From Praslin: Cousin, Curieuse & St Pierre Islands Day Tour

Cousin Island is the star here. In a single morning, you can walk from mangroves and wetlands to a hilltop forest filled with nesting seabirds, then spend the afternoon among giant tortoises on Curieuse and fish around St Pierre. I especially like the wildlife focus and the chance to see three very different islands in one outing.

I also like that the group is advertised as small, with room for only 10 people, and that snorkeling vests and hotel transfers are included. The catch is that the island visits may be run by different teams, and timing can slip. The two entry fees are extra, and the boat transfer to Cousin is wet, so come prepared.

Key points to know before you book

• Cousin is the best stop for birds: A reserve warden leads you through mangroves, wetlands, and forest where endemic birds nest.
• Curieuse is the tortoise island: Giant tortoises roam freely, with a group often seen near the coastal pond.
• St Pierre is a short snorkeling stop: Equipment and life vests are supplied, but reported conditions have sometimes canceled or shortened the stop.
• The boat landing gets you wet: You transfer from the cruiser to a reserve boat, so use a waterproof bag and follow the crew’s safety instructions.
• The extra fees matter: Cousin costs SCR 600 per person in cash, while Curieuse costs SCR 300 for each person over 12, paid by card.
• Small group does not guarantee small island groups: Your boat may hold up to 10, but Cousin’s reserve walk can be much larger.

Three islands, three different reasons to go

This is not one long beach day with three similar stops. Each island offers something different.

Cousin is about protection and habitat. Curieuse is about giant tortoises and a beach lunch. St Pierre is about a quick look below the water. That variety makes the day appealing if you have limited time on Praslin and want a broad taste of the nearby islands.

The tour lasts about eight hours, starting with hotel pickup and ending with a return transfer. You travel from Baie Ste Anne jetty, cross roughly 2 kilometers to Cousin, continue by boat to Curieuse, and finish at St Pierre for snorkeling.

That sounds simple on paper, but the day depends on several handoffs: your hotel transfer, the main boat, Cousin’s reserve boat, the island warden, the lunch setup, and the snorkeling crew. I would book this for the natural sights, not for perfect clockwork.

Cousin Island: the strongest part of the day

Cousin is a Special Nature Reserve, and the visit begins before you even reach the trail. Your cruiser stays offshore. A reserve boat comes out to collect you, helping prevent pests from reaching the protected island.

This transfer is practical, but it is also the wettest part of the day. You may need to step from the larger boat into the reserve boat and then wait until it reaches the beach. Keep your phone, wallet, camera, and spare clothes in a waterproof bag. Do not bring a large suitcase or bulky luggage.

The safety rules are not fussing for its own sake. Put on the life jacket, stay seated, and wait until the boat is beached before moving. The landing can be awkward, especially for anyone with limited mobility. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Once ashore, a reserve warden leads the walk. The route moves through several habitats rather than simply following the beach. You see coastal mangroves, wetlands, and a forest on the hill plateau.

The wetlands can attract dragonflies, moorhens, caecilans, and Seychelles terrapins. Higher up, endemic trees such as mapou, Indian mulberry, and bwa sousouri provide nesting areas for seabirds.

Bird life is the main reason to pay attention here. Cousin is known for endemic species including the Seychelles Magpie Robin, Sunbird, Fody, Blue Pigeon, and Warbler. Shearwaters and bridled terns also nest in the forest.

Bring patience. Birds are not arranged for easy viewing, and the walk is a nature reserve visit rather than a zoo stop. You need to stay with the group and keep your voice down. A large or noisy group can make wildlife harder to see and can disturb nesting birds.

One practical concern is group size at Cousin. Although the boat portion is limited to 10 people, the island walk may join a much larger group. One account described a group of roughly 40 people, which made it hard to hear the guide and keep everyone at a respectful distance from birds.

That can change the feel of the visit. If you want a quiet birding experience, ask before departure how the Cousin walk will be organized. If you mainly want to see the island’s habitats and get a first look at its endemic birds, the visit can still be rewarding.

