Praslin: Curieuse & St-Pierre Boat Adventure with Snorkeling

Curieuse’s giant tortoises are the main event here, and you get more than a quick photo stop. You walk through mangroves and forest, reach beaches where tortoises roam freely, and hear about the island’s plants and wildlife from guides such as Benjamin, Mario, and Arnold. The tortoise encounter and the varied Curieuse walk are the two strongest reasons to book.

I also like the simple logistics: hotel pickup on Praslin, drinks on board, snorkeling equipment, and one beer per adult are included. The main caution is St. Pierre. Snorkeling conditions can be choppy, the coral may be underwhelming, and the activity is unguided, so weaker swimmers may not feel comfortable.

Key points to know before you book

• Curieuse gives you real walking time: Expect a guided route through mangroves, forest, beaches, and wildlife areas, not just a short stop by the tortoises.
• The giant tortoises roam freely: You can see them near the Ranger’s Station and on the beach, with chances to photograph and feed them.
• St. Pierre is reached only by boat: You cannot walk ashore there, but you can swim and snorkel around the small island.
• Snorkeling lasts about 45 to 60 minutes: Conditions vary, and you should be a confident swimmer before choosing this trip.
• Lunch costs extra: A beach BBQ is available for €20 per person, or you can bring your own food and snacks.
• The value is strong at $56: Transfers, guide service, drinks, beer, and snorkeling gear are included, but island tax is extra.

Why Curieuse makes this seven-hour trip worthwhile

Curieuse is one of those Seychelles stops where the wildlife is not tucked behind glass or far away behind a fence. Giant tortoises move around the Ranger’s Station area and the beach, and you may see smaller animals, crabs, birds, and even baby sharks in the shallow water around the island.

The day starts with pickup from your accommodation on Praslin, normally 10 to 45 minutes before departure, with the stated pickup window usually closer to 10 to 30 minutes. The boat leaves Anse Possession around 9:00 to 9:15 in the morning. At about 25 knots, the ride to Curieuse takes roughly half an hour.

That timing matters. You reach the island early enough for a quieter beach and a useful stretch of outdoor time before the midday heat becomes too strong. The boat ride also gives you a different view of Praslin and the surrounding Indian Ocean, though conditions can affect how smooth the crossing feels.

On arrival, staff provide a safety briefing. The guide then leads you toward the Ranger’s Station at Laraie Bay, where the tortoise encounter begins. Curieuse has the second-largest population of giant tortoises in the Seychelles, and seeing them moving freely gives this stop much more character than a standard wildlife enclosure.

The Curieuse walk: mangroves, Coco de Mer, and coastal views

The guided nature walk is planned as about one hour, but the full Curieuse stop can occupy several hours once you include sightseeing, free time, photographs, swimming, and lunch. The walking route covers mangrove areas, forest, viewpoints, beaches, and parts of the island’s interior.

This is where a good guide adds real value. Guides including Mario, Benjamin, and Obrie have been praised for explaining the island’s plants, animals, history, and environmental protection. You may learn about the Coco de Mer palm, spot colorful crabs, and hear how the mangrove system supports the coast.

The route is not simply a transfer from boat to tortoises. You get a sense of Curieuse as a living place. The combination of tall palms, mangrove roots, clear shallows, and open beach keeps the walk interesting, even for people who are not serious hikers.

Some visitors describe the walk as roughly 2.5 kilometers. The information provided for the trip does not promise a fixed distance or a particular endpoint, so your exact route may change. Bring sports shoes or waterproof shoes rather than relying only on flip-flops. Sandals are useful for the beach, but proper footwear makes the nature section easier.

The walk also includes scenic viewpoints and photo stops. Pack a waterproof bag, since you will move between a boat, beach, and water activities. A waterproof camera or phone case is especially useful around the tortoises and at St. Pierre.

Meeting the giant tortoises at Laraie Bay

The tortoises are the emotional center of the trip. At Laraie Bay, you can see them close to the Ranger’s Station and later near the beach. They are calm, slow-moving, and used to people, but they are still wild animals and deserve gentle handling.

You may be able to feed them, depending on the instructions given by the guide and the local rules at the time. Several visitors have described the animals as unusually approachable, and some have also seen baby tortoises or baby sharks in the Curieuse area.

Allow time for photographs, but do not let the camera take over the visit. The best part is watching how the animals move through the space at their own pace. You might see one crossing the path, resting near the beach, or reaching toward food.

Curieuse is also a strong stop for anyone interested in conservation. The guides have been praised for discussing nature protection and the need to respect the island’s plants and wildlife. That context turns the tortoise encounter into more than a quick animal photo.

Beach time and the lunch choice

After the walk and tortoise visit, the schedule leaves room for a beach stop, swimming, photographs, and lunch. This slower section is welcome because the morning includes a fair amount of walking and standing in the sun.

The optional BBQ costs €20 per person. It is not included in the $56 tour price, so check the final amount when you book. You can also bring your own food, snacks, and refreshments, which is the better choice if you have dietary needs or want to keep the cost down.

Water, soft drinks, and one beer per adult are included. That is useful in the heat, but you should still bring sunscreen and extra water if you need more than the standard supply. A sun hat, sunglasses, towel, swimwear, and biodegradable sunscreen belong in your day bag.

One point to watch is the schedule. Some people enjoy the relaxed time on Curieuse, while others find there is a little too much waiting around. If you prefer a nonstop sightseeing day, this may feel loose. If you want a beach break rather than a rushed checklist, the open time works in your favor.

