Island Adventure Cousin, Curieuse & St Pierre with BBQ Bliss

The best reason to book this day is the mix: Cousin’s protected bird reserve, Curieuse’s free-roaming giant tortoises, and a final swim at St Pierre. You get three very different island experiences without arranging separate trips, plus a generous Creole BBQ on the beach.

I like the close-up wildlife on Cousin and the relaxed pace reported by several recent visitors. I also like that guides such as Benjamin have explained the mangroves, plants, and animals instead of simply pointing at them. The main catch is price: €65 in island fees comes on top of the $165 tour price, and rough seas or boat delays can shorten later stops.

Key points to know before you book

• Cousin is the wildlife highlight: Allow three hours for a guided reserve walk with rare birds, nesting seabirds, geckos, giant millipedes, and sometimes giant tortoises.
• Curieuse combines animals and lunch: You can see Aldabra tortoises, visit Doctor’s House, walk near mangroves, and eat grilled fish, chicken, sausages, rice, lentils, salads, chutneys, and fruit.
• St Pierre is the water stop: Snorkeling gear is supplied, and the islet is known for clear water, coral gardens, and tropical fish.
• The true cost is higher than the headline price: Add €45 for Cousin and €20 for Curieuse, paid on site.
• Sea conditions matter: From June through September, the southeast monsoon can bring choppy water. Snorkeling may shift to Anse Petite Cours.
• The day runs long: Pickup begins around 8:15 AM, with return to Praslin planned around 4 PM. Bring water, sun protection, dry clothes, and a little patience.

A full day from Praslin, with three very different islands

This trip is designed for you to see a broad slice of the Seychelles in one outing. The morning is mainly about conservation and land wildlife, midday brings tortoises and a beach meal, and the afternoon finishes in the water.

Hotel pickup is included across Praslin, with listed pickup points ranging from Côte d’Or and Anse Lazio to the ferry terminal, airport, and major resorts such as Raffles, Constance Lemuria, Paradise Sun, Le Duc de Praslin, and Acajou Beach Resort. You are told to wait at reception or the hotel waiting area and be ready five to ten minutes early.

The transfer is handled by taxi or van, with Bruno named as one of the drivers. One pickup was reported as 15 minutes late, which is not a serious problem by itself, but it is worth knowing if you have no mobile data and cannot easily contact the operator.

The boat leaves from Côte d’Or Beach at about 9:10 AM. Expect a day shaped by the sea. That is part of the fun, but it also means the order and length of stops can change if conditions turn rough.

Cousin Island, where the morning belongs to birds

Cousin is the most naturalist-focused stop. The island is a protected reserve, and your three-hour visit includes a safety briefing, a guided forest walk, and wildlife viewing with island staff or volunteers.

The birdlife is the main reason to pay the extra entry fee. Look for Seychelles warblers, tropicbirds, and nesting seabirds. The reserve also has giant millipedes and geckos, and you may see Aldabra giant tortoises here as well as on Curieuse.

The walk gives the trip more substance than a quick beach landing. Guides explain conservation work and help you notice small creatures and nesting areas that are easy to miss on your own. The best reports singled out the Cousin walk for clear explanations of the birdlife and the island’s conservation efforts.

You should wear proper walking shoes rather than relying only on flip-flops. The ground can be uneven, and the itinerary calls for a guided hike through protected forest. Carry insect repellent, a hat, water, and binoculars if you have them.

Cousin entry costs €45 per person, paid locally. This is a substantial extra charge, even though the money supports the reserve. I would treat it as part of the real tour price, not as a surprise expense to discover at the dock.

There is also an important practical issue: boat transfers to and from Cousin can take time. If several boats arrive together, you may wait to be taken ashore. One poor experience described roughly an hour and a half lost around the landing process, leaving less time on Curieuse and St Pierre. This may not happen on every departure, but it is the clearest warning attached to the itinerary.

Curieuse Island, tortoises, mangroves, and a long lunch

Curieuse is the midday stop, planned from about 1 PM to 2:30 PM, though the detailed schedule also allows two hours for lunch and swimming. The island is best known for its Aldabra giant tortoises, which move freely around the visitor areas.

