Full Day Excursion of Cousin, Curieuse and St Pierre Islands from Praslin Island

Cousin, Curieuse, and St Pierre pack three very different island experiences into one day: rare birdlife, giant turtles, a beach barbecue, and clear water for snorkeling. You start from Praslin, usually with hotel pickup, then move by boat between the islands rather than sorting out several trips yourself.

I like the variety and the simple logistics. Cousin gives you a real nature reserve visit, Curieuse adds turtles and lunch, and St Pierre finishes the day in the sea. I also like the small maximum group of 15, which should make the boat and island visits easier to manage.

The main caution is cost and organization. The advertised price is $176.18 per person, but island entrance charges are extra: SCR 600 for Cousin and SCR 300 for Curieuse for anyone aged 12 or older. Boat conditions can also be rough, and the service has not been perfectly consistent.

Key points to know before booking

• Three islands in about eight hours: Cousin, Curieuse, and St Pierre each serve a different purpose, so the day feels varied rather than repetitive.
• Cousin is the wildlife highlight: Expect protected birdlife, local plants, and a guided walk in a reserve where birds can be close to the path.
• Curieuse combines turtles and lunch: A beach barbecue is served around midday, followed by time to see the island’s giant turtles.
• St Pierre is the water stop: You get about one hour of snorkeling, with equipment provided.
• Budget for extra entrance charges: The advertised tour price does not cover the listed Cousin and Curieuse fees.
• Protect yourself and your luggage: Bring mosquito repellent, waterproof bags, and follow the boat crew’s life-jacket and seating instructions.

Three islands, three very different stops

This full-day trip works because the islands do not offer the same experience. Cousin is about conservation and birds. Curieuse is about walking, turtles, and lunch. St Pierre is a short, scenic snorkeling stop.

That variety is the strongest reason to consider booking. If you tried to arrange each island separately from Praslin, you would need to coordinate boats, timing, meals, entrance fees, and weather. Here, the broad plan is handled for you, with hotel pickup and drop-off included.

The day starts at about 8:30 am and lasts roughly eight hours. The exact feel of the trip will depend on the sea, the weather, and how smoothly the boat schedule runs. This is not a slow, private island cruise. It is a busy day with several transfers, but it gives you a lot in return.

Cousin Island and its rare birdlife

Cousin Island Reserve is the most special stop for anyone interested in nature. The island is protected for its birdlife, and the visit includes a reserve tour focused on local flora and fauna.

You will likely walk with a local guide rather than simply wander ashore for photographs. That matters here. The value of Cousin is not just seeing an attractive island, but understanding why it is protected and spotting birds in their natural setting.

Birds may come surprisingly close, especially along the reserve paths. A guide can point out species and explain the island’s conservation work, details you could easily miss on your own. One guide named in connection with a particularly good visit was Samuel, though you should not assume he will lead every departure.

The island can be hard on exposed skin. Mosquitoes were described as a serious nuisance, so I would pack strong repellent and apply it before landing. Lightweight long sleeves would also be sensible if you are comfortable wearing them in the Seychelles heat.

The Cousin entrance fee is listed as SCR 600 per person for all ages. This is separate from the tour price, so include it in your budget before deciding that the package is good value. The reserve is the part of the day most likely to justify that extra charge if birds and conservation matter to you.

Allow yourself to enjoy the walk rather than treating it as a quick photo stop. The reserve is the reason this tour is more than a standard beach-and-snorkel outing.

The 30-minute crossing to Curieuse

After Cousin, the boat ride to Curieuse takes about 30 minutes. This transfer is useful time to take in the sea, but it can also be the roughest part of the day.

Boat conditions around the islands can change quickly. Some departures have involved a fast ride over rough water, with passengers reporting hard jolts and discomfort. You should tell the skipper if the speed or motion becomes too much, though the safest approach is to follow the crew’s instructions from the start.

Keep your belongings in a waterproof bag, not just inside a normal daypack. Spray can reach the boat, and the advice to protect cameras, phones, medication, and spare clothing is practical. Wear the life jacket when instructed and remain seated until the boat has reached the beach.

The transfer is part of the adventure, but it is not a luxury yacht ride. If you have back problems or dislike fast boats, this is an important consideration. The boat operator is expected to balance speed with safety, yet conditions and driving style can affect comfort.

Curieuse Island: turtles, a walk, and lunch

Curieuse is the day’s longest land-based stop after Cousin. It is known here for its giant turtles, and you should have time to see them before or around the lunch portion of the visit.

The turtles are a clear attraction, but keep your expectations sensible. You may see them in a relatively short period, especially if your main goal is a photograph. The island visit is more worthwhile when you combine the turtles with the guided walk, the scenery, and the chance to learn about Curieuse rather than treating it as a single-animal encounter.

A guide on Curieuse can make a real difference. Explanations about the island, its plant life, and turtle protection turn a brief stop into a more meaningful visit. The quality of guiding has been praised on some departures, while organization and advance information have been less reliable on others.

The barbecue lunch is served on the beach around midday. It is included, along with one bottle of water or one soft drink per person. A beach barbecue is a practical choice for this itinerary because it avoids losing time returning to Praslin or finding a restaurant between boat transfers.

Food quality may depend on the group size, weather, and preparation on the day. One poor-weather departure produced a less satisfying barbecue, while other outings had generous and tasty meals. I would see lunch as a useful included meal in a beautiful setting, not as a reason to book the excursion by itself.

Curieuse entrance fees are listed as SCR 300 for people aged 12 and over. Children under 12 are not listed as paying this charge, while Cousin’s fee applies to all ages. Confirm the current collection process when booking, since the extra fees are a major part of the final price.

