Praslin: Curieuse StPierre Guided Tour, BBQ & 2x Snorkeling

The best part of this day is the close meeting with giant tortoises on Curieuse Island, reached by boat from Praslin and paired with two chances to snorkel. You get wildlife, beaches, forest, and a local BBQ in one well-packed outing.

I like the glass-bottom boat, which lets you watch the water even when you are not wearing a mask, and I like the relaxed pace reported by the crew: plenty of time for swimming, tortoise watching, and questions about island plants and animals. The main drawback is the exposed nature of the day. Rough water can change the snorkel spots, and the tour is not suitable for anyone with limited mobility, low fitness, seasickness, or certain medical conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• Tortoises in their natural setting: Eat lunch beside Curieuse’s giant land tortoises and watch them at close range.
• Two snorkel stops: The first is usually at St Pierre or another site selected for the weather, with a later swim or snorkel stop.
• A 1.7-kilometer island crossing: Walk through mangroves between Curieuse’s beaches, so bring good walking sandals or sturdy water shoes.
• A proper Seychellois-style day out: The package includes a BBQ, lemonade, water, one beer for adults, and a rum cocktail.
• Useful all-in pricing, with one extra fee: The tour costs $105 per person, but the marine park charge of SR300, about €20, is separate.
• Small practical limits: The meeting point is by Pirogue Restaurant at 9:30 a.m., and transport to the boat is not included.

Why Curieuse and St Pierre make a strong day from Praslin

Praslin gives you easy access to two very different island settings. St Pierre is mainly a water stop, a small rocky islet surrounded by clear sea and usually chosen for snorkeling. Curieuse gives you the land portion: beaches, mangroves, a walking trail, lunch, and the famous giant tortoises.

That combination matters. A simple beach cruise can feel pleasant but brief. This outing gives you several distinct parts to the day, so you are not relying on one activity or one scenic stop to carry the whole experience.

The tour lasts 390 minutes, or six and a half hours. That is long enough for a full island outing without taking up your entire day from morning until evening. You should still expect a busy schedule, since the boat ride, two water stops, the island walk, lunch, and beach time all need to fit into those hours.

Meeting at Praslin’s Beach Front Garden

You meet at The Beach Front Garden in front of the Pirogue Restaurant parking area by 9:30 a.m. The wording of the meeting point matters, since this is not a hotel pickup. You need to arrange your own way to the boat location, and that transport is not included in the $105 price.

I would arrive a little early, especially if you are carrying towels, snorkeling gear, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. The crew supplies masks and fins, but you still need swimwear and sunscreen. A dry bag or waterproof pouch would also be sensible for a phone, though it is not listed as a required item.

The boat crew and guide speak English and French. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect to select a particular guide when booking. The format is built around a live guide, with explanations during the island walk and time to ask questions about Curieuse, its plant life, and the animals you see.

Glass-bottom views on the ride to St Pierre

The day begins with a glass-bottom boat cruise from Praslin. The glass panel gives you something to watch during the ride and offers a quick look below the surface before you get into the water.

Your first snorkeling stop is normally St Pierre, though the crew may use another location if the weather calls for it. That flexibility is a good sign in a sea-based tour. A fixed plan is less useful than a safe, workable place with decent water conditions.

At the stop, you receive a mask and fins and have time to swim and snorkel. The exact marine life and visibility are not promised, so you should book this for the chance to see the underwater world, not for a guaranteed species list or a particular reef.

The boat is also part of the pleasure here. You can sit back, watch the coast, and take in the changing views between stops. Drinks are available throughout the day, including water and lemonade. Adults aged 18 and over receive one beer, and the package also includes a rum cocktail.

If you are prone to seasickness, take this warning seriously. You spend a good part of the day on the water, and the activity specifically excludes people prone to seasickness. The same caution applies if you have recent surgery, heart problems, back problems, or a low level of fitness.

Curieuse’s beach, mangroves, and 1.7-kilometer trail

After the first water stop, you land on Curieuse Island. The island portion begins at a beautiful beach, then continues along a 1.7-kilometer trail through mangrove forest.

This walk is not a long trek, but it is more than a short stroll from the boat to lunch. You should be comfortable walking that distance in warm weather, on a natural trail, with wet swimwear or damp feet possible. Wear sandals that stay secure or shoes suitable for uneven ground. Flip-flops may be less useful if the path is muddy or rough.

The mangroves are one of the day’s best changes of pace. After the open water and beach, the trail puts you in a quieter setting where the guide can explain the island’s plants and wildlife. You also get a better sense of Curieuse as a living island, not just a photo stop.

The route crosses the island between beaches, so the walk has a clear purpose. It links the shore where you arrive with the area where lunch and tortoise viewing take place. Still, anyone with mobility concerns should avoid booking. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, pregnant women, or people with back problems.

Giant tortoises at lunchtime

The most memorable part of the Curieuse visit is the chance to sit near giant land tortoises in their natural habitat. You do not just look at them from a distant viewpoint. The lunch setting places you close to these slow-moving animals, giving you time to watch their behavior while you eat.

This is where the schedule feels especially well judged. The tortoises are not squeezed into a rushed ten-minute photo stop. You have lunch nearby and can keep observing them afterward. Save some energy for this part, since the island visit is more than a walk and a meal.

The BBQ is described as simple but very tasty. That is the right expectation. This is an outdoor island lunch, not a restaurant meal with a long menu. The value comes from eating in a remarkable setting, with the food served as part of a local day out rather than as a separate dining event.

