Curieuse Guided Tour, St Pierre, BBQ & 2 Snorkel Stops

Tortoises, reefs, and rum make a fine day. This full-day cruise from Praslin packs several of the Seychelles’ best experiences into one well-run outing: two snorkeling stops, a guided walk across Curieuse Island, a Creole BBQ, and time beside free-roaming giant tortoises. I especially like the hotel pickup and drop-off, which saves you from arranging transport, and the small-group setup reported by many participants, often around eight to twelve people. The main catch is the extra marine park fee: anyone aged 12 or older must pay SR300 by credit card.

I also like how the schedule leaves room to enjoy each stop rather than racing from one photo opportunity to the next. Guides such as Benjamin, Rocco, Liroy, Ryan, and Samuel have been praised for explaining local plants, animals, culture, and island history in both English and French. Just remember that this is an active day, with boat transfers, swimming, a forest trail, and some slippery roots and stones.

Five things to know before you go

• Curieuse gives you two very different experiences: a guided nature trail and close views of giant tortoises.
• The snorkeling is chosen around conditions: the crew may replace St Pierre or Anse La Farine with another reef or beach if the sea is rough.
• Lunch is a proper Creole BBQ: expect grilled fish, chicken, sausage, rice, lentil sauce, and salads, with mango salad earning special praise.
• The group may be pleasantly small: several outings have had roughly eight to twelve people, sometimes split between two boats.
• Drinks run through the day: soft drinks are included, with local beer and a Takamaka rum cocktail near the end.
• Pack for wet and uneven conditions: bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and sturdy water shoes or sneakers.

A smooth start from your Praslin hotel

The day begins with pickup anywhere on Praslin Island. This is more useful than it may sound. You do not need to find the launch point, hire a taxi, or worry about getting back after a full day in the sun. Several people have also arranged pickup from villas or less standard accommodation by messaging the operator, so it is worth asking if your property is not shown during booking.

The transfer leads to the boat launch point, where you meet the crew and receive the basic plan for the day. The exact timing and route can change with wind, waves, and visibility. That flexibility is a plus in the Seychelles, where a fixed promise about a particular reef can quickly become a poor choice if the sea turns choppy.

The boat groups appear to be kept fairly small. Reports describe boats carrying around eight to twelve people, and some departures use two boats to avoid crowding. That matters at snorkeling stops. You get more room in the water, and the guide has a better chance of keeping an eye on less confident swimmers.

One especially helpful detail is the support for people who are new to snorkeling. A guide has accompanied non-swimmers into the water, and the crew has helped nervous participants feel safe. Still, you should be comfortable with the basic demands of a boat and beach day. The tour is not suitable for children under four, pregnant women, people with heart problems, wheelchair users, or people over 65 according to the listed restrictions.

The first snorkeling stop near Praslin

The first water stop lasts about 45 minutes to an hour. The crew chooses the location according to sea conditions, so the name may not be fixed. That is the right approach here: calm water and clear visibility matter more than ticking off a famous place.

The snorkeling is one of the strongest parts of the day. You can expect colorful fish and underwater scenery, with several people describing the water as like swimming in an aquarium. One boat had a glass bottom, which added value for anyone who preferred to stay aboard or needed a break from the water. You can still see some of the marine life below without putting on a mask.

The morning stop has often been better than the afternoon stop, according to direct trip accounts. If you are most excited about fish and clear water, pay attention during this first session. Bring your own mask if you are particular about fit, though snorkeling equipment is included.

The crew’s role is more than handing out fins. Guides have pointed out fish and other sea life, helped people find good viewing spots, and adjusted their help to different swimming abilities. You should still use sunscreen carefully, preferably applying it before departure, and follow instructions around currents and boat traffic.

Arriving at Curieuse and settling into island time

After the first snorkel, the boat heads to a beach on Curieuse. You have time to swim, sit on the sand, or simply dry off before the guided walk. This pause is welcome because it breaks up the day and prevents the island visit from feeling like one long march.

