Praslin: Curieuse StPierre Guided Tour, BBQ & 2x Snorkeling

Two islands, one very full day. This Curieuse and St Pierre outing gives you two snorkeling stops plus a guided walk across Curieuse, all aboard a glass-bottom boat from Praslin. I like the easy mix of sea time and nature, and I especially like that lunch is served beside giant tortoises in their natural setting. The main drawback is the extra marine park charge, which adds SR300, about €20, per person aged 12 and older.

I also like the friendly, patient pace described by previous participants. You are given time to swim, watch tortoises, and ask questions about Curieuse and Seychelles plants and wildlife rather than being rushed from one photo stop to the next. Still, this is a physically active day at sea, so it is not a good fit if you are prone to seasickness, have mobility or heart concerns, or simply want a quiet boat ride.

Key points before you book

• Two snorkeling stops: The first is at St Pierre or another suitable spot if weather conditions require a change, with another snorkeling or beach period later at Curieuse.
• Curieuse nature trail: You cross about 1.7 kilometers through mangrove forest between the landing beach and the tortoise area.
• Giant tortoises up close: Lunch takes place on Curieuse beside these large land tortoises, with time to watch them in their natural habitat.
• Glass-bottom boat from Praslin: The boat lets you look into the water even when you are not swimming.
• Food and drinks included: You receive a BBQ lunch, water, lemonade, one beer for adults aged 18 and older, and a rum cocktail.
• Budget for the marine fee: The tour costs $105 per person, but the SR300 park ticket for each person aged 12 and older is paid separately.

Why this Curieuse and St Pierre day works

Curieuse and St Pierre offer two different kinds of island scenery. St Pierre is mainly about the water, rocks, and snorkeling. Curieuse gives you beaches, mangroves, a marked nature walk, and giant tortoises. Combining them makes good use of a day on Praslin.

The trip lasts 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours. That is long enough to include a proper island visit rather than a quick landing and photo stop. You should still expect a busy schedule. The boat leaves in the morning, snorkeling comes early, the Curieuse walk and lunch take up the middle of the day, and the afternoon brings another chance to snorkel or relax on the beach.

I like that the crew keeps the experience distinctly local. The boat, crew, guide, BBQ, drinks, and equipment are all part of the package. The guide speaks English and French, and the activity is described as a 100 percent Seychellois experience. That matters if you want more than a simple transfer to a beach.

Meeting the boat near Pirogue Restaurant

The meeting point is the Beach Front Garden in front of the Pirogue Restaurant parking area. You should arrive by 9:30 a.m. Transportation to the boat is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to this meeting point.

This is a useful detail to settle before the morning of the tour. Do not assume your hotel transfer is part of the booking. Ask your accommodation or arrange local transport to the stated location, then allow enough time to find the Beach Front Garden.

Once aboard, the glass-bottom boat gives you a pleasant introduction to the trip. You can watch the water below as you travel from Praslin, and the boat ride itself becomes part of the sightseeing rather than just a way to get from one island to another.

The schedule can change with weather conditions. The first snorkeling stop is planned for St Pierre, but the crew may use another location if the sea or visibility makes that wiser. That flexibility is a good safety feature, though it means you should not treat St Pierre as an absolute guarantee.

St Pierre and the first snorkeling stop

St Pierre is the early water stop, and it sets the tone for the day. You receive a mask and fins, then have the chance to swim and look beneath the surface. The glass-bottom boat also lets you see into the water if you prefer to stay aboard for part of the stop.

The crew supplies drinks throughout the tour, including water and lemonade. Adults aged 18 and older receive one beer, and a rum cocktail is also included. You should still bring sunscreen and swimwear, as the day places you in and around the water for several hours.

One useful point comes from the way the activity is run: you are not promised a frantic succession of short stops. The crew has been praised for allowing plenty of time to snorkel and bathe. That makes this a better choice for you if you want to enjoy the water at an unhurried pace.

The limitation is that snorkeling depends on the weather. Sea conditions can affect the location, visibility, and comfort of the stop. If you are a strong swimmer, you may appreciate the freedom to spend more time in the water. If you are less confident, listen closely to the guide and use the boat as a comfortable base.

Landing on Curieuse Island

Curieuse brings a change of pace. After the boat and snorkeling, you land on a beach and begin the island portion of the day. The beach is described as another scenic stop, so you get time to enjoy the shore before or around the walk.

The central route crosses about 1.7 kilometers through mangrove forest. This is not a long expedition, but it is a real walk on an island trail. You should wear something suitable for walking and bring sunscreen. The information provided does not specify the trail surface or shade level, so it is wise to prepare for sun and uneven outdoor conditions.

The mangroves are one of the reasons this tour is more interesting than a beach-only excursion. They give you a closer look at a different island habitat, and the guide can explain Curieuse’s plants and wildlife as you go. A previous participant particularly appreciated having time to ask many questions about the island’s flora and fauna.

For me, the guided element is important here. A self-guided beach visit can be pleasant, but it may leave you with little sense of how the mangroves fit into the island environment. With an English or French-speaking guide, you have someone to point out what you might otherwise walk past.

Lunch beside Curieuse’s giant tortoises

The BBQ lunch is served on Curieuse, with seating beside giant land tortoises. This is the signature moment of the day, and it is easy to see why. You are not only taking a picture of a tortoise in an enclosure. You are spending time near animals in their natural habitat while eating a simple local-style meal.

