La Digue Island is an enchanting tropical paradise. It is the fourth largest island in the Seychelles and extends to an area of 10 sq km and lies to the east of Praslin Island. It support a population that use to survive on fishing, copra and vanilla production but these days tourism is leading and the whole island is geared to providing a memorable holiday experience. There are several hotels and guest-houses that offer simpler accommodation and it’s also possible to see the magical place by making a day trip from nearby Praslin. Photo by: bill.dalessandro

The beaches – especially Anse Source d’Argent and Anse Pierrot – are fabulous, often set off by tumbled rock formations that seem like dramatic granite sculptures. There are plenty of hidden coves to discover, too. Getting around is a matter of food or pedal power, as there are few vehicles and the locals use ox-drawn carts, which perfectly match of the island life. Photo by: ladigue_99

La Digue’s interior rises to Eagle’s Nest Mountain (also known as Belle Vue), a peak that is 300m above sea level and rewards the active visitor with wonderful views. The densely forested Veuve Nature Reserve occupies muchp of the interior, and there are picturesque swamps, pools and inlets. Photo by: ladigue_99

When to go: This is a year-round destination, with the hot, humid climate tempered by cooling winds. Population: 2,100. How to get there: By fast ferry from Praslin or Mahe. An expensive helicopter transfer is also available. Photo by: fotochuvak

Photo by: ladigue_99