Praslin: Curieuse & St Pierre Island Day Trip with Barbecue

Curieuse Island’s giant Aldabra tortoises are the star here. They wander freely around the sanctuary, close enough for good photos and a proper look at these ancient-looking animals. I like that the day adds real island context through Doctor’s House and a guided mangrove walk, rather than making the trip just a beach stop.

I also like the Creole BBQ on the beach, with grilled fish, chicken, rice, lentils, salads, chutneys, fruit, and drinks. The boat ride and St Pierre snorkeling give the day a good change of pace. The main drawback is that the €20 Curieuse entrance fee is extra, and snorkeling quality depends heavily on sea conditions.

Key points to know before you book

• Tortoises roam freely: You see them at the sanctuary on Curieuse, not behind small zoo-style enclosures.
• A real walking section: The mangrove and palm-forest route can take 90 minutes and includes some ups and downs.
• A generous beach lunch: The Creole BBQ includes fish, chicken, sausages, salads, rice, lentils, fruit, water, soft drinks, and one local beer per adult.
• St Pierre is weather-dependent: Clear water can bring tropical fish, turtles, and rays, but rough seas may move the swim to Anse Petite Cours.
• The extra cost matters: The Curieuse entrance fee is €20 per person for clients aged 12 and above, paid on site.
• Guide quality shapes the day: Guides such as Benjamin and Aubrey have been singled out for clear explanations, humor, and careful group handling.

Why this Praslin day trip works so well

This seven-hour outing packs three very different Seychelles experiences into one day: protected island nature, local food, and warm-water snorkeling. That mix is the main reason I see it as a strong choice for a first full day on Praslin.

You are picked up at your Praslin hotel or guest house, usually 10 to 30 minutes before the activity begins. The listed pickup points cover much of the island, including Côte d’Or, Baie Sainte Anne, Anse Volbert, Anse Kerlan, Grand Anse, the ferry terminal, and Praslin Airport.

The van takes you to Côte d’Or Beach, where the boat leaves at about 9:15 a.m. The short crossing to Curieuse takes roughly 15 minutes. That keeps the morning easy, though the full group may be fairly large. One outing had about 47 people, which felt too crowded for one bilingual guide. On smaller departures, the pace should feel more personal.

Doctor’s House and the story of Curieuse

The first Curieuse stop is Doctor’s House at Anse José. This old colonial building now serves as a museum connected to the island’s former leprosy settlement. It gives you a useful piece of context before the nature walk begins.

The attraction here is not a long museum visit with dozens of displays. It is the chance to connect the island’s pretty shoreline and thick vegetation with a difficult chapter of Seychelles history. The guide adds value by explaining the site and pointing out details you could easily miss on your own.

From Doctor’s House, the route passes through Coco de Mer palms and coastal vegetation. The Coco de Mer is one of the Seychelles’ best-known plants, and seeing it in its native setting gives the walk more meaning than simply photographing a large palm.

Plan for heat. Curieuse offers little reason to rush, but the midday sun can be strong. Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, and light clothing. Comfortable walking shoes are more useful than flip-flops for the trail.

The mangrove walk and what it demands

The guided trail leads through protected mangroves and palm forest. A boardwalk section makes the mangrove area easier to explore, and you may see native birds, crabs, and other small signs of island life.

This is the part of the day that separates the trip from a simple tortoise-and-lunch excursion. The guide can explain how the mangrove habitat works and why it matters to the island. You also get a slower look at Curieuse instead of moving from boat to photo stop to meal.

The walk is described in the schedule as about an hour and a half, though the actual pace varies. Some people completed it comfortably, while others found it longer than expected. Expect an easy to moderate outdoor walk with some up-and-down sections, not a technical hike.

I would not book this outing if you want to spend the entire day on a beach chair. You can have free time by the water, but the walking route is a major part of the experience. Anyone with serious health problems should not book it, and people over 95 are listed as unsuitable for the activity.