Seeing these huge animals at close range is a memorable part of the trip. Still, you should follow the guide’s instructions about touching and feeding wildlife. One recent account raised a sensible concern about encouraging contact with tortoises right after visitors had been told to use insect repellent. Keep sprays away from the animals and give them space.

The stop can include Doctor’s House Museum and a 30 to 45 minute walk along a mangrove boardwalk. Guides may explain the plants, coastal habitat, and creatures in the shallows. Benjamin received particular praise for pointing out a lemon shark, stingray, and sea turtle near the water, though sightings are never guaranteed.

The schedule is tight. If the Cousin landing runs late, you may have to choose between the mangrove walk and the tortoise area rather than doing everything at leisure. The tour information presents these as part of the Curieuse visit, but the actual balance depends on arrival time and the day’s boat movements.

The BBQ is served on the beach and is one of the strongest parts of the outing. The menu includes:

• Grilled fish, chicken, and sausages
• Creole rice and lentils
• Salads and chutneys
• Fresh fruit
• One beer per adult
• Soft drinks and water

The food is described as plentiful and well prepared, with enough variety for a mixed group. You should give the operator at least 24 hours’ notice about dietary restrictions. Alcohol beyond the included beer is not part of the package.

Curieuse also offers the chance to swim, but do not assume this is the main snorkeling stop. The advertised snorkeling destination is St Pierre. A disrupted outing reportedly moved the swim to the bay beside the BBQ and offered only a short session, so sea conditions and timing can affect the plan.

Curieuse entry costs €20 per person, also paid on site. Combined with Cousin’s €45 fee, the extra cost is €65 per person. At roughly $230 before personal spending, the trip can still be fair value for a full day with transport, guides, lunch, and equipment, but it is not a budget island hop.

St Pierre, the final hour in the water

St Pierre is a small islet and the planned last stop, from about 2:45 PM to 3:45 PM. This is where you use the supplied snorkeling equipment and look around coral gardens with tropical fish.

The snorkeling has been one of the most consistent highlights of the day. The water is described as clear, and assistance is available if you are new to snorkeling. You can expect a fairly informal session rather than a long technical guided swim. The boat crew lets you enjoy the water at your own pace, with the schedule keeping the stop to about an hour.

Bring a towel, swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, and a dry change of clothes. A waterproof phone case or small dry bag would also be useful, but large bags and luggage are not allowed.

The southeast monsoon can change this part of the trip from June through September. If the water around St Pierre is too rough, the crew may use Anse Petite Cours, a calmer protected bay. That is a sensible safety adjustment, but it means the exact snorkeling setting is not guaranteed.

The main risk is lost time. A late landing at Cousin or slow boat transfers can leave St Pierre with little more than a quick swim and photographs. If snorkeling is your top priority, ask before booking how the operator handles delays and how much water time is normally protected.

Guides, boats, and how the day feels

The team may include Bruno for the road transfer, Matia and Lenny among the excursion staff, Benjamin for a Curieuse walk, and boat crew members such as Denis. Names and crew assignments can change, but the supplied details point to a small operating team with drivers, captains, nature guides, and island staff handling different parts of the day.

The best version of this trip feels friendly and easygoing. Several high-scoring accounts praised the staff for being helpful, good-humored, and attentive. That matters on a long day when you need help boarding the boat, fitting snorkeling gear, or understanding where to walk on the islands.

The boat deserves more scrutiny. Most of the information simply describes a boat tour, and one account called the vessel very small and uncomfortable on open water. You should ask about the boat type if you are prone to seasickness or dislike exposed crossings.

Boat boarding, uneven ground, and long hours make this a poor fit for people with limited mobility, back problems, recent surgery, low fitness, or serious medical conditions. The activity is not recommended for pregnant people, wheelchair users, children under three, or people over 80. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

No group size is stated. One positive account suggested that smaller groups would be better, especially around the tortoises. If quiet walks and personal space matter to you, ask how many people are booked for your date.

