Curieuse and St Pierre Snorkeling Half-Day Trip No BBQ Lunch

Curieuse is the star here: a protected island where Aldabra giant tortoises wander near the visitor area, followed by a walk through mangroves to Anse José Beach. You then trade land for sea at St Pierre, with time to swim and snorkel among granite boulders.

I like the compact four-hour format, especially if your Praslin schedule is tight. I also like the guides’ personal touch: Mario, Reynold, and Benjamin are praised for clear explanations, humor, care, and real affection for the islands. The main catch is that the €20 Curieuse landing fee is extra, and rough sea conditions can affect the snorkeling stop.

Key points before you book

• Curieuse’s giant tortoises are the main event: You get time to see them close up in their natural island setting.
• The 1.7-kilometer walk crosses the island: Expect mangroves, plants, birds, crabs, and a finish at Anse José Beach.
• St Pierre is weather dependent: The water can be excellent, but waves may force the boat to use another snorkeling place.
• The trip suits a busy Praslin itinerary: Pickup starts around 8:45 AM, and you return around 12:30 PM.
• The advertised price is not the final cost: Add a €20 landing fee per person, plus anything you choose to spend on food.
• Bring your own snorkeling gear if possible: It is listed among the recommended items, not among the inclusions.

Why Curieuse deserves the morning

Curieuse is not just a pretty stop for photographs. It is one of the Seychelles’ best places to see giant tortoises and learn about the island’s coastal environment in a short amount of time.

The morning starts with pickup from selected areas of Praslin, including Anse Volbert, Baie Sainte Anne, Amitié, St Joseph, and Grand Anse. The stated pickup time is about 8:45 AM. You then meet the boat at either the Berjaya Resort beach at Anse Volbert or Kannus Supermarket in Baie Sainte Anne, depending on your arrangement.

The boat ride to Curieuse is brief, with arrival scheduled around 9:30 AM. That early start matters. You get onto the island before the hottest part of the day, though the walking portion later can still feel warm, especially when the sun is high.

Your guide gives an introduction before you explore. The best guides make this more than a quick animal stop. Mario is praised for his explanations and easy manner, while Reynold is described as especially caring, funny, and well informed. Benjamin also receives strong praise for explaining the island with feeling. Ask questions as you go. The quality of this trip depends in part on how much your guide brings the place to life.

Meeting Curieuse’s giant tortoises

The tortoise area is the most dependable highlight of the trip. You have free time to see these slow-moving animals, take photographs, and watch how comfortable they are around people.

That comfort makes the encounter easy for families and first-time wildlife visitors. You can get a close look without needing a long trek or a full-day expedition. The tortoises are also a good reason to choose this trip over a simple beach cruise. You are seeing a distinctive part of Seychelles wildlife, not only moving from one scenic bay to another.

Give yourself time here, but keep an eye on the clock. The schedule allows roughly 25 minutes with the tortoises according to one detailed account, followed by the island walk. If you want a long, quiet wildlife session, this half-day tour may feel brisk. If you want a well-paced introduction to Curieuse, the timing works.

The ground around the tortoise area and the trail can be uneven. Wear sports shoes or hiking shoes rather than flip-flops. A hat, breathable clothes, sunscreen, water, and insect repellent will make the morning much more pleasant.

Walking across the island through mangroves

The walk is about 1.7 kilometers and leads from the Curieuse visitor area toward Anse José Beach. It is not a major mountain hike, but it is more than a stroll along a flat promenade.

You follow a path through mangrove forest, where tangled roots help hold the coast together and provide shelter for marine life. Look for crabs, birds, and other small signs of life along the edges of the trail. The setting is quiet, and the guide stops to explain plants, coastal habitats, and the role of mangroves.

This is where the tour becomes more educational than a standard boat outing. You begin to understand why Curieuse matters as a protected natural area. The mangrove is not simply a patch of trees between two beaches. It is part of the island’s wider coastal system.

The guided stops can also stretch the walk. One family found the distance easy but felt that frequent explanations made the hike seem long. That is a fair point. If you prefer a fast walk, you may wish the group moved along more quickly. If you enjoy plants, wildlife, and local natural history, the pauses are useful.