The lunch is described as uncomplicated but tasty. That is the right expectation. This is an outdoor island BBQ, not a restaurant meal with a long menu. The value comes from the setting, the convenience, and the chance to sit down during a busy day.

You should also remember that giant tortoises are living animals, not props. The best part of the experience is watching them calmly move through their surroundings. Give them space, follow the guide’s instructions, and resist the urge to treat every animal encounter as a photo opportunity.

The timing of lunch is practical, too. A morning of boat travel and snorkeling uses energy, and the Curieuse walk adds more. Having food served on the island means you do not need to return to Praslin or carry a full picnic. Drinks are included, though you should still bring sunscreen and swimwear as requested.

The afternoon choice: more snorkeling or beach time

After lunch and the tortoise visit, you have an afternoon period that may include another snorkeling stop or time to enjoy Curieuse’s beach. This gives the day some breathing room. You can return to the water if you want more swimming, or use the beach period to slow down after the walk.

That choice also makes the tour more flexible for mixed groups. One person may want another look below the surface, while another may prefer to sit on the sand and enjoy the scenery. The exact order and location depend on conditions, so you should expect the crew to adapt the afternoon plan.

I would not book this activity solely for a guaranteed list of exact snorkeling sites. Weather can change the first stop, and the afternoon description allows for either snorkeling or beach time. Book it for the broader combination of sea, Curieuse, tortoises, mangroves, and local food.

What the $105 price really covers

At $105 per person, the price includes a lot for a six-and-a-half-hour outing. You receive the boat and crew, a live guide, mask and fins, BBQ lunch, and several drinks. You also get the island visits and the guided walk, which would be difficult to arrange as smoothly on your own.

The important catch is the marine park entrance fee. You pay SR300, about €20, separately for each person aged 12 and older. This can be paid by card, online, or cash with the supplier. Add that cost when comparing this trip with other Praslin excursions.

The tour does not include transportation to the meeting point. If you need a taxi or other local transport, that is another cost to plan. Still, the included lunch, equipment, and refreshments make the base price reasonable for a full island day, especially if you value having the crew handle the boat and schedule.

The best value comes if you use the whole program. Someone who only wants a short snorkeling trip may find the six-and-a-half-hour format too long. If you want several activities in one outing, the price makes more sense.

The pace, crew, and overall feel

The strongest praise focuses on the crew’s friendliness and patience. The boat team has been described as kind, unhurried, and willing to answer questions about Curieuse, the plants, and Seychelles wildlife. That makes a difference when a day includes children or adults with different levels of swimming confidence, although children under four are not accepted.

The guides speak English and French. No individual guide names are provided, so I cannot point you toward a particular person. What you can expect is live guidance in one of those two languages throughout the island portion and the boat activities.

The overall rating is 5 out of 5 from 14 reviews, with repeated praise for the mix of places, activities, service, and friendly staff. The most useful takeaway is not simply the high score. It is that the tour appears to deliver the parts that matter on a day like this: enough time in the water, a good island walk, a straightforward lunch, and a crew that does not push you through every stop.

Who should book this outing

I would recommend it to you if you want a full day outside and prefer variety to a single beach visit. It suits couples, active adults, and families with older children who can manage boat travel, swimming, and a 1.7 kilometer trail.

It is also a good choice if you want to see giant tortoises but do not want to arrange a separate Curieuse trip, lunch, snorkeling rental, and guide. The package puts all of those pieces together.

You should think twice if you get seasick or have a low fitness level. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back, heart, or mobility problems, wheelchair users, people with recent surgeries, or those with insect allergies. The supplied information also lists age restrictions for people over 65 and over 70, so older participants should check suitability before booking.

Baby strollers are not allowed, and smoking is not permitted. Bring sunscreen and swimwear. A towel and sun protection are sensible additions, though only sunscreen and swimwear are specifically listed as required items.

Should you book Curieuse and St Pierre?

Book this tour if you want Praslin’s classic island day in one package: glass-bottom boat travel, two possible snorkeling periods, a mangrove walk, giant tortoises, beach time, drinks, and a BBQ lunch. The friendly pace and chance to ask questions make it more than a simple boat shuttle.

Skip it if you want a short, quiet outing, need guaranteed snorkeling conditions, or cannot manage a boat day and island walk. Before paying, add the SR300 marine park ticket, confirm your transport to the Beach Front Garden, and check the health and age restrictions.

For an active visitor who wants a broad taste of the Seychelles around Praslin, the mix is convincing. You pay for a long day, but you also receive a full program and a local crew to run it.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is the Beach Front Garden in front of the Pirogue Restaurant parking area. You should arrive by 9:30 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts 390 minutes, which is about six and a half hours. Starting times should be checked when booking.

Is transportation to the boat included?

No. Transportation to the boat meeting point is not included, so you must arrange your own transport.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the boat and crew, drinks, mask and fins, an English or French-speaking guide, and BBQ lunch.

Which drinks are included?

Drinks include water, lemonade, one beer for adults aged 18 and older, and a rum cocktail.

Is the marine park entrance fee included?

No. The marine park fee is SR300, or about €20, per person aged 12 and older. It can be paid by card, online, or cash with the supplier.

Where does snorkeling take place?

The first snorkeling stop is planned for St Pierre, or another location if weather conditions require a change. The afternoon schedule includes either another snorkeling period or beach time on Curieuse.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen and swimwear. The activity provides the mask and fins needed for snorkeling.

Can young children or wheelchair users join?

Children under four are not suitable for this activity. Wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, and people with several listed health conditions are also not suitable for the tour.