Praslin: Curieuse & St. Pierre Full-Day Boat Trip with Lunch

Curieuse is the star here. You walk among giant tortoises, cross a mangrove forest, and finish at a beautiful beach, all in one well-packed day from Praslin. The boat ride adds the right amount of sea air and island scenery without turning this into a long expedition.

I like the two snorkeling stops at St. Pierre, where you might see parrotfish, surgeonfish, clownfish, sea turtles, or stingrays. I also like the Creole-style BBQ, usually served with fish or chicken, rice, salads, and soft drinks. The catch is that this is an active day with a 1.7-kilometer hike, boat transfers, sun, and uneven ground, so it is not a good fit for anyone with low fitness or limited mobility.

Key points to know before you go

• Curieuse’s giant tortoises are the main event: You can see hundreds roaming in a protected island setting.
• St. Pierre offers two snorkeling sessions: Bring your own mask if you need a precise fit, though equipment is supplied.
• The mangrove walk covers 1.7 kilometers: It links the island’s wildlife area with a scenic beach and includes local explanations.
• Lunch is a proper Creole BBQ: Fresh island ingredients, grilled fish or chicken, rice, salads, and soft drinks are included.
• Pickup is convenient but not universal: Several remote Praslin areas require you to meet at another pickup point.
• The weather can change the plan: Heavy rain may cancel the day, and wind can alter snorkeling locations.

Why this boat trip works so well from Praslin

At $93 per person, this is a strong value for a seven-hour outing, especially since it combines transport, a speedboat, a guide, snorkeling equipment, lunch, drinks, and hotel pickup. Booking each piece separately would take more planning and could easily cost more.

The appeal is the mix. You are not spending the whole day on a beach or the whole day in the water. Instead, the outing moves from a quiet swimming stop to coral and fish, then to tortoises, lunch, mangroves, and another beach swim. That variety matters on a small island, where a single well-planned day can cover much of what makes the Seychelles special.

I also like that Curieuse is reached by boat rather than treated as a quick photo stop. The island has no shops, hotels, or restaurants, so the trip feels more like a visit to a protected natural place than a standard resort excursion. Pack what you need before leaving Praslin.

The boat is shared, not private. Pickup times and meeting points must be respected, and other people will be on board. That keeps the cost reasonable, but you should not book this expecting a custom itinerary or complete control over the schedule.

Starting at Grand Anse and heading along Praslin’s west coast

The day begins with pickup from your accommodation and a transfer to Grand Anse Main Beach. Pickup is not available directly in Anse Lazio, Anse Boudin, Anse Possession, or Anse La Blague, and some remote hotels also fall outside the pickup area. If you are staying in one of those places, contact the operator for the nearest meeting point before booking.

At Grand Anse, you check in and receive a short safety briefing. The boat then heads along Praslin’s west coast, giving you an early look at the island from the water. This part is not just a transfer. It sets the rhythm for the day, with salt air, open views, and short bursts of speed between stops.

A speedboat is a practical choice here. It covers the distance to the nearby islands quickly and leaves enough time for the actual activities. The tradeoff is that the ride can feel lively in rougher conditions, so anyone prone to seasickness should take sensible precautions and sit where the crew advises.

The crew has earned especially warm praise for keeping the day organized and safe. Captains and guides have included names such as Morgan, Timothy, Jack Sparrow, Ryan, Jason, Francis, Alex, and Nelson. Your exact team will depend on the date, but the guide’s role is important: the better guides keep instructions clear, adjust the plan for weather, and add useful details about local plants, animals, and island life.

A swim at Anse Georgette

One of the first scenic stops is Anse Georgette, a secluded white-sand beach on Praslin. The planned pause gives you time for a refreshing swim in clear water and a chance to enjoy the setting before the snorkeling begins.

This is a good early stop because it eases you into the day. You can swim, take photographs, and get comfortable with the pace before spending more time in the water. It also gives you a beach experience that feels different from the coral and wildlife stops later on.

Do not treat the beach pause as a guaranteed long sunbathing session. The entire day has several stops, and the guide needs to keep the group moving. Bring sandals for shore access, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a camera in a water-safe bag.

