Seychelles: St Pierre and Curieuse Catamaran Tour with Lunch

St Pierre’s clear water and Curieuse’s free-roaming giant tortoises give this day trip its real appeal. I like the 45-minute snorkeling stop at St Pierre, long enough to enjoy the water without rushing, and the one-hour Curieuse walk through mangroves and mountain scenery to Anse Jose. A BBQ lunch aboard the Oplezir adds useful value.

The main trade-off is size. One recent trip carried about 50 people, so this is a lively group outing rather than a quiet private cruise. The large catamaran gives you room to spread out, but anyone seeking a small boat and a peaceful pace should think twice.

Key points at a glance

• St Pierre snorkeling: Plan for about 45 minutes in one of the Seychelles’ favorite swimming and snorkeling spots.
• Curieuse tortoises: See giant land tortoises roaming freely around the island reserve.
• One-hour nature walk: Follow a guided route through mangroves and mountain terrain to Anse Jose.
• BBQ on the Oplezir: Lunch is served aboard the catamaran, with vegetarian food available if requested.
• Anse Georgette stop: Take photos and swim at one of Praslin’s best-known beaches.
• Large-group setup: About 50 people may be aboard, though the catamaran has a forward sun net and plenty of open space.

Why this day works so well

This is a full Seychelles day, not just a boat ride. You get marine life at St Pierre, protected island scenery on Curieuse, giant tortoises, a cooked lunch, and a final beach stop at Anse Georgette. The variety matters because the islands offer different pleasures, and this tour links several of them without requiring separate bookings.

I especially like the balance between water time and dry land. Many island cruises lean too heavily toward either snorkeling or sightseeing. Here, you get a proper swim at St Pierre, a walk of about one hour on Curieuse, another swim at Anse Georgette, and a scenic cruise along Praslin’s northeast coast.

The tour costs about $166 per person and lasts seven to eight hours. That is not a bargain-basement boat trip, but the price includes the catamaran, snorkeling equipment, water, Curieuse landing fees, and BBQ lunch. Hotel pickup on Praslin is included if you select that option. For a full day with several stops, the value is reasonable, especially if you want to combine activities that would otherwise take extra planning.

The day is best for active adults, couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a broad introduction to the Praslin area. It is not a good match for people with mobility impairments, pregnant women, or children under two. The boat, beach landings, uneven trail, and swimming stops all require a reasonable level of comfort and movement.

St Pierre brings the first swim

The outing begins at St Pierre Island, a small, rocky island known for swimming and snorkeling. This first stop sets the tone: you leave the boat for clear water, colorful underwater scenery, and a chance to cool off before the hotter part of the day.

You should expect roughly 45 minutes for snorkeling. That is a useful amount of time. It gives you room to swim, look around, and settle into the water without turning the stop into an exhausting marathon. Snorkeling equipment and water are included, so you do not need to arrange your own gear.

I would bring a secure swimsuit, sunscreen, and a hat for the boat ride. A camera is also useful, but protect it carefully around the water. The itinerary can change with weather conditions, so St Pierre may not look exactly the same on every departure, and the order of stops can shift.

The boat ride itself is part of the attraction. You will see coastal views from the water, and the catamaran gives you several places to sit or stand. If you want more sun and airflow, the forward sun net is likely the most appealing spot. If you prefer shade or a steadier seat, choose your place early rather than waiting until the boat fills.

Curieuse and its giant tortoises

After St Pierre, the catamaran heads to Curieuse Island reserve. This is the most distinctive part of the tour for many people because the island is home to giant land tortoises. They are not seen behind glass or at the end of a formal zoo visit. You can admire them in an island setting, often making this the most memorable photo stop of the day.

The tortoises are a strong reason to choose this tour over a simple snorkeling cruise. They give Curieuse a character that the beaches alone cannot provide. Bring patience and your camera, but keep your attention on the island rather than treating the stop as a quick photo session.

