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

Tortoises, reefs, and lunch make one full day. This seven-hour trip from Praslin packs in two good snorkeling stops at St. Pierre, a swim at Anse Georgette, and a guided walk across Curieuse Island. I like the well-organized pickup and drop-off, and I especially like the mix of sea time, wildlife, food, and local stories. The main consideration is the weather: rough seas or heavy rain can change the route or cancel the day, and the 1.7-kilometer mangrove walk requires a reasonable level of fitness.

I also like that the tour does not rush Curieuse. You have time to see the giant tortoises, eat a Creole-style BBQ, and walk through the mangroves to a beach. Guides such as Ryan, Jason, Francis, and Jack Sparrow have earned strong praise for making the day both informative and lighthearted. Just remember that the 20 EUR Curieuse park ticket is extra and payable by credit card.

Key points at a glance

• Two snorkeling stops near St. Pierre: Bring your mask skills and expect colorful fish, with possible sightings of sea turtles and stingrays.
• Giant tortoises roaming Curieuse: The sanctuary is a real highlight, especially if you have never seen these huge animals at close range.
• A 1.7-kilometer mangrove walk: The guide explains the plants, wildlife, and island environment on the way to a beautiful swimming beach.
• A proper beach BBQ: Fresh island ingredients, grilled fish or chicken, rice, salads, and soft drinks make this more than a basic packed lunch.
• Pickup from much of Praslin: Shared hotel transport is included, though several remote areas are excluded.
• Strong overall value at $93: Boat transport, guide, snorkeling equipment, lunch, drinks, and hotel transfers are included.

Why this seven-hour trip works so well

Praslin has beautiful beaches, but a boat day lets you see a different side of the island. Instead of spending the whole day at one stretch of sand, you move through several settings: open water, a small offshore island, a protected wildlife area, a mangrove forest, and a beach reached on foot.

That variety is the biggest strength here. You get active time without signing up for a demanding expedition. The day has a clear rhythm: collect passengers, board the boat, swim and snorkel, visit Curieuse, eat lunch, walk, swim again, and return to Praslin.

At $93 per person, the price is fair for what is included. A separate boat charter, snorkel rental, island visit, lunch, and transfers could easily cost more, and arranging all those parts yourself would take time. The extra 20 EUR park ticket is worth adding to your budget, since it is required for Curieuse and is not covered by the advertised price.

The group is shared rather than private. That keeps the cost down, but it also means you need to be ready at the agreed pickup point and respect the timing. If you want a quiet, private boat with complete control over every stop, this is not that kind of outing.

From your Praslin hotel to Grand Anse Beach

The day begins with pickup from your accommodation and a transfer to Grand Anse Main Beach. This is useful on Praslin, where some hotels sit away from the main activity areas and arranging a taxi for an early start can be inconvenient.

Pickup is not available in Anse Lazio, Anse Boudin, Anse Possession, or Anse La Blague. Some remote hotels are also outside the pickup area. If you are staying in one of these places, contact the operator before the day and ask for the nearest meeting point.

At Grand Anse, you check in and receive a short safety briefing. Then you board the speedboat. The shared pickup is not private, so allow a little patience if other passengers are being collected. The reward is a simple start, without having to find a marina or organize a separate transfer.

The boat ride along Praslin’s west coast is part of the experience, not just a way to get somewhere. You feel the sea air, see the shoreline from offshore, and get occasional explanations about places and local history from the guide.

Anse Georgette and the first swim

The schedule includes a stop at Anse Georgette, a secluded white-sand beach known for clear water and a striking setting. Here you can take a refreshing swim before the longer snorkeling portion of the day.

This is a welcome pause because the boat ride and sea conditions can be lively. You are not expected to spend every minute moving from one activity to the next. The stop gives you time to cool off, take photos, and enjoy the beach at an easy pace.

