Curieuse Guided Tour, St Pierre, BBQ & 2 Snorkel Stops

The giant tortoises are the star here, but this day gives you much more than a quick photo stop. You cruise from Praslin, snorkel at two separate sites, walk across Curieuse with a guide, and finish with a Creole BBQ while tortoises wander nearby. Curieuse Island feels like a real day out, not a simple boat transfer.

I especially like the small-group feel and the way the guides, including Benjamin, Rocco, Liroy, and their colleagues, keep the day friendly and informative. I also like the practical hotel pickup, tasty fish and chicken BBQ, and steady supply of soft drinks and other beverages. The main catch is that the SCR 300 marine park fee for everyone aged 12 and over is extra, and the sea can change the snorkeling route.

Key points to know before booking

• Curieuse’s giant tortoises roam freely: You can see, photograph, pet, and feed these famously calm animals near the BBQ area.
• Two snorkeling stops are included: The exact sites depend on wind and sea conditions, with Anse La Farine, St Pierre or nearby reefs, Anse Georgette, and Anse Lazio among the possible locations.
• The walk crosses Curieuse: A guided nature trail takes about an hour and covers island plants, animals, history, and changing ecosystems.
• Lunch is a proper Creole BBQ: Expect grilled fish, chicken, sausage, rice, lentil sauce, salads, and local flavors such as mango salad.
• Hotel transport saves time and effort: Pickup and drop-off are included anywhere on Praslin, including many villas and guesthouses.
• Plan for the extra park fee: Bring a credit card for the SCR 300 entry charge per person aged 12 or older.

Why Curieuse makes this a strong Praslin day trip

Curieuse is close enough to visit from Praslin, but it feels far removed from the island’s roads and hotels. The island is best known for its giant tortoises, and this tour puts you right among them after the nature walk and before lunch.

You do not simply arrive, take one picture, and leave. The day builds toward the tortoises through a mix of sea time, beach time, walking, food, and conversation with the crew. That variety is useful in Seychelles, where a full day on the water can otherwise become tiring or repetitive.

At $112 per person, the price covers hotel transport, the boat trip, snorkeling equipment, the guided Curieuse walk, lunch, soft drinks, and several hours of crew support. You still pay the marine park entry fee separately, so factor that into the real cost. Even with that extra charge, I consider the package good value if you want several Praslin highlights in one day rather than arranging separate trips.

The tour has earned a 4.9 rating from 983 ratings, and the pattern behind that score is clear: organization, friendly guides, snorkeling, lunch, and the tortoises receive the most attention. You get a busy day, but the schedule is paced with time to swim, rest, walk, eat, and take photographs.

The morning pickup and boat departure

Your day begins with pickup from your hotel, villa, or guesthouse on Praslin. This matters more than it may sound. Praslin is not a large island, but accommodation is spread around the coast, and getting to a boat launch point early can be awkward without a car.

The transfer is included anywhere on Praslin. The vans have air-conditioning, and pickup is intended to be punctual. After meeting the crew, you board the boat and receive the basic plan for the day.

Groups can be small. Some departures have only eight people, while others use two boats with roughly 10 to 12 people on one boat. That is a useful middle ground: social enough to meet people, but usually not so crowded that every stop feels like a queue.

Some boats have a glass-bottom section, which gives you something to watch even if you choose not to snorkel. The water is clear enough to see fish and reef below the boat in calm conditions. Bring a towel and sunscreen, and wear your swimwear under light beach clothes so you are ready for the first stop.

The first snorkeling stop sets the tone

The opening snorkeling stop lasts around 45 minutes to an hour. The exact location is chosen according to weather and sea conditions, so you should not treat the named site as guaranteed.

That flexibility is a good thing. A boat crew that changes the site to find safer or clearer water is making the right call. Some departures use a reef near St Pierre or Curieuse, while others go to another nearby location if conditions are not suitable.

You receive snorkeling equipment, but bring your own mask if you already have one that fits well. The sea may be calm and easy, or it may have more movement. If you are not a confident swimmer, tell the guide before entering the water. Guides have helped non-swimmers stay close and try snorkeling with extra support, but you should still be comfortable getting into the sea.

The morning water often provides the best visibility. You might see schools of fish, reef life, and several types of coral. One later site has been compared to an aquarium because of the number and variety of fish. The quality of the stop depends on the day’s conditions, but having two different locations gives you a better chance of seeing varied sea life.

Curieuse beach, then a one-hour nature trail

After snorkeling, the boat heads to a beach on Curieuse. You have time to swim, relax, and dry off before the walk. This pause is welcome because the day includes repeated changes between boat, sea, sand, trail, and lunch.

The guided walk takes about an hour and crosses the island along a natural trail. The route is not described as difficult, but it can be slippery, with roots, stones, and some climbing. I would wear sturdy water shoes or sneakers with a good grip rather than smooth sandals.

This is one of the best parts of the day for anyone who wants more context than a beach excursion provides. The guide explains Curieuse’s plants, animals, history, and natural setting as you walk. You may also hear about the wider Seychelles, local culture, and the way human activity has affected the island.

Guide quality matters here. Benjamin has been praised for explaining patiently in both English and French, while Rocco, Ryan, Samuel, and other crew members are known for combining information with humor. The language arrangement can vary, but English and French are available.

The walk also gives you changing views and different plant communities as you move from one side of Curieuse to the other. The island is not just a backdrop for tortoise photos. You get a better sense of why this protected place is worth visiting.

