Curieuse and St. Pierre Islands Day Trip with BBQ Lunch

Tortoises, reefs, and a beach barbecue await. This Praslin boat trip packs a lot into one day, pairing Curieuse Island’s mangroves and giant Aldabra tortoises with snorkeling around St. Pierre Island. I especially like the small-group feel often reported on this outing, and the easy mix of wildlife, walking, swimming, food, and boat time. The main drawback is that the schedule can feel long if you would rather spend more time snorkeling than walking or waiting around Curieuse.

At $85 per person, the trip offers solid value because transport from selected parts of Praslin, a Creole BBQ, drinks, a guide, and two snorkeling stops are included. You should also budget for the 20 euro Curieuse landing fee, payable by card only, and bring proper walking shoes rather than flip-flops.

What makes this trip worth considering

• Curieuse’s giant Aldabra tortoises: See these enormous island residents in their protected habitat, with explanations from a guide.
• A real mangrove walk: The trail from Baie Laraie toward Anse José crosses one of Curieuse’s most unusual ecosystems.
• A generous Creole BBQ: Grilled fish, chicken, sausage, prawns, lentils, salads, fruit, bread, soft drinks, water, and Seybrew beer are included.
• Two snorkeling opportunities: St. Pierre is the usual site, but the boat may use Anse Petit Cours when southeast monsoon seas are rough.
• Useful named guides: Reynold and Mario receive especially warm praise for keeping groups safe, informed, and well looked after.
• Speedboat scenery: The ride between Praslin, Curieuse, and St. Pierre is part of the fun, not just a way to get from one stop to another.

Starting from Praslin at 8:45 AM

Pickup is available from selected areas around Baie-Ste-Anne, Amitie, St. Joseph, Grand-Anse, and Anse Volbert. The stated pickup time is around 8:45 AM, followed by a meeting point at either the Berjaya Praslin Resort beach area or Kannus Supermarket in Baie-Ste-Anne.

The boat leaves around 9:15 AM after a safety briefing. This is a speedboat excursion, so expect a quicker, more exposed ride than you would get on a slow catamaran. That means a better chance to enjoy the open water and reach the islands efficiently, but it also means you should hold on to hats, phones, and loose belongings.

The ride itself has earned plenty of praise. Several people describe it as one of the best parts of the day, with good views and a pleasant sense of speed. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the crew recommends and avoid arriving on an empty stomach.

The advertised duration is six hours, with a schedule running roughly from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM. Some outings have lasted closer to seven hours. Island conditions, group pace, and time spent at each stop can affect the finish time, so do not schedule a tight late-afternoon flight or ferry connection.

Curieuse Island and the Aldabra tortoises

The first stop is Baie Laraie on Curieuse Island. This is the heart of the trip, and it gives the day more substance than a simple beach-and-snorkel outing.

Curieuse is known for its giant Aldabra tortoises. You will have time to see them in their natural island setting, rather than only passing a tortoise enclosure for a quick photograph. The guide explains the animals and helps you understand their size, behavior, and place in Seychelles conservation work.

Reynold is frequently praised for introducing the group to the tortoises and answering questions. Mario also receives strong praise for his explanations and friendly manner. The quality of the guide matters here. Without context, the tortoises are impressive. With a good guide, the stop becomes a lesson in island ecology and conservation.

Give yourself time to watch the animals rather than rushing through the area. They move slowly, which is part of the charm. You will also find good photo opportunities, but avoid crowding them and listen to the guide’s instructions.

The landing fee is separate from the tour price. It is listed as 20 euros per person, or approximately 300 Seychelles rupees, and payment is by card only. Bring a working payment card and check that you have enough available credit before leaving Praslin.

Walking through Curieuse’s mangroves

The Curieuse walk is one of the most distinctive parts of the day. A licensed guide accompanies you along the trail, and you receive a 750 ml bottle of water for the walk.

