Curieuse and St. Pierre Islands Day Trip with BBQ Lunch

Curieuse is the star here: a wild, lightly developed island where you walk through mangroves, meet giant Aldabra tortoises, and reach Anse José Beach on foot. I like the pairing of wildlife and a guided nature walk, followed by a generous Creole BBQ with fish, chicken, sausage, prawns, lentils, salads, and drinks. I also like that the boat ride and snorkeling near St. Pierre give you two very different sides of the Seychelles in one outing.

The main caution is timing. The tour is sold as six hours, yet the published schedule runs from about 8:45 AM to 3:30 PM, and some days take close to seven hours. The Curieuse trail can also be tiring in flip-flops, and rough seas from May through October may move the St. Pierre snorkeling stop to calmer Anse Petit Cours.

Key points at a glance

• Giant tortoises at Curieuse: Walk into the sanctuary and see Aldabra tortoises in their natural island setting.
• A real Creole lunch: Grilled fish, chicken, sausage, prawns, lentils, salads, fruit, soft drinks, water, and Seybrew beer are included.
• Mangrove trail to Anse José: The guided walk adds context about Curieuse wildlife, plants, and conservation.
• Two snorkeling stops: St. Pierre is the usual site, with Anse Petit Cours as the calmer backup in rough weather.
• Helpful named guides: Reynolds and Mario receive repeated praise for their care, explanations, and attention to the group.
• Extra cost to budget: Curieuse requires a card-only landing payment of 20 euros per person, listed as about SCR 300.

Why Curieuse deserves the morning

Curieuse is not simply a pretty beach stop. Its appeal is the mix of animals, mangrove forest, rocky trails, and old island stories, all packed into a manageable visit from Praslin.

You arrive by speedboat at Baie Laraie, then walk with a licensed guide toward the giant Aldabra tortoise sanctuary. The tortoises are the clear crowd-pleaser. You can see them at close range, and guides such as Reynolds and Mario explain their behavior and the work behind protecting them. The setting feels far more natural than a standard zoo visit, although the sanctuary area can become the busiest part of the morning.

Allow time for photographs, but do not rush the guide’s explanation. The tortoises are impressive on their own, yet the visit is better when you understand why Curieuse is important to them and how the island protects its native wildlife.

The island also has giant crabs and many bird species. Sightings are not guaranteed, but the walk gives you a chance to watch for them while learning about the local plants and animals.

The mangrove walk and Anse José trail

After the tortoise stop, you continue along the nature trail toward Anse José Beach. A boardwalk crosses the mangrove area, making this one of the most distinctive parts of the outing. The trees grow in shallow coastal water, and the trail gives you a clear look at a habitat that is easy to miss if you spend the day only on the sand.

The guide adds useful detail about Curieuse’s ecosystem and conservation work. I would pay attention here rather than treating the walk as a simple transfer to lunch. This is where the trip gains substance.

The route may include a hike across the island, with rocky steps and uneven sections. One account described the walk as about 2 kilometers up and down, while the supplied schedule simply calls it a nature trail. Either way, comfortable shoes matter. Sandals with a firm sole are a better choice than flip-flops, and a small bag is easier to carry than a full beach tote.

The walk is not suited to people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. If you have knee, balance, or walking concerns, ask about the route before booking. A 750-milliliter bottle of water is provided for the trail, but sunscreen and a hat remain essential.

The beach BBQ at midday

Lunch is served around noon, usually when you are ready for it. The meal is a Creole-style barbecue rather than a quick sandwich: grilled fish, chicken, sausage, prawns or prawn kebabs, lentils, garlic bread, salads, tropical fruit, and local dishes are listed among the offerings.

The exact mix can vary, but the consistent idea is plenty of grilled food with familiar choices for different appetites. Vegetarian options are available. Soft drinks, drinking water, and Seybrew local beer are included, which makes the $85 price easier to assess.