The crew assists with the marine park entry ticket, but the fee is not included. The current listed charge is SR300 per person aged 12 or older, payable online or on site by credit card. Bring a credit card specifically for this payment. It is one of those small costs that can catch you off guard if you count only the $112 tour price.

Curieuse is best understood as more than a tortoise photo stop. The island gives you a chance to see coastal forest, beach, and changing plant life over a short route. A guide makes the difference by explaining what you are seeing instead of leaving you to guess at every tree and animal.

The one-hour Curieuse trail

The guided nature walk lasts about an hour and crosses the island toward the other side. It is described as manageable rather than strenuous, but it is not a paved stroll. Roots, stones, and slippery sections can appear along the route, so good water shoes or sneakers are a smart choice.

I like this part because it gives the island some shape. You are not simply dropped beside the tortoises, handed lunch, and sent back to the boat. The guide discusses plants, animals, island history, and local culture, while the route lets you see how the setting changes from one side of Curieuse to the other.

The guides have been praised for being patient and clear. Benjamin, for example, explained nature and local culture while helping people spot creatures along the trail. Other guides, including Rocco and Ryan, have been singled out for humor and useful detail. English and French are offered, and the crew has taken care to explain information twice when both language groups were present.

Do not treat the walk as a race to lunch. The value is in the small observations: vegetation, birds, coastal views, and the way the guide connects the island’s natural features to its past. If you have limited mobility or dislike uneven ground, this is the part to consider most carefully.

Giant tortoises at close range

The tortoises are the emotional center of the outing. They roam freely around the area, and you have time to watch, photograph, feed, and, where permitted, gently touch them. Their calm behavior makes the encounter easy to enjoy, but remember that these are large, living animals, not props for selfies.

Many people have found the tortoises active and eager for food. That makes for excellent pictures, especially when one ambles toward the group with slow confidence. The guides can answer questions and help you notice the animals properly, including their behavior and care.

I appreciate that the experience presents the tortoises as part of Curieuse rather than as a quick roadside attraction. You get time to stand near them and observe how they move and interact. For families with older children and for anyone interested in wildlife, this may be the most memorable hour of the day.

The tour is not suitable for children under four, and the wider restrictions matter here too. Even when the animals seem gentle, you should follow the guide’s instructions and avoid crowding them.

A Creole BBQ with fish, chicken, and mango salad

After the walk, you reach the other side of Curieuse for lunch. The meal is served family-style and includes a mixture of grilled fish, chicken, sausage, rice, lentil sauce, and local salads. A mango salad has been a particular favorite, while the grilled fish is a good fit for a Seychelles setting.

The BBQ is not just a sandwich tossed into a cooler. It gives you a chance to sit down, eat properly, and talk with the group. That pause is important after swimming and walking, especially in warm weather. Soft drinks are included, and local beer is available as part of the day’s refreshments.

Food quality can vary with any outdoor meal, so I would not book this solely for a restaurant-level lunch. Still, the combination of fresh grilled food, island surroundings, and a relaxed shared table makes it a strong part of the value. Several people have called the meal delicious, plentiful, and a highlight of the tour.

Drinks are offered from the start through the return journey. Near the end, you receive a Takamaka rum cocktail while cruising back toward Praslin. It is a fitting local touch, but pace yourself. You still have another water stop before the day is done.

St Pierre, reef photos, and the second snorkel

After Curieuse, the boat heads toward St Pierre or another nearby reef, depending on sea conditions. St Pierre is useful for photographs, but the exact snorkeling location can change. One direct account explained that the crew avoided snorkeling at St Pierre because live coral was no longer present there and chose another nearby site instead.

That kind of substitution is worth welcoming. A tour that insists on one famous name can deliver a weaker swim than a less famous reef selected on the day. Your best underwater experience may come from a place chosen for current conditions rather than marketing value.

The final snorkeling stop is planned for Anse La Farine. When conditions allow, it has produced some of the day’s most impressive water time, with large numbers of fish in many sizes and colors. One person nicknamed another location The Aquarium, a useful description of the clear, fish-filled setting.

