Review of an expedition cruise to the Seychelles with Ponant from January 25 to February 2, 2026 (page 8 of 11)

Thanks Michel, it’s amazing to have the urge to discover new destinations. It’s when you don’t know where to go next that things get sad. 😉

Hi Guylène, I had a feeling I wasn’t the only one who couldn’t resist a swing set against such a gorgeous view. 😉 The cruise isn’t quite over yet, even if that end-of-trip feeling has started to creep in. We’ve still got a stop at La Digue on disembarkation day, plus a full day in Doha after that. 😎

Hi Catherine,

Another beautiful stop to wrap up this "exotic" cruise.

Hi Catherine,

About the card, I get why you insisted—it really does come with some pretty great perks. I didn’t realize Ponant was so generous. You were right to push for it!

As for Praslin, Anse Lazio is one of my favorite beaches in the Seychelles. In fact, the third photo is the one I set as my wallpaper—it’s honestly a stunning shot.

For Vallée de Mai, I was a little disappointed last time, considering the price. I think it’s way too expensive. Maybe it’s included in your cruise, but I had to pay extra. I was expecting more, to be honest. You do see the coco-de-mer and it’s a really beautiful park, but it’s not worth that price.

Looking forward to the next part (La Digue)!

Alfred

Another beautiful stop to end this "exotic" cruise.

Yes, one last planned stop to finish on a high note, maybe... 😉

Hi Alfred,

Anse Lazio is really beautiful and pleasant—I totally agree with you.

I had no idea about the entry price for visiting Vallée de Mai. For us, it was included in the cruise. I just looked it up online, and I was shocked by the price: 42 € per person. It’s completely overpriced 🏴‍☠️. I fully agree with you—it’s not worth it.

There’s nothing exotic about the visit, as Jérôme said 😉. It’s just a short walk on a marked path between huge palm trees.

Anse Lazio is really beautiful and pleasant,

We saw Anse Lazio under a gray sky... it was really disappointing 😕 Same for Anse Source d'Argent on La Digue (though a ray of sunshine breaking through the dark clouds let us take some nice photos 🙂). As a result, I found Anse Patate (La Digue), seen under a completely blue sky, much prettier.

Regarding the entrance fee for Vallée de Mai, we thought it was so overpriced that we did a little hike nearby instead (with a nice viewpoint at the top, but no "coco fesses" along the way itself).

Those postcard-perfect landscapes lose all their charm as soon as the sun disappears. We once crossed the entire South Pacific from Sydney to Bora Bora in the rain a long time ago—my memory of it is a black-and-white trip, really disappointing. 😕

It’s definitely the best solution to find a hike close to the park, just like you did. Inside the park, you only see the coco de mer nuts hanging at the top of the palm trees, meaning from very far away. 😏 If I’d had to pay, I wouldn’t have gone either.

Sunday, February 1 – La Digue



The excursion planned for our group is only this afternoon. We take the first tender possible this morning to explore La Digue on our own.



It’s Sunday, so everything is closed. We decide to follow the path heading north. There’s hardly any traffic—only 55 vehicles are allowed on the island—but there are no more ox carts except for decoration.





Bars and restaurants line the road facing the beach, but at this early hour, everything is very quiet, which suits us perfectly.



The small cemetery is very colorful and full of flowers.



We continue carefully.



Very few people are enjoying the beach—just a few families with young children are settled on the sand.

Sunday, February 1st – La Digue (continued)

The walk is peaceful and pleasant. Even though the tide is low, the scenery is lovely. The colors are vibrant. We walk to Anse Sévère.





A rooster crows loudly.



A turtle rests.



Everything is calm and peaceful this morning.





Back toward the village center, the atmosphere is much less peaceful—bikes and scooters zip around, and pedestrians have to step aside, sometimes even into the middle of the road... Always such strange traffic rules here!

It’s scorching hot, so we decide to cut this not-so-pleasant walk short and head back to the ship with the 10:30 a.m. tender. We take the time to enjoy the calm onboard and relax by the pool.

It was the right call—we had a really nice time.

Hi Catherine,

Tell me, at Anse Sévère, didn’t you go to Bikini Bottom?

The beach there is really beautiful, and there’s also a bar where you can enjoy some great cocktails.

Anse Sévère was our favorite beach on La Digue: very peaceful, shaded, and with a remarkable snorkeling spot at the entrance to the beach. On the other hand, I was (unpleasantly) surprised upon arrival with the bikes, cars, and pedestrians—so many in the center. Actually, it makes sense on such a small island, between the tourists who stay there and those who come for the day; there’s a traffic jam around the port by midday 😎 Fortunately, as soon as you move away, everything becomes very peaceful again 🙂

Tell me, at Anse Sévère, didn’t you go to Bikini Bottom?

