Curieuse and St. Pierre Islands Day Trip with BBQ Lunch

Curieuse is the star here, not just a quick photo stop. You walk through mangroves, meet giant Aldabra tortoises, and follow a nature trail toward Anse José before lunch. Reynold and Mario are among the guides praised for explaining the animals, plants, and island history in a friendly way.

I like the mix of land and sea: a real guided walk, a generous Creole BBQ, and two chances to snorkel. The speedboat also makes the trip feel like part of the adventure. The catch is that this is an active day, and the Curieuse trail can be rocky. You also pay a separate landing fee of 20 euros by card.

Key points at a glance

• Giant tortoises up close: Curieuse gives you time at the Aldabra tortoise sanctuary rather than just a passing view.
• Mangroves and a nature trail: The walk includes boardwalks, rocky sections, and a route toward Anse José Beach.
• A proper Creole lunch: Grilled fish, chicken, sausage, prawns, lentils, salads, fruit, garlic bread, soft drinks, water, and Seybrew beer are included.
• Two snorkeling stops: St. Pierre is the planned site, with Anse Petit Cours used when southeast monsoon seas are rough.
• Small-boat feel: You travel by speedboat, with hotel pickup in selected parts of Praslin.
• Plan for extra cost and effort: Curieuse charges a 20 euro landing fee, and the tour is not suited to wheelchair users or people with limited mobility.

Why Curieuse deserves the first half of your day

Curieuse is more than a pretty island in the distance. Its mangrove swamp, tortoise sanctuary, and walking trails give the morning a sense of purpose. You are not simply dropped on a beach and told to wander.

After pickup, usually around 8:45 in Baie-Ste-Anne, Grand-Anse, Amitie, St. Joseph, or Anse Volbert, you meet at the departure point near Berjaya Resort beach or Kannus Supermarket in Baie-Ste-Anne. The boat leaves around 9:15, after a safety briefing.

The speedboat ride is one of the pleasures of the outing. It gets you across the water quickly and provides open views of the Praslin area. Bring a hat and secure your belongings, since a speedboat is less forgiving than a slow, covered ferry.

You arrive at Baie Laraie on Curieuse. A licensed guide accompanies the group, and the pace includes wildlife viewing, photographs, and a walk through the island’s distinctive ecosystem. Guides such as Reynold and Mario have been singled out for giving clear explanations about the tortoises, vegetation, birds, and conservation work.

The Aldabra tortoises are the easy crowd-pleaser. You can watch them at the sanctuary and learn about these long-lived island animals. The encounter is especially good for families and anyone who wants more than a beach day, though remember that Curieuse is a protected natural setting, not a polished theme park.

The mangrove walk to Anse José Beach

The Curieuse walk is where you should pay attention to your footwear. Parts of the route use a boardwalk, but other sections include rocky steps and uneven ground. One route crosses roughly 2 kilometers up and down, according to the practical details supplied by past participants.

Flip-flops are a poor choice. Comfortable walking shoes or sturdy sandals will make the hike easier, especially after rain. Carry only what you need, since a small backpack is much easier than a large beach bag on a warm island trail.

The mangroves are the unusual part of the visit. They show you a side of the Seychelles that you will not see from a resort beach, with shallow coastal water, roots, and a habitat shaped by tides. The guide helps connect the scenery to the island’s wildlife and conservation work.

You may also have time for swimming or snorkeling near Anse José before lunch. The schedule allows relaxation on the beach, but the exact amount of free time can change with the group, sea conditions, and the guide’s pacing. One practical point: the morning can feel long before lunch, so bringing a small snack is sensible.

A beach BBQ with plenty on the plate

Lunch is served at the beach around noon, a welcome pause after the walk. The menu is a broad Creole spread rather than a single pre-plated meal: grilled fish, chicken, sausage, prawns or prawn kebabs, lentils, salads, garlic bread, and tropical fruit.

Vegetarian options are available. Soft drinks and water are included, along with local Seybrew beer. The meal is one of the strongest parts of the outing because it gives you a taste of local cooking while keeping the day relaxed and informal.

The food is described as generous, and that matters on a trip that combines walking, heat, swimming, and snorkeling. If you have dietary needs beyond the stated vegetarian option, confirm them before booking rather than assuming the crew can adjust the menu.

Lunch is not just a fuel stop. Eating on Anse José places you in the middle of the scenery, with sand, sea, and forest close by. It also gives you a proper break before the afternoon boat ride.

St. Pierre snorkeling and the monsoon-season backup

After beach time, the boat heads toward St. Pierre, usually around 2:00. The planned snorkeling stop is around 2:30, with warm water, reef fish, coral, and the chance of seeing sea turtles.

This is a good pairing with Curieuse. The morning is mostly on land, while the afternoon lets you see the Seychelles from below the surface. A crew member may accompany you in the water and point out areas with marine life, which is useful if you are not confident finding the best route alone.

Do not treat St. Pierre as guaranteed. From May through October, the southeast monsoon can make the water rough. When that happens, the crew may move the snorkeling to Anse Petit Cours, where conditions are calmer. That change can mean less dramatic scenery, but calm water is usually the better trade for actually enjoying the swim.

