“Curieuse and St-Pierre Island Adventure: with Creole, BBQ

Curieuse is the star here, and for good reason: you walk through tortoise country, cross a mangrove trail, and finish at a beautiful beach before lunch. The Aldabra giant tortoises roam freely, which makes this feel more like a wildlife visit than a quick photo stop. The tortoises and Creole BBQ are the two parts I like most.

I also like the tidy island-hopping plan. You get a guided nature walk, time to swim, a fresh beach meal, and a snorkel stop without needing to arrange separate boats. The main drawback is the walk itself: reaching the tortoises can mean uphill ground, rocks, heat, and mangrove paths. The SCR 300 Curieuse tax per adult is also extra.

Quick reasons to choose this Praslin boat trip

• Free-roaming Aldabra tortoises: Curieuse gives you close views of these enormous, slow-moving animals in a protected setting.
• Doctor’s House and mangroves: The morning combines a small colonial museum with a guided walk across the island.
• Beach-cooked Creole food: Lunch includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, Creole rice, chutneys, coconut lentils, salads, bread, fruit, drinks, and one beer for adults.
• Two possible snorkeling areas: St. Pierre is the planned stop, but Anse Petite Cours may replace it from June through September if the sea is rough.
• Hotel pickup across Praslin: A van collects you from listed hotels, villas, guesthouses, apartments, and the airport area.
• Good value for a full day: At $89 per person, the package covers transfers, boat travel, guiding, food, beverages, and snorkeling equipment, though the park fee is extra.

Why Curieuse deserves your morning

Curieuse is not simply a beach stop with tortoises added on. The island gives you several different settings in a short visit: a historic building, a protected tortoise area, mangroves, granite terrain, and Anse José Beach.

You begin by boat from Anse Volbert Beach on Praslin’s Côte d’Or. The transfer is short, around 10 minutes in the conditions described for this route, so you spend little of your day sitting on a boat. That is useful if you want a full outing but do not enjoy long open-water crossings.

The landing is near Doctor’s House, a colonial-era building now used as a museum. It is a compact stop, but it adds context to the island. You are not only walking through scenery. You are also seeing one of Curieuse’s historic sites before moving into the natural areas.

The giant tortoise sanctuary is the main event. These Aldabra tortoises are huge, old-looking animals with an unhurried way of moving. You can watch them at close range, but you should still give them room and follow the guide’s instructions. The appeal is the setting: the animals are part of the island, rather than appearing briefly in a small enclosure.

Plan on about an hour of guided exploration before continuing across Curieuse. The walk includes a mangrove trail and granite ground, with views along the route toward Anse José. It is a pleasant way to see more of the island, but it is not a flat boardwalk stroll.

The Curieuse walk: beautiful, hot, and not effortless

This is the part of the trip to judge honestly. One account of the route describes the path to the tortoises as uphill, rocky, and hot, with mangroves along the way. For fit walkers, that adds a little adventure. For older people or anyone with poor balance, back trouble, heart or breathing problems, or a low fitness level, it can be tiring.

Wear proper sandals or hiking shoes, not slippery fashion shoes. Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, and a waterproof bag. The tour provides bottled water and soft drinks, but you will be more comfortable if you keep your own essentials easy to reach.

After the guided section, the route ends at Anse José Beach. You get time for a swim and a rest before lunch. This pause matters because the morning walk takes place in heat, and the beach gives you a chance to cool off rather than moving straight from the trail to the meal.

The timetable lists Curieuse exploration from about 9:30 to 11:30, followed by lunch around 12:30. Exact timings can shift with boat conditions and the pace of the group, so do not plan a tight afternoon appointment on Praslin.

A Creole BBQ served at Anse José

Lunch is one of the strongest reasons to book this as a package rather than arrange a boat transfer alone. The barbecue is prepared on the beach and includes several choices:

• Grilled fish, chicken, and sausages
• Creole rice, coconut lentils, chutneys, and salads
• Fresh bread and tropical fruit
• Bottled water and soft drinks
• One beer per adult aged 18 or over
• Vegetarian food by request

This is practical island food, not a formal restaurant meal. You eat in a relaxed beach setting, with the sea close by and the morning walk behind you. The local flavors make the stop feel more connected to Seychelles than a standard packed lunch would.

Tell the operator about a vegetarian meal when booking. Do not wait until lunch, since the meal is prepared for the group in advance.

The beer is limited to one per adult, while water and soft drinks are included. Personal purchases are not covered, so bring a card or some spending money if you want anything beyond the package.

Snorkeling at St. Pierre, with a sensible weather backup

After lunch, the boat heads toward St. Pierre Island for roughly an hour of swimming and snorkeling. St. Pierre is known for its granite boulders and clear water, and the stop is intended for viewing coral, tropical fish, rays, and possibly sea turtles.

Snorkeling equipment is included, and assistance is available for beginners. That makes this a useful choice if you want to try snorkeling without bringing your own mask and fins. Still, you need to be comfortable entering the water, and the outing is not designed for people who cannot swim.

The operator has a clear weather plan. From June through September, the southeast monsoon can make the sea around St. Pierre rough. In that case, the boat may use Anse Petite Cours, a more sheltered bay where you can still look for marine life.

That change is worth viewing as a safety feature, not a failed itinerary. St. Pierre’s granite setting is part of its appeal, but rough water can spoil the stop quickly. Anse Petite Cours may offer a calmer swim, especially for beginners.

