Seychelles: St Pierre and Curieuse Catamaran Tour with Lunch

Island days do not get much better than this. This 7 to 8 hour catamaran trip links St Pierre’s excellent snorkeling with Curieuse Island’s free-roaming giant tortoises, then adds a BBQ lunch, Anse Georgette, and a scenic cruise along Praslin’s northeast coast. I especially like the mix of water time and walking, since you are not stuck on the boat all day.

I also like that the Curieuse visit includes a guided one-hour nature walk through mountain scenery and mangrove swamps to Anse Jose. The main caution is group size: one recent departure carried about 50 people, so you should expect a social boat trip rather than a quiet, small-group outing.

Key points to know before booking

• St Pierre is the main water stop: You get about 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling around this small island, a part of the day praised for clear enjoyment and easy access to the water.
• Curieuse brings the wildlife: Giant land tortoises roam freely, giving you a close look at one of the Seychelles’ best-known animals.
• The walk takes about one hour: The route crosses mountain areas and mangrove swamps before reaching Anse Jose, so comfortable shoes matter.
• Lunch is served aboard Oplezir: The BBQ is included, with water provided, and a vegetarian meal can be arranged if requested ahead of time.
• Anse Georgette is a swim and photo stop: The beach provides a second chance to get in the water, subject to the day’s conditions.
• Transfers require attention: Praslin hotel pickup may be included if selected, while La Digue visitors must reach the ferry jetty on their own.

Setting out from Praslin, Mahé, or La Digue

The trip is sold from several Seychelles islands, but the practical details differ depending on where you sleep. On Praslin, hotel pickup and return are available if you choose that option, though pickup is limited to hotels accessible from the main road.

You should confirm your exact pickup time and location 48 hours before departure. This is not busywork. One past booking turned into a frustrating exchange because the selected pickup point was visible in the booking system but had not been clearly understood by the local operator.

If you are staying on La Digue, meet at the Creole Travel Services office in La Passe, a short walk from the jetty. Ferry tickets are included when that option is selected, but you must arrange your own transfer from your hotel to the La Digue ferry harbor.

From Mahé, Praslin, or La Digue, the day involves boat travel, so the schedule can shift with weather. Keep your plans loose on the excursion day. The route, swimming stops, and timing may change if sea conditions require it.

The vessel is the catamaran Oplezir. It is large enough to carry a substantial group, with one recent trip holding around 50 people. That can feel crowded during boarding and meal service, but the size also gives you room to move around, and there is usually space on the forward sun net when conditions allow.

St Pierre: the day’s first water stop

St Pierre is a favorite early stop because it gets you into the sea quickly. The island is known here mainly as a swimming and snorkeling site, and the stop usually lasts around 45 minutes.

That is enough time to put on the supplied snorkeling equipment, swim out, and see the area without making the whole day about one activity. The equipment is included, as is water, so you do not need to pack a full set of gear.

I would treat this as a focused snorkeling stop rather than an open-ended beach visit. You have a defined amount of time, and the trip must still make room for Curieuse, lunch, Anse Georgette, and the return cruise.

Bring a swimsuit under your clothes if possible. You will save time at the boat and get the most from the short water stop. A towel is not listed among the included items, so check with the operator or pack one if you need it.

The snorkeling around St Pierre is one of the strongest parts of the day. The water activity received particularly warm praise, along with the crew’s friendly help. If you care most about seeing marine life and getting a proper swim, this stop gives the tour a strong start.

Curieuse Island and its giant tortoises

After St Pierre, the catamaran heads to Curieuse Island reserve. This is where the outing shifts from sea time to nature and wildlife.

The giant land tortoises are the stars. They move freely around the island, making the encounter feel less like a formal animal display and more like a chance to observe large, slow-moving creatures in their own surroundings. Bring your camera, but keep your attention on the animals rather than viewing the whole visit through a screen.

The tortoises are also a good reason to choose this tour over a basic coastal cruise. You receive two very different Seychelles experiences in one day: snorkeling in the sea and seeing an iconic land animal at close range.