Two snorkeling sessions around St. Pierre

St. Pierre is an uninhabited island and the main water stop. The schedule allows about an hour for swimming and snorkeling, divided into two sessions at suitable locations. Conditions can change, so the exact snorkeling points may be adjusted if wind or currents make another area safer or clearer.

The water around St. Pierre offers colorful coral formations and tropical fish. You might see parrotfish, surgeonfish, and clownfish, along with sea turtles or stingrays. One useful detail from the day’s firsthand accounts is that the coral is not perfect in every area, but there can still be a good range of fish to spot. That is a more honest expectation than imagining an untouched reef at every turn.

The supplied snorkeling gear is convenient, particularly if you are traveling light. Still, if you have a favorite mask or need a very specific fit, bringing your own could make the session more comfortable. The crew watches over people in the water and helps keep the group together, but you should be comfortable swimming before choosing this trip.

This part is best for people who enjoy looking carefully rather than rushing through the water. Take time to scan around rocks and coral, and listen to the guide’s instructions about where to swim. Visibility depends on weather and sea conditions, so the quality of the session can vary from one departure to another.

Meeting Curieuse’s giant tortoises

Curieuse is where the day becomes memorable. The island is known for its giant tortoise sanctuary, and hundreds of tortoises roam through the protected area. You get time to watch them at close range, take photographs, and, under the guide’s direction, feed them.

The tortoises are not a staged attraction in a small enclosure. Seeing them moving through their island setting gives the stop real character. They are slow, calm, and remarkably large, which makes this a particularly good part of the trip for photographers and families with older children.

Listen carefully to the guide around the animals. Feeding and touching should follow the crew’s instructions, and extra food should not be used without permission. One practical tip is to ask the guide before bringing fruit, since the crew controls what is suitable for the tortoises.

You have roughly three hours on Curieuse for the island visit and BBQ lunch, followed by about two hours for the guided walk, wildlife viewing, and beach time. That is enough to avoid a rushed visit, though the day still has a fixed schedule. If you want to spend half a day sitting beside the tortoises, this is not that sort of outing.

A Creole BBQ by the sea

Lunch is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. The crew prepares a BBQ using fresh island products, with grilled fish or chicken, rice, salads, and other sides. Barracuda has appeared on some departures, and the meal is paired with soft drinks.

This is simple food, not fine dining, and that is exactly right for a beach day. You get a filling plate after snorkeling and walking, with local flavors that fit the setting. The meal also saves you from carrying a full packed lunch to an island that has no restaurants or shops.

Expect the menu to vary. Fish, chicken, rice, and salads are common themes, but the precise dishes depend on what is available. If you have dietary restrictions, ask the operator ahead of time rather than assuming the BBQ can be changed.

The beach setting makes lunch feel like part of the outing rather than a break from it. You remain close to the water and the island’s natural surroundings, then continue into the guided walk once the meal is finished.

Walking 1.7 kilometers through Curieuse’s mangroves

The guided mangrove hike is the other major reason to choose this trip. The walk covers 1.7 kilometers and leads through Curieuse’s mangrove forest toward an idyllic beach. Guides point out local plants, wildlife, and features of the island as you go.

This walk gives Curieuse more depth than a quick tortoise visit. You see how the island’s coastal environment changes from open beach and tortoise habitat to mangrove channels and wet forest. The scenery is quieter here, and the guide’s explanations help you notice details that are easy to miss when walking alone.

The route has been described as manageable at a slow pace, but you should not confuse manageable with effortless. You need comfortable shoes or sturdy sandals, protection from the sun, and enough fitness for a 1.7-kilometer walk over natural ground. The activity is specifically unsuitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, people with back or heart problems, pregnant women, and people over 70 years old.

At the beach, you can cool off with a swim. This gives the hike a satisfying finish, especially on a hot day. Keep your towel and beachwear handy rather than burying them at the bottom of your bag.

Guides, music, and the feel of the day

The guides are a major part of the experience. Names frequently associated with strong departures include Ryan, Jason, and Francis, with other crew members such as Alex, Timothy, Morgan, and Jack Sparrow also appearing on different days. They are not simply there to point out the next stop. The better guide-led moments include stories about Seychelles life, explanations of flora and fauna, and clear advice about weather changes and water safety.