The food receives some of the strongest praise attached to this trip. That makes sense because lunch is not an afterthought here. You are eating on or near the beach, with time to sit, cool down, and talk with the crew before the afternoon water stop.

Bring a small snack if you tend to eat early. Pickup begins around 8:45 AM, and lunch is scheduled for noon, so the wait can feel long after a morning walk and boat ride. Keep the snack modest and pack it in a waterproof bag.

Anse José: swim time with a choice

After lunch, you get leisure time at Anse José. This is the slower part of the day, useful for swimming, taking photographs, or simply sitting on the sand.

You may also be able to snorkel near Curieuse. One particularly useful tip is to check the water roughly 60 meters out from the beach, where a good snorkeling area has been noted. Conditions change, so do not treat that distance or location as a promise. Ask the crew before entering the water.

The beach break can feel generous. That is good if you want a relaxed island day, but less ideal if your priority is spending every possible minute in the water. A few people would prefer another snorkeling stop or a shorter beach pause. This is the tradeoff: the tour gives you wildlife, walking, lunch, beach time, and reef time, but none of those sections can be extremely long.

St. Pierre snorkeling and the weather question

Around 2 PM, the boat heads for St. Pierre Island. The small rocky islet, ringed by clear water, is the trip’s main reef stop. The usual plan includes snorkeling around St. Pierre, with a second snorkeling opportunity included in the day’s activities.

The water can hold colorful tropical fish, coral, and, with luck, sea turtles. Several outings have produced turtle sightings, though wildlife is never guaranteed. A crew member may enter the water with you or guide the group toward better areas, which is useful if you are unfamiliar with the site.

The important practical point is the Southeast monsoon. From May through October, conditions at St. Pierre can be rough. If the sea is uncomfortable, the crew may switch to Anse Petit Cours, a more sheltered bay. That is not a failure of the tour. It is a sensible safety change, though the alternate site may feel less dramatic than St. Pierre.

Snorkeling depends on the day’s wind, current, and visibility. One past outing had currents too strong for the planned activity, and the crew substituted an extra boat ride. Another reported bleached coral despite seeing plenty of fish. Go for the chance to see reef life, not for a guaranteed perfect underwater scene.

Basic snorkeling equipment is provided. Still, if you have your own mask and snorkel, bring them. One useful tip is to pack your own mouthpiece if you dislike shared equipment. Fins are not specified, so ask the operator what is available before departure.

The speedboat ride from Praslin

The boat leaves from the Berjaya Resort beach area or near Kannus Supermarket in Baie-Ste-Anne, depending on your pickup arrangement. Hotel pickup and return are offered in parts of Baie-Ste-Anne, Grand-Anse, Amitie, St. Joseph, and Anse Volbert, but only certain areas qualify.

The speedboat is part of the experience, not just transport. You get open views across the lagoon and a fast connection between Praslin, Curieuse, and St. Pierre. Several people have found the ride itself memorable.

Speed also means wind, spray, and a livelier ride than a large excursion boat. Secure your hat, protect electronics in a dry bag, and avoid bringing more than you can hold on the trail. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where the movement feels mildest and ask the crew for practical advice before leaving.

The published plan has you back in Praslin around 3:30 PM. In practice, allow some flexibility. The schedule includes pickup at 8:45, departure around 9:15, Curieuse at 9:30, lunch at noon, St. Pierre at 2, and return at 3:30. Boat loading, weather, and group pace can push the day closer to seven hours.

Guides, crew, and group feel

The guide can shape this trip more than the scenery does. Reynolds is repeatedly singled out for being attentive, friendly, and careful with the group. He has contacted people before pickup to settle details and has been praised for explaining the tortoises and mangrove habitat. Mario also receives strong praise for his explanations and calm help throughout the day.

The activity is offered in English and French. The exact group size can vary. Some departures have been intimate, with only a few people, while others have included around 10 or 12. A small group makes the beach barbecue, trail, and snorkeling instructions easier to manage, but you should not assume every departure will be private.

