La Digue, a small but spectacular granite island 35 mi/55 km northeast of Mahe, receives cruise-ship passengers, though most of the activity is near the dock and the one road leading from it to the old coconut plantation, a journey traversed by ox-pulled carts. The rest of the island is still quite relaxed—if there's no ship offshore, you'll find La Digue a very pleasant place.
The attractions are quite low-key—you can climb to the top of the mountain in the middle of the island for spectacular views, ride bikes to secluded beaches, visit the (tiny) black paradise flycatcher reserve in hopes of seeing one of the rare birds, or tour the plantation. The giant granite boulders along some of the beaches (especially Anse Source d'Argent) are very photogenic—you may well run into a fashion shoot. Plan at least two nights.
