Praslin: Curieuse & St-Pierre Boat Adventure with Snorkeling

Curieuse rewards curious people. This seven-hour boat trip from Praslin combines free-roaming giant tortoises with a guided island walk, then heads to St. Pierre Marine Park for swimming and snorkeling. I like the easy hotel pickup and the mix of wildlife, forest, beach, and sea in one day. The main caution is that St. Pierre snorkeling can be choppy, and the coral and sea life may not impress experienced snorkelers.

The crew gets strong praise for friendly service, clear explanations, and good organization. Guides including Benjamin, Mario, Arnold, Brandon, Audrey, and Axel have helped make the day feel personal and informative. Still, you should bring food or pay extra for the BBQ, and allow time to change before the return van if you do not want to ride back in wet swimwear.

Key points to know before you book

• Giant tortoises roam around Curieuse: The Ranger’s Station at Laraie Bay is the main wildlife highlight, with plenty of chances for close photographs.
• A 2.5-kilometer island walk adds real substance: You pass mangroves, beaches, Coco de Mer palms, birds, crabs, and scenic viewpoints.
• St. Pierre is reached only by boat: You cannot land on the islet, but the surrounding water offers swimming, snorkeling, and excellent views.
• The $56 price covers the basics: Hotel transfers, a guide, water, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, and one beer per adult are included.
• Budget for the extra charges: Island tax is €20 per person aged 12 and above, while the optional beach BBQ costs €20 per person.
• Snorkeling is not ideal for everyone: The stop may be rough, and the activity is unguided, so confident swimming skills help.

Why this Praslin boat trip works so well

Curieuse and St. Pierre give you two very different sides of the Seychelles in one outing. Curieuse is about slow walking, unusual wildlife, and island ecology. St. Pierre is about open water, coral, fish, and a short burst of sea time.

That variety is the chief reason I see value here. You are not spending seven hours on a boat with one quick photo stop. You get a proper island visit, a nature walk, time near the tortoises, a beach break, and a separate snorkeling session.

The day begins with pickup around 10 to 45 minutes before departure, depending on where you stay on Praslin. The more precise activity information gives a pickup window of 10 to 30 minutes, so confirm the time with the operator. You then ride by van to Anse Possession, where boarding takes place between 9:00 and 9:15 in the morning.

Once on board, the crew gives a safety briefing before the boat heads toward Curieuse at about 25 knots. That is a reasonably quick crossing, and the schedule places arrival at Laraie Bay around 9:40.

The operation is run by Infinity Charter Seychelles. Guides speak English and French. Several guides have earned particular praise for their warmth and clear explanations, especially Benjamin and Mario. Arnold has also been singled out for his friendly manner, while Brandon received praise for being attentive throughout the day.

Meeting Curieuse’s giant tortoises at Laraie Bay

The first major stop is the Ranger’s Station at Laraie Bay. This is where you meet the giant tortoises, which roam freely around the area rather than appearing only as distant animals behind a barrier.

For many people, this is the emotional center of the day. The tortoises are calm, photogenic, and easy to watch at close range. You may also see younger animals, and some outings include the chance to feed them under local guidance. Bring a camera, but remember that the animals are the attraction, not props for constant handling.

Curieuse is also known for its second-largest population of giant tortoises in Seychelles. That fact gives the stop more weight than a simple animal encounter. You are seeing one of the island’s defining conservation features in the place where the tortoises live.

The setting helps, too. The station sits near a beach, with clear water and views across the Indian Ocean. One account described a quiet morning swim at the beach as especially relaxing, while another praised the small beach as a fine place for photographs.

You should expect some free time around Curieuse. That can be pleasant if you want a slower pace, a swim, or a cold drink. If you prefer a packed schedule with one activity after another, the waiting periods may feel long. One person specifically felt that the tour spent slightly too much time on the island.

Walking through mangroves, palms, and island habitat

The guided nature walk is scheduled around 10:00 and lasts about an hour, though the full Curieuse portion includes roughly two hours of sightseeing and hiking. The route covers about 2.5 kilometers according to one detailed account, making it a proper walk rather than a short path beside the tortoise station.

Your guide points out mangrove ecosystems, Coco de Mer palms, birds, crabs, and other island wildlife. This is where the quality of the guide matters most. A good guide turns a pleasant walk into a lesson about how plants, animals, and people have shaped Curieuse.

Mario has been praised for explaining the island and for speaking about protecting nature and the environment. Other guides have been valued for pointing out plants and animals that you could easily miss on your own. Benjamin has received especially warm praise for making information easy to follow for people from different countries.

The trail also brings you to viewpoints and beaches, including Anse Jose. The walk is not described as extreme, but you should wear sports shoes or sturdy sandals and carry water. The operator supplies water and soft drinks, yet your own bottle is still useful in the Seychelles heat.

The route is a good fit if you enjoy natural details more than formal monuments. You will not be rushing from one famous building to the next. Instead, the reward comes from seeing how the island changes underfoot, from forest and mangrove to sand and sea.

Lunch, snacks, swimming, and the slower middle of the day

After the guided portion, the schedule allows time from about 12:15 to 1:30 for lunch and relaxation. The BBQ is optional and costs an additional €20 per person. Food is not included in the base price, so bring snacks and drinks if you want to keep costs down.

The supplied drinks include water, soft drinks, and one beer per adult. Some people also received snacks, which is a welcome touch after the walk. Still, do not assume the included snacks will replace lunch. Pack enough food for yourself, especially if you have dietary needs.