Curieuse also supplies the day’s main walk. A guide leads you for about one hour through mountain scenery and mangrove swamps until you reach Anse Jose. The route adds context to the island and breaks up the time spent aboard the boat. It also shows you a side of the Seychelles that you miss if you only visit beaches.

I would wear shoes with a good grip rather than flip-flops. Comfortable clothing is useful, and insect repellent belongs in your day bag because the route passes through mangrove areas. The walk is described as manageable, but the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. You should also be ready for heat, sun, and uneven ground.

The walk is short enough to fit comfortably into a day of swimming, but it is not optional sightseeing from a chair. If you want a pure relaxation cruise, this tour may feel too active. If you like adding a nature walk to your beach time, it is a good fit.

Lunch aboard the Oplezir catamaran

After the Curieuse walk, you return to the Oplezir for a BBQ lunch. Serving the meal aboard the catamaran keeps the day moving and avoids using another block of time for a restaurant stop. You can eat while remaining close to the water and the scenery.

The lunch is described as generous, and vegetarian food can be arranged by request. You should make that request ahead of time rather than waiting until the meal is being served. Water is included, but other items or services are not, so bring cash for anything extra.

A boat lunch also has practical advantages. You do not need to dry off completely, change into formal clothes, or find your way to a separate dining spot. At the same time, this is an outdoor catamaran meal, not a restaurant experience. Wind, sun, and the movement of the boat are part of the setting.

The Oplezir’s size helps here. Even with around 50 people aboard, the boat has enough room for people to move around, and the forward net can provide additional seating. Still, the atmosphere is social and shared. I would not book this trip expecting a quiet lunch for two.

Anse Georgette adds a beautiful finish

The next major stop is Anse Georgette on Praslin. The boat pauses for photos and another swim, giving you a second chance to get into the water after Curieuse. This is a useful feature of the itinerary because you are not relying on one snorkeling stop to make the whole day worthwhile.

At Anse Georgette, the appeal is the beach and the surrounding coastal view. Bring your camera, but leave enough time to swim. The stop is designed for both: a picture-worthy setting and a refreshing break.

I like the way this stop comes after lunch and the Curieuse walk. By then, you have had the most active portion of the day. A swim at Anse Georgette lets you relax before the final cruise back toward Praslin.

The itinerary depends on weather and sea conditions, so the exact timing or order may change. That is normal for a sea excursion. You should treat the listed stops as the planned outline, not a guarantee that every stop will happen in precisely the same order.

The final cruise along Praslin’s northeast coast

The return includes a scenic cruise along Praslin’s northeast coast. This is more than a transfer back to shore. It gives you time to sit back, look at the coastline from a different angle, and let the day slow down after the swimming and walking stops.

I find these final stretches useful because they make the outing feel like a complete island circuit rather than a string of disconnected activities. You have seen St Pierre from the water, walked Curieuse, stopped at Anse Georgette, and then viewed Praslin from offshore.

The tour ends with a return to your hotel if you selected Praslin pickup. Transfer time depends on traffic, and pickup is available only at hotels accessible from the main road. Confirm your pickup time and location 48 hours before departure using the provider’s contact number on your voucher. This small step can prevent a needless morning of confusion.

Pickup details from Praslin, Mahé, and La Digue

The tour can be booked with departures from Mahé, Praslin, or La Digue, but the transport arrangements differ. On Praslin, hotel pickup and drop-off are available when selected, with the restriction that the hotel must be accessible from the main road.

If you are staying on La Digue, meet at the Creole Travel Services office in La Passe. It is a short walk from the jetty. Ferry tickets can be included for La Digue clients if that option is selected, but you must arrange your own transfer between your hotel and the La Digue ferry harbour.

That detail matters. The boat excursion may be straightforward, yet the start of the day depends on getting to the correct ferry point at the correct time. Check your voucher closely, confirm the pickup information 48 hours ahead, and allow enough time for your own transfer from a La Digue hotel to the harbour.