Lunch with Curieuse’s hungry residents

The route ends near the tortoises and BBQ area, where lunch is served. The food is family-style and usually includes grilled fish, chicken, sausage, rice, lentil sauce, and fresh salads. Mango salad receives particular praise, and fish is a smart choice in Seychelles.

This is a relaxed meal rather than a formal restaurant lunch. You sit close to the tortoises, which may wander around while you eat. They are calm, curious, and accustomed to people, but remember that they are still animals. Follow the crew’s advice about feeding and touching them.

The meal is one of the tour’s strongest value points. A boat trip with two snorkeling stops can feel expensive if it only provides transport and equipment. Here, lunch is substantial, local in character, and built into the day, with soft drinks included.

Drinks are available throughout the trip. The supplied information specifies soft drinks, while the experience also includes local beer and a Takamaka rum cocktail near the end. If alcohol is not for you, the nonalcoholic drinks keep the day easy and social without requiring extra purchases.

Meeting the giant tortoises

The tortoise visit is the emotional high point for many people. You can take photographs, watch the animals move through the area, and, when permitted, pet and feed them under the crew’s direction.

They are surprisingly active, especially when food is nearby. Their friendly behavior makes this a hit with families and first-time visitors, but the setting still feels natural rather than like a small zoo enclosure.

Your time here is not squeezed into a few minutes. The walk, lunch, and tortoise visit are arranged together, allowing you to slow down and enjoy the place. If you are taking photographs, you will have time to get close views without rushing from one animal to the next.

This stop suits a wide range of ages, though the tour is not suitable for children under four. The operator also lists the activity as unsuitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, wheelchair users, and people over 65. Those limits may reflect the boat, trail, sea conditions, and physical demands, so ask before booking if anyone in your group has mobility or health concerns.

The second snorkeling stop and weather-based alternatives

After Curieuse, you return to the boat for photographs around St Pierre or another reef chosen by the crew. The plan then calls for a final snorkeling stop at Anse La Farine.

Anse La Farine is often described as an excellent place for fish, with large and small species moving through clear water. The second stop also helps balance the day. If the first site has been calm and shallow, the later site may offer a different view of the reef and more time in the water.

Sea conditions can change the plan. If Anse La Farine is not suitable, the boat may go to Anse Georgette or Anse Lazio instead. That is not a downgrade in scenery, but it does mean you should book this as a weather-dependent experience rather than a fixed checklist.

You may have heard St Pierre named as a snorkeling stop. In practice, the crew can choose a nearby reef because conditions and coral health vary. One route has used another site near Curieuse because live coral at St Pierre was not suitable. The practical lesson is simple: judge the trip by the quality of the crew’s choices, not by one promised location.

The ride home and Takamaka rum cocktail

The day ends with a slow cruise back toward Praslin and a Takamaka rum cocktail. It is a pleasant finish after the walk and snorkeling, especially with the sun dropping and everyone settling into the boat ride.

The return transfer to your hotel is included. That is a real advantage after a full day in the sun. You do not need to drive, find a taxi, or work out how to reach your accommodation from the dock.

The activity is offered in English and French. Guides make an effort to explain the walk and itinerary to both language groups, though the amount of detail in each language may depend on the group and guide assigned that day.

What to bring and what the $112 price really covers

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and a credit card. The credit card is important because the Curieuse marine park entry fee is not included and must be paid online or on site by card.

The fee is SCR 300 per person aged 12 or older. Children under 12 are not charged according to the information provided, but the tour itself does not accept children under four.

Pack water shoes or sneakers for the trail. Good grip matters more than fashion, especially after rain or on the rocky sections. Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch if you plan to photograph the boat and snorkeling stops.

Smoking is not allowed on the activity. The operator offers cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Praslin plans are still shifting.

At $112, I see the value in the combination. You are paying for transport, a full boat day, two snorkeling sessions, equipment, a guided walk, BBQ lunch, drinks, and an organized return. Add the park fee and the cost is higher, but arranging those pieces separately would take more time and may not produce the same small-group flow.

Who should book this Curieuse tour?

I would book this if you want one carefully packed Praslin day that covers sea life, a protected island, local food, and giant tortoises. It suits couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and anyone who wants hotel pickup instead of managing transport.

It is also a good choice for a non-swimmer who would like to try snorkeling with crew support, though you should not book any sea excursion unless you are comfortable with the boat and water conditions.

I would think twice if you dislike boats, cannot manage uneven trails, need wheelchair access, or want a quiet beach day with no schedule. The tour includes plenty of breaks, but it remains an active outing with transfers, swimming, walking, and sun.

For most visitors to Praslin, this is a strong use of one full day. The tortoises alone are memorable, but the guides, adaptable route, good lunch, and two snorkeling stops make the experience feel complete rather than rushed.

FAQ

How much does the Curieuse tour cost?

The tour costs $112 per person. The Curieuse marine park entry fee is extra at SCR 300 per person aged 12 or older.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from hotels, villas, and guesthouses anywhere on Praslin Island.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The tour includes two snorkeling stops. Sites depend on the weather and sea conditions.

Where might the snorkeling take place?

Possible locations include a reef near St Pierre, Anse La Farine, Anse Georgette, Anse Lazio, or another nearby reef selected by the crew.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

What food is served for lunch?

The BBQ can include grilled fish, chicken, sausage, rice, lentil sauce, and salads. Mango salad and grilled fish are among the local-style dishes available.

Is the Curieuse entry fee included?

No. The marine park fee must be paid separately online or on site by credit card.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

The activity is not suitable for children under four. Children aged 12 and older must also pay the marine park entry fee.

What languages are available?

Guiding is available in English and French. Guides may explain information in both languages when both groups are present.