Location and character
Anse La Réunion is a long, curving, sunny beach with lovely views across to the neighbouring island of Praslin. The La Digue Island Lodge stands on this beach.
The beach lies on the west coast, a few minutes' walk from the La Passe ferry jetty, and is part of everyday village life. Many visitors simply pass it on their way to Anse Source d'Argent, so it is usually quiet here.
With a few small interruptions, the beach continues as far as the entrance to L'Union Estate Park. At high tide it almost disappears completely. At low tide the water can be extremely shallow.
Getting there
You reach La Digue by ferry at the jetty in La Passe. You will find the connections on the page about the Cat Cocos ferry. From there the beach is practically on your doorstep. For general information about the island, see La Digue.
By bicycle from the harbour
Directions: From the harbour, turn right and head south. After a short ride by bicycle you will see the "Le Nautique Luxury Waterfront Hotel" on your right, behind a high white fence. Anse La Réunion begins at roughly this point. A little further on there is a public access to the beach.
On foot, by car and parking
The northern part of the beach is about five minutes on foot from the jetty, around 200 metres on level ground. On La Digue the bicycle is the usual way of getting around, and cars are rare. You do not need a parking space here.
Swimming and snorkelling
An offshore reef protects the bay, and the water is shallow and mostly calm. That makes the beach pleasant for children too. Because of the seagrass and the occasional stones and coral, water shoes are a good idea.
The best time for swimming is around high tide; at low tide you have to wade a long way out. It is worth checking the tide times in advance. Seagrass washes ashore mainly between June and September, when the trade wind blows, and the water can then be a little cloudier. The fact box above shows which months are calmest.
The reef off the beach is suitable for snorkelling. According to tour operators, you can hire equipment right on the beach. Stay in the shallow area behind the reef and, if you are unsure, ask locally about the conditions of the day. More on this under Diving and snorkelling.
Facilities
Shade comes from takamaka trees at the edge of the beach, along with the gardens of the guesthouses. Restaurants, small shops and accommodation are close by, so supplies are easier here than on the island's remote beaches. According to booking portals, there is a beach restaurant with a bar next to Le Nautique. Where you will find toilets varies; the most reliable are the restaurants and hotels on the beach.
Sun loungers stand by the hotels and are generally meant for their guests. The La Digue Island Lodge was built in 1973 and is considered the island's first hotel. The grounds include the A-frame beach chalets, the Yellow House, which is protected as a national monument, and a dive centre on the beach.
Tips and what is nearby
| Destination | Distance | Note |
|---|---|---|
| La Passe ferry landing | approx. 200 m, 5 min walk | northern part of the beach |
| Anse Severe | approx. 15 min walk from La Passe | see Anse Severe |
| Plantation House | approx. 1.5 km from Le Nautique | in the L’Union Estate, see Plantation House |
| Anse Source d'Argent | approx. 1 km beyond the park entrance | only through L'Union Estate, on foot or by bike |
In the park you can also see a copra mill, giant tortoises and the old cemetery of the first settlers. Other beaches in the area are Anse Union, Anse Pierrot and Anse Patates. You will find the nature reserves under La Veuve Reserve.
