Praslin: Curieuse & St Pierre Island Day Trip with Barbecue

Tortoises, palms, and coral reefs fill one day. This $88 excursion from Praslin packs in Curieuse Island’s colonial past, mangrove paths, free-roaming Aldabra tortoises, a beach barbecue, and snorkeling at St Pierre. I especially like the excellent Creole lunch and the chance to see tortoises up close without arranging separate tours. The main caution is the extra €20 Curieuse entrance fee for everyone aged 12 and above.

I also like the smooth hotel pickup and the friendly crews, with guides such as Aubrey and Benjamin earning repeated praise for their humor and clear explanations. The day is active and well organized, but the sea can turn rough from June through September, and snorkeling may be moved to Anse Petite Cours. Large groups and some waiting time between activities can also affect the pace.

Key things to know before booking

• The tortoises are the star: Aldabra giant tortoises roam freely around the sanctuary at Anse Laraie.
• The barbecue is more than a snack: Expect grilled fish, chicken, sausages, rice, salads, lentils, chutneys, fruit, drinks, and one local beer per adult.
• Curieuse includes real walking: The guided route passes mangroves, palms, coastal vegetation, and sites linked to the island’s former leper colony.
• St Pierre offers a proper water stop: You get about one hour to snorkel, with equipment supplied and help available for beginners.
• The €20 fee is separate: Pay the Curieuse entrance charge on site, with Visa accepted.
• The trip works best for active visitors: You need to manage boat rides, heat, beach time, uneven paths, swimming, and snorkeling.

A full Praslin day with three very different moods

This is a strong choice if you want one outing to cover wildlife, local food, island history, hiking, and the sea. It is not simply a boat ride with a quick photo stop. Curieuse takes up most of the day, and the schedule gives you several ways to experience the island.

The tour lasts about seven hours. Pickup begins between 8:00 and 8:55 in the morning, depending on your hotel or guesthouse. The van collects you from reception and takes you to Côte d’Or Beach, where the boat leaves at about 9:15.

That wide pickup area is useful if you are staying anywhere on Praslin, from Baie Sainte Anne and Anse Volbert to Grand Anse, Anse Lazio, or the area near the airport. It can also add time at the beginning and end. One person reported spending more than an hour in the van after the tour because of the hotel drop-off order, so do not plan a tight afternoon connection.

The 15-minute boat ride to Curieuse

The crossing from Côte d’Or to Curieuse takes around 15 minutes. It is short enough for people who do not love boats, yet long enough to give you open-water views and a welcome breeze before the walking begins.

The exact boat experience depends on the crew and sea conditions. Captains such as Evan, Sean, Edwin, and Dian have been praised for being helpful and relaxed. Still, this is an outdoor trip, not a climate-controlled sightseeing bus. Bring a hat, sunscreen, water, and a waterproof bag for phones and cameras.

Curieuse has no promise of perfect weather or calm water. From June through September, southeast monsoon winds can make the crossing rougher. The operator may change the snorkeling location for safety, which is sensible, even if you had your heart set on St Pierre.

Doctor’s House and Curieuse’s difficult past

The first Curieuse stop is Anse José, home to the historic Doctor’s House. This colonial building now serves as a museum connected to the island’s former leper colony.

That detail gives the visit more weight than a standard nature stop. You get a glimpse of how Curieuse was used before it became famous for tortoises and coco de mer palms. The guide explains the island’s past, then points out the plants and coastal setting around the museum.

Guides Aubrey and Benjamin have received especially strong praise for explaining local history in an entertaining way. If you enjoy context, stay close to the guide here. The building itself is not a long museum visit, but it helps you read the rest of the island with more understanding.

Walking the mangrove trail

The next part is a guided nature trail, often described as the Anse Badamier route. You walk through mangrove forest and palm country on a route that can take about 90 minutes, though the planned time is sometimes presented more loosely.

The path includes a boardwalk through mangroves, along with uneven and gently up-and-down sections. It is not described as a hard hike, but heat makes a real difference. Wear proper walking shoes or sports shoes, and carry water even though water may be supplied during the excursion.

The trail is valuable because it shows a side of Curieuse you would miss by staying on the beach. Your guide may point out native birds, crabs, coastal plants, and the way mangrove areas support island life. It is also the part of the tour most likely to feel long if you are mainly interested in swimming and sun.

Plan for sweat. A hat, insect repellent, reef-safe sunscreen, light clothing, and a towel all earn their place in your day bag. One important practical issue is the limited access to functional toilets and changing rooms. Do not assume you will find a full beach facility at every stop.

Meeting the giant tortoises at Anse Laraie

After the trail, the group reaches Anse Laraie and the Aldabra giant tortoise sanctuary. This is the emotional high point for many people, and it is easy to see why.

The tortoises roam freely rather than appearing behind a small zoo-style barrier. You can watch them move slowly through the area, observe their size up close, and take photos. Several accounts describe seeing many tortoises, including smaller ones, and being surprised by how near they could get.

You should still follow the guide’s instructions and treat the animals with care. The experience is better when you pause to watch their behavior instead of rushing from one photo to the next. The guides explain the animals and help with photo spots, while also keeping the group moving toward lunch.

This visit gives the tour real value. A boat trip and beach meal are easy to arrange in the Seychelles, but seeing Aldabra tortoises roaming on Curieuse is a more distinctive experience.

A Creole barbecue under the palms

Lunch is served on the beach around 12:30. The buffet includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, Creole rice, salads, lentils, chutneys, and fresh fruit. Mineral water and soft drinks are included, as is one local beer per adult. Some people received two beers, but the stated inclusion is one, so plan on that.

