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

Tortoises, mangroves, and lunch by the sea. This Curieuse and St. Pierre outing packs two of Praslin’s best nearby island experiences into one day. I like the mix of wildlife and water time: you walk through Curieuse National Park, then trade your hiking shoes for a mask and snorkel near St. Pierre.

I also like the practical setup, with hotel pickup across Praslin, a guided island walk, lunch, drinks, equipment, and the return ride included in the $89 price. The main caution is the Curieuse trail, which includes uneven stones, heat, mangroves, and some uphill walking. Older visitors or anyone with low fitness should think carefully before booking.

What Makes This Excursion Worth Your Day

• Aldabra giant tortoises up close: Curieuse gives you time to see these famous animals in a protected island setting.
• A walk with a purpose: The route links the Doctor’s House, tortoise area, mangrove trail, granite scenery, and Anse José Beach.
• A proper Creole lunch: Grilled fish, chicken, sausages, rice, lentils, chutneys, salads, fruit, and one beer are served on the beach.
• Two kinds of island scenery: Curieuse offers forest, mangroves, rocks, and beach, while St. Pierre brings granite boulders and clear water.
• A flexible snorkeling plan: From June through September, rough southeast monsoon seas can move the snorkeling stop to sheltered Anse Petite Cours.
• Transfers from almost anywhere on Praslin: Pickup and drop-off are available at a long list of hotels, villas, guesthouses, self-catering properties, and other locations.

From Your Praslin Hotel to Anse Volbert

The day begins with a van pickup between 8:15 and 9:00 in the morning. You should wait at your hotel reception or lounge and be ready five to ten minutes early. The exact pickup time depends on your location, so include your telephone number when booking and contact the operator for the final time.

This is useful on Praslin, where accommodations are spread around the island. Pickup is offered at places such as Berjaya Praslin Resort, Le Duc de Praslin, Hotel Raffles, Constance Lemuria, Paradise Sun, Coco de Mer, Acajou Beach Resort, and many smaller villas and guesthouses. Airport pickup and locations around Baie Sainte Anne are also listed.

A 30-minute van ride takes you to Anse Volbert, also called Côte d’Or. From there, you board directly from the beach. This is not a marina-style departure, so wear sandals or shoes that can handle getting wet and keep cameras, phones, and cards in a waterproof bag.

The boat ride to Curieuse is short, about 10 minutes according to the supplied timing. That quick crossing matters if you are prone to seasickness, though conditions can still make any open-water ride uncomfortable. You receive a safety introduction before setting off.

The excursion is a group tour, but no group size is specified. That means the atmosphere and amount of personal attention can vary. You receive a live guide in English or French, and the Curieuse walk is guided.

Curieuse and the Doctor’s House

The first stop is Curieuse, a protected island known for its Aldabra giant tortoises. You arrive near the Doctor’s House, a colonial building that now serves as a small museum and historic point of interest.

The Doctor’s House gives the walk a clear starting place. It also adds context before you meet the tortoises and head across the island. Do not expect a long museum visit. The main appeal here is the combination of the building, the surrounding scenery, and the wildlife area nearby.

The tortoises are the star of this part of the day. They are free-roaming animals in a sanctuary setting, and you have the chance to watch them at close range. Bring a camera, but keep your attention on the animals rather than trying to turn the encounter into a rushed photo stop.

If you are visiting with older relatives, this is the section to assess honestly. One account describes the walk toward the tortoises as a challenge for two older people because of the mangrove forest, stones, incline, and heat. The route is not described as suitable for wheelchairs, and the activity is not recommended for people with mobility limits, back problems, heart conditions, respiratory issues, recent surgery, or low fitness.

The Mangrove Trail to Anse José

After the tortoise area, you follow a guided path through mangroves and granite terrain toward Anse José Beach. This is more than a transfer from one stop to the next. It is the part that lets you see Curieuse as a wild island rather than just a place to photograph large tortoises.