The Cousin entry fee is not included. It costs SCR 600 per person for all ages, and the reserve accepts cash only. This is an easy cost to miss because the main tour price is listed separately.

Curieuse Island: tortoises, lunch, and loose timing

After Cousin, the boat ride to Curieuse takes about 30 minutes. This is a pleasant change of pace after the guided nature walk, but conditions can make the crossing choppy. Keep your waterproof bag close.

Curieuse is home to a large population of giant tortoises. Some gather near the natural pond by the coast, while others move freely around the island. You may hear them before you see them, thanks to the loud calls associated with their social behavior.

The appeal here is simple. You can walk among giant tortoises in an open setting instead of viewing them behind a fence. That makes Curieuse feel more natural than a standard animal attraction, though it also means the tortoises are not always in one convenient spot.

Do not expect the same level of guided interpretation here as on Cousin. The information provided centers on seeing the tortoises, and the amount of explanation about their habitat, food, and daily life may be limited. If that background matters to you, ask questions while you have a guide nearby.

Lunch is served on the beach and is described as a BBQ with water or a soft drink. The meal is included, but expectations should stay modest. A reported vegetarian request resulted in meat and fish being removed rather than replaced with a separate vegetarian dish. If you do not eat meat or fish, confirm exactly what will be served before the trip and consider bringing a small backup snack if permitted.

Timing at Curieuse is another point to watch. The schedule can run late, and lunch has sometimes been served after the planned time. A hungry child or anyone expecting a quick onward departure may find this frustrating.

After lunch, make sure you understand where and when to meet the boat. The walking route across Curieuse and the boat pickup point are not always obvious. Do not wander off without confirming the meeting instructions with the captain or guide.

Curieuse also has an additional fee. It costs SCR 300 for each visitor over 12, and payment is by credit or debit card only. You need both cash and a card for this day, which is unusual enough to remember before leaving your hotel.

St Pierre: a short look below the water

The final stop is St Pierre, a tiny island known here as the snorkeling site. The boat stops offshore, and you use the supplied snorkeling equipment to look for marine life around the island.

The tour includes snorkeling gear and life vests. Lightweight snorkeling vests are specifically intended for people who are not confident swimmers or who have never snorkeled before. That is a useful inclusion, since the stop should not be limited to strong swimmers.

Still, check the equipment when it is handed out. One account reported receiving oversized life jackets instead of the promised lightweight snorkeling vests. Large jackets can make swimming uncomfortable and may not provide the support a beginner needs.

Water conditions can also change the plan. Stinging plankton has caused snorkeling to be canceled, and rough weather has led to a shorter stop or a boat pass near St Pierre instead of a full visit. The tour is subject to weather, so do not book it solely for guaranteed snorkeling.

When conditions cooperate, St Pierre gives you a final chance to see marine life after a day spent mostly on land. The stop is not presented as a long snorkeling session. Think of it as a compact water activity at the end of a full day.

You will need swimwear, a towel, flip-flops, and beachwear. Put dry clothes in a waterproof bag, not just a thin plastic shopping bag. The boat transfers and spray can reach more of your belongings than expected.

Boats, transfers, and the reality of the schedule

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but the pickup time can change. Wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled time and watch for the provider’s email with the final details.

The main boat leaves from Baie Ste Anne jetty. Some trips may use a shared boat arrangement, and the vessel may also carry people booked on different island programs. That can mean waiting before departure, particularly if the boat is gathering several groups.

A delay of 45 minutes has been reported. That affects more than the start of the day. A late departure can push lunch back, shorten the Curieuse visit, or leave less time for snorkeling. If you have a flight, ferry, restaurant booking, or another fixed plan later that day, leave a generous buffer.

The boat itself may not have the toilet facilities you were told to expect. Confirm this directly before departure if onboard toilets matter to you. Use the facilities at the jetty or hotel first, and do not assume the boat will have a working toilet.

