Is a day trip to La Digue/Praslin from Mahe worth it, and what's a fair price for the excursion?
Based on 1 discussion with 3 participants · Last activity: 13 days ago
TL;DR
Around 2800 rupees (~$200) per person for a Beau Vallon day excursion is standard market price, but experienced travelers argue La Digue is overhyped — one day covers the famous Anse Source d'Argent beach and that's it, while the same money and time is better spent exploring Mahe.
What the community said
An experienced traveler calls the La Digue trip pure marketing: a couple spends roughly 500 euros (250 per person) and 5 hours on ferries just to check off one postcard beach, when the same money could buy a much better experience on Mahe. He questions why La Digue specifically gets the hype instead of Silhouette or Bird Island, which also have no cars and offer bike rentals.
13 days ago La Digue: ~€250/person, 5 hours of ferries
A traveler who spent 3 weeks on Mahe recommends not rushing to the other islands: best beach in southern Mahe is Anse Soleil, plus Anse Royale, Takamaka and Port Launay (ideal for families with small kids — gentle entry, no waves or surge). He did a one-day trip to La Digue and Praslin but felt no strong urge to go back.
14 days ago Port Launay — family-friendly beach
On Beau Vallon beach a local man offered a day excursion to Praslin for 2800 rupees per person (~$200) — a traveler asked whether this price is fair or inflated. Based on others' experience in the same chat, this amount is roughly in line with the average market rate for a one-day tour.
17 days ago 2800 rupees/person (~$200)