Curieuse and St Pierre Snorkeling Half-Day Trip No BBQ Lunch

Curieuse is the star here, with giant tortoises wandering around the island and a walking trail that crosses from one coast to another. You also get a short boat ride, beach time at Anse José, and snorkeling at St Pierre, all in one morning.

I like the tortoise sanctuary, where you can see these calm giants at close range, and I like the guided walk because it adds plants, birds, crabs, and coastal ecology to what could otherwise be a quick photo stop. Guides such as Mario, Reynold, and Benjamin have made a strong impression with their humor and clear explanations.

The main consideration is the pace. This is a four-hour outing, not a leisurely full-day island visit. The Curieuse walk takes much of the morning, and the St Pierre snorkeling stop can be affected by wind and waves. You also pay a 20 Euro landing fee per person separately.

Key points to know before you book

• Giant tortoises at Curieuse: Spend free time near these gentle animals in their protected home.
• A 1.7-kilometer island walk: Cross Curieuse through mangrove forest, with stops to learn about local plants and wildlife.
• Anse José beach: Reach a quiet beach on the far side of Curieuse after the walk.
• St Pierre snorkeling: Swim among granite boulders and marine life, although sea conditions can change the quality of the stop.
• Four hours from Praslin: This works well if you want a compact outing rather than a full day on the water.
• Budget carefully: The $53 price does not include Curieuse’s 20 Euro landing fee or lunch.

Why Curieuse deserves the morning

Curieuse is more than a pretty island viewed from a boat. It gives you three different experiences in a short visit: wildlife, a nature walk, and a beach.

The giant tortoises are the first big draw. You get time to see them at the sanctuary and watch their slow, unbothered routine. They are accustomed to people, so you can observe them closely without needing a long wildlife search. The experience is especially good for families, since children between five and fourteen have enjoyed this part of the outing.

Still, keep expectations sensible. This is not a private encounter with a wild animal. The tortoises are used to human visitors, and the appeal comes from seeing them in their island habitat rather than from catching a rare glimpse.

Your guide gives an introduction before you have free time with the tortoises. That division works well. You get useful context, then room to look around at your own pace instead of being talked through every minute.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Mario has been singled out for his humor, passion, and detailed explanations. Reynold has also been praised for his kindness, care, and ability to make the day feel easy. Benjamin has earned similar praise for explaining the island with genuine feeling. Guide assignments can change, but the experience clearly depends on having someone who can bring the island to life.

The Curieuse walk, about 1.7 kilometers

At around 11:00 AM, the route moves into the mangrove area. The path crosses Curieuse toward Anse José, and the walk is about 1.7 kilometers.

This is not a hard mountain hike, but it is still a proper outdoor walk. You will be on your feet in warm weather, so comfortable shoes, breathable clothing, sunscreen, insect repellent, and water matter. Hiking or sports shoes are sensible. Jeans, high heels, and bulky luggage are poor choices for this outing.

The mangrove section gives the tour its most useful nature lesson. Mangrove roots help shelter marine life and reduce coastal erosion. Along the path, you might see birds, crabs, and other small creatures living among the trees. The quiet here contrasts nicely with the boat ride and the open beach.

I like this section because it shows how the island works as an ecosystem. You are not simply moving from one attractive viewpoint to another. You are seeing the trees, mud, roots, and coastal plants that support life around the island.

The guide may stop often to explain plants and other features. For some people, these pauses make the walk far more interesting. For others, especially families with young children, they can make a short route feel long. One family found that the walk itself was easy but that the many explanations made it seem longer, particularly during the hottest part of the day.

That is the central tradeoff. If you want a fast route to the beach, the talk may test your patience. If you enjoy learning how a place functions, these stops are part of the value.

Anse José, the quiet beach stop

You reach Anse José at about 11:45 AM. After walking through the mangrove forest, the beach provides a welcome change of pace.

Here you can rest on the sand, take photographs, and look back at the coast. The stop is short, so do not expect a long sunbathing session. The tour soon continues to St Pierre, but Anse José gives you a calm pause before the final boat ride.

One practical point is worth noting: the schedule places beach time after the walk, not before it. That may suit you if you prefer to earn your swim and rest. If you dislike walking during the warmest part of the morning, it may feel less comfortable than beginning with the beach.

Bring a towel and swimwear under your walking clothes. A waterproof bag will help keep your phone, camera, and other items dry during the boat transfers and snorkeling stop.

St Pierre snorkeling and changing sea conditions

At around noon, the boat heads to St Pierre Island for snorkeling and swimming. St Pierre is known here for its clear water and large granite boulders rising around the shore. The combination makes a striking setting for photographs, even before you put on a mask.

The water can offer excellent snorkeling. One person compared the experience to swimming in an aquarium, while another called it magnificent. You might see plenty of marine life, but conditions are never fixed. Wind and waves can make one location less suitable, and the guide may choose another snorkeling spot if needed.

That flexibility is a positive safety measure, but it also means the snorkeling may not match the best-case description every day. One outing had rougher water and a less impressive site. The trip was still worthwhile, but the quality of this part depends more on weather and sea conditions than on the guide.

You should bring snorkeling gear if you have it. The preparation list specifically includes snorkeling equipment, but the inclusions list names water, soft drinks, a licensed guide, and certain hotel transfers, not snorkeling equipment. Confirm the equipment arrangement before departure if you do not want to carry your own.

