Tour of Cousin, Curieuse and St Pierre island on Catamaran

Wildlife, ruins, reefs, and a good boat day. This eight-hour catamaran trip from Praslin packs three very different Seychelles islands into one outing. I like the Cousin bird sanctuary, where a guided walk brings you close to rare endemic species, and I like the mix of Curieuse tortoises, mangroves, and colonial-era remains. The main tradeoff is time: with three stops in one day, snorkeling at St Pierre may feel short, and the full mangrove walk may not fit.

This is a practical choice if you want more than a beach cruise. You get island landing fees, hotel transfer for Praslin clients, water, a BBQ lunch, and English or French guiding included. I would still confirm the exact route before paying, since the description also refers to Moyenne Island and a return to Mahe, details that do not fully match the advertised Praslin trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Cousin is the strongest wildlife stop: Expect a guided visit to a protected bird sanctuary with rare Seychelles species.
• Curieuse adds tortoises and history: You may see free-roaming giant land tortoises, walk toward Baie Laraie lagoon, and visit the old leper colony ruins and Doctor’s House.
• St Pierre is the snorkeling stop: The water is clear, but the actual swim may last about 35 minutes rather than the promised 50.
• Lunch is served on board: The BBQ meal includes fresh local-style food, with vegetarian food available. Vegan requests should be confirmed directly in advance.
• The crew earns high marks: The boat team is described as helpful and attentive, which matters on a full day at sea.
• La Digue transport needs extra planning: Collect tickets at the Creole Travel Services office at La Passe, opposite Fish Trap restaurant, and arrange your own hotel transfer to and from the jetty.

Three islands, three different Seychelles experiences

At $263 per person, this is not a cheap island hop. It is a full-day excursion that bundles boat transport, several landing fees, guiding, lunch, water, and transfers for people staying on Praslin. I see the value in that package if you want to cover several highlights without arranging separate boats and park visits.

The appeal is variety. Cousin is about conservation and birds. Curieuse combines giant tortoises with human history. St Pierre is mainly about the sea, with time for snorkeling and swimming around a small reef island. You are not repeating the same beach stop three times.

The pace is also the central limitation. Eight hours sounds generous, but every landing requires a boat approach, getting ashore, a guided walk or safety briefing, and boarding again. I would book this for a broad introduction to the islands, not for long, unhurried time at each place.

Leaving Praslin by catamaran

Praslin clients can use the included transfer to the departure point, and hotel pickup is available when the property is accessible from the main road. The transfer time can change with traffic, so I would confirm your pickup location and time 48 hours before departure using the local partner’s emergency number.

The catamaran is part of the attraction. You cruise between the islands with open views of the Seychelles waters, then stop for swimming and snorkeling when conditions allow. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable clothing, and a secure way to carry cash or a card. You will want comfortable shoes for the island walks, plus insect repellent for Cousin and the Curieuse mangrove area.

The boat can provide snorkeling equipment for an extra charge, and drinks are also available to buy. If you already own a mask and snorkel, bringing them may save time and avoid uncertainty over availability.

Cousin Island and its protected bird sanctuary

Cousin is likely the most distinctive stop for anyone interested in wildlife. Once linked with French settlement, the island is now valued for its native species and conservation work. The visit includes a guided walk through the bird sanctuary, giving you context that you would miss from a quick beach landing.

The setting is not a conventional sightseeing attraction. You are there to notice endemic birds and other species that have survived because the island is protected. The guide helps point out what you are seeing and explains why conservation matters in the Seychelles. That makes this stop more rewarding than simply taking photographs from the boat.

Plan for a walking visit rather than a passive look around. Comfortable shoes are important, and insect repellent is sensible. You may also want to keep your clothing light and practical, since this is one of the more active parts of the day.

I would give Cousin your full attention. The schedule moves on, and the island’s value lies in the guided experience. If you care about rare species, this is the part that helps justify the cost of the tour.

Curieuse, giant tortoises, and Baie Laraie

Curieuse changes the mood completely. Here, the focus shifts from birds to giant land tortoises, island history, and coastal vegetation. The tortoise sanctuary allows you to encounter free-roaming animals, an easy highlight for families and anyone who enjoys wildlife without needing a long walk.

The island also offers a walk through mangroves toward the Baie Laraie lagoon. This is a fine contrast to the open water, especially because mangroves show a quieter side of Seychelles nature. The route may not fit into the available time, though. A 35-minute snorkeling stop at St Pierre left too little time for the full mangrove walk on one recent outing, so you should not assume you will complete every trail mentioned.

Curieuse carries some difficult history as well. You can see ruins connected with an ancient leper colony and visit Doctor’s House, a reminder that these islands were not always used for nature tourism. The old buildings give the stop more weight than a simple tortoise encounter. I appreciate that the tour joins natural history with the human story of the island.

The best approach is to decide what matters most once you arrive. If you want tortoises and historic buildings, stay with the main guided portion. If the guide offers enough free time and you prefer plants and still water, use it for the mangrove route. Trying to rush through all three may leave you seeing everything only briefly.

St Pierre for clear water and snorkeling

St Pierre is the marine portion of the day. The island is known for clear water, coral, and opportunities to swim and snorkel. This is where you can cool off after the walks and look for fish and other sea life around the reef.

I would keep expectations sensible. One booking included about 35 minutes in the water, even though the crew had indicated 50 minutes. That is enough for a pleasant swim and a useful look beneath the surface, but it may disappoint you if snorkeling is the main reason you booked.

