“Curieuse and St-Pierre Island Adventure: with Creole, BBQ

Curieuse is the star here: you walk through mangroves and granite country to meet free-roaming Aldabra giant tortoises, then eat a Creole BBQ on Anse José Beach. It feels like a proper island day rather than a quick boat stop.

I like two things especially. First, hotel pickup from almost anywhere on Praslin removes the usual morning scramble. Second, the trip combines wildlife, a short hike, swimming, lunch, and snorkeling without making you arrange several separate outings. The main consideration is the hot, uneven walk across Curieuse, which can be tiring if you have limited fitness or mobility.

Key points at a glance

• Giant tortoises in a natural sanctuary: Curieuse gives you close views of the famous Aldabra tortoises.
• Doctor’s House and mangrove trail: The guided route links a small colonial museum with Anse José Beach.
• Fresh beach BBQ: Fish, chicken, sausages, Creole rice, chutneys, lentils, salads, bread, and tropical fruit are served by the shore.
• Two marine stops in one day: Snorkel at St. Pierre, or at sheltered Anse Petite Cours during rough southeast monsoon conditions.
• Useful Praslin pickup: Van transfers are included from a large list of hotels, villas, guesthouses, and the airport.
• Extra park fee: Budget for the Curieuse entrance charge of SCR 300 per adult, about €20, payable separately by Visa card.

Why Curieuse makes the better first stop

The day begins with a van pickup from your Praslin hotel, usually 5 to 30 minutes before the boat departure. You should be ready at reception or in the lounge and provide your exact hotel name and location when booking. Pickup coverage is unusually broad, including properties around Côte d’Or, Anse Volbert, Baie Sainte Anne, Grand Anse, Anse Kerlan, and the Praslin airport area.

The boat leaves from Anse Volbert Beach around 9:00 in the morning. You board directly from the beach, so expect a little sand and possibly wet feet. After a safety briefing, the speedboat heads toward Curieuse. The crossing is short, listed at about 10 minutes in one account of the trip, though exact conditions and departure point can affect the timing.

Curieuse is not simply a beach-and-boat stop. The island is best known for its Aldabra giant tortoises, and the sanctuary gives you a chance to see these huge, slow-moving animals at close range. You may see them resting, grazing, or wandering freely around the grounds. The encounter is the emotional center of the morning, especially if this is your first time seeing the species.

You also visit the Doctor’s House, a small colonial-era building now used as a museum. It adds a human chapter to the island before you head onto the trail. I like this sequence because it gives the morning some shape: a cultural stop, wildlife, then a walk through the island’s natural setting.

The Curieuse walk is scenic, but not effortless

The guided walk crosses mangroves and granite terrain on the way to Anse José. It takes roughly an hour, with photo stops, wildlife viewing, and views along the route. The path is not described as a demanding trek, but it is uneven and includes an uphill section. In strong tropical heat, even a moderate walk can feel harder than it looks on paper.

You should wear secure sandals or waterproof hiking shoes rather than loose flip-flops. Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, and a small waterproof bag. There is no need to carry large luggage, and oversized bags are not permitted.

This is the part of the day where you need to judge your own comfort. The excursion is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, serious back or heart problems, respiratory issues, recent surgery, or a low level of fitness. Pregnancy is also listed as a reason not to take the trip. The operator also sets restrictions for very young children and older people with health concerns.

If you can manage a warm walk over stones and a slope, the route pays off. Anse José is the reward, with time to swim, cool down, and sit by the beach before lunch. If you prefer an outing with almost no walking, this is not the right island trip for you.

A beach BBQ that earns its place in the schedule

Lunch is served at Anse José around 12:30. The meal is more substantial than the usual boat excursion snack. The menu includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, Creole rice, chutneys, coconut lentils, salads, fresh bread, and a tropical fruit platter.

One beer is included for each adult aged 18 or over. Soft drinks such as Coca-Cola, Fanta, and Sprite are also provided, along with bottled water. Vegetarian food can be arranged if you request it ahead of time. Towels are not supplied, so bring your own for the swim and snorkeling stops.

I like the beach setting, but I would not treat lunch as a luxury restaurant meal. This is a casual barbecue prepared outdoors, with the appeal coming from the setting and the Creole flavors. The grilled food and local sides make it feel more connected to Seychelles than a generic packed lunch. If you have dietary restrictions, contact the operator before the day rather than hoping for a last-minute substitute.

The schedule allows about an hour for the BBQ and free time. That gives you enough room to eat and enjoy the shoreline, though the day moves at a steady pace. You will not have an entire afternoon to linger on Curieuse.

St. Pierre brings the underwater hour

After lunch, the boat continues to St. Pierre Island for about an hour and a half of swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing. The islet is known for its rounded granite boulders and clear water. Snorkeling equipment is included, and assistance is available if you are new to the activity.

The water may bring sightings of tropical fish, rays, coral reefs, and possibly sea turtles. These are possibilities, not guarantees, so you should book this as a snorkeling outing rather than a promise of particular animals. The quality of the experience will depend on visibility, sea conditions, and where the boat can safely stop.

St. Pierre is exposed to the southeast monsoon from June through September. Rough water can make the stop uncomfortable, particularly for anyone prone to seasickness or anyone who is not a confident swimmer. In those months, the crew may move the snorkeling to Anse Petite Cours, a more sheltered bay that still offers a chance to see marine life.

That alternative is a sensible safety choice, not a downgrade. A calm bay with decent visibility is more useful than a famous snorkeling site where waves make it hard to enter the water. Bring a rash guard or T-shirt if you burn easily, and keep your camera in a waterproof case or bag.