Over there, the beach is really beautiful and there’s also a bar where you can enjoy some great cocktails.

Hey Alfred,

Anse Sévère was deserted—no bar was open, there was nobody around, everything was closed. It was perfect for just taking a walk. Bikini Bottom is right at the start of the beach, near the center, and it was closed too. We walked all the way to the northern tip of the island and then turned back. I have to say, I really enjoyed the Sunday tranquility because this place gives you a sense that it must get pretty lively during opening hours. As for cocktails, I never drink them before 10 a.m. and we have everything we need on the ship—they’re really good too. 😎

Luckily, as soon as you move away, everything becomes very peaceful again 🙂

Hi Muriel,

Moving away is the magic recipe to apply everywhere when possible to find a little peace and quiet. Humans tend to always settle where it’s easiest and requires no effort. 😉

Hi Catherine,

Okay, I’ll note Anse Severe in La Digue 👍

Hi Jérôme,

The beach is really long and beautiful.

Sunday, February 1st – La Digue (continued)

In the early afternoon, as the heat is scorching, our excursion begins. We’re transported in "all-purpose" trucks—open on all sides, with just a roof for shade. We enjoy the breeze as we ride.

The driving habits here are still the same... My husband (and others) are relieved not to have to drive on these narrow, winding roads.

Our visit starts with a stop at Union Estate, a historic site that reflects La Digue’s agricultural past.



The grounds of this former traditional plantation offer a glimpse into life in the old days. Around the lime kiln and copra mill, our guide explains how coconut milk and coconut oil were extracted. Corals were dried and ground to be used like cement.



We’ve seen enough turtles during our trip that we unanimously decide to skip the stop at the tortoises here—they’re not roaming freely anyway. It’s really hot.

The colonial house has been restored and turned into a shop, looking much better than on our last visit. The roof has been redone with synthetic materials, which we’re told are more durable than natural ones.





The truck takes us to Anse Source d’Argent, one of the Seychelles’ most beautiful spots—at least, that’s what the ads say. Near the parking lot, the sea’s yellowish-brown water doesn’t look very inviting.



Anse Source d’Argent is one of the most stunning and visited beaches in the world, and it shows!

Sunday, February 1st – La Digue (continued)

On the little path along the shore between the rocks and the sea, every tiny cove is occupied—there’s not a single free spot, and the area doesn’t exactly scream cleanliness.





The water is far from clear and pristine—it’s more of a slightly milky shade. It definitely doesn’t make you want to take a dip.







This place, so hyped up—probably too much—is really disappointing. The naturalists accompanying us say it’s because it’s the afternoon, and apparently, it’s better in the morning. They’re well-trained; they’ve got an answer for everything. 😉

Our next stop is the famous Grand Anse beach. Here, we’re greeted by a "party-party" vibe. The music is ear-splitting on this packed beach—it’s Sunday, and the locals are out in full force, enjoying themselves. So disappointed I didn’t take a photo.



At the far end of the beach, there are fewer people, but no break from the music.



All we want to do is escape. We find a backup plan and try to head back to the ship earlier with a group of English travelers. But the bus—well, the truck—almost full, doesn’t leave... it’s waiting for passengers who are still enjoying the beach and swimming. Ours starts filling up too... Who’s going to leave first?



Come on, off we go—back to "our" truck, which leaves right after the English group’s. We end up together on the 5 PM tender.

Quickly, quickly, we keep packing our suitcases, started this morning, before the meet-and-greet with the visible and invisible crew who work to bring us comfort and well-being throughout the cruise.

Final meal at our friendly table of six. That’s one of the perks of these cruises—making connections is so easy when you share the same language. Sharing the same zodiac and shore excursions fosters bonds and encounters. By the end of the cruise, you’re saying hello or goodnight to half the ship. With only 140 passengers, the atmosphere becomes warm and welcoming in no time.

Hi Catherine,

About Anse Source d'Argent, I totally agree with you. I was left wanting more.

The first time I visited the Seychelles, I was really expecting a stunning beach, and unfortunately, I was disappointed. I’ve seen more beautiful beaches than that, whether in the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean, or elsewhere—and on top of that, it’s paid entry. I don’t know if it was included in your excursion for you.

When I arrived, I thought it couldn’t be right: how can you swim in water that murky? I agree with you on that. However, regarding Grande Anse and Petite Anse, you visited on a weekend when the beach was packed, but there’s Petite Anse just behind it, which isn’t bad.

Anyway, for me, Anse Source d'Argent really isn’t my favorite beach in the Seychelles.

Looking forward to the conclusion, which I think will be quite mixed!

Hi Catherine, Thanks for sharing this—it helped me discover sites and places I wouldn’t have been able to see otherwise. The cruise ended up going much better than it started. Have a great day! Guylène