The tour has live guides in English and French. No individual guide names are provided, so you should book based on the listed languages rather than expecting a particular person.

Group size, pace, and comfort

The most important practical question is how you feel about a group of around 50 people. A large catamaran can make that number less troublesome because there is more room than on a small boat. You can often find a place on the forward sun net, and the group spreads out during stops.

Still, you will share the boat, meals, landings, and guide with many other people. Boarding, moving between activities, and getting served lunch may feel less personal than on a private charter. I would choose this trip for its range of sights and included services, not for solitude.

The pace is fairly full. You snorkel at St Pierre, walk Curieuse, eat lunch, swim at Anse Georgette, and cruise the coast, all within seven to eight hours. You get a lot in one day, but you should not expect long, unplanned periods to do nothing.

Comfortable clothes, shoes, sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, a camera, and cash are the sensible basics. A dry bag or waterproof pouch would also be useful for personal items, though it is not specifically listed as an inclusion.

How the $166 price holds up

At $166 per person, this tour earns its value through the number of moving parts it handles for you. The price includes the boat, snorkeling gear, water, lunch, and Curieuse landing fees. With selected pickup, it also covers hotel transportation on Praslin.

The lunch is an important part of the calculation. A full BBQ meal on the boat saves you from arranging food during a long day, and vegetarian food is available with advance notice. Ferry tickets may be included for La Digue clients when that option is chosen, which can make the overall cost easier to justify.

You are paying for convenience as well as scenery. Instead of arranging separate transport to St Pierre, Curieuse, and Anse Georgette, you make one booking and spend the day moving between them. I would compare the price with the cost of a boat charter, food, equipment rental, landing fees, and island transfers before deciding that it is expensive.

The value is weaker if you want only snorkeling or only beach time. You may find a simpler boat trip for less. This tour makes the most sense if you want wildlife, a guided walk, lunch, and two swim stops in one organized day.

Who should book this catamaran day

I would recommend it to you if you want a wide sample of the Praslin area and prefer an organized schedule. It suits people who enjoy alternating between water, wildlife, walking, food, and coastal views.

Families should note the age restriction. Children under two are not allowed on these sea excursions, and the activity is also listed as unsuitable for babies under one. Older children who can manage a boat day and a one-hour nature walk may find the tortoises and swimming stops especially appealing, but the tour does not promise a special children’s program.

You should skip it if you have limited mobility, are pregnant, or dislike being on a shared boat. You should also reconsider it if your ideal Seychelles day means a quiet private cruise with no fixed schedule.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Weather can change the itinerary on the day, so keep some flexibility in your wider holiday plans.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want one efficient day that combines St Pierre snorkeling, Curieuse tortoises, a guided nature walk, BBQ lunch, and Anse Georgette. The strongest parts are the 45-minute water stop, the free-roaming giant tortoises, and the range of experiences packed into seven to eight hours.

Think carefully about the group size and active pace. Around 50 people may share the catamaran, and the day includes walking, sun, swimming, and boat transfers. For a broad, well-organized introduction to the islands around Praslin, the $166 price is fair. For peace, privacy, or a slow beach day, choose a smaller or simpler outing instead.

FAQ

How long does the St Pierre and Curieuse catamaran tour last?

The tour lasts about seven to eight hours. The starting time varies, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a BBQ lunch aboard the Oplezir catamaran, water, snorkeling equipment, and Curieuse Island landing fees. Hotel pickup and drop-off on Praslin are included only if you select that option.

Can I join the tour from La Digue?

Yes. La Digue clients should meet at the Creole Travel Services office in La Passe, a few minutes from the jetty. Ferry tickets may be included if that option is selected, but you must arrange your own transport between your hotel and the La Digue ferry harbour.

Is vegetarian lunch available?

Yes. Vegetarian BBQ food can be arranged by request. Make the request in advance.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

Children under two are not allowed on these sea excursions. The activity is also listed as unsuitable for babies under one year old.

What languages are available on the tour?

The live tour guide service is available in English and French.