The timing creates one small tradeoff. The tour starts with the beach and tortoises, then places the walk closer to the hottest part of the morning. Bring water and cover your shoulders if you burn easily. The included water and soft drinks help, but they do not replace sun protection.

Anse José Beach and the change of pace

You are scheduled to reach Anse José around 11:45 AM. After the forest path, the beach feels like a natural reward.

Here you can rest on the sand, take photographs, and look back over the route you have just crossed. The stop is short, so think of it as a breather rather than a long beach day. The appeal is the contrast: shaded mangrove, open sand, then a boat ride to a small offshore island.

This is also the part of the tour that may disappoint anyone expecting hours of sunbathing. The full experience gives you only a limited amount of free beach time because Curieuse, the walk, and St Pierre all need to fit into one morning.

The schedule is active but not rushed at every moment. You will spend much of the four hours either walking, listening to the guide, swimming, or riding by boat. Pack a towel and a waterproof bag so you can move between those activities without worrying about wet clothes or electronics.

Snorkeling at St Pierre Island

Around noon, the boat continues to St Pierre Island for the final major stop. St Pierre is known here for its granite boulders, clear water, and setting just off Praslin. The contrast with Curieuse is welcome. After a land-based walk, you get time in the water.

The snorkeling period is about 30 minutes according to one detailed account. That is enough for a worthwhile swim, but not enough for a full reef expedition. You may see marine life in the clear water, and the granite formations give the stop its distinctive Seychelles character.

Conditions matter more here than at the tortoise sanctuary. Strong waves can make the planned snorkeling area less comfortable or less clear. On some days, the boat may use another spot because of sea conditions. That is a sensible safety choice, but it means you should not book this trip expecting one guaranteed underwater scene.

Bring a waterproof camera if you have one, but protect your phone and other valuables in a waterproof bag. Biodegradable sunscreen is a good choice. The activity information recommends bringing snorkeling gear, so do not assume a complete set will be supplied. Ask the operator before departure if you need equipment.

Water and soft drinks are included, and local beer is also mentioned among the refreshments. BBQ lunch is not included. Since the tour returns to Praslin around 12:30 PM, most people can simply arrange lunch afterward, but bring a small snack if you need food during the morning.

What the four-hour schedule really feels like

The stated duration is four hours, with pickup around 8:45 AM and return around 12:30 PM. The listed sequence is roughly:

• 8:45 AM: Pickup from selected Praslin areas
• 9:15 AM: Boat trip toward Curieuse
• 9:30 AM: Arrival at Curieuse
• Morning: Tortoise area and island introduction
• 11:00 AM: Mangrove walk
• 11:45 AM: Anse José Beach
• 12:00 PM: Boat to St Pierre and snorkeling
• 12:30 PM: Return to Praslin

The exact timing can shift with boat movement, group pace, and sea conditions. The short format is useful if you have only a few days on Praslin or want to combine this outing with another afternoon plan.

It is not the right choice if you want an unhurried beach day. The tour gives you a sample of three different settings, but each stop is limited. You trade depth for variety, which is a good deal for many visitors.

Is the $53 price good value?

At $53 per person, the base price is attractive for a boat trip that includes selected hotel transfers, a licensed guide, water, and soft drinks. You also get two islands, a guided walk, wildlife viewing, and snorkeling in one morning.

The important extra cost is the €20 Curieuse landing fee per person. You must bring a Visa card, debit card, and cash so you have a way to pay it. Because that fee is required, calculate the total before comparing this trip with other Praslin excursions.

There is no BBQ lunch. In practical terms, that is not a major weakness for a half-day trip returning around lunchtime. It does mean you should plan your own meal afterward. The absence of lunch also keeps the tour focused and avoids spending a large part of the morning waiting for a meal.