The route includes mangrove forest and a boardwalk section. Mangroves are not simply trees beside the sea. Their tangled roots create shelter for young marine life, hold wet ground together, and form an important link between land and lagoon. This is where the guide’s explanations add real value.

The walk can lead toward Anse José Beach, with a route of roughly two kilometers up and down according to one detailed account. The path includes rocky steps and uneven sections. I would not choose flip-flops here, even if you plan to spend much of the day barefoot on the beach.

Comfortable shoes are specifically recommended, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. You need enough balance for rocky ground and enough stamina for a warm island walk.

The trail is not presented as a strenuous hike, but heat and humidity can make it feel harder than the distance suggests. Use the water provided, wear a hat, and apply sunscreen before you start. An umbrella may help in wet season, though it can be awkward to carry on a small boat and narrow trail.

A few people have felt that the tortoise stop and Curieuse beach time took longer than necessary. Others enjoyed the slower pace and the chance to see the island properly. Your reaction will depend on what you want from the day. If you prefer wildlife and nature walks, Curieuse is the main attraction. If you want maximum time in the water, the schedule may feel slightly out of balance.

The beach BBQ around noon

Lunch is served around midday, usually after the Curieuse walk. This timing works well because the heat and walking tend to build a serious appetite.

The meal is a Creole-style beach BBQ with a generous selection:

• Grilled fish
• Chicken
• Sausage
• Prawn kebabs
• Lentils
• Garlic bread
• Salads
• Fresh tropical fruit
• Vegetarian choices
• Soft drinks, water, and Seybrew local beer

The food receives some of the strongest praise attached to this excursion. Several people describe the portions as generous, and the freshly prepared fish and Creole dishes are a welcome change from a basic packed lunch. The drinks also help the price feel fair, especially because water, soft drinks, and local beer are included rather than sold separately.

Vegetarian options are available, but if you have a strict diet or allergy, confirm the meal arrangements before departure. The supplied information confirms vegetarian choices, but it does not give a detailed allergy menu.

You may want to carry a small snack. Lunch is scheduled for noon, and the morning includes the boat ride, wildlife viewing, and walking. One person specifically suggested bringing something to eat before lunch if you tend to get hungry early.

After eating, you have time at Anse José Beach. Swim, take photographs, or simply sit on the sand. This is useful downtime after the trail, though some schedules allow more beach time than people expect. If your priority is snorkeling, ask the guide how the remaining time is planned.

St. Pierre and the snorkeling stops

Around 2:00 PM, the boat leaves Curieuse for St. Pierre Island. St. Pierre is a small, rocky island surrounded by clear water and reef areas. The usual plan includes snorkeling around the island for about half an hour or more, depending on sea conditions and the group.

The water can offer colorful fish, coral, and occasional sea turtles. Some outings have also had unusual wildlife sightings, including a whale shark seen from the boat. That is not something you should count on, but it shows how much can happen around these islands when conditions are right.

The crew may accompany you in the water or guide you toward good marine life. This is helpful if you want to see more than the reef directly below the boat. Take your time, keep track of the boat, and follow the crew’s instructions about currents and entry points.

Conditions matter. From May through October, the southeast monsoon can make the sea around St. Pierre rough. When that happens, the boat may move the snorkeling to Anse Petit Cours, a calmer bay. This is an important practical detail. A change of location is not necessarily a failed day. Safety and visibility come first, and a sheltered bay may provide a better swim than choppy water around St. Pierre.

The tour includes two snorkeling spots, but the exact locations depend on the sea. A few outings have had snorkeling reduced or cancelled because of strong current, with the crew replacing it with a scenic boat ride or another suitable stop. You should treat snorkeling as a planned part of the day, not a guaranteed underwater spectacle.

Snorkeling gear is available, but one person advised bringing your own mask and snorkel if you have them, especially for hygiene and fit. The supplied equipment may use a shared mouthpiece. You will also need a towel, swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a sun hat.

What the guides and crew add

The people running the trip seem to make a major difference. Reynold is praised for contacting people before the outing, confirming details, arriving on time, and checking on individuals during the day. He is also noted for explaining the tortoises and mangroves clearly.