Is $165 a fair price for this island hop?

The listed price is $165 per person, but it does not include the two island entry fees. Add €45 for Cousin and €20 for Curieuse, both paid in cash on arrival. You should also budget for personal purchases and any extra alcohol.

That makes the value depend on what you want from a Praslin day. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, a full-day boat trip, captain and guide services, two guided island walks, wildlife viewing, snorkeling gear, lunch, water, soft drinks, and one beer. Arranging those pieces separately would take time and could be difficult.

I think the price is reasonable for someone who wants variety and convenience, especially if Cousin is a priority. It is less attractive if you mainly want a beach day or a long snorkeling session. The extra fees also feel heavy when added to an already expensive tour, so include them in your comparison with other Praslin excursions.

The tour allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund and offers reserve-now, pay-later booking. The activity is weather dependent, with rescheduling or a refund possible if the sea is too rough.

What to pack for a better day

Keep your luggage light. Large bags are not allowed, and the boat and beach stops are easier when you carry only what you need.

Pack:

• Comfortable walking shoes or sports shoes
• Sandals or waterproof shoes
• Swimwear and a towel
• A change of clothes
• Reef-safe or biodegradable sunscreen
• Sun hat, sunglasses, and light clothing
• Insect repellent
• Camera and binoculars if you use them
• Cash and a credit card
• Water-resistant protection for electronics

Bring a little patience along with your camera. Island landings are controlled by weather, tides, boats, and reserve procedures. A flexible attitude will help if the snorkeling bay changes or one stop runs behind schedule.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to you if you want a single, active day that covers birds, tortoises, coastal plants, a proper Creole meal, and snorkeling. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage boat travel and uneven paths.

The trip is especially useful if your Praslin stay is short and you want to see Cousin and Curieuse without organizing separate transfers. The guided walks also make it a better choice than simply hiring a boat for beach hopping.

I would hesitate if you are highly sensitive to rough seas, need guaranteed timing, or want extensive time underwater. I would also ask about the boat and expected group size before paying if comfort is a priority.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off on Praslin, the boat tour, captain and island guides, guided walks on Cousin and Curieuse, snorkeling equipment, the Creole BBQ lunch, one beer per adult, soft drinks, water, and safety equipment are included.

Are Cousin and Curieuse entry fees included?

No. Cousin costs €45 per person and Curieuse costs €20 per person. Both fees are payable on site.

Where does the tour depart from?

The boat departs from Côte d’Or Beach at about 9:10 AM. Hotel pickup is provided from many locations on Praslin, including selected hotels, the ferry terminal, and the airport.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is 450 minutes, or seven and a half hours. The planned day runs from morning pickup until hotel drop-off around 4 PM.

What can I see on Cousin Island?

The guided reserve walk may include Seychelles warblers, tropicbirds, nesting seabirds, giant millipedes, geckos, and giant tortoises. Guides also explain island conservation.

What food is served at the BBQ?

The meal includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, Creole rice, lentils, salads, chutneys, fresh fruit, soft drinks, water, and one beer per adult.

Is snorkeling equipment supplied?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is provided, and assistance is available for first-time snorkelers.

Can the snorkeling location change?

Yes. From June through September, stronger southeast monsoon winds can make the sea choppy. The crew may move snorkeling from St Pierre to Anse Petite Cours, a calmer protected bay.

What languages are available?

The tour offers live guiding in English and French.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or people with limited mobility?

No. Boat boarding and uneven island terrain make it unsuitable for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility. It is also not recommended for people with back problems, recent surgery, low fitness, pregnancy, or certain medical conditions.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the chance to walk among Cousin’s protected birdlife and Curieuse’s tortoises matters as much to you as snorkeling. The wildlife walks, generous beach BBQ, and friendly staff make it a strong all-round Praslin outing.

Before booking, add the €65 in island fees, ask about the boat and group size, and accept that sea conditions can change the final hour. If you can handle that uncertainty, this is a well-filled day with real conservation value and more variety than a standard snorkel cruise.