something different.

Le Relax Luxury Lodge is the closest option at just 0.3km — a convenient base if you want to return to Anse Gaulettes more than once. Further along, Ylang Ylang, Le Nautique Hotel La Digue, Chateau St. Cloud, and Paodise GuestHouse all sit around 1.8km from the beach, giving you a range of styles within easy cycling distance.

The stacked fish traps with Félicité Island in the background make for a compelling foreground-to-horizon composition — shoot in the late afternoon when the west-coast light goes golden and warm. Early morning is quieter and gives you the golden sand without distraction, but the sunset hour on this west-facing shore is hard to beat.

Respect the private property boundaries on both sides of the access gap — this is not a public right-of-way to be taken for granted. Do not touch, move, or disturb any fishing equipment on the beach; the fish traps and gear belong to working fishermen who depend on them. Swimming is rated moderate here, so read conditions carefully before entering the blue water, and always respect any fishermen actively working near the shoreline. The dry season from May to October brings calmer, more predictable conditions — the wet season from November to April can make the west coast less inviting.