You should also keep your food expectations practical. The supplied details do not specify the exact BBQ dishes, side dishes, or dietary options. If you have a special diet, ask the operator before booking instead of assuming the menu can be changed.

The tortoises are a major reason to choose Curieuse over a standard snorkeling cruise. You get a close wildlife encounter without needing a separate sanctuary visit, and the guide can answer questions about the island’s flora and fauna. The crew’s patient approach is especially useful here, since you can take your time watching and asking questions rather than being hurried back to the boat.

The second swim, beach time, and changing plans

The afternoon includes either another snorkeling stop or time to swim and relax on Curieuse Island. The wording allows the final plan to change, so the day is not locked into one exact sequence.

That flexibility is useful in the Seychelles, where weather and sea conditions can affect the best place to swim. If the water is good, you may get another snorkeling session. If conditions are less favorable, beach time can make more sense.

Do not read the second stop as a promise of two identical reef sessions. The first stop is planned around St Pierre or another suitable location. The later activity may be snorkeling, swimming, or relaxing on the island. If two long snorkeling sessions are your top priority, confirm the expected plan with the operator before you pay.

For most people, this mix is an advantage. You can swim when you want activity, sit on the beach when you need a break, and avoid turning the whole day into a test of stamina. It also gives the guide room to respond to the weather rather than forcing a poor water stop.

What the $105 price really covers

At $105 per person, the tour bundles several costs that could otherwise add up: boat transport, crew, guide, snorkeling mask and fins, drinks, and BBQ lunch. You also receive a full six and a half hours of touring, rather than a short transfer to Curieuse followed by free time on your own.

The value is strongest if you want variety. You are paying for a guided boat outing, two planned water stops, an island trail, tortoise viewing, and a meal in one package. Booking separate boat transport, snorkeling equipment, lunch, and a guide could be more complicated, even if the final cost varied.

The important extra is the marine park entrance fee. It costs SR300, about €20, per person aged 12 and above, and it is not included in the advertised price. You can pay by card, online, or cash with the supplier.

That means the realistic adult cost is $105 plus SR300. Children under 12 do not pay this stated marine park fee, though the tour still has its own age restrictions. Children under four are not accepted.

Drinks add a little value without changing the nature of the package. You receive water, lemonade, one beer for adults, and a rum cocktail. If you want more alcohol or other drinks, do not assume they are included.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want one organized day that combines marine time with a clear island experience. It suits active couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage the boat ride, snorkeling, heat, and 1.7-kilometer trail.

It is also a good choice if you want contact with nature but prefer a guide to handle the route and timing. You do not need to plan your own Curieuse crossing, find a snorkeling site, or arrange a separate lunch.

The tour is less suitable if you want a quiet, private beach day with no schedule. Even a well-paced six-and-a-half-hour tour has set meeting and departure times. The activity is also not appropriate for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, people with heart or back problems, pregnant women, anyone recovering from recent surgery, or anyone with insect allergies.

The age guidance is unusually strict. People over 65 and over 70 are both listed among those for whom the tour is not suitable. Because the information gives both limits, anyone in that age range should contact the operator before booking rather than relying on general fitness alone.

Practical packing for a wet island day

Bring sunscreen and swimwear, as requested. I would add a towel, secure footwear for the mangrove trail, a hat, and a change of dry clothes.

A waterproof phone pouch can help during the boat and snorkeling stops. Keep valuable items to a minimum, since the day includes swimming, walking, and outdoor dining.

Smoking is not allowed, and baby strollers are not permitted. The activity also does not suit very young children, since children under four cannot join.

The crew supplies snorkeling masks and fins, but you may prefer to bring your own equipment if you need a particular fit. If you use the supplied gear, allow time to adjust it before entering the water.

Booking flexibility and weather concerns

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Those terms are helpful when your Praslin plans may shift.

The larger issue is weather. Snorkeling locations can change, and the afternoon may become beach time instead of another water session. That is not a flaw in itself. It is the normal tradeoff of a boat tour, and a crew that adapts the route is preferable to one that follows a rigid plan.

For the smoothest day, keep the following morning or afternoon reasonably open. You will get more from the tour if you are not worrying about reaching another fixed appointment across the island.

Should you book the Curieuse and St Pierre tour?

Book it if you want a full Praslin day with tortoises, snorkeling, a guided island walk, and lunch rather than a simple boat ride. The strongest reasons are the close tortoise encounter, the 1.7-kilometer mangrove trail, and the patient pace that leaves room for swimming and questions.

Think twice if you are seasick, uncomfortable on natural trails, or mainly seeking long, guaranteed snorkeling sessions. Also add the SR300 marine park fee to your budget and arrange your own transport to the 9:30 a.m. meeting point.

For an active visitor who wants several classic Seychelles experiences in one outing, the $105 price is fair. Just come prepared for changing sea conditions, a walking day, and a simple outdoor BBQ rather than a luxury cruise.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is The Beach Front Garden in front of the Pirogue Restaurant parking area. You should arrive by 9:30 a.m.

Is transportation to the meeting point included?

No. Transportation to the boat location is not included in the tour price.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts 390 minutes, which is six and a half hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Is the marine park entrance fee included?

No. The marine park fee is SR300, about €20, for each person aged 12 and above. Payment can be made by card, online, or cash with the supplier.

What snorkeling equipment is provided?

The tour includes a snorkeling mask and fins.

Which drinks are included?

You receive water, lemonade, one beer for adults aged 18 and above, and a rum cocktail.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English and French.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.