Communication also deserves attention. The host or greeter language is English, and an individual guide such as David has been praised for being attentive, relaxed, and able to speak several languages. But the quality of explanations can vary between the boat crew, reserve staff, and local guides.

To make the day easier, ask three questions early:

• What time and place is the boat pickup at Curieuse?
• Is the St Pierre stop confirmed, subject to conditions, or already changed?
• Who should you contact if you become separated from the group?

Clear answers can prevent the most avoidable confusion.

What the $153 price really covers

The listed price is $153 per person. It covers hotel transfers, the boat-based day program, BBQ lunch with water or a soft drink, snorkeling equipment, and life vests.

That is a reasonable package if you want one booking to handle transport between three islands. Independent arrangements would require sorting out boat transport, island access, lunch, and snorkeling gear separately. The small maximum group size is another useful feature, though remember that Cousin’s guided walk may be joined by other people.

The real cost is higher because the island entry fees are extra. Cousin adds SCR 600 per person, regardless of age. Curieuse adds SCR 300 for each person over 12. You must pay Cousin in cash and Curieuse by credit or debit card.

The value depends on what works on your particular day. If you visit all three islands, see birds and tortoises, eat lunch, and snorkel in safe conditions, the price buys a lot of variety. If delays cut out St Pierre or the day includes a long wait, a late meal, and weak communication, the value drops quickly.

I would also factor in the cost of convenience. This is not the cheapest way to see one beach or one snorkeling site. You are paying for a full itinerary, transfers, and access to places that are difficult to coordinate alone.

Who will enjoy this island day

I would choose this tour if you have one full day from Praslin and want a broad nature program. It suits people who enjoy wildlife, do not mind boat transfers, and are comfortable with a flexible schedule.

It is especially good for:

• First-time visitors who want to combine birds, tortoises, and snorkeling
• Families with older children who can manage wet landings and a full day outdoors
• Beginners who want snorkeling equipment and a vest supplied
• Visitors who prefer hotel pickup and a prepared lunch
• Nature lovers who care more about protected habitats than polished facilities

I would hesitate if you need strict timing, reliable toilet access, a carefully managed vegetarian meal, or a fully guided explanation at every stop. It is also a poor fit for anyone with mobility limits because of the boat landings and island walking.

Bring cash, a card, swimwear, towel, flip-flops, beach clothes, and a waterproof bag. Leave luggage and large bags behind. The day is easier when you pack light and keep your valuables protected.

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

Book it if you want the most variety from a single day on Praslin. Cousin’s birds and habitats are the main reason to go, and Curieuse adds the memorable sight of giant tortoises moving freely. St Pierre provides a pleasant final activity when weather and water conditions cooperate.

Go in with realistic expectations. Delays, shared transport, large groups at Cousin, basic lunch arrangements, and changes to snorkeling are possible. Bring the required payment methods, protect your belongings from spray, and confirm the day’s meeting points.

If those tradeoffs sound manageable, this is a worthwhile nature-focused outing. If you want a quiet specialist bird walk or a guaranteed snorkeling session with precise timing, choose a narrower activity instead.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about 8 hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off, the three island visits, lunch, and boat transfers.

What is included in the price?

Hotel transfers, a BBQ lunch with water or a soft drink, snorkeling equipment, and life vests are included.

What extra fees must I pay?

Cousin Island costs SCR 600 per person for all ages, payable in cash only. Curieuse Island costs SCR 300 for each person over 12, payable by credit or debit card.

Where does snorkeling take place?

The snorkeling stop is at St Pierre Island.

Do I need to be an experienced swimmer?

No. Snorkeling equipment and life vests are provided, including lightweight snorkeling vests intended to help beginners. Equipment may vary, so check what you receive before entering the water.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, flip-flops, beachwear, cash, a credit card, and a waterproof bag. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The tour depends on weather and sea conditions, and pickup times can change. Snorkeling at St Pierre may be shortened or canceled if conditions are unsuitable.