If the sea does not permit Anse La Farine, the route may shift to Anse Georgette and Lazio Beach. Those alternatives keep the day focused on swimming, scenery, and beaches rather than forcing an unsafe crossing. Expect the afternoon water to be less reliable than the morning stop, but the crew’s flexibility improves your odds of getting a good experience.

The return cruise and Takamaka finish

The boat ride back to Praslin gives you time to dry off, look back at the coast, and let the day slow down. The included drinks continue, ending with the Takamaka rum cocktail as you cruise toward the dock.

This final drink is not a major attraction by itself, but it helps the schedule feel complete. You have already snorkeled twice, crossed Curieuse, eaten lunch, and spent time with the tortoises. The return is a social finish rather than a rushed transfer.

Once you reach the dock, the included vehicle transfer takes you back to your hotel. That last ride is particularly valuable because most people will be tired by then. You do not need to navigate Praslin after a full day in the sun, salt water, and forest.

What the $112 price really covers

At $112 per person, the tour offers solid value if you want several Praslin highlights in one day. The price includes hotel transport on Praslin, the boat trip, two snorkeling stops, equipment, soft drinks, a BBQ lunch, the guided Curieuse walk, and the return transfer.

You are also paying for coordination. The operator handles the pickup, boat launch, route changes, guide, food, snorkeling gear, and return. Booking separate taxis, boat trips, park visits, meals, and equipment could cost more and would require far more planning.

The extra SR300 marine park ticket should be included in your budget. It applies to anyone aged 12 or older and requires a credit card. The tour price is therefore not the full cost for older children and adults, but the additional fee is clear and easy to plan for.

Early booking is sensible because this is a popular outing and the operator limits daily places. The reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your plans are still shifting, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this tour if you want a broad taste of Praslin and Curieuse without arranging several separate activities. It suits couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and small groups who want nature, swimming, food, and wildlife in one day.

It is also a good match if you are new to snorkeling. The guides can offer support, and the glass-bottom boat on some departures gives you another way to see below the surface. Confident swimmers will appreciate the two distinct stops and the time available at each.

You should think twice if you want a quiet, private charter. The group is often small, but it is still a shared outing. You should also reconsider if you dislike boats, uneven trails, slippery ground, or a full day with several active sections.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and beachwear
• Sturdy water shoes or sneakers
• A credit card for the Curieuse entry fee
• A dry bag or waterproof protection for valuables

Smoking is not allowed on the tour.

Should you book the Curieuse tour?

I would book this if your Praslin plans allow one full day and you want the island’s strongest mix of wildlife and sea life. The tortoises, guided trail, two snorkeling stops, solid BBQ, hotel transport, and friendly crew create a well-balanced day rather than a single-purpose boat ride.

The main cautions are the SR300 entry fee, weather-dependent route, uneven trail, and activity restrictions. If those fit your plans, $112 is a fair price for the amount of transport, food, guiding, and equipment included. The consistent praise for guides such as Benjamin, Rocco, Liroy, Ryan, and Samuel also suggests that the human side of the outing is a real strength.

Book early if you have fixed dates. For a first visit to Praslin, this is one of the easiest ways to combine Curieuse, snorkeling, local food, and giant tortoises without spending your holiday arranging every detail.

FAQ

Where does the Curieuse tour begin?

The tour includes pickup from your hotel or accommodation anywhere on Praslin Island, followed by transport to the boat launch point.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $112 per person.

Is hotel transport included?

Yes. Pickup and return drop-off anywhere on Praslin Island are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes a Creole BBQ lunch with grilled food, rice, lentil sauce, and salads.

Is the Curieuse entry fee included?

No. The marine park entry fee is SR300 for each person aged 12 or older. Payment is made online or on site by credit card.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included. Their exact locations depend on weather and sea conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

What languages are available?

Guiding is available in English and French.

Can children join the tour?

Children under four are not permitted. The listed information also says the activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, wheelchair users, or people over 65.

What happens if the planned snorkeling site is not suitable?

The crew may choose another reef or beach based on the sea conditions. Alternatives listed include Anse Georgette and Lazio Beach.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Are drinks included?

Soft drinks are included, and the tour also features local beer and a Takamaka rum cocktail during the day.