Curieuse Guided Tour, St Pierre, BBQ & 2 Snorkel Stops

Curieuse is the star of this full-day trip, where giant land tortoises roam freely around the island. I like the mix of a guided nature walk and two separate snorkeling stops, so you get both Seychelles above and below the water. I also like the hotel pickup, small-group feel, and steady supply of drinks. The one catch is the SR300 marine park fee, payable by credit card and not included in the $112 price.

You should also know that sea conditions shape the route. St. Pierre may be replaced by another reef, and the final snorkeling stop at Anse La Farine can change to Anse Georgette or Anse Lazio. That flexibility is sensible, but it means you should book this for the full day of island, sea, food, and wildlife rather than one fixed postcard stop.

Key points to know before you book

• Giant tortoises on Curieuse: Expect close encounters with enormous, calm animals that roam around the island.
• Two main snorkeling stops: One lasts about 45 minutes to an hour, with a second stop later in the day.
• One-hour guided nature trail: The walk crosses Curieuse and covers local plants, animals, history, and island ecology.
• Creole BBQ lunch: Grilled fish, chicken, sausage, rice, lentils, and fresh salads have been served, with mango salad a favorite.
• Small-group atmosphere: Departures are often arranged with roughly 8 to 12 people, though group size can vary.
• Hotel transfers on Praslin: Pickup and return are included anywhere on the island, a real help after a long day at sea.

Why this Curieuse day trip earns its place on your Praslin schedule

At $112 per person, this is not the cheapest boat outing around Praslin. It is, however, a useful bundle: hotel transfers, boat transport, snorkeling gear, drinks, lunch, a guide on Curieuse, and several stops are folded into one day.

You still pay the Curieuse marine park entry fee separately. That costs SR300 for each person aged 12 or older, and you need a credit card to pay online or on site. Add that to the tour price when comparing it with simpler boat trips.

I see the value most clearly if you do not have a rental car, want a guide, or prefer not to arrange separate transport and meals. The crew handles the moving parts, and you spend the day enjoying the islands instead of watching the clock.

Hotel pickup makes the morning easy

The day starts with pickup from your hotel or villa anywhere on Praslin. Transfers have been arranged for people staying away from the main hotel areas, and the provider has also helped visitors coordinate when they were arriving from another island.

That matters on Praslin, where getting to a boat launch point can be awkward without a car. A clean, air-conditioned van has been used for transfers, and pickup is intended to be included rather than added later as a surprise cost.

After the transfer, you meet the crew and board the boat. Some departures use a glass-bottom boat, which gives non-swimmers something to watch as the boat moves across clear water. The group setup is generally intimate, often around 8 to 12 people, though the exact number can change.

The crew speaks English and French. Guides such as Benjamin, Rocco, Liroy, Jamie, Ryan, and Samuel have led different departures. The strongest part of the guiding is the personal attention: explanations are often given in both English and French, and guides have helped nervous or non-swimming participants take part safely.

First snorkeling stop: start with the sea

The first snorkeling stop usually comes early, before Curieuse. Plan on roughly 45 minutes to an hour in the water, at a location chosen according to wind, waves, and visibility.

This is a good arrangement. You are fresh, the water time is generous, and the first stop gives you a proper look at Seychelles marine life rather than a quick photo pause. The guides point out fish and underwater features, and equipment is provided.

Conditions matter here. No operator can promise the same reef on every departure, and the clearest water may not always be at the advertised name on the map. The crew can move to a nearby site when weather or sea conditions change.

Many people find the morning snorkeling better than the afternoon stop, so take the first session seriously. Put on sunscreen before boarding, listen to the safety briefing, and keep your mask and snorkel secure. If you are new to snorkeling, tell the crew early. A guide may accompany you in the water and help you get comfortable.

The snorkeling has been described as aquarium-like, with colorful fish in different sizes. That is especially useful for families with mixed interests, since even someone who skips the water can look through the boat’s glass bottom on some departures.

Curieuse beach gives you time to slow down

After the first swim, the boat heads to a beach on Curieuse. This is your chance to dry off, swim, take photographs, or simply sit in the shade before the walking portion begins.

Do not treat this as wasted time between activities. A full day of snorkeling and sun can wear you down, and the pause helps you enjoy the trail later. Bring a towel and a light cover-up, since you will move between water, beach, forest, and lunch.

The beach stop is also useful for families and couples who want a little unscheduled time. The main walk is guided, but this portion gives you room to set your own pace.

The Curieuse nature trail is more than a tortoise photo stop

The guided walk lasts about an hour and crosses part of the island toward the other side. Guides explain the plants, animals, natural features, and history you encounter along the way.

I like this part because it gives context to Curieuse. Without a guide, you might see a striking tree, a tortoise, or a coastal view without knowing why it matters. With a guide, the island becomes a living place rather than a backdrop for photographs.

The walk is generally considered manageable, but it is not a paved stroll. Roots, stones, and slippery sections can appear along the route. Wear sturdy sneakers or good water shoes, not loose flip-flops. One useful tip from the day’s practical experience: keep your swimwear under a T-shirt and shorts, and carry only what you need.

The trail is not suitable for every visitor. The provider lists the activity as unsuitable for children under four, pregnant women, people with heart problems, wheelchair users, and people over 65. Those limits are worth taking seriously, especially because the day includes boat movement, uneven ground, heat, and swimming.

Lunch with tortoises nearby

The reward for crossing the island is a Creole BBQ lunch. Meals have included grilled fish, chicken, sausage, rice, lentil sauce, and salads. Fresh mango salad receives special attention, and fish is a particularly fitting choice in the Seychelles.