The path includes natural ground, rocks, and some uphill sections. Hiking shoes or sturdy waterproof shoes will serve you better than flimsy flip-flops. Insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat, and a water-resistant bag are sensible additions.

The heat can make the walk feel harder than the distance suggests. Bring water even though bottled water is supplied, and dress in light clothing such as a T-shirt and shorts. The route ends at Anse José, where you can swim and rest before lunch.

This walk is a strong part of the excursion for active visitors who want more than a boat trip. It is less suitable if your priority is a completely relaxed beach day. The operator does not recommend the activity for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with significant medical conditions, or children under 15 kilograms.

Creole BBQ at Anse José

Lunch is planned for about 12:30 to 1:00, after the Curieuse walk. It is served on the beach, which gives the meal a simple island feel rather than a restaurant atmosphere.

The menu includes grilled fish, chicken, and sausages, along with Creole rice, coconut lentils, chutneys, salads, fresh bread, and tropical fruit. You also receive soft drinks, bottled water, and one beer per adult aged 18 or over. Vegetarian food is available if requested ahead of time.

This is one of the better value points in the $89 price. A boat excursion with two island stops can become expensive once lunch, drinks, and snorkeling gear are added separately. Here, those basics are bundled in, although the Curieuse island fee is not.

The meal is described as an excellent part of the day, and the grillmaster brings some humor to the lunch service. Still, remember that a beach BBQ depends on weather and outdoor conditions. You will not have the privacy, shade, or menu choice of a formal restaurant.

The timing also leaves room to enjoy Anse José. You can swim, sit on the sand, and cool down before returning to the boat. If you burn easily, do not treat lunch as a break from sun protection. The beach portion follows a warm walk and comes before another period on the water.

Snorkeling Around St. Pierre

At about 2:00, the boat heads to St. Pierre Island for roughly an hour of swimming and snorkeling. St. Pierre is a small granite islet with rounded boulders and clear tropical water. The stop is focused on marine life, with the possibility of seeing coral, tropical fish, rays, and perhaps sea turtles.

Snorkeling equipment is included, and assistance is available for beginners. You should still be comfortable entering the water and following the guide’s instructions. This is not a scuba excursion, and diving is not allowed.

The water stop gives the day a useful change of pace. Curieuse is about walking, animals, and plants. St. Pierre is about swimming, sea views, and what you can see below the surface. If you already enjoy snorkeling, this will likely be one of your favorite sections. If you are a nervous swimmer, the available assistance helps, but it does not remove the need for basic water confidence.

Sea conditions deserve special attention. Between June and September, the southeast monsoon can make the water around St. Pierre rough. In that case, the snorkeling stop may move to Anse Petite Cours, a more sheltered bay with marine life.

That change is not a failure of the trip. It is a sensible safety choice, but it may disappoint you if St. Pierre’s granite rocks are your main reason for booking. Conditions determine the final location.

Is $89 a Fair Price?

At $89 per person, this is a strong package if you want a full day rather than a single boat transfer. You receive hotel transportation, the speedboat ride, a Curieuse guide, the tortoise sanctuary visit, the island walk, a beach BBQ, drinks, snorkeling equipment, assistance in the water, and return transport.

The important extra cost is the Curieuse island tax. Adults aged 12 and over pay SCR 300, roughly €20, directly to the Seychelles Parks Authority. Payment is accepted by Visa card, and tickets can also be bought online through the official SPGA website.

That fee changes the real cost, so budget closer to $109 per adult if you include the stated approximate tax. Personal purchases and towels are also outside the package. Bring your own towel, since none is provided.

The value is best for someone who would otherwise book separate wildlife, boat, lunch, and snorkeling activities. It is less compelling if you only want to visit a beach for a few hours or if the trail would be too demanding for you.

