How many beaches to visit: I advise
six to eight beaches over a week. That is enough to compare coves, reef and open coast without turning the trip into a checklist. More than that and you spend your budget on buses and ferries, not swim time.
Which kind to prioritize: If money is tight, spend your days on the
free, public beaches of the inner islands, where a bus ride costs about SCR 10 to 20 (roughly US$1 to 1.50). Choose
calm, reef-sheltered bays for snorkeling and families. Choose
wide, exposed beaches to look at, and swim there only when flags and locals say so. Private island day trips cost about US$150 to 300 and are worth it only once.
What it costs: Budget about
US$90 to 160 a day with a guesthouse room, self-catering, buses and bike rental (around US$8 to 12 a day on La Digue). Some …
read more 👉 How many beaches to visit: I advise
six to eight beaches over a week. That is enough to compare coves, reef and open coast without turning the trip into a checklist. More than that and you spend your budget on buses and ferries, not swim time.
Which kind to prioritize: If money is tight, spend your days on the
free, public beaches of the inner islands, where a bus ride costs about SCR 10 to 20 (roughly US$1 to 1.50). Choose
calm, reef-sheltered bays for snorkeling and families. Choose
wide, exposed beaches to look at, and swim there only when flags and locals say so. Private island day trips cost about US$150 to 300 and are worth it only once.
What it costs: Budget about
US$90 to 160 a day with a guesthouse room, self-catering, buses and bike rental (around US$8 to 12 a day on La Digue). Some spots charge small entry or marine park fees, usually US$5 to 15 a visit. Bring your own snorkel gear; rentals run US$8 to 15.
Safety and etiquette: Strong
currents and rip tides catch swimmers on exposed shores, and there are often no lifeguards, so swim where others are. Never leave valuables on the sand, as opportunistic theft happens. Granite boulders are slick, and
coconuts do fall, so do not nap beneath palms. Do not touch coral or take shells or sand, which are protected. Toplessness is frowned upon on most public beaches, and modest cover-ups when walking through villages are appreciated.