Praslin: Curieuse StPierre Guided Tour, BBQ & 2x Snorkeling

The best part of this Praslin day trip is the mix: two snorkeling stops, a glass-bottom boat ride, a short island walk, and close views of giant tortoises on Curieuse. It gives you both water time and dry-land nature without asking you to plan several separate outings.

I like the relaxed pace, especially the chance to snorkel for a good stretch rather than being hurried back onto the boat. I also like the simple, local feel of the BBQ, served beside the tortoise habitat rather than at a polished resort. The main consideration is the SR300 marine park fee, which is not included, and the open-water setting may not suit anyone prone to seasickness.

Key points at a glance

• Two snorkeling stops: St Pierre is usually the first water stop, though weather may change the location.
• A 1.7-kilometer mangrove trail: You cross Curieuse on foot instead of seeing the island only from the shore.
• Giant tortoises up close: The BBQ takes place beside tortoises living in their natural setting.
• Glass-bottom boat views: You can watch the water below even when you are not snorkeling.
• Drinks included: Water, lemonade, one beer for adults aged 18 and over, and a rum cocktail are provided.
• A full 390-minute outing: The meeting time is 9:30 a.m. at the Beach Front Garden by the Pirogue Restaurant parking area.

Leaving Praslin by glass-bottom boat

Your day begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Beach Front Garden in front of the Pirogue Restaurant parking area. Transportation to this meeting point is not included, so you need to arrange your own way there and arrive ready for a boat departure.

The first leg takes you from Praslin toward St Pierre and Curieuse. The glass-bottom boat adds something useful to the ride. You can look down at the water and marine life while moving between stops, instead of treating the crossing as a simple transfer. The boat also gives you broad views of the Seychelles coast and the small islands around Praslin.

The exact order can change. The usual plan begins with snorkeling at St Pierre, but the crew may choose another location if the weather or sea conditions call for it. That flexibility is sensible in an island setting, though it means you should not expect every stop to follow a fixed script.

The crew provides masks and fins, along with drinks throughout the day. Bring your own sunscreen and swimwear. You should also expect strong sun and time in and around the water, so a hat, towel, and dry clothing would be practical additions, even though only sunscreen and swimwear are specifically required.

St Pierre and the first snorkeling stop

St Pierre is a small island known for its clear water and rocky shoreline, and it makes a natural first pause on the route. You get time to swim and snorkel rather than simply taking a quick photo from the boat.

The snorkeling location can change with the weather. That is worth remembering if you have your heart set on one exact reef. The important point is that the crew has room to choose a safer or more comfortable site, rather than forcing the boat to use a poor location.

I like the way this activity gives you two separate chances to snorkel. If you feel stiff or nervous during the first stop, you have another opportunity later. If the first site is especially good, the second stop gives you more time in the water instead of ending the marine part of the day after one short session.

The boat carries the basic equipment, but you should not assume that a personal prescription mask, flotation aid, or specialist gear is available. The tour is not designed for people with serious mobility limits, heart problems, recent surgery, back problems, or a low level of fitness.

Arriving at Curieuse Island

Curieuse brings a different kind of scenery. After the boat reaches the island, you get another attractive beach before setting out on foot. This gives you a chance to slow down after the crossing and take in the shore before the nature walk.

The island is best appreciated at a gentle pace. You are not simply dropped off for a quick tortoise photograph. The route includes a 1.7-kilometer trail through mangrove forest, so the visit has a clear sense of place and movement.

A mangrove trail is not a mountain hike, but it is still a walk over natural ground. You should wear footwear that can handle an outdoor path and bring sun protection. The tour information does not give a precise walking time or describe the trail surface, so anyone with limited mobility should treat the walk as a real part of the outing, not an optional stroll.

The crossing also adds value. You see more of Curieuse than you would from a beach stop alone, and the guide can explain the island’s plants and wildlife in English or French. Previous tour comments specifically praise the crew’s patience with questions about Curieuse and Seychellois flora and fauna. That matters because the island makes more sense when you know what you are looking at.

The mangrove walk across 1.7 kilometers

The trail through the mangrove forest is the tour’s most distinctive land section. It connects the beach area with the tortoise and lunch setting, while giving you a closer look at one of the island’s important coastal habitats.

Mangroves are easy to overlook when you are focused on beaches and snorkeling. Here, you walk among them with a local guide, which makes the transition from sea to forest more meaningful. You get a break from swimming, and the walk spreads the day across several different settings.

Do not treat the trail as a race. You will want time for photographs, questions, and wildlife viewing. The information provided does not promise a private group or a specific group size, so the pace may depend on the people sharing the boat. Still, the tour is built around a guided crossing rather than a rushed transfer.

If you have insect allergies, take the warning seriously. A mangrove area is a natural environment, and the tour is specifically listed as unsuitable for people with insect allergies. The same caution applies to anyone who finds long boat rides or outdoor walks difficult.

BBQ lunch beside giant tortoises

Lunch is a BBQ served on Curieuse, with seating next to giant land tortoises. This is the moment that gives the outing its strongest sense of place. You are not eating in an anonymous restaurant and then returning to the boat. The meal takes place beside animals that are part of the island experience.

The lunch is described as simple but tasty. That is the right expectation. You should come for the setting and the local format, not for a large restaurant menu or elaborate service. The BBQ is included in the price, which makes the day easier to budget.

The tortoises are the main attraction here. You can observe them in their natural habitat and spend time near them rather than viewing them only from a distant enclosure. Keep your behavior calm and respectful. The tour promises direct contact in the sense of close viewing, but it does not state that handling or feeding the tortoises is allowed.