For the right visitor, the value is strongest in the combination. A separate tortoise visit, mangrove walk, and snorkeling outing could take much longer to arrange. Here, the guide, boat, and main stops are organized in one compact morning.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this excursion to you if you want variety without giving up an entire day. It works particularly well for:

• First-time visitors to Praslin who want a clear introduction to Curieuse
• Families with older children who can manage a 1.7-kilometer walk
• Couples who want wildlife, beach scenery, and snorkeling in one outing
• Anyone staying near the listed pickup areas
• Visitors who prefer a guide to explain the island rather than simply drop them at a beach
• People with a busy itinerary who want to be back on Praslin around lunchtime

The tour is less suitable if you have limited mobility, use a wheelchair, or become seasick. It is also not recommended for babies under one year, people over 80, or people over 95 according to the stated restrictions. The path, boat transfers, heat, and water activity all require a reasonable level of physical comfort.

The itinerary also discourages large luggage, strollers, smoking, valuables, and several types of mobility equipment. Travel light. A small waterproof bag is far more useful than a large beach case.

Practical packing advice for Curieuse and St Pierre

Wear shoes with a firm sole for the island path. You can bring beachwear and swimwear underneath, but avoid jeans and high-heeled shoes.

Pack these essentials:

• Hat and sunscreen
• Towel and swimwear
• Comfortable, breathable clothes
• Hiking or sports shoes
• Water-resistant bag
• Snorkeling gear
• Camera or waterproof camera
• Insect repellent
• Card and cash for the landing fee

A second hat is not necessary, despite the repeated packing suggestions, but sun protection is. The trail and beach offer limited relief once the heat builds.

Do not bring jewelry or valuables you do not need. You will move from boat to beach to trail and back to the water. The fewer loose items you carry, the easier the morning will be.

Guide quality can shape the whole morning

The strongest personal element is the guiding. Mario receives repeated praise for his energy, explanations, and enthusiasm for Seychelles. Reynold is singled out for being professional, kind, funny, and attentive. Benjamin is also praised for giving careful explanations and looking after the group.

That matters because Curieuse can be approached in two ways. You can treat it as a place for a tortoise photograph and a swim, or you can understand how its animals, mangroves, beaches, and marine waters fit together. A good guide turns the second option into a natural part of the morning.

The one caution is that a passionate guide may talk more than every person wants. If you have children who dislike long stops, set expectations before the tour. If you enjoy learning about plants and coastal ecology, the extra explanations will likely be a plus.

Should you book the Curieuse and St Pierre trip?

Book it if you want a well-priced morning sampler of Praslin’s nearby natural attractions. The giant tortoises are the reliable highlight, the mangrove walk adds real substance, and St Pierre gives you a chance to swim and snorkel before lunch.

Go in with realistic expectations. The walk may feel slow if the guide makes many stops, the snorkeling depends on sea conditions, and the €20 landing fee is extra. Bring proper shoes, sun protection, payment for the fee, and your own snorkeling gear if you have it.

For a short first visit to Curieuse, I think the balance is good. You get wildlife, a guided nature walk, a beach, and time in the water without surrendering a whole day of your Praslin holiday.

FAQ

How long is the Curieuse and St Pierre trip?

The activity lasts about four hours. Pickup is scheduled around 8:45 AM, and return to Praslin is planned for around 12:30 PM.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available in selected areas of Baie Sainte Anne, Amitié, St Joseph, Grand Anse, and Anse Volbert. The stated meeting points include the beach side of Berjaya Resort at Anse Volbert and Kannus Supermarket in Baie Sainte Anne.

Is hotel transfer included?

Hotel transfer is included for certain areas of Praslin. Confirm that your accommodation is within the listed pickup zones before booking.

Is the Curieuse landing fee included?

No. The Curieuse landing fee is €20 per person and must be paid separately.

How can I pay the Curieuse landing fee?

Bring cash as well as a Visa card or debit card. The information specifically asks customers to carry these payment options.

Is lunch included?

No. BBQ lunch is not included. The tour returns to Praslin around lunchtime, so you can arrange your own meal afterward.

Are drinks provided?

Yes. Water and soft drinks are included. Local beer is also mentioned among the available refreshments.

Are snorkeling conditions guaranteed?

No. Sea conditions can affect the snorkeling stop. If waves make the planned location unsuitable, the boat may use another snorkeling place.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling gear is listed among the items to bring, but it is not listed among the included services. Bring your own gear or confirm equipment arrangements before departure.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. It is also not recommended for people with motion sickness, babies under one year, people over 80, or people over 95.