St. Pierre Marine Park and what to expect underwater

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

The stop is built around approximately one hour of swimming and snorkeling. Equipment is provided on board, and the crew explains the basic arrangements before you enter the water. This is a beautiful setting, with pale sand, turquoise water, and the distinctive rocky shape of St. Pierre behind you.

Marine life can include colorful fish, coral, rays, and sea turtles. One lucky trip even had whale-shark sightings on the way to Curieuse, but that is an occasional wildlife encounter, not something you should count on. Conditions and visibility change, so the underwater experience will not be identical every day.

This is the part of the trip that needs the most honest explanation. Some people find the snorkeling excellent. Others find the coral partly dead, the location choppy, or the marine life less impressive than expected. The guides are there to help with equipment and safety, but the snorkeling is not presented as a fully guided marine biology session.

You should be comfortable in open water before booking this as a main attraction. One person reported that a family member could not leave the boat because there was not enough support for a weaker swimmer. If you are new to snorkeling, ask about flotation support before you enter the water, and do not assume that the crew will provide a long personal lesson.

The snorkeling period has also been described as about 45 minutes by some people, even though the planned stop is about an hour. That may sound short, but the time includes getting ready, entering the water, and returning to the boat. If snorkeling is your top priority, a tour designed around a longer reef session may suit you better.

Transport, guides, and the rhythm of the day

Hotel pickup is included anywhere on Praslin, and the drive to Anse Possession may take 10 to 45 minutes depending on where you stay. Pickup timing is normally sent in advance, so keep your phone available and be ready a little early.

The transfer is a useful part of the price. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi to the harbor, and the return van brings you back after the boat trip. One practical warning: bring a dry change of clothes. A person on one outing had to return in wet swimwear, and the ride back felt hurried.

The guide team has included Benjamin, Mario, Arnold, Brandon, Bruno, Audrey, Axel, Aubrey, and Shaun. Guides are listed as speaking English and French. The strongest part of the service is the human touch: Benjamin has been singled out for clear explanations and humor, while Mario has been praised for his interest in environmental protection. Brandon has also been noted for careful help on the island and a friendly approach.

Guide quality can vary from one departure to another, but the general setup is personal rather than anonymous. Staff handle the safety briefing, island walk, refreshments, and snorkeling arrangements. The captain also chooses the snorkeling area, and route decisions may change with sea conditions.

Expect a full day outdoors, not a polished resort excursion. You will walk on uneven ground, sit in a boat, spend time in direct sun, and move between dry clothes and swimwear. That is part of the appeal, but it rewards sensible packing.

Is $56 good value for this Seychelles day?

At $56 per person, this is a strong value if you want both Curieuse and St. Pierre in one outing. Hotel transfers alone save you time and taxi planning. Add the boat ride, guide, island walk, drinks, beer, snorkeling equipment, and two major island stops, and the price compares well with a private charter.

You still need to budget for the island tax, listed as €20 per person for anyone aged 12 or older. Lunch is separate too. With the BBQ, the total cost rises noticeably, although bringing your own food keeps the extra spending modest.

The trip is also more economical than booking separate Curieuse and snorkeling excursions. The tradeoff is that you do not control the schedule. You share the boat, follow the planned departure times, and accept that St. Pierre snorkeling may not deliver perfect visibility.

For a first visit to Praslin, I like the balance. Curieuse supplies the wildlife, walking, and island character. St. Pierre supplies the water time and a classic Seychelles view. Neither stop needs to carry the entire day by itself.

Who should book this trip?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and anyone who wants a broad introduction to the islands without paying for a private boat. It suits you especially well if giant tortoises are high on your list and you would also like a short snorkeling session.

It is less suitable if you use a wheelchair, since the activity is not designed for wheelchair users and includes boat transfers, beach landings, and a nature walk. It may also be a poor match if you dislike boats, are not comfortable swimming in open water, or want a long, expert-led reef session.

Bring a hat, sunscreen, towel, swimwear, sturdy shoes, sandals, insect repellent, food or snacks, and a waterproof bag. Biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent are the responsible choices for a protected island setting. Weapons, sharp objects, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed.

The cancellation policy is practical: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the final tax and lunch charges before confirming so the day does not cost more than expected.

Should you book the Curieuse and St. Pierre adventure?

Book it if you want the classic Curieuse experience, especially the free-roaming giant tortoises, and you like the idea of adding a beach and snorkeling stop without arranging separate transport. The guides, included drinks, pickup service, and varied schedule make the $56 base price appealing.

Think twice if snorkeling is the sole reason you are going. St. Pierre can be choppy, the coral is not always in top condition, and the water activity is not fully guided. For most people, though, the Curieuse walk and tortoise encounter are strong enough to carry the day, while St. Pierre adds a memorable hour in the sea.

FAQ

How long does the Praslin to Curieuse and St. Pierre tour last?

The activity lasts about seven hours. Pickup takes place before the boat departure, usually 10 to 30 minutes before the activity, though the stated window can extend to 45 minutes depending on your location on Praslin.

What is included in the price?

Hotel transfers on Praslin, a guide, water, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, and one beer per adult are included.

Is lunch included?

No. An optional BBQ lunch is available for €20 per person. You may also bring your own food, snacks, and refreshments.

How long is the snorkeling at St. Pierre?

The planned snorkeling stop lasts about one hour. Some outings have provided closer to 45 minutes in the water, depending on the time needed to prepare and return to the boat.

Can I walk around St. Pierre Island?

No. St. Pierre is reached by boat, and the activity includes swimming, snorkeling, and viewing the island from the water rather than walking ashore.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and French.