Bring your own towel. Towels are not included, and you will want one after swimming. A waterproof camera is useful, but protect phones and other valuables in a waterproof bag because the boat, beach, and snorkel stops all involve water.

A full day that is easy to organize from Praslin

The listed duration is 390 minutes, while the published day runs roughly from hotel pickup between 8:15 and 9:00 until the return drop-off around 15:30. In practice, allow most of the day for the outing, including hotel transfers.

Pickup is included from a large range of Praslin accommodations. The van collects you at the reception or lounge, usually 5 to 30 minutes before the activity, and the exact time depends on your location. Give the operator your precise hotel or villa name, location, and telephone number.

The departure point is Anse Volbert Beach in Côte d’Or. You board directly from the beach, meet the skipper, and receive a safety introduction before leaving. Beach boarding is worth noting if you have difficulty walking through sand or stepping into a boat.

The group-tour format keeps the price down, but it also means you will follow a shared schedule. You will not have unlimited time at the tortoises, beach, or reef. That tradeoff is fair for a day that covers several major stops at a moderate price.

The return cruise goes back to Anse Volbert, followed by van transport to your accommodation. Hotel drop-off is included, so you do not need to arrange a taxi after a wet and sun-filled afternoon.

Is $89 a fair price?

For $89 per person, this is a strong package if you want several Praslin highlights in one day. You receive round-trip hotel transport, the boat to both islands, a Curieuse guide, the tortoise sanctuary visit, lunch, beverages, snorkeling equipment, and help in the water.

The extra cost is the Curieuse entrance fee: SCR 300 per adult, listed at about €20, for visitors aged 12 and over. Payment is made directly to the Seychelles Parks Authority on the island by Visa card, or tickets can be purchased online. Factor that fee into the true cost before comparing this trip with other boat outings.

A private charter would likely give you more control over timing, but this excursion removes much of the planning work. You do not need to find a boat, organize a barbecue, bring snorkeling gear, or arrange separate transfers.

The value is best for someone who wants wildlife, food, swimming, and a guided walk in one outing. It is less compelling if your main goal is a long, quiet beach day or a serious snorkeling session with lots of time underwater.

Who should book, and who should think twice?

I would recommend this trip to active couples, families with older children, and first-time visitors to Praslin who want to see Curieuse without arranging several separate services. It is also a good fit if your hotel is far from Côte d’Or, since the van pickup is included.

Children under 15 kilograms are not suitable for the activity. The outing is also not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, people with serious medical conditions, or people with recent surgery. The published restrictions also exclude people with certain heart, respiratory, back, allergy, and blood-pressure problems.

The boat and trail create the biggest physical demands. Even if you are generally healthy, be ready for sun, sand, uneven ground, swimming, and getting in and out of a boat. People over 75 or 80 are specifically listed among those for whom the activity is not suitable, so older participants should read the restrictions carefully and contact the operator before booking.

The tour is available with English or French guiding. It includes no fishing, scuba activity, bikes, oversized luggage, strollers, or mobility scooters. Keep your day bag small.

What to pack for the best day

Bring swimwear under your clothes, sandals or hiking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen, insect repellent, and a towel. A waterproof phone pouch or dry bag protects valuables during the boat ride and beach stops.

A credit card is especially important for the Curieuse entrance fee. Visa is specified for payment on the island, so do not assume cash will be accepted for that charge.

Pack a spare T-shirt and shorts if you dislike sitting in wet clothing on the return boat. A camera is welcome, but avoid carrying loose items that can fall into the water.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility. The more important booking step is sending the exact accommodation name and location so the van can find you.

Should you book the Curieuse and St. Pierre trip?

Book it if you want a well-packed day with giant tortoises, a Creole beach BBQ, and snorkeling at a price that includes nearly all the major pieces. The tortoise sanctuary and local lunch are the most dependable highlights, while the St. Pierre stop adds a welcome hour in the water.

Think twice if you dislike uneven walks, boat transfers, strong sun, or group schedules. The extra SCR 300 park fee also needs to be included in your budget.

For most active visitors staying on Praslin, this is a sensible one-day choice. Wear shoes that can handle rocks, bring a towel and Visa card, and keep your afternoon free. That preparation lets you enjoy the islands instead of worrying about the small practical snags.

FAQ

How much does the Curieuse and St. Pierre tour cost?

The tour costs $89 per person. Adults and visitors aged 12 and over must also pay the Curieuse entrance fee of SCR 300, listed at about €20, directly to the Seychelles Parks Authority.

Is hotel pickup included from Praslin?

Yes. Round-trip van transfers are included from listed hotels, villas, guesthouses, apartments, and other pickup points on Praslin. Pickup usually takes place 5 to 30 minutes before the activity, and you should provide the exact accommodation name and location.

What food and drinks are included?

The beach BBQ includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, Creole rice, chutneys, coconut lentils, salads, bread, and tropical fruit. Vegetarian food is available on request. Water, soft drinks, and one beer per adult aged 18 or over are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and assistance for beginners are included. The planned stop is St. Pierre Island, but the activity may move to Anse Petite Cours between June and September if sea conditions are rough.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not provided. Bring one along with swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, sandals or hiking shoes, and a waterproof bag.

Can people with limited mobility join the tour?

The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. The Curieuse route includes mangroves, uphill sections, rocks, and heat, and the boat and swimming portions require a reasonable level of fitness.