Bring your own snorkeling gear if you have it. Equipment is provided, but one practical tip is worth noting: the supplied mask and snorkel may have a shared mouthpiece. Many people prefer their own gear for comfort and hygiene.

Past conditions have varied. On some days, snorkeling has been excellent, with colorful fish and sea turtles. On another, strong currents made snorkeling impossible, and the crew substituted an extra boat ride around the island. The crew controls the final decision for safety, so keep your expectations flexible.

Timing, pickup, and the small speedboat setup

The published duration is six hours, but the detailed schedule runs from roughly 8:45 pickup to 3:30 arrival, which is closer to six and three-quarter hours before hotel transport. Some outings may take around seven hours.

Pickup and drop-off are available in selected areas of Praslin, including Baie-Ste-Anne, Grand-Anse, Amitie, St. Joseph, and Anse Volbert. Listed meeting points include Berjaya Praslin Resort and Kannus Supermarket in Baie-Ste-Anne.

You should confirm the exact pickup time before the morning of the trip. One practical complaint has been uncertainty over pickup confirmation, so do not rely only on a general departure time. The operator has also contacted some visitors directly to settle the details, which is helpful when it happens.

The boat is a speedboat, not a large sightseeing vessel. That means a quicker ride and a more direct feel, but less room to move around. Group size can be small, sometimes around five or six people, though you should not assume every departure will be private.

A small boat can make the day feel personal, especially when the guide explains the tortoises or helps with snorkeling. It also means you should pack lightly. A compact dry bag or small daypack is more useful than a suitcase-sized beach bag.

What the 85 dollar price really covers

At 85 dollars per person, the price is reasonable if you want several activities in one outing. You get transport by boat, selected hotel pickup and drop-off, a guided Curieuse walk, the tortoise sanctuary, the mangrove area, beach time, a substantial BBQ lunch, drinks, and two snorkeling opportunities.

The value is strongest for visitors who would otherwise need to arrange separate boat transport, lunch, and a Curieuse visit. The guide adds something important too. You are not left to work out the trail or wildlife on your own.

There is one unavoidable extra: Curieuse charges a landing fee of 20 euros per person, payable by card only. The supplied information also gives an equivalent of about 300 Seychelles rupees, but the euro amount is the clearer figure to budget for. Bring a working card and do not count on paying cash.

The tour is less attractive if you want a long, unhurried snorkeling session. A portion of the day goes to walking, tortoises, lunch, and transfers. One sensible criticism is that some groups may spend more time on the Curieuse beach and tortoise visit than they would prefer, with less time in the water.

Who will enjoy this Praslin day trip

I would choose this for you if you want a well-rounded island day rather than a single beach or snorkeling charter. It suits couples, families with mobile older children, first-time visitors to Praslin, and anyone interested in wildlife as much as swimming.

You should be comfortable getting in and out of a speedboat, walking on uneven ground, and spending several hours in the sun. The outing is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Pack sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. Add a small snack, a reusable bag for wet clothing, and personal snorkeling equipment if you have it. The crew supplies a 750-milliliter bottle of water for the trail, but extra water may be useful in the heat.

The tour is guided in English and French. Reynold is frequently named for his care with pickup, safety, and tortoise explanations. Mario is also praised for his friendly approach and island knowledge. Guides can vary by departure, so treat those names as examples rather than a promise.

Should you book the Curieuse and St. Pierre trip?

Book it if you want tortoises, mangroves, a Creole meal, and snorkeling in one organized day. The combination is the main strength, and the price includes more than many simple boat rides.

Skip it if your priority is a full day devoted to snorkeling, or if uneven trails and a speedboat will make you uncomfortable. Also allow for the separate Curieuse landing fee and the chance that rough seas will move the snorkeling stop.

For most active visitors staying on Praslin, this is a sensible use of one day. The itinerary has enough variety to keep it interesting, and the crew’s flexibility matters when the sea changes its mind.

FAQ

How long does the Curieuse and St. Pierre trip last?

The activity is advertised as six hours. The detailed schedule runs from around 8:45 pickup to 3:30 arrival, so the full outing may take about six to seven hours, including transfers.

What is included in the lunch?

The Creole BBQ includes grilled fish, chicken, sausage, prawns or prawn kebabs, lentils, garlic bread, salads, and tropical fruit. Vegetarian options are available.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Soft drinks, water, and local Seybrew beer are included. You also receive a 750-milliliter bottle of water for the Curieuse trail.

Is the Curieuse landing fee included?

No. You pay a 20 euro landing fee per person on arrival at Curieuse. Payment is by card only.

What happens if the sea is rough at St. Pierre?

From May to October, southeast monsoon conditions can make St. Pierre rough. The crew may move snorkeling to Anse Petit Cours, a calmer bay. In very poor conditions, the snorkeling plan may change for safety.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. Sturdy footwear is better than flip-flops for the Curieuse trail. You may also bring your own snorkeling gear and a small snack.