Allow about one hour for the Curieuse walking tour. The route passes through mountain areas and mangrove swamps before reaching Anse Jose, giving the visit more shape than simply stepping ashore, taking a tortoise photo, and returning to the boat.

This is where your footwear matters. The requested packing list includes comfortable shoes, and that is sensible advice. Sandals may be fine for parts of the day, but a proper walking shoe will make the trail easier.

The tour is not a good choice for anyone with serious mobility limitations. It is also not suitable for pregnant women, and children under 2 are not allowed on these sea excursions. Babies under 1 are specifically listed as unsuitable, so families should check the age rules carefully before paying.

The Curieuse walk to Anse Jose

The Curieuse walk lasts about an hour, which is a useful middle ground. You see more of the reserve than you would from the beach, but the outing does not turn into a long hike that takes over the day.

Mangrove areas give the walk a different character from the exposed coastal stops. You can expect a change in scenery as the route moves between forested or mountainous sections and wetter ground near the mangroves.

The arrival at Anse Jose adds a clear finish to the walk. It gives you a destination rather than a simple loop, and it helps break up the day between the first snorkel and the onboard meal.

The guide speaks English or French. The supplied information does not identify individual guides, so do not book this expecting a named naturalist or specialist wildlife lecture. The value is in having a guided route and a planned visit, not in a highly technical field course.

Wear sunscreen and insect repellent. You will spend time in direct sun on the boat and may encounter insects around the island’s vegetation and mangrove areas. A hat and comfortable clothing will help as well.

BBQ lunch aboard the Oplezir catamaran

Lunch is served on board after the Curieuse visit. The included BBQ makes the price easier to justify because you are not paying separately for a substantial meal during a full-day boat outing.

The meal has received strong praise for being tasty and generous. A vegetarian option can also be prepared if you request it, which is important because special meals are much easier to organize before the boat leaves than once lunch service begins.

Eating aboard the catamaran keeps the day moving. You do not lose time walking to a restaurant or waiting for another transfer, and you can continue enjoying the sea views while you eat.

The boat size helps here. A group of around 50 people can make the meal less intimate, but the catamaran offers more deck room than a small open boat. You can look for a comfortable place on deck, with the forward sun net often being the most appealing spot when available.

Water is included. Bring cash for anything extra, since items not listed in the inclusions may be available for purchase. Cash is also listed among the recommended things to carry, so do not assume every optional purchase can be handled digitally.

Anse Georgette for swimming and photographs

The afternoon includes a stop at Anse Georgette, one of the most scenic moments on the route. The plan allows time for photos and another swim, though the final order and length of stops can change with the weather.

This stop works well after lunch. You have already snorkeled at St Pierre and walked on Curieuse, so Anse Georgette offers a simpler pause: admire the beach, take pictures, and get back into the water if conditions permit.

You should not judge the tour only by the amount of time spent on shore here. The experience is built around moving between several island settings, and Anse Georgette is one piece of that sequence rather than a full beach day.

If taking photos matters to you, keep your camera ready before arrival. The boat gives you scenic views from the water, while the beach stop provides a different angle. Use a waterproof case or bag for electronics because this is a swimming excursion.

The return cruise along Praslin’s northeast coast

The final part of the day is a scenic cruise along Praslin’s northeast coast. This is a quieter finish than the active snorkeling and walking stops, giving you time to sit back and take in the coast before returning to the island.

The cruise also adds value for anyone who enjoys the journey itself. You are not simply being transported between stops. The route offers changing coastal views, and the catamaran gives you several places to sit or stand while the scenery passes.

Eventually, the operator returns you to your hotel if your Praslin pickup option included that service. Transfer time depends on traffic, so the advertised 7 to 8 hours covers the excursion but should not be treated as a precise door-to-door timetable.

The crew has been praised for being friendly and helpful. That matters on a day with snorkeling gear, boat boarding, swimming, lunch, and a shore walk. A warm crew can make a busy group outing feel much easier, especially when people need help getting organized at the water stops.

