The World’s Most Beautiful Beach Is in Africa

We have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that paradise does, indeed, exist. The bad news is that you've probably never heard of it. 

Tucked amid Africa's Seychelles islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean is a beach unlike any other. Analyzing it based on uniqueness, sand, water, crowds and available activities, we've come to the conclusion that La Digue island's Anse Source d'Argent is the best beach in the entire world. 

Trust us when we say this is a place you need to visit at least once in your lifetime.

Anse Source d'Argent: A Magazine Darling

If the name Anse Source d'Argent doesn't ring any bells for you, you're not alone. Most people are tragically oblivious to the existence of La Digue's beach within the Seychelles islands.

While the African nation is made up of 115 islands, most tourists and locals agree that La Digue is the most remarkable one. Here, life is truly relaxed. Bikes are the most common form of transportation, and the main thing to do is hop from beach to beach — the most beautiful of which is undoubtedly Anse Source d'Argent. 

While you may not have heard of it, there's a chance you've seen its breathtaking landscape in travel, lifestyle or fashion magazines. After all, its beauty makes it the perfect backdrop for photoshoots, earning it a spot amongst the most photographed beaches on the planet. 

So, why exactly does Source d'Argent deserve to be called the world's best beach? This is how it fares in different categories.

Uniqueness

We'll cut to the chase: There is no beach in the world similar to Anse Source d'Argent. 

Seychelles boasts the only granite islands on the planet, meaning it's the only place where you'll find giant granite boulders rising from the ocean. While other beaches in the country have impressive seaside rocks, none can compare to those of this beach. 

Even before you reach the water, you have to walk through huge natural rock arches along a sand path. Walls of rock hide the sea from view, letting you catch glimpses of it before you turn and face it head-on. As you walk along the sand, you'll reach coves of boulders of different sizes, colors and shapes. Some are sculpted with sharp edges, some have the marks of waves etched onto their figures, and others are perfectly smooth. 

You can climb some of these boulders to get a higher perspective of the beach, sit on others that are partially submerged (as if they were well-placed beach chairs) or lay under arches to get shade. 

If someone told us this was Neverland, we'd believe it. Source d'Argent receives a 10/10 in uniqueness. 

The Sand

Few things can ruin a pretty beach like sand that's dirty, ugly or squishy. Source d'Argent once again shines in this category with clean, white sand. 

But there's a caveat. The sand farthest from the sea is as soft as powder, but it becomes rougher as you approach the sea. This is because the water hides corals, whose parts sometimes break off and wash upon the shore. 

Still, it's never as rough as, say, the rocky "sand" of the Mediterranean. When we visited, we crossed the entire beach barefoot and had no issues, so the beach still receives a 9.5/10 for sand quality.

The Water

Photoshop makes it hard to trust travel images these days, but believe us when we say that, in this case, the photos aren't lying. The Indian Ocean is famous for its clear, light-blue beaches that lure travelers to destinations like the Maldives. 

Seychelles is blessed with this impossibly crystalline water in most of its beaches. At Source d'Argent, the water is so clear, you can see the corals from above the water. As you stand on top of a boulder looking at the sea, it's difficult to believe this place is real.

That said, the swallow water and corals make it unsuitable for swimming. 

Taking into account swimming preferences, we give the beach an 8.5/10 for its gorgeous water.

Crowd Control

To say Seychelles is a remote country is an understatement. Few airports have direct flights to Mahé, the main island, so travelers will most likely face a long trip to get here. We're not complaining. On the contrary, effort is required for anything worth anything in this life. And the difficulty of getting to the beach keeps the crowds at bay. 

Not that you'll be alone, either. The allure is strong enough that there are always people here. But you definitely won't be fighting for sand space, and the beach is long enough that you can easily set yourself far away from other people if that's what you seek. Plus, the boulders offer hidden crooks and spaces where you can feel isolated. 

In terms of crowdedness, we give it a 9/10.

Activities

Quiet beaches don't usually offer many activities. That's certainly true for many of Seychelles' prettiest spots. 

But there's plenty to do in Source d'Argent for restless beachgoers. The most popular activity is going out in the water on a clear kayak. If you're lucky, you might see wildlife like sea turtles peacefully swimming underneath you. 

If the weather cooperates, you can also go windsurfing and snorkeling. Or, if you're looking for something more chill, small wooden beach shacks serve cold drinks and sell souvenirs right on the sand. 

You won't find rowdy bars or party boats, but this is a plus in our book since it keeps crowds away. Source d'Argent gets a 10 in this category.

Final Verdict: A Practically Perfect Beach

There are few negatives for this practically perfect beach. Really, the only thing we can think of is the swimming limitation. But that didn't detract from our experience in what we deem the most amazing beach we've ever seen.

The final score for Anse Source d'Argent is an outstanding 47/50, or 94/100. (Although it has a 99.5/100 in our hearts.)

Really, you just have to look at the pictures to see why this verdict is justified.

How to Visit Anse Source D'Argent

As we've said, visiting Anse Source d'Argent is not easy. Once you land in Mahé, you'll need to take a ferry or book a private boat to La Digue. From the dock, you can rent a bike and do a 20-minute ride to the beach. Not feeling like doing any work? Golf cart "taxis" are also available. 

If you wish to see more than La Digue, you can also book an island-hopping cruise of Seychelles. Variety Cruises offers an unforgettable small-ship experience that takes you to the country's main highlights, including, of course, this celebrated beach.

Where to Stay in La Digue

If you choose to stay in La Digue for more than a day (which we highly recommend), you'll find accommodations that fit different travel styles and budgets. 

For travelers who want to splurge on luxury, Le Domaine de L'Orangeraie Resort and Spa offers access to several beaches in an elegant setting. 

Mid-tier travelers will love the views from Chateau St. Cloud, nestled in Eagle’s Nest Mountain. And if you want something relatively affordable, Cocotier du Rocher is one of the most popular self-catering options on the island. 

Other Things to Do in Seychelles

Without a doubt, Anse Source d'Argent is a highlight of Seychelles. But this wonderful (and woefully underrated African country) offers much more than the world's most beautiful beach. 

Take the opportunity to hang out with giant land tortoises, scuba dive in the Indian Ocean, visit the world's smallest national park in Moyenne Island, tour bird sanctuaries, and see the world's largest (and most suggestive) seed at a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Whatever you choose to do, be prepared to continue dreaming of this paradisiacal destination as soon as your plane takes off to bring you back home.

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