This part of the day also works well for people who want wildlife without a demanding safari-style schedule. You get a close encounter, a meal, and a rest period in one stop. The setting may be warm and basic, so sunscreen and comfortable clothing remain important even during lunch.

The second snorkeling or beach session

After lunch and the tortoise visit, the afternoon includes another water period. The plan may be a second snorkeling stop or time to enjoy the beach on Curieuse. Again, weather and sea conditions can shape the final choice.

That flexibility is useful, especially in the Seychelles, where water conditions can affect visibility and comfort. It also means the afternoon is not guaranteed to be a second identical reef visit. If you prefer swimming and relaxing on sand, the beach option may suit you better. If the water is calm, another snorkeling session gives you more time with the equipment provided by the crew.

Drinks are available throughout the tour. The included selection is water, lemonade, one beer for adults aged 18 and over, and a rum cocktail. This is a small but welcome detail on a hot day, and it means you do not need to purchase every drink separately. You should still bring any special beverage you need, since the supplied list is limited.

What the $105 price really covers

At $105 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to reach Curieuse, but it bundles several costs and activities into one day. The price includes the boat and crew, a live English- or French-speaking guide, two snorkeling sessions, masks and fins, drinks, and BBQ lunch.

That package makes sense if you want a guided day rather than arranging a boat, finding snorkeling equipment, organizing lunch, and figuring out the Curieuse walk on your own. The guide also gives the visit more context, particularly during the mangrove crossing and tortoise stop.

The extra marine park charge needs to be part of your real budget. It is SR300, listed as about 20 euros, per person aged 12 and over. You pay it separately by card, online, or cash to the supplier. For a couple, this adds SR600, and older children are charged too.

Transportation to the boat meeting point is also not included. Check your own route to the Beach Front Garden before booking, especially if you are staying away from the Pirogue Restaurant area. The activity lasts 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours, so it occupies most of the useful daylight portion of your day.

The tour has a listed rating of 5 from 14 reviews, with repeated praise for the friendly crew, patient answers, good mix of stops, and pleasant service. One booking described it as a private tour, but you should not assume every departure is private because the supplied details do not promise that for all dates.

Who should book this Praslin outing

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a full island day with a little of everything. It suits people who enjoy snorkeling but also want wildlife, scenery, a guided walk, and an uncomplicated lunch.

It is particularly good for:

• Couples who want a varied day without arranging several separate activities.
• Adults and older children who are comfortable on a boat and natural trail.
• Visitors who value local guiding and want to ask questions about Curieuse and Seychelles wildlife.
• People who prefer included equipment and lunch over planning each detail themselves.
• Anyone who wants to see giant tortoises in a natural island setting.

I would be cautious if you are prone to seasickness. The activity includes a boat journey and two water sessions, and seasickness is specifically listed as a reason not to take the tour. The same applies if you have heart problems, recent surgery, back problems, a mobility impairment, or a low level of fitness.

Children under four cannot join. Pregnant women, wheelchair users, and people over 65 are also listed as unsuitable, with a separate warning for people over 70. Those restrictions are broad, but they reflect the combination of boat travel, outdoor walking, beach access, and snorkeling.

Small details that make the day easier

Meet at the stated location by 9:30 a.m., not simply somewhere on Praslin. Since transport is excluded, allow time to reach the Beach Front Garden in front of the Pirogue Restaurant parking area.

Pack light but sensibly. Sunscreen and swimwear are required basics. I would also take a towel, dry clothes, a hat, and a waterproof pouch for valuables, though those items are not specified by the operator.

Smoking and baby strollers are not allowed. The tour is offered in English and French, so choose it if you want live guidance in one of those languages. If you need another language, the supplied information does not promise one.

The cancellation terms are forgiving: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Praslin plans depend on weather or another island connection.

Should you book the Curieuse and St Pierre tour?

Book it if you want a balanced Seychelles day rather than a single-purpose snorkeling trip. The combination of glass-bottom cruising, two possible snorkeling sessions, a 1.7-kilometer mangrove walk, BBQ lunch, and giant tortoises gives you good variety for the price.

Skip it if you dislike boat travel, need fully accessible paths, or want complete control over the schedule. You should also add the SR300 marine park fee and your own transport to the meeting point before judging the cost.

For most reasonably active adults staying on Praslin, this is a strong choice. The crew’s friendly service and patient answers add value, but the real reason to book is the day’s shape: water in the morning, Curieuse on foot, tortoises at lunch, and another chance to swim before returning.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is the Beach Front Garden in front of the Pirogue Restaurant parking area. You should arrive by 9:30 a.m.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts 390 minutes, which is about six and a half hours.

Is transportation to the meeting point included?

No. Transportation to the boat location is not included in the price.

Is the marine park entrance fee included?

No. The marine park ticket costs SR300, listed as about 20 euros, for each person aged 12 and over.

How can I pay the marine park fee?

The fee is payable by card, online, or cash with the supplier.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English and French.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch on Curieuse Island is included.

What drinks are included?

The tour includes water, lemonade, one beer for adults aged 18 and over, and a rum cocktail.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and fins are provided for the snorkeling stops.

Can children join the tour?

Children under four are not suitable for this activity. The marine park fee applies to people aged 12 and over.

Can the snorkeling location change?

Yes. The first snorkeling stop is usually at St Pierre, but the crew may choose another location depending on the weather.

Is cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.