The food is one of the tour’s most praised features. It is plentiful, freshly prepared, and gives you a useful taste of everyday island flavors instead of another generic packed lunch. You can sit under the palms, look out toward the sea, and take a proper break after the walk.

This two-hour stop also includes free time and photos. That relaxed pace will suit you if you like a long lunch and do not want to be hurried from one activity to another. It may feel slow if you prefer constant sightseeing. One person found an hour of beach time too long, especially while wearing a wet swimsuit and dealing with sand.

Bring a cover-up or dry clothes. There is time to relax, but changing facilities may be basic or unavailable.

Snorkeling around St Pierre Island

At about 2:00, the boat heads to St Pierre Islet. This small granite island is ringed by clear water and is the tour’s main marine stop.

You receive snorkeling equipment, and the planned session lasts about one hour. Beginners are welcome, with assistance available. You may see tropical fish, coral, turtles, or eagle rays, but the quality depends heavily on water clarity, weather, and the exact conditions that day.

Some outings have produced memorable turtle sightings and plenty of colorful fish. Other sessions have been less impressive, with cloudy water, limited fish, or coral that appeared damaged. That is the honest trade-off with a sea-based excursion: the operator can choose a good location, but cannot control visibility or marine life.

When St Pierre is too rough, the snorkeling can move to Anse Petite Cours, a calmer bay. That change may be less dramatic in scenery, but it protects the water portion of the day and can make it easier for first-time swimmers.

A few people wanted another 15 or 20 minutes in the water. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations measured. This is one part of a broad day, not a dedicated marine safari.

Group size, guiding, and the pace of the day

The experience is sold as a group tour, and group size may vary. A group of about 47 people was considered too large by one participant, especially when one guide had to explain everything in both English and French.

That is worth considering if you prefer quiet walks or personal attention. On smaller departures, the boat and beach meal can feel much more relaxed. On larger departures, you may wait while people board, eat, collect equipment, or regroup on the trail.

The strongest part of the group format is the crew. Aubrey, Benjamin, Sebastian, Brandon, and other guides have been praised for warmth, humor, local knowledge, and attention to safety. Benjamin in particular is known for explaining details at each stop and keeping the group together.

The tour is offered in English and French. The guide’s role matters here because Curieuse is more interesting when someone explains the old Doctor’s House, the mangroves, the tortoises, and the plants rather than simply pointing them out.

Is $88 good value?

At $88 per person, the price is fair for a seven-hour outing that includes hotel transport on Praslin, two boat transfers, a guide, lunch, drinks, the tortoise sanctuary visit, and snorkeling equipment.

You should add the €20 Curieuse entrance charge for each person aged 12 and above. That makes the real cost higher than the headline price, but the outing still bundles together several expenses you would otherwise need to arrange separately.

The value is strongest if you want variety. You receive a guided island visit, a decent walk, wildlife, a full lunch, and an hour in the water. It is less compelling if you only want to snorkel, since sea conditions may limit the marine portion and some time is spent walking or waiting.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later add useful flexibility. Pickup is included from a long list of Praslin hotels, guesthouses, beaches, and transport points.

Who should book this trip?

I would choose this excursion for active couples, families with older children, first-time visitors to Praslin, and anyone who wants a broad introduction to Curieuse without piecing together separate transport and meals.

It suits you if you can handle heat, uneven walking, beach conditions, and a boat ride. The minimum age for the additional entrance charge is 12, and the activity is not advised for people with severe health problems. It is also not suitable for people over 95.

You should think twice if your priority is luxury, private guiding, long uninterrupted snorkeling, or easy access to changing rooms. The day can be hot, the walking may run longer than expected, and group size is not guaranteed to be small.

What to pack for a smoother day

Keep your bag light, but bring the items that solve real problems:

• Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a refillable water bottle
• Swimwear, towel, sandals, and comfortable walking shoes
• A waterproof phone bag or camera case
• Insect repellent for the mangrove trail
• Cash or a card for the €20 entrance fee
• Dry clothes or a cover-up for after swimming
• Personal medication and a power bank

Do not bring oversized luggage or pets. Keep your gear secure on the boat and avoid carrying anything you would dislike getting wet.

Should you book the Curieuse and St Pierre trip?

Yes, if you want the best all-round day trip from Praslin and understand that the snorkeling is weather-dependent. The free-roaming tortoises, thoughtful island guiding, and generous Creole barbecue are the reliable strengths. Guides such as Aubrey and Benjamin add real character, and the backup snorkeling bay is a useful safety measure.

Book it with realistic expectations about the €20 entrance fee, possible large groups, heat, limited facilities, and some idle time. If those points do not bother you, this is a well-priced way to see Curieuse’s wildlife and history, eat local food on the beach, and get a taste of Seychelles waters in one neatly arranged day.

FAQ

How long is the Curieuse and St Pierre excursion?

The activity lasts about seven hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off on Praslin.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Return van transportation is included from participating hotels, guesthouses, beaches, the Praslin ferry terminal, and other listed pickup points. Pickup usually takes place 10 to 30 minutes before the activity begins.

Is the Curieuse entrance fee included?

No. Everyone aged 12 and above must pay an additional €20 entrance fee directly on site. Visa payment is accepted.

What food is served at the barbecue?

The beach buffet includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, Creole rice, salads, lentils, chutneys, and fresh fruit. Water and soft drinks are included, along with one local beer per adult.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and assistance is available for beginners. The planned session at St Pierre lasts about one hour.

What happens if the sea is rough?

From June through September, stronger southeast monsoon winds can make the sea rougher. In those conditions, snorkeling may be moved from St Pierre to Anse Petite Cours, a calmer bay chosen for safety.