You also receive water and soft drinks during the trip. The highlights mention local beer, but the formal inclusions specifically confirm water and soft drinks, so ask the operator if beer matters to you. Do not count on lunch. This version is explicitly sold without a BBQ lunch.

A short boat trip with useful pickup choices

Pickup is scheduled for about 8:45 AM in certain parts of Praslin. The listed areas include Baie-Ste-Anne, Amitie, St Joseph, Grand-Anse town area, and Anse Volbert. Two meeting points are given: the beach side of Berjaya Resort at Anse Volbert and Kannus Supermarket in Baie-Ste-Anne.

The boat trip begins around 9:15 AM, with arrival at Curieuse listed at about 9:30 AM. The return to Praslin is scheduled for approximately 12:30 PM. Times can shift with boat movement and sea conditions, but the plan gives you a clear four-hour morning.

This setup is useful if you do not have a hire car. It also leaves much of the afternoon open for another activity, a relaxed lunch, or time at your hotel. The compact schedule is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over a full-day cruise.

The drawback is that every part of the morning is tightly timed. You will not have hours to linger at Curieuse, take a long beach break, or spend most of the day snorkeling. Think of it as a well-packed introduction to two islands.

What the $53 price really covers

At $53 per person, the tour is good value if you want Curieuse, a guided walk, and St Pierre in one short outing. You are paying for the boat journey, guide, selected transfers, wildlife stop, island walk, beach visit, and snorkeling stop.

The extra landing fee changes the calculation. Curieuse charges 20 Euro per person, paid separately, and you need to bring cash plus a Visa or debit card. The tour also excludes BBQ lunch, so plan to eat before or after the outing. The total cost is therefore higher than the advertised tour price.

Water and soft drinks are included, which is useful in the heat. A licensed guide is included too, and that matters here because the nature walk gains much of its value from explanation. English and French are available.

The reserve-now, pay-later option gives you flexibility, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Check the available start time when booking, since schedules can vary.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this tour if you have limited time on Praslin and want a taste of both land and sea. It suits couples, families with children who can manage a warm outdoor walk, and anyone who wants to see giant tortoises without giving up a full day.

It is also a good choice if you prefer a guide rather than exploring Curieuse on your own. The route is simple, but the explanations about mangroves, plants, and wildlife give the morning more substance.

You should think twice if you suffer from motion sickness, have limited mobility, or need a wheelchair. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, visually impaired people, or babies under one year. It is also not recommended for people over 80 or over 95, as specified in the booking information.

The boat and sea portion may not suit you if waves make you uncomfortable. St Pierre conditions can change, and the operator may move the snorkeling site. Bring a waterproof bag and avoid bringing valuables or jewelry.

A practical packing list

Pack light, since oversize luggage, strollers, mobility scooters, and non-folding wheelchairs are not allowed. You will be much more comfortable with:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
• Sun hat, sunscreen, and breathable clothing
• Insect repellent for the mangrove section
• Water-resistant phone case or waterproof camera
• Waterproof bag
• Snorkeling gear, or confirmation of rental arrangements
• Cash and a Visa or debit card for the 20 Euro landing fee

Biodegradable sunscreen and biodegradable insect repellent are recommended. Avoid jeans, high heels, smoking in the vehicle or indoors, and carrying unnecessary valuables.

Should you book the Curieuse and St Pierre half-day trip?

Book it if you want an efficient Praslin outing with real variety. The giant tortoises are the most dependable highlight, the mangrove walk adds useful context, and St Pierre gives you a chance to swim and snorkel in a memorable setting.

The guides can make a real difference, with Mario, Reynold, and Benjamin all praised for warmth, humor, care, and strong explanations. The main limits are the short schedule, the separate 20 Euro landing fee, the lack of lunch, and the fact that snorkeling depends on the sea.

My advice is to book this as a compact introduction, not as a full island expedition. Wear proper shoes, carry the landing fee, bring your own snorkeling gear if possible, and keep your expectations flexible about the water. For $53 plus the island fee, it is a sensible choice for a morning that covers a lot without taking your entire day.

FAQ

How long does the Curieuse and St Pierre trip last?

The activity lasts about four hours. The planned schedule runs from morning pickup around 8:45 AM to return to Praslin at approximately 12:30 PM.

Where is pickup available on Praslin?

Pickup is available in certain areas of Baie-Ste-Anne, Amitie, St Joseph, Grand-Anse town area, and Anse Volbert. Listed meeting points include the beach side of Berjaya Resort at Anse Volbert and Kannus Supermarket in Baie-Ste-Anne.

What is the Curieuse landing fee?

The Curieuse landing fee is 20 Euro per person. It is not included in the tour price, and you should bring cash along with a Visa or debit card for payment.

Is lunch included?

No. This is the no-BBQ-lunch version of the trip. Plan to eat before departure or after returning to Praslin.

What drinks are included?

Water and soft drinks are included. The activity information also refers to local beer, but the formal inclusions specifically confirm water and soft drinks, so check with the operator if you want beer.

Which languages are available?

The tour has a live guide in English or French.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

Snorkeling gear is listed among the recommended items to bring, but it is not named in the formal inclusions. Bring your own gear or confirm availability before booking.

Is the trip suitable for children?

The information excludes babies under one year. Children who can manage a warm outdoor walk may enjoy the trip, and the tortoise stop can work well for families. The walk includes several stops and explanations, so younger children may find the morning tiring.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.