This pause is useful because Curieuse is not only a wildlife stop. You can swim, take photographs, sit on the beach, and enjoy the scenery without being pushed straight back onto the boat. The tradeoff is time. If you want a more active day, the long pause may seem generous. If you like a relaxed island pace, it will feel just right.

There is also a practical point here: the itinerary and activity details describe the Curieuse timing in slightly different ways, with some free time extending longer than the formal lunch window. Expect the day to have a flexible rhythm rather than a minute-by-minute military schedule.

Snorkeling around St. Pierre Marine Park

The boat leaves Curieuse around 1:30 and reaches St. Pierre Marine Park at about 2:00. St. Pierre is a small islet that you view from the water. You do not land there or walk around the island.

The stop usually provides about one hour in the water, though one account experienced closer to 45 minutes. Snorkeling equipment is supplied on board. The setting is classic Seychelles: white sand, turquoise water, rocky island views, and open sea around you.

Conditions can make a big difference. Some outings have produced excellent encounters with sea turtles, rays, baby sharks, and plenty of fish. One particularly lucky boat even saw whale sharks while approaching Curieuse. Those sightings are possible highlights, not promises.

Other conditions have been less impressive. The water around St. Pierre can be choppy, and some people found the coral partly damaged with limited sea life. A few comments also criticized the snorkeling equipment or felt the location was not the best in the area.

You should also know that the snorkeling is unguided. The crew provides equipment and helps with the activity, but you should not expect a marine biology lesson or a dedicated instructor swimming beside you. If you are new to snorkeling or not a confident swimmer, this may be uncomfortable. One person could not get into the water because there was not enough hands-on support.

For stronger swimmers, the stop should be more manageable, but use your judgment. Ask the crew about conditions before entering. If the water is rough, stay close to the boat and do not treat the session as a test of courage.

What the $56 price really covers

At $56 per person, this is a competitive way to combine two of Praslin’s best-known nearby attractions. Hotel pickup and return are included, which saves you the trouble of arranging transport to Anse Possession. You also receive a guide, water, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, and one beer per adult.

The value improves if you want variety. Booking separate transport, a Curieuse visit, and a St. Pierre snorkeling trip could cost more and require more planning. Here, the operator handles the boat movement and the transfers in one seven-hour package.

The advertised price is not the complete cost, though. The island tax is €20 per person aged 12 and above. The BBQ adds another €20 per person. If you bring your own lunch and are traveling with older children or adults, make sure you include the tax in your budget before deciding.

The tour received an overall rating of 4.5 from 373 ratings, with the strongest praise aimed at punctual pickup, friendly crews, clear island explanations, and the tortoise encounter. The lower marks focus mainly on snorkeling conditions, equipment, waiting time, and the lack of help for less confident swimmers.

That pattern is useful. The price buys a strong Curieuse experience first, with snorkeling as a second attraction that depends heavily on weather, water conditions, and your own swimming ability.

Pickup, comfort, and small practical details

Pickup is available from locations around Praslin, generally 10 to 45 minutes before departure. Have your phone available and wait somewhere easy for the driver to find. Several people appreciated punctual pickup and smooth drop-off.

The van transfer is short, around 30 minutes in the basic schedule. At the end of the day, you may still be wet from St. Pierre. One person disliked being rushed into the van without enough time to change, and also found the return drive too fast. Bring a waterproof bag with a dry change of clothes, and ask for a moment to change if needed.

Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, sandals or sports shoes, insect repellent, and a waterproof bag. Biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent are sensible choices for an island environment. A waterproof camera and binoculars can be useful, though the tortoises will provide plenty of photo opportunities without special equipment.

This activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed. Sharp objects and weapons are also prohibited.

Who should book this Curieuse and St. Pierre day?

I would recommend it most strongly to first-time visitors to Praslin who want a broad introduction to the nearby islands. You get wildlife, a guided walk, beach time, and snorkeling without having to organize several separate outings.

Families with older children may enjoy the tortoises and easy-to-understand nature stories. Couples and solo visitors also benefit from the relaxed boat setting and the chance to meet other people during a full day out. The friendly crew is a major part of the appeal.

I would be more careful if snorkeling is your main reason for booking. Experienced snorkelers may find St. Pierre ordinary on a day when the sea is rough or the coral visibility is poor. You may also want a different trip if you need close instruction in the water.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Praslin plans depend on weather, though the activity itself remains exposed to sea conditions.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want Curieuse’s tortoises and nature walk to be the main event, with St. Pierre as a worthwhile extra. The pickup service, friendly guides, included drinks, and moderate base price make the day easy to arrange and good value.

Think twice if you need a fully guided snorkeling lesson, perfect coral, or a tightly packed schedule. Bring lunch unless you want the €20 BBQ, budget another €20 for island tax for each person aged 12 and above, and pack dry clothes for the ride home. For most visitors looking for a varied Praslin day, this is a sensible and enjoyable choice.

FAQ

How long does the Curieuse and St. Pierre boat trip last?

The experience lasts about seven hours, including pickup, the boat journey, time on Curieuse, and snorkeling at St. Pierre Marine Park.

Where does the boat leave from?

Boarding takes place at Anse Possession on Praslin between about 9:00 and 9:15 in the morning. Hotel pickup is provided before departure.

Is lunch included?

No. You can bring your own food and snacks, or pay an additional €20 per person for the optional BBQ lunch.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided on board. The St. Pierre session usually lasts about one hour, although the time in the water can vary.

Can I walk around St. Pierre Island?

No. St. Pierre is visited by boat for swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing. You do not land on the islet.

What languages are spoken on the tour?

The live guide service is available in English and French.