Timing, Comfort, and What to Pack

The stated activity duration is 390 minutes, or six and a half hours. The detailed schedule runs from early hotel pickup through a return around 3:30, so your total time away from your room may be longer depending on your pickup and drop-off location.

Bring the following:

• Sunscreen and a sun hat
• Swimwear and beach clothing
• Sandals plus hiking or waterproof shoes
• A towel
• Sunglasses
• Insect repellent
• A waterproof phone or camera case
• A waterproof bag
• A credit card for the Curieuse fee
• Extra drinks if you prefer more than the supplied water and soft drinks

Pack light. Oversize luggage, bicycles, fishing gear, strollers, mobility scooters, skateboards, and similar bulky items are not permitted. Pets are not allowed, except assistance dogs. Unaccompanied minors are also not accepted.

The boat, heat, uneven trail, and water activities make this a physically active day. The operator lists restrictions for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, people with serious medical conditions, people over 75 or 80 depending on the stated restriction, and people over 95. The overlapping age limits are not perfectly clear, so anyone in those age groups should ask the operator before paying.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies help if your Praslin plans may shift, but they do not change the sea conditions or the fitness demands.

Who Will Enjoy This Day Most?

I would recommend it to active couples, families with older children, first-time visitors to Praslin, and anyone who wants several classic Seychelles experiences in one outing. The mix of tortoises, a guided island walk, Creole food, and snorkeling gives you a good sense of the area in a single day.

It also suits people staying at scattered Praslin accommodations because the pickup network is unusually broad. If you are at a villa or small guesthouse rather than a major resort, confirm the exact pickup point instead of assuming the van will find you without help.

I would be more cautious for anyone with limited mobility, a weak level of fitness, back or heart problems, or a strong dislike of boats. The Curieuse trail is not just a stroll along a flat path, and the snorkeling stop depends on weather.

The tour also works best when you accept some flexibility. The exact snorkeling bay may change, the boat ride may feel rough, and a beach lunch will be informal. In return, you get a day that feels connected to the islands rather than confined to a resort pool.

Should You Book Curieuse and St. Pierre?

Book this excursion if you want wildlife, walking, local food, and snorkeling without arranging four separate activities. The giant tortoises and beach BBQ receive the strongest praise, and the short boat ride from Anse Volbert keeps the day efficient.

Before booking, add the SCR 300 Curieuse fee to your budget, bring your own towel, and be realistic about the hot, rocky trail. If you are fit enough for the walk and comfortable in the sea, this is one of the more useful full-day outings from Praslin. If you need an easy, fully accessible beach day, choose something gentler.

FAQ

Where does the Curieuse and St. Pierre excursion begin?

The boat departs from Anse Volbert Beach, also known as Côte d’Or, on Praslin Island. Round-trip van transportation is included from listed hotels, villas, guesthouses, and other locations on Praslin.

What time does hotel pickup take place?

Hotel pickup is scheduled between 8:15 and 9:00 in the morning. You should wait at reception or the lounge and be ready five to ten minutes early. The exact time depends on your accommodation.

Is the Curieuse island fee included?

No. Visitors aged 12 and above must pay a Curieuse entrance fee of SCR 300, approximately €20, directly to the Seychelles Parks Authority. Visa card payment is accepted, and tickets are also available online.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, Creole rice, coconut lentils, chutneys, salads, fresh bread, and tropical fruit. One beer is included for each adult aged 18 or over, along with soft drinks and bottled water. Vegetarian food is available if requested.

Is snorkeling equipment supplied?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and assistance are included. The activity takes place at St. Pierre when sea conditions permit, or at sheltered Anse Petite Cours when conditions around St. Pierre are rough.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not provided. You should also bring swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, sandals, and a waterproof bag or camera case.

Is the activity suitable for people with limited mobility?

No. The operator does not recommend it for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. The Curieuse walk includes mangroves, stones, heat, and uphill sections, and the activity is also not recommended for people with certain medical conditions, low fitness, or pregnancy.