Timing, boat transfers, and what the day feels like

The published duration is 390 minutes, or six and a half hours. The detailed schedule runs from hotel pickup around 8:15 to 9:00 through return and hotel drop-off around 15:00 to 15:30, so your actual day may feel closer to seven hours once transfers are counted.

The schedule is:

• Hotel pickup between 8:15 and 9:00
• Boat departure from Anse Volbert at about 9:00
• Curieuse visit and guided walk from roughly 9:30 to 11:30
• BBQ lunch and beach time around 12:30 to 13:00
• Snorkeling from about 14:00 to 15:00
• Boat return and hotel drop-off around 15:00 to 15:30

There is some built-in travel time between the stops. That matters because Curieuse and St. Pierre are not just two nearby beach breaks. You get scenic boat movement between them, but you also spend part of the day sitting in the boat under the sun.

The group format keeps the price reasonable, though it means you follow the shared timetable. You cannot decide to stay on Curieuse for another hour if the rest of the group is ready to leave. The guide speaks English and French, and the guided walk is useful because the route, wildlife, and Doctor’s House are easier to appreciate with context.

Is $89 a fair price?

At $89 per person, the package offers good value if you want a full day with transport and several activities included. The price covers round-trip hotel transfers on Praslin, the speedboat, the Curieuse guide, the tortoise sanctuary visit, lunch, snorkeling equipment, assistance in the water, soft drinks, water, and one beer for each adult.

You would pay considerably more if you arranged a private boat, separate park access, food, and snorkeling equipment on your own. The group setup is the reason this can remain affordable. The tradeoff is less privacy and a fixed schedule.

The important extra cost is the Curieuse park fee. The information provided gives it as SCR 300 per adult, approximately €20, for visitors aged 12 and above. It is paid separately to the Seychelles Parks Authority, with Visa card payment required on the island. Tickets may also be bought online through the SPGA website.

That fee changes the real budget. For two adults, add SCR 600 to the advertised price. Bring the correct card and do not assume the $89 covers every charge connected with Curieuse. Personal expenses are also separate.

What to pack for a smoother day

You should keep your belongings small and easy to protect from spray. A waterproof bag is useful on a speedboat, especially when you carry a phone, card, camera, and dry clothing.

Pack:

• Swimsuit and a dry T-shirt
• Towel, since none is supplied
• Secure sandals or waterproof walking shoes
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
• Insect repellent for the mangrove trail
• Credit card, especially Visa, for the Curieuse fee
• Waterproof camera or waterproof phone case
• Water and any personal drinks you need
• A light change of clothes

Do not bring a stroller, large luggage, bike, fishing equipment, diving gear, or anything sharp. Pets are not permitted, apart from assistance dogs. Unaccompanied minors are also not accepted.

The boat, beach, and trail all expose you to sun. I would put sunscreen on before pickup rather than waiting until Curieuse. You will have limited shade while moving between stops, and the walk can make the heat feel stronger than it does at your hotel.

Who will enjoy this Curieuse and St. Pierre day?

I would choose this for someone staying on Praslin who wants the main island sights in one well-organized outing. It suits couples, friends, and active families with children above the stated minimum weight of 15 kilograms, provided everyone is comfortable with a boat ride, a warm walk, and snorkeling.

It is especially good for you if:

• Giant tortoises are high on your Seychelles wish list
• You want a guided nature walk without committing to a full-day hike
• You like casual local food in a beach setting
• You want snorkeling gear and water assistance supplied
• You prefer hotel pickup rather than arranging taxis
• You are happy with a shared excursion and fixed timing

I would think twice if you dislike speedboats, have back or balance problems, are not comfortable in open water, or want a quiet private day. The boat ride may be bumpy, and the Curieuse route includes rocks, heat, and an uphill stretch.

The trip is also less suitable if your main goal is a long snorkeling session. The water time is scheduled for about 90 minutes, but sea conditions can change the location. The strongest reason to book is the mix of tortoises, Curieuse scenery, lunch, and a marine stop, not snorkeling alone.

Should you book it?

Book this excursion if you want to see Curieuse’s giant tortoises and add a beach BBQ and snorkeling stop without planning the pieces yourself. At $89, the included transport, meal, boat, guide, and equipment make it a sensible buy, as long as you add the SCR 300 Curieuse fee per adult.

Choose another outing if you need a private boat, a relaxed pace, or easy access for limited mobility. For active visitors who can handle heat and uneven ground, this is one of the more efficient ways to turn a Praslin stay into a full Seychelles island day.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

The boat departs from Anse Volbert Beach in the Côte d’Or area of Praslin, with hotel or accommodation pickup provided beforehand.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip van transfers are included from listed hotels, guesthouses, villas, self-catering properties, Baie Sainte Anne, and Praslin Island Airport. You should provide the exact pickup location and telephone number when booking.

How long does the excursion last?

The activity is listed as 390 minutes. The detailed schedule begins with pickup around 8:15 to 9:00 and returns you to your accommodation around 15:00 to 15:30.

Is the Curieuse entrance fee included?

No. Adults and children aged 12 and above must pay an additional Curieuse entrance fee of SCR 300, approximately €20, directly to the Seychelles Parks Authority. Payment is accepted by Visa card.

What food and drinks are included?

The beach BBQ includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, Creole rice, chutneys, coconut lentils, salads, fresh bread, and tropical fruit. Each adult aged 18 or over receives one beer, and soft drinks and bottled water are included. Vegetarian options are available on request.

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

From June through September, the southeast monsoon can make the water around St. Pierre rough. The snorkeling may then move to Anse Petite Cours, a more sheltered bay suitable for marine-life viewing.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and assistance for beginners are included. You should bring swimwear, sunscreen, a towel, and a waterproof bag or camera.