Meeting the giant tortoises at Anse Laraie

The tortoise sanctuary at Anse Laraie is the emotional high point for many people. Aldabra giant tortoises move around the area freely, and you can get close enough to see their wrinkled faces, heavy shells, and slow, deliberate movements.

The setting makes a difference. These are not animals being paraded out for a short photo opportunity. They wander, rest, and feed around the sanctuary. You may see young tortoises as well as much larger adults, and the guides explain more about them while helping the group behave properly around the animals.

Feeding the tortoises is mentioned as part of the experience by one participant, but you should follow the guide’s instructions rather than assume you may feed every animal. The safe approach is to keep your movements calm, avoid crowding them, and wait for a good photo angle.

This stop is also a good reason to bring a waterproof camera or phone case. You will be around water and may handle wet equipment later in the day. A waterproof bag keeps your dry clothes and electronics safer.

The Creole BBQ on the beach

Lunch comes after the tortoise sanctuary, which is sensible timing after the walk. The meal is served on the beach, usually with palm trees and the sea providing the setting.

The spread includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, Creole rice, salads, lentils, chutneys, and fresh fruit. Water and soft drinks are included, along with one beer per adult. Alcohol beyond that is not part of the price.

I like this menu because it gives you more than the standard sandwich found on many day tours. The rice, lentils, chutneys, and salads provide a taste of local cooking, while the grilled food keeps the meal familiar for picky eaters. The buffet setup also allows you to take a second helping if you are still hungry.

Do not expect restaurant service or a quiet table for two. This is an outdoor group meal, and the beach setting means sand, sun, and a relaxed pace. One person specifically found the combination of sand and a wet swimsuit uncomfortable after spending time at the beach earlier, so bring a dry change of clothes if that bothers you.

The lunch is also a useful pause before the boat ride to St Pierre. You have time to eat, take photos, and cool down rather than being pushed straight from the trail into the water.

Snorkeling around St Pierre Island

After lunch, the boat heads to St Pierre, a small granite islet surrounded by clear water and coral. The planned snorkeling session lasts about one hour, with equipment supplied and assistance available for beginners.

The water can reveal tropical fish, coral, turtles, and eagle rays. A few outings have had particularly memorable sightings, including turtles and rays. The rock formations around St Pierre also make the setting attractive even when visibility is not perfect.

Keep your expectations sensible. Snorkeling is the least predictable part of the day. Some conditions produce plenty of fish and good visibility. On other days, the water can be cloudy, the coral may look damaged, and much of the marine life may stay close to the boat. One person found the session dull, while another wished it had lasted another 15 to 20 minutes.

The crew provides masks, snorkels, and related equipment, so you do not need to bring your own. Beginners are welcome, and assistance is available. Still, you should be comfortable entering the water and swimming with a group. Water shoes can be useful, though the supplied equipment is the main need.

From June through September, southeast monsoon winds can make the crossing and snorkeling rougher. If St Pierre is not safe or pleasant that day, the activity may move to Anse Petite Cours, a calmer bay used for marine viewing. That is a sensible safety change, but it may mean less dramatic scenery and fewer fish than the best St Pierre conditions.

Boat rides, timing, and group size

The schedule is clear: hotel pickup from about 8:00 to 8:55 a.m., boat departure around 9:15, Curieuse visits through the morning and early afternoon, St Pierre at about 2:00 p.m., and return to Praslin around 3:30 p.m.

The boat crossings are short enough that you are not committing to a long open-sea voyage. You still need to prepare for wind, spray, and motion. Keep valuables in a waterproof bag and take motion sickness medicine only if you normally need it for boats.

The group size is the main logistical variable. Some departures feel small and relaxed, while a larger group can make the guide’s explanations harder to hear. This matters even more because the tour may operate in English and French. Guides such as Benjamin, Aubrey, Sebastian, Brandon, and Alexander have been praised for keeping people engaged and explaining local plants, animals, and history.