St Pierre for an hour of snorkeling

The final stop is St Pierre, a small island used mainly as a snorkeling location. The planned water time is about one hour, and snorkeling equipment is provided.

This is a good way to finish the day. After two land visits, you get time in the sea rather than another guided walk. The water is described as clear, with colorful fish visible around the island. Conditions will depend on weather and currents, so the underwater experience may not be identical every time.

You should be comfortable entering the water and using a mask and snorkel. The activity is not described as a scuba outing. It is a standard snorkeling stop, suited to people who want to look around the shallows for an hour rather than spend a full day in the water.

Bring your own towel and sun protection if those are important to you, since they are not listed among the inclusions. You also need to keep track of personal belongings during the water stop. The tour provides the main equipment, but not every beach-day extra.

The snorkeling is one of the most praised parts of the day. It gives the itinerary a strong finish and helps balance the nature reserve visits. If your priority is snorkeling above all else, however, a dedicated snorkeling trip may offer more water time than this multi-stop excursion.

What the $176.18 price really covers

At $176.18 per person, this is not a cheap island outing. The price makes more sense when you count the hotel pickup and drop-off, boat transport between islands, barbecue lunch, one drink, snorkeling gear, and local taxes.

You are paying for convenience as much as for sightseeing. The tour removes the work of arranging several boats and making sure Cousin, Curieuse, and St Pierre fit into one day. For a first visit to Praslin, that can be worth a good part of the price.

The extra entrance charges change the calculation. A person aged 12 or older should expect the listed SCR 600 Cousin fee plus the SCR 300 Curieuse fee, for SCR 900 in additional admission costs. The booking details contain some conflicting wording about admission, so I would confirm the exact amount and payment method before departure rather than assuming all entry is included.

The value is strongest if you want all three islands and would otherwise have to arrange separate transport. It is weaker if you mainly want to see turtles or mainly want to snorkel. Curieuse alone may feel short for the price if you are not interested in the walk or the reserve visits.

Small group size, pickup, and day-to-day organization

The maximum group is 15 people. That is a useful limit for a boat-based day, especially when boarding, landing, and gathering for walks can take time.

Hotel pickup and drop-off on Praslin are included, which saves you from arranging an early taxi. The listed start time is 8:30 am, but you should make sure the operator has your correct hotel details. One departure involved passengers having to push for clearer pickup information, so do not wait until the morning of the trip if your pickup arrangements are still vague.

Confirmation is normally sent at booking. If you book within one day of travel, confirmation may come later and remains subject to availability. That is another reason to reserve well ahead. The excursion is booked on average 55 days in advance, which suggests that planning early is sensible during busy periods.

The overall service record is mixed. The experience has a published rating of 3.2 from 16 ratings, with praise for guides, wildlife, snorkeling, and lunch alongside serious complaints about cancellations, communication, and boat handling. That does not make the trip a poor choice, but it does mean you should value the itinerary more than polished administration.

Weather, safety, and what to pack

This excursion requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you should be offered another date or a full refund. It can also be canceled if the minimum number of people is not reached, with a different option or refund offered.

The boat safety advice deserves attention. Wear the life jacket as directed and stay seated until the boat is fully beached. Do not stand early to take photographs, especially when the sea is rough.

Pack light, but include:

• Waterproof bags for phones, cameras, and clothing
• Mosquito repellent for Cousin
• Sun protection
• Comfortable clothing for a warm beach walk
• A towel if you plan to swim
• Any personal medication you need during an eight-hour day

The cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 8:30 am start. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded or accepted. Weather cancellations are handled differently, with a new date or full refund offered.

Who should book this Praslin excursion?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a full day of variety and prefer one organized booking over several independent arrangements. It suits people who care about birds, turtles, beaches, and snorkeling in roughly equal measure.

Families may like the mix, since most people can participate and the day includes both wildlife and swimming. Remember that Curieuse charges an entrance fee for ages 12 and older, while Cousin charges every age.

Nature lovers should give Cousin particular weight in the decision. Its protected birdlife and guided reserve walk are more distinctive than a quick turtle stop. If you are mainly interested in the animals, bring repellent and allow enough time to appreciate the guide’s explanations.

You may want to skip it if you dislike speedboats, rough crossings, or tightly timed days. You should also think twice if unexpected service changes would cause major problems. There have been reports of a canceled Cousin visit, poor communication, and a boat ride that felt too fast in rough seas. Those issues are not minor when the tour’s main appeal depends on reaching all three islands.

Should you book it?

Book this excursion if your ideal Praslin day includes rare birds on Cousin, giant turtles on Curieuse, a beach barbecue, and an hour of snorkeling at St Pierre. The range of experiences is excellent, and the small group limit plus included transport make the plan convenient.

Before paying, confirm that Cousin is operating, ask exactly how the SCR 900 in listed entrance fees will be collected for people aged 12 and older, and verify your pickup time. With those points clear, the tour can be a good way to see several protected islands in one day.

FAQ

How long is the Cousin, Curieuse and St Pierre excursion?

The excursion lasts approximately eight hours.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8:30 am.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off on Praslin Island are included.

Are island entrance fees included in the tour price?

No. The listed additional charges are SCR 600 per person for Cousin, for all ages, and SCR 300 per person for Curieuse for people aged 12 and older.

Is lunch provided?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is served on the beach at Curieuse. One bottle of water or one soft drink per person is also included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is provided for the St Pierre stop, which includes about one hour of snorkeling.