Good to know about the Granite Boulder
This natural wonder is part of the L'Union Estate and is listed as a national monument. The strikingly impressive monolith covers one acre of land, around 4,000 m², and stands at Anse L'Union on the west coast of La Digue.
The granite rock at Anse L'Union is a spectacular sculpture, brought forth from the womb of Mother Nature and given its unmistakable shape by the forces of nature.
Origins
According to the Seychelles Tourism Board, the granite formed around 750 million years ago in the Precambrian. The rock cooled slowly deep in the earth's crust, which is why the crystals are unusually large. Other sources give the figure as 700 million years. For visitors, the rock is usually known as the Giant Union Rock.
Around the rock
The monolith stands in the middle of the L'Union Estate, a former coconut and vanilla plantation. At its foot there is an enclosure with giant tortoises. Not far away stands the Plantation House, also a national monument. The estate also contains the old copra mill, the cemetery of the first settlers and the vanilla fields.
Getting there
The Granite Boulder lies at the southern end of La Digue's coastal road, where the entrance to the estate is found. If you arrive by ferry (Cat Cocos and other connections, more under Seychelles from A to B), you can reach the entrance from the harbour at La Passe without a car, as there is hardly any motor traffic on La Digue.
By bicycle
From the harbour, turn right heading south and follow the coastal road. At the junction after the pizzeria and the supermarket, keep right; the road leads straight to the entrance of the park. The ride takes about 10 minutes.
On foot
The route is the same and takes just under half an hour, or 15 to 25 minutes depending on where you are staying. It is flat and partly shaded by palms, and only gets hot around midday.
Opening hours and admission
| Information | |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily 6:00 am to 6:00 pm (operated by L'Union Estate) |
| Entrance fee for adults (foreigners) | SCR 150 per person (as of November 2026) |
| Validity | Day ticket, if purchased after 4:30 pm also valid for the following day |
| Longer stay | According to the operator, a special rate applies for stays of more than 5 days on the island |
| Payment | Cash only |
Duration, best time and tips
About 30 minutes is enough for the rock and the tortoise enclosure. If you also want to see the Plantation House, copra mill, vanilla fields and cemetery, allow one to two hours. If you then walk on to Anse Source d'Argent, you will need half a day.
The most pleasant time to visit is early in the morning, when it is still cool and fewer groups are around. The rock stands in the open and offers little shade, so it gets hot around it in the afternoon.
Other places nearby: Anse Union, Anse La Réunion and the island's hiking trails. You can find accommodation under Holidays on La Digue and restaurants under Eating out on La Digue.