The return van is convenient, but drop-off order can stretch the afternoon. One person spent more than an hour riding around Praslin because their hotel was among the last stops. If you have a ferry, flight, dinner booking, or another fixed appointment, leave plenty of spare time.

What the $88 price really includes

At $88 per person, the tour offers good value if you want several activities handled in one booking. Your price covers the return van from your Praslin accommodation, boat transfers, a guided Curieuse visit, the nature trail, tortoise sanctuary, beach BBQ, drinks, snorkeling gear, and guided snorkeling.

The missing item is important: the Curieuse island fee is €20 per person for clients aged 12 and above, paid directly on site. Visa card payment is accepted. The supplied information also says the fee is not included and that no personal expenses or extra alcohol are covered.

Once that fee is added, the total cost is higher than the headline price suggests. Even so, arranging a private boat, transport, island access, lunch, and snorkeling separately would take more planning and may cost more. The package is especially useful if you are staying away from the main beach and want pickup included.

The value is weaker for someone who wants only snorkeling. In that case, you are paying for a full Curieuse visit, walking tour, lunch, and transfers that you may not care about. It is a better match for a full-day mix of wildlife, history, food, and swimming.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend it to couples, families with active older children, and first-time visitors who want to see two nearby islands without arranging several separate trips.

It also suits people who like a day with a clear structure. You are not left guessing how to reach Curieuse, where to find the tortoises, or how to organize lunch. The guide and crew handle the main details, while you focus on walking, eating, swimming, and taking photos.

It is less suitable for anyone with serious health concerns, limited walking ability, or a strong dislike of group tours. The trail can be longer than expected, the heat can be intense, and a large departure may feel crowded. It is also not ideal if you need changing rooms or proper washrooms throughout the day. One person specifically noted the lack of functional facilities.

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, cash or a card for the island fee, and a waterproof bag. Pack a dry shirt and shorts for the ride home. Oversize luggage, pets, littering, and fireworks are not allowed.

Should you book the Curieuse and St Pierre trip?

Book it if you want the most variety from one Praslin day: tortoises up close, island history, a proper nature walk, Creole food, and a chance to snorkel with tropical marine life.

The strongest parts are the freely roaming tortoises, the generous BBQ, and the guides. The weakest parts are the extra island fee, possible idle time between activities, large groups on some dates, and snorkeling that can change with the weather.

My practical advice is simple: check the sea forecast, accept that St Pierre may be replaced by Anse Petite Cours, and do not schedule anything tight after the 3:30 p.m. return. If you can handle a warm walk and a group setting, this is a well-rounded and fairly priced way to see Curieuse from Praslin.

FAQ

How long does the Curieuse and St Pierre trip last?

The activity lasts about seven hours, with hotel pickup beginning roughly 10 to 30 minutes before the scheduled start and drop-off around 3:30 p.m.

Is hotel pickup included on Praslin?

Yes. Return van transfers are included for hotels and guest houses on Praslin, with many pickup locations listed across the island.

Is the Curieuse entrance fee included?

No. Clients aged 12 and above must pay an additional €20 per person for entry to Curieuse on site. Visa card payment is accepted.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guided tours are offered in English and French.

What will I see on Curieuse?

You will visit Doctor’s House, walk through palm forest and mangroves, and visit the giant tortoise sanctuary. Native birds and crabs may also be seen along the trail.

How long is the nature walk?

The guided walk is scheduled for about 1.5 hours. It includes some up-and-down walking and may take longer depending on the group’s pace.

What food is served at lunch?

The Creole BBQ includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, Creole rice, salads, lentils, chutneys, and fresh fruit.

Are drinks included with lunch?

Yes. Mineral water and soft drinks are included, along with one local beer per adult. Additional alcoholic drinks are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a guided one-hour snorkeling session are included. Assistance is available for beginners.

What happens if the sea is rough?

From June to September, rougher southeast monsoon conditions can affect the trip. Snorkeling may be moved from St Pierre to Anse Petite Cours, a calmer bay used for marine viewing and safety.