There is also a conservation concern around anchoring. A visitor specifically suggested mooring rings at St Pierre to prevent anchors from damaging coral and the seabed. That is worth keeping in mind: the marine setting is beautiful, but coral areas need careful management. Follow all crew instructions, avoid touching coral, and keep your movements controlled in the water.

Bring your own snorkeling gear if you have it, or expect to purchase equipment on the boat. Ask about the timing before entering the water if you want to know how long you will have. The schedule can shift with sea conditions and the needs of the wider group.

A Creole BBQ lunch on the boat

Lunch is served aboard the catamaran, which keeps the day moving and avoids losing more time to another landing. The meal is a BBQ with local ingredients and Creole flavors, accompanied by water. It is a practical arrangement rather than a long restaurant meal.

Vegetarian food is available. One vegan passenger received lentils, rice, salad, pumpkin, and bread, but had trouble getting a response to a request made before the trip. If you are vegan, have allergies, or follow a strict diet, contact the local partner directly before departure and confirm what will be prepared.

Drinks can be purchased separately. I would carry cash and a card, since both are listed among the recommended items. The included water is useful in the heat, but an eight-hour boat and island day can make extra drinks worthwhile.

The boat lunch works best when you treat it as part of the outing, not the central event. You eat with the sea around you, then continue cruising. That saves time for the islands, though it also means you have less chance to sit down quietly and linger over a meal.

What the crew and guide add

A good boat crew makes a major difference on a day with repeated boarding, snorkeling equipment, island landings, and changing conditions. The crew has been praised for being helpful, and that is one of the strongest reasons I would consider this tour rather than trying to organize three separate stops independently.

Guiding is offered in English and French. The Cousin visit includes a guided tour, while Curieuse also has a guided component around the tortoise sanctuary and historic sites. No individual guide names are provided, so I would not book this expecting a particular person.

The guide matters most at Cousin and Curieuse. Without explanation, birds can be easy to miss, and the leper colony ruins can look like weathered stone. Ask questions as you go. You will get more from the day if you treat the guide as a source of context, not just someone keeping time.

Sorting out the route before you pay

The main advertised route is Cousin, Curieuse, and St Pierre from Praslin. However, the supplied activity details also describe Moyenne Island, the Ste. Anne Marine Park islands, and a return to Mahe. Those details may belong to a related catamaran program, so I would confirm the precise departure point and island sequence with Creole Travel Services.

This matters because the route affects your expectations. If you are staying on Praslin, you need to know where the included transfer takes you. If you are staying on La Digue, collect your tickets at the Creole Travel Services office at La Passe, opposite Fish Trap restaurant. You must arrange your own land transfer from your hotel to the La Digue jetty and back.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are optional, but properties must be accessible from the main road. Confirm the details 48 hours before the trip. That simple check can prevent a rushed morning, especially when ferry or jetty connections are involved.

Who will get the most from this $263 day

I think the price works best for you if this is your first visit to the Praslin area and you want a broad sample of nature, history, and marine life. You avoid arranging separate boat trips, and the included lunch, water, landing fees, and Praslin transfer reduce the number of extra costs to manage.

Families may like the tortoises and straightforward boat format, but children under two are not permitted on these sea excursions. The walking portions also mean you should be comfortable in warm weather and on uneven outdoor routes.

Nature-focused visitors will probably value Cousin most. History-minded visitors will appreciate Doctor’s House and the former leper colony ruins. Swimmers should book only if they are comfortable with a moderate snorkeling window rather than expecting a long reef session.

I would not choose this tour if you want to spend most of the day on one beach or if you dislike fixed schedules. The three-island plan is efficient, but efficiency comes at the expense of lingering. You also need to accept that the exact snorkeling duration and walking time may change.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking make the commitment easier. Still, I would use that flexibility to confirm the route and food arrangements, not to skip the practical questions.

Should you book the Cousin, Curieuse, and St Pierre tour?

Book it if you want one organized day that combines endemic wildlife, giant tortoises, island history, and snorkeling. The helpful crew, guided Cousin visit, onboard BBQ, and included Praslin transfer make the $263 price easier to defend.

Skip it if snorkeling is your main goal, since the water time may be only 35 minutes, or if you want to walk all of Curieuse’s mangrove route without watching the clock. Before booking, confirm the exact island sequence, pickup point, and meal options, especially if you are vegan.

For most first-time visitors staying on Praslin, I see this as a strong all-round introduction to the nearby islands. It gives you a lot in one day, provided you accept a brisk pace and come prepared for sun, insects, boat spray, and a little schedule uncertainty.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is eight hours. Transfer time between hotel pickup and drop-off can vary with traffic.

Which languages are available?

The tour offers live guiding in English and French.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is optional. Praslin clients receive transfer to the departure point, and hotel pickup and drop-off are available when the property can be reached from the main road.

What is included in the price?

The package includes Praslin transfer to the departure point, ferry transfer for La Digue clients, landing fees on Cousin and Curieuse, BBQ lunch on the catamaran, and water.

Are children under two allowed?

No. Children under two are not permitted on these sea excursions.

Where do La Digue clients collect their tickets?

Tickets are collected at the Creole Travel Services office at La Passe, opposite Fish Trap restaurant. La Digue clients must arrange their own land transfer to and from the jetty.