The tone is friendly and lively. Music is sometimes played on the boat, and the crew keeps the mood light with jokes and local character. Some visitors will love that easygoing style. If you prefer a quiet, private boat with long periods of silence, you may find the shared atmosphere more energetic than expected.

The organization is another strong point. Hotel transfers, check-in, boat movements, water stops, lunch, and the return ride are handled as one connected day. Several guides have adjusted the route when wind or rain affected conditions, using alternate snorkeling sites or other backup plans.

That flexibility is valuable in the Seychelles, where weather can shift quickly. Heavy rain can still cancel the tour, and the provider decides early on the day whether it is safe to operate. The activity is covered by free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans are still moving around.

What to pack for seven hours on the water

Pack lightly, but pack the right things. You should bring:

• Swimwear and beachwear
• A towel
• Comfortable shoes for the mangrove walk
• Sandals for the beach
• Sunscreen
• A camera
• A credit card for the Curieuse park ticket
• Any personal medication or seasickness supplies you need

The Curieuse park ticket is not included. It costs 20 EUR and is payable by credit card on the island, so do not arrive with only cash.

There are no shops, restaurants, or hotel facilities on the islands visited. Lunch and soft drinks are supplied, but you should not count on buying extra snacks, drinks, or forgotten beach items after leaving Praslin.

Who should book this Praslin excursion

I would choose this trip if you want one full day that covers wildlife, snorkeling, beaches, a boat ride, and local food. It suits active couples, families with children over three who can swim and walk comfortably, and anyone with limited time on Praslin who wants several major sights in one outing.

It is also a good choice if you value a guide’s local explanations. The day is more interesting when someone points out plants, animals, mangroves, and island history instead of leaving you to wander without context.

I would hesitate if you need a private schedule, dislike shared boats, cannot swim confidently, or have trouble with uneven paths. The trip has several physical demands, and the weather can change the route. It is also not suitable for young children under three, pregnant women, people with serious mobility or health concerns, wheelchair users, or people with a low fitness level.

Is the $93 price good value?

For seven hours, $93 is fair to good value. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a guide, the speedboat, snorkeling equipment, BBQ lunch, soft drinks, and the mangrove walk. The only clear extra cost listed is the 20 EUR Curieuse park ticket.

The value improves if you are staying outside easy walking distance of Grand Anse, since the transfer removes a transport problem. It also improves if you were already planning to arrange separate snorkeling, boat transport, and a Curieuse visit. Combining those pieces saves time and avoids having to coordinate several operators.

The price is less attractive if you only want a short beach outing or a private boat. You are paying for a full, active schedule and a shared group experience. For most people who want to see both St. Pierre and Curieuse in one day, that is a sensible trade.

Should you book it?

Yes, if your Praslin plans include only one boat day. The combination of free-roaming giant tortoises and two snorkeling stops gives you the strongest range of experiences, while the BBQ and hotel transfer keep the day practical.

Book it early in your stay if possible, since weather may affect the route and a backup day is useful. Just confirm your pickup point, bring a credit card for the park fee, and be honest about your fitness. If you want a relaxed but active introduction to Praslin’s nearby islands, this is one of the better all-round choices.

FAQ

How long is the Curieuse and St. Pierre boat trip?

The activity lasts seven hours, including pickup and drop-off at your accommodation in Praslin.

What is included in the $93 price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a guide, speedboat transport, a BBQ lunch, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a guided mangrove hike.

Is the Curieuse park ticket included?

No. The Curieuse park ticket costs 20 EUR and must be paid by credit card on the island.

Where does the trip begin?

The main meeting and departure point is Grand Anse Main Beach on Praslin. Direct pickup is not available in Anse Lazio, Anse Boudin, Anse Possession, Anse La Blague, and some remote hotel locations. You must contact the operator for the nearest pickup point.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Heavy rain can cancel the activity. Because weather can change quickly, the provider decides early on the morning of the trip whether the boat will operate. Wind can also lead to changes in snorkeling locations.

Is the trip suitable for people with limited mobility?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, back problems, heart problems, low fitness, or visual impairments. It is also not suitable for pregnant women, children under three, or people over 70.