Lunch is served in a relaxed group setting, with soft drinks available. Local beer and rum are also part of the day, and drinks are provided from start to finish. If you do not drink alcohol, the included soft drinks keep the arrangement simple.

The meal is more than a fuel stop. It gives the group time to sit together, and the food helps connect the outing to local cooking rather than generic packed lunches. Portions have been described as plentiful, but you should still bring water if you prefer to carry your own supply.

The giant tortoises are close by, and this is usually the emotional high point of the day. They are enormous, slow-moving, and remarkably calm. You can take photographs and, where permitted by the crew, feed or gently pet them.

Treat the animals with care. Do not crowd them, chase them, or assume every tortoise wants contact. The guides can show you how to behave around them and explain more about the sanctuary and the island’s wildlife.

The second sea stop depends on the weather

After Curieuse, the boat heads toward St. Pierre or another nearby reef for photographs and more time on the water. The planned final snorkeling stop is Anse La Farine, but rough conditions can shift the route to Anse Georgette or Anse Lazio.

This is one of the tour’s strengths. The crew is not locked into a single site when the sea is uncooperative. The trade-off is that your exact itinerary is not guaranteed, so do not book this expecting a precise sequence of locations.

The later snorkeling stop can feel different from the morning session. Anse La Farine has been praised for dense schools of fish in many colors and sizes. Some departures have found the water there especially impressive, while others have spent more time at alternate reefs.

You may also see turtles in the water, though sightings are never something any marine tour can promise. Keep your camera ready, but do not let photography replace the actual swim. The point of having two stops is to see different underwater settings, not simply to collect two beach names.

Finish with a Takamaka rum cocktail

The day winds down with a Takamaka rum cocktail as the boat cruises back toward Praslin. It is a fitting Seychelles-style finish, especially after the heat and activity of the trail.

The return boat ride gives you time to sit, talk, and look back toward the islands. By this point, the hotel transfer becomes especially valuable. You will likely be wet, sandy, and tired, and you do not have to navigate back to your accommodation.

Smoking is not allowed on the activity. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and a credit card for the marine park charge. Water shoes or sneakers are the most useful extra item, especially for the trail.

What the $112 price really buys you

The price makes the most sense when you count the pieces separately. You receive:

• Pickup and drop-off anywhere on Praslin
• Boat transportation
• Snorkeling equipment
• Two snorkeling sessions
• A guided Curieuse walk
• BBQ lunch
• Soft drinks
• Local beer and rum during the day
• A final Takamaka rum cocktail

The marine park ticket is the main extra cost. At SR300 for each person aged 12 or older, it is not trivial, and credit card payment is required.

For a couple or family, the total can add up quickly. Still, this is a full-day program with transport, food, equipment, and guiding already arranged. I consider it good value for someone who wants one dependable day covering Curieuse and the surrounding sea.

It is less appealing if you want a quiet private charter, a long beach day, or complete control over each stop. It is also not the right choice if you cannot manage a boat trip, open-water snorkeling, or an uneven trail.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend it to active couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and anyone staying on Praslin without a car. It suits people who want a busy day with several different experiences rather than one slow afternoon at the beach.

It is particularly good for first-time snorkelers. The guides have helped non-swimmers join in, and the small groups allow more direct support than a large boat excursion usually can.

Families should note the age and activity restrictions. Children under four cannot join, and the provider also lists the tour as unsuitable for people over 65, pregnant women, people with heart problems, and wheelchair users.

French-speaking visitors should find the bilingual guiding helpful. English speakers are also included in the explanations, even when they are a minority in the group.

Book early, then keep your expectations flexible

This trip is sought after, and early booking is advised if you have only a few days on Praslin. The provider offers a limited number of places each day, and booking early is also presented as the best way to get the lowest price.

The cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your island schedule is still shifting.

My best practical advice is to choose a day with a good weather forecast, but accept that conditions can still change. Bring a towel, reef-ready sunscreen, water shoes, and a credit card. Leave expensive items behind unless they are properly protected from spray and sand.

Should you book the Curieuse guided tour?

Yes, if you want the classic Praslin day out with tortoises, snorkeling, a nature walk, and a Creole lunch in one package. The strongest parts are the friendly guides, small-group feel, useful hotel transfers, and the amount of time allowed at each stop.

I would hesitate only if you dislike organized days or need a fully private schedule. For most active visitors, $112 is a fair price for the range of activities, even after adding the marine park fee. Book it for a well-paced island adventure, not for a guaranteed visit to one exact reef.

FAQ

How much does the Curieuse guided tour cost?

The tour costs $112 per person. The Curieuse marine park entry fee is separate and costs SR300 for each person aged 12 or older.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return transfer are included from hotels, villas, or other accommodation anywhere on Praslin Island.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included. The first lasts about 45 minutes to one hour, and the second takes place later in the day.

Where does the snorkeling take place?

Locations depend on weather and sea conditions. The route may include St. Pierre, Anse La Farine, or other reefs. If conditions prevent the planned stops, the crew may use Anse Georgette or Anse Lazio.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

What food and drinks are included?

A Creole BBQ lunch is included, along with soft drinks. Local beer and rum are provided during the day, and the return cruise includes a Takamaka rum cocktail.

Do I need to pay for Curieuse separately?

Yes. The marine park fee is not included. It can be paid online or on site with a credit card and applies to people aged 12 or older.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under four are not permitted. The tour also includes open-water snorkeling and an uneven nature trail, so older children should be comfortable with those activities.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, a credit card, and sturdy sneakers or water shoes for the Curieuse trail. Smoking is not allowed.