The crew’s practical help is one of the tour’s strongest features. They handle hotel transport in the eligible areas, provide water for the trail, explain safety procedures, and adjust the snorkeling location when conditions call for it.

Is $85 a fair price?

At $85 per person, the trip offers solid value if you want several activities in one day. The price covers transport by speedboat, hotel pickup in selected areas, a guided Curieuse visit, barbecue lunch, soft drinks, water, local beer, and two snorkeling spots.

You also need to add Curieuse’s landing fee: 20 euros per person, payable by card only. The supplied information also gives an approximate value of SCR 300, but the euro amount is the figure to keep in mind. Bring a payment card, not just cash.

Compared with arranging separate boat transport, a tortoise visit, lunch, and snorkeling on your own, this package is convenient. The value is strongest for people who want a full day with food and drinks handled.

It is less compelling if you want a slow beach day or several hours focused only on snorkeling. The tour spends real time on the tortoise sanctuary and walking trail. That is its point, but it means less time at the reef than a dedicated snorkeling charter might provide.

What to pack for this particular day

Keep your kit simple and useful:

• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Swimsuit and towel
• Reef-safe sunscreen or regular sunscreen as advised for your trip
• Firm, comfortable walking shoes
• A dry bag for phone, wallet, and camera
• A payment card for the Curieuse landing fee
• Your own mask and snorkel if you prefer not to use shared mouthpieces
• A small snack for the morning

Do not overpack. You will carry your belongings on a rocky trail, and a large bag becomes awkward on a small speedboat. The operator supplies a 750-milliliter bottle of water for the trail, plus water and drinks with lunch, but you may still want extra hydration if the day is hot.

Who should book this Curieuse trip?

I would choose this outing if you want a broad taste of the Seychelles in one day: animals, mangrove forest, a beach, a Creole meal, a fast boat, and reef snorkeling.

It suits couples, families with mobile older children, and first-time visitors staying on Praslin who do not want to organize several separate activities. The guides add real value, especially if you want more than photographs of tortoises and beaches.

I would hesitate if you have limited mobility, dislike speedboats, or want a quiet luxury cruise. I would also think twice if your main goal is long snorkeling sessions, since the Curieuse visit and trail take up a large part of the day.

The weather matters. From May through October, expect the possibility of rough water and a change from St. Pierre to Anse Petit Cours. That flexibility protects the day, but it means the exact water experience is not fixed.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want an active, well-filled day and value a guide who pays attention to both wildlife and logistics. The best parts are the close look at giant Aldabra tortoises, the mangrove trail, the generous barbecue, and the chance to see turtles and reef fish around St. Pierre.

Book it with realistic expectations: pay the extra landing fee, wear proper shoes, allow up to seven hours, and accept that wind may change the snorkeling site. For a balanced Praslin excursion with strong food and dependable crew support, this is a good buy at $85.

FAQ

How long does the Curieuse and St. Pierre trip last?

The activity is advertised as six hours, with pickup beginning around 8:45 AM and a planned return to Praslin around 3:30 PM. The full outing may therefore take close to seven hours, including hotel transport.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available in certain areas of Baie-Ste-Anne, Grand-Anse, Amitie, St. Joseph, and Anse Volbert. Meeting points include Berjaya Praslin Resort and Kannus Supermarket in Baie-Ste-Anne.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The barbecue includes a mix of grilled chicken, fish, sausage, prawns or prawn kebabs, lentils, salads, garlic bread, tropical fruit, and other Creole dishes. Vegetarian options are available.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Soft drinks, water, and local Seybrew beer are included with the excursion.

Do I have to pay a landing fee on Curieuse?

Yes. The Curieuse landing fee is 20 euros per person, listed as approximately SCR 300, and payment is by card only.

What happens if the sea is rough at St. Pierre?

The crew may move the snorkeling stop to Anse Petit Cours, where conditions are calmer. The usual St. Pierre location is most likely to be affected during the Southeast monsoon from May through October.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The trip is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments because of the boat access and uneven island trail.