Beach access and swimming conditions depend on the weather and the sea. The operator may adjust the route when wind or rain makes a planned stop less suitable. Several people have appreciated this practical approach, with guides switching to another plan rather than forcing an uncomfortable crossing or poor snorkeling stop.

St. Pierre Island: two chances to snorkel

St. Pierre is a small, uninhabited island and the main snorkeling stop. The program allows about an hour for swimming and snorkeling, usually split between two locations. Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing or renting your own gear.

The water is described as clear, and the fish you might see include parrotfish, surgeonfish, and clownfish. There have also been sightings of sea turtles and stingrays. That makes the stop appealing even if you are not an expert snorkeler. You can float above the reef and watch the fish rather than needing to swim far from the boat.

One useful detail from the day’s feedback is that the reef may not look fully healthy in every place. One person described parts of it as dead but still found plenty of fish. That is a fair expectation to set. Do not book this as a specialist coral expedition. Book it for warm water, colorful fish, sea life, and the chance to snorkel in more than one location.

The crew keeps an eye on people in the water, which matters on a boat trip with mixed swimming abilities. Still, you should be comfortable in open water and listen closely to the safety briefing. Bring sunscreen and a towel, and protect your camera from spray when moving between stops.

Wind can affect which snorkeling areas are used. That is not necessarily a weakness. A flexible captain can choose a calmer location, giving you a better swim than sticking rigidly to a fixed map.

Curieuse Island and its giant tortoises

Curieuse is the emotional center of the day. The island is uninhabited and known for giant tortoises that roam in a protected setting. Seeing these animals up close is very different from spotting ordinary wildlife at a distance. They are large, slow-moving, and surprisingly engaging to watch.

You may have the chance to feed or gently touch the tortoises under the guide’s direction. Bring your camera, but give the animals room and follow the crew’s instructions. The best part is not simply getting a close photo. It is watching the tortoises move through their surroundings and learning about their place in the Seychelles.

You should allow around three hours on Curieuse for the visit and BBQ. The timing gives you enough space to enjoy the sanctuary without being pushed through it. Several people have singled out the tortoises as the day’s top memory, and I can see why. This is the kind of encounter that gives the boat trip a real sense of purpose.

The 20 EUR park ticket is payable by credit card on Curieuse. There are no shops, restaurants, or hotel facilities on the islands, so do not arrive expecting to buy forgotten supplies. Bring sunscreen, water if you prefer having your own bottle, and any personal items you need for several hours away from shops.

A Creole BBQ beside the sea

Lunch is a BBQ prepared with fresh products sourced from the islands. The exact menu can vary, but the food has included grilled fish such as barracuda, chicken, rice, salads, and other simple local sides. Soft drinks are included.

This is not fine dining, and it does not need to be. The appeal is a hot, satisfying meal in the middle of a day outdoors, with food that reflects the islands better than a generic sandwich would. The Creole flavors and grilled fish have received particularly strong praise.

I also like the practical timing. Lunch comes after the snorkeling and during the Curieuse visit, so you have already worked up an appetite. You can eat, take a breather, and then continue with the walk and beach stop.

If you have serious dietary restrictions, ask about the menu before booking. The supplied details confirm the BBQ and soft drinks but do not specify vegetarian, vegan, allergy-friendly, or halal options.

Walking through Curieuse’s mangroves

After lunch, the group follows a guide through a mangrove forest on a 1.7-kilometer walk. The route leads toward an idyllic beach where you can swim and cool down.

The walk is not just a transfer between two beaches. Guides explain the island’s flora and fauna, and the mangroves give you a close look at an important coastal habitat. Jason, Ryan, Francis, and other guides have been praised for adding facts about plant life, wildlife, island culture, and local history without turning the walk into a formal lecture.

Expect uneven ground, heat, and some moisture underfoot. Comfortable shoes or sandals with a secure fit are more useful than delicate beach footwear. The walk takes about an hour at a slow pace according to one detailed account, though the full Curieuse section lasts about two hours when swimming, viewing wildlife, and stopping for explanations are included.