Mario is another guide who receives repeated praise for being friendly and attentive. The crew is described as helpful during boat transfers, meals, and snorkeling. That personal care matters on a small boat, where clear instructions and a watchful crew make the day more comfortable.

The tour is offered in English and French. The group size can vary. Some outings have had only a handful of people, while others have included around 10 to 12. A smaller group gives you more room on the boat and makes it easier to ask questions, but the pace may still depend on the needs of the whole group.

Do not expect a private charter unless you book one separately. One small group happened to have the boat nearly to itself, but that is not guaranteed.

Is $85 a fair price?

At $85, this is a good-value package if you plan to visit Curieuse and St. Pierre anyway. You are paying for boat transport, selected hotel pickup and drop-off, a guide, access to two snorkeling locations, a full BBQ lunch, water, soft drinks, and local beer.

The separate Curieuse landing fee changes the calculation. Add 20 euros per person, payable by card, and the real cost is higher than the headline price. Even so, arranging a boat, guide, lunch, drinks, and both islands separately would likely be less simple and could cost more.

The best value comes from the variety. In one outing, you get a wildlife stop, a guided nature walk, a beach meal, swimming, two possible snorkeling sites, and a scenic speedboat ride. If you want an entire day devoted to one reef or a long quiet beach stay, another excursion may suit you better.

Who should book this Praslin day trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad introduction to the islands around Praslin. It works especially well for couples, families with older children, and active adults who like mixing wildlife with water activities.

You should be comfortable with:

• A speedboat ride
• Sun and heat
• Uneven walking trails
• Rocky steps
• Getting in and out of a boat
• Swimming or snorkeling in open water
• A schedule that may run longer than six hours

It is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with significant mobility problems. It is also less suitable if your main goal is a long, uninterrupted snorkeling session.

Bring light luggage. One person found that carrying a large bag made the Curieuse walk awkward. A dry bag or small backpack is more useful than a suitcase, and you should protect phones and cameras from spray.

Final verdict: should you book it?

I would book this trip if I wanted one well-priced day that covered the main natural attractions near Praslin. The tortoises, mangroves, and BBQ give it more character than a standard boat transfer, while St. Pierre adds the clear-water snorkeling you came for.

Book it with realistic expectations. Sea conditions may change the snorkeling site, the walk is not suitable for everyone, and the day can stretch toward seven hours. Still, the strong guide service, generous lunch, included drinks, and easy pickup make this a practical choice for most active visitors staying on Praslin.

The most useful approach is simple: wear proper shoes, bring your own snorkeling mask if possible, carry a small snack, keep a card ready for the landing fee, and leave room in your schedule after 3:30 PM.

FAQ

How long does the Curieuse and St. Pierre trip last?

The advertised duration is six hours, with the usual schedule running from around 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM. Some outings have taken close to seven hours.

Where can pickup and drop-off be arranged?

Pickup and drop-off are available in selected areas including Baie-Ste-Anne, Amitie, St. Joseph, Grand-Anse, and Anse Volbert. Meeting points include Berjaya Praslin Resort and Kannus Supermarket in Baie-Ste-Anne.

Is the Curieuse landing fee included?

No. You must pay 20 euros per person, approximately 300 Seychelles rupees, on arrival at Curieuse. Payment is by card only.

What food is served at lunch?

The Creole BBQ includes grilled chicken, fish, sausage, prawn kebabs, lentils, garlic bread, salads, and tropical fruit. Vegetarian options are available.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Water, soft drinks, and local Seybrew beer are included. You also receive a 750 ml bottle of water for the Curieuse trail.

Will the snorkeling always take place at St. Pierre?

Not always. From May through October, southeast monsoon conditions can make St. Pierre rough. The crew may use Anse Petit Cours, where the water is calmer.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. Your own snorkeling mask and snorkel may be more comfortable than shared equipment.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The trip is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments because Curieuse includes an uneven nature trail with rocky sections.