What the $166 price includes

At $166 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride. The value comes from the number of separate services packed into one day: catamaran transport, snorkeling equipment, water, a BBQ lunch, Curieuse landing fees, the island walk, and selected hotel transfers.

Ferry tickets can also be included for La Digue clients when that option is chosen. That is useful, but check exactly what you selected because not every transfer is automatic.

The price makes the most sense if you want a structured day with several highlights and do not want to arrange separate boats, snorkel gear, meals, and Curieuse access yourself. It makes less sense if you prefer a private charter, a very small group, or long stretches of quiet time on one beach.

A group of roughly 50 people is the key value tradeoff. You get a larger catamaran with more room than a tiny boat, but the atmosphere is less personal. If you are comfortable with a lively shared outing, the package is fairly broad for the price.

The overall rating of 4.1 from 21 ratings suggests a generally positive experience with some practical reservations. The strongest points are the snorkeling, the tortoises, the food, the crew, and Anse Georgette. The main weakness is not the scenery. It is the organization of pickup details and the possibility of a sizable group.

What to pack for this Seychelles boat day

Pack lightly, but pack for both water and walking. Comfortable shoes, a swimsuit, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable clothing, and a camera are all directly useful.

I would add a waterproof pouch for your phone and cash for optional purchases. Bring any personal medication you need for a full day away from your hotel.

Do not rely on the boat to solve every small comfort issue. The included list covers water and snorkeling equipment, but it does not promise towels or personal snacks. If you need either, confirm ahead of time or pack them.

Use strong sun protection even when clouds pass over. Boat decks can expose you to more sun than you expect, and the water reflects it back. Reapply sunscreen after swimming.

Make sure the names on your booking match the names on your passports. This is a simple detail, but incorrect names can cause trouble at check-in or during ferry arrangements.

Who should book this catamaran tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see several Seychelles highlights in one organized day. It suits couples, active families with older children, and anyone staying on Praslin who wants snorkeling, wildlife, a beach stop, and lunch without arranging each part separately.

It is especially good for people who value variety. You get St Pierre’s water time, Curieuse’s tortoises and nature walk, Anse Georgette, and a coastal cruise. No single stop has to carry the whole day.

You should think twice if you need a quiet, private experience. The boat may hold around 50 people, and the one-hour walk requires reasonable mobility. Pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, and very young children should not book this activity based on the stated restrictions.

The tour also suits you better if you can accept a flexible schedule. Weather may alter the route, and hotel transfers may take longer depending on traffic. Confirming your pickup 48 hours ahead is one of the best ways to avoid needless confusion.

Should you book the St Pierre and Curieuse tour?

Book it if your ideal Seychelles day includes snorkeling, giant tortoises, a BBQ lunch, and several scenic stops in one package. The food, friendly crew, St Pierre snorkeling, and free-roaming tortoises give the tour its strongest appeal.

Skip it if your priority is a small boat, a private guide, or a slow day at one beach. At $166, you are paying for range and convenience, not solitude.

For most active visitors based on Praslin, this is a well-rounded way to use a full day. Just confirm the pickup details, request a vegetarian meal early if needed, bring shoes for Curieuse, and expect the itinerary to respond to the weather.

FAQ

How long does the St Pierre and Curieuse catamaran tour last?

The excursion lasts about 7 to 8 hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off in Praslin are included only if you select that option. Pickup is available for hotels accessible from the main road, and transfer time depends on traffic.

Where should La Digue visitors meet the tour?

You should meet at the Creole Travel Services office in La Passe, a few minutes’ walk from the jetty. La Digue visitors must arrange their own transfer between their hotel and the ferry harbor jetty.

Are snorkeling equipment and lunch included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, water, and a BBQ lunch served aboard the catamaran are included. A vegetarian meal is available by request.

Can children join the excursion?

Children under 2 are not allowed on the sea excursion. The activity is also not suitable for babies under 1 or pregnant women.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The route and timing can change on the day because of weather conditions. You should keep your schedule flexible.