This is the part that separates the trip from a simple beach-and-snorkel outing. You are using your legs, seeing a different ecosystem, and learning why Curieuse matters. At the same time, the walk is a poor match for anyone with low fitness, mobility limits, serious back or heart problems, or a strong dislike of walking in heat.

Returning to Praslin by boat

After the Curieuse beach, you return by boat to Grand Anse. The guide may point out places along the way and share more local history. Depending on the weather, the ride can be smooth or choppy, so people prone to seasickness should prepare accordingly.

The tour then provides a car transfer back to your accommodation. Returning to the same general area where the day began keeps the final transfer straightforward, though shared drop-off timing can vary as passengers are taken to their hotels.

Several accounts highlight the crew’s safety and organization. Captain Morgan, Captain Jack Sparrow, and other crew members are repeatedly praised by name, while guides such as Ryan, Jason, and Francis are noted for humor, clear explanations, and attentive help. The music on the boat also adds to the relaxed holiday mood, though music and group atmosphere are personal preferences.

Weather, fitness, and who should book

This trip depends heavily on the sea. Heavy rain cancels the activity, and the provider makes that decision early on the day. Weather can also change fast, so the route may be adjusted even when the tour goes ahead.

Bring swimwear, beachwear, a towel, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, sandals, a camera, and a credit card for the Curieuse ticket. A light rain layer is sensible, although it is not specifically listed among the required items.

The tour is best for you if you want several Seychelles experiences in one day and are happy with a shared boat. It suits couples, active families with older children, solo visitors, and anyone who wants wildlife as well as beaches.

It is not suitable for children under three, pregnant people, wheelchair users, visually impaired people, or anyone with significant mobility, back, or heart problems. The published restrictions also exclude people over 70 and those with a low level of fitness. These limits are worth taking seriously because the day includes boat movement, swimming, uneven walking, and a 1.7-kilometer hike.

The activity has a 4.9 out of 5 rating from 1,352 ratings, which matches its strongest qualities: friendly crews, good organization, strong guiding, tasty lunch, and a full day that rarely feels empty.

Should you book the Curieuse and St. Pierre trip?

I would book this if you have one free day on Praslin and want a broad sample of the Seychelles without arranging separate excursions. The combination of St. Pierre snorkeling and Curieuse tortoises gives you both sea life and land-based wildlife, while the BBQ and mangrove walk keep the day varied.

The value is strongest when you use the included pickup, equipment, lunch, drinks, guide, and boat. Add the 20 EUR park fee, check your pickup location, and keep your plans flexible around the weather.

Skip it if you want a private, slow-paced charter, dislike group schedules, cannot manage open-water swimming or a 1.7-kilometer walk, or are hoping for a specialist coral reef trip. For most active visitors who want one memorable day beyond Praslin’s beaches, this is a well-balanced choice.

FAQ

How long does the Praslin boat trip last?

The experience lasts seven hours, including hotel pickup, boat travel, snorkeling, the Curieuse visit, lunch, the mangrove walk, and the return transfer.

What is included in the $93 price?

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

Is the Curieuse park ticket included?

No. The Curieuse park ticket costs 20 EUR and is payable by credit card on the island.

Where does the trip begin?

The main meeting and check-in point is Grand Anse Main Beach on Praslin. Pickup is included from many accommodations before the boat departure.

Are all Praslin hotels included in the pickup service?

No. Pickup is not available in Anse Lazio, Anse Boudin, Anse Possession, Anse La Blague, and some remote hotel areas. Contact the operator for the nearest pickup point if needed.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, sandals, a camera, sunscreen, beachwear, and a credit card for the park ticket.

Can the tour be cancelled because of rain?

Yes. Heavy rain can cancel the activity. The provider decides early on the day based on weather conditions and informs participants if the trip will not proceed.