“Curieuse and St-Pierre Island Adventure: with Creole, BBQ

Giant tortoises, warm water, and a beach BBQ make this a strong Praslin day out. I like the mix of wildlife and sea time, especially the walk from the Doctor’s House through mangroves to Anse José, followed by snorkeling near St. Pierre. I also like that hotel transfers from Praslin and snorkeling gear are included, which keeps the day simple.

The main drawback is the extra Curieuse entry fee, listed as SCR 300 per adult in one part of the information and about €20 for visitors aged 12 and over in another. You should confirm the current amount before booking. The walk can also be hot, uneven, and uphill in places, so this is not an easy beach-only outing.

The day at a glance

• Curieuse begins with giant tortoises: You can see Aldabra tortoises moving freely around the sanctuary rather than viewing them only from a distance.
• The Doctor’s House adds historical interest: This colonial-era building serves as a small museum and a useful starting point for the island visit.
• The mangrove walk is the active part: Expect granite paths, heat, uneven ground, and a route toward Anse José Beach.
• The Creole BBQ is served on the beach: Fish, chicken, sausages, rice, chutneys, coconut lentils, salads, bread, fruit, and drinks are included.
• St. Pierre supplies the sea time: Snorkeling equipment and help for beginners are provided, with a sheltered backup site during rougher months.
• The $89 price covers a lot: Boat transport, guide, lunch, drinks, equipment, and hotel pickup are included, but the Curieuse fee is extra.

Why Curieuse deserves the morning

Curieuse is the main reason to choose this trip. The island is best known for its Aldabra giant tortoises, and the visit gives you time to see them in a sanctuary setting before heading across the island on foot.

The boat leaves from Anse Volbert Beach around 9:00 in the morning. The crossing to Curieuse is described as taking roughly 10 minutes from Praslin, though exact timing can change with sea conditions and the launch point. You step directly from the beach into the boat, so expect wet feet or a splash during boarding.

The first stop is near the Doctor’s House. This old colonial building is now used as a museum, giving the outing a small dose of history before the wildlife portion begins. It is not a long museum visit, but it helps place Curieuse in context instead of making the island feel like only a photo stop.

From there, you visit the giant tortoise area. This is the most family-friendly section of the morning, though the animals are still wild creatures and should be treated with care. You may see them resting, walking, or feeding, with their slow pace providing a nice contrast to the speedboat ride.

I would plan to spend time watching rather than rushing straight to photographs. The tortoises are the sort of sight that rewards patience, and the setting is more memorable when you pay attention to their size and movement.

The Doctor’s House and mangrove trail

After the tortoise area, the route crosses Curieuse toward Anse José Beach. The walk takes about an hour, with a guide leading the way and pointing out the island’s scenery, mangroves, and granite features.

This is where the tour changes from a boat-and-beach outing into a proper nature walk. The mangrove section adds texture and shade, but it does not remove the heat. You should bring sunscreen, insect repellent, water, and shoes with a firm grip.

The route includes uneven ground, stones, and some uphill walking. One recent participant specifically found this part tiring for two older people, especially in the heat. That is useful warning: you do not need to be a serious hiker, but you should have a reasonable level of fitness and be comfortable walking on rough paths.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with significant mobility, heart, respiratory, or back problems. It is also not recommended for pregnant people, people with recent surgery, or those with a low level of fitness. These limits make sense given the boat boarding, island trail, heat, and snorkeling.

At the end of the walk, Anse José gives you time to cool down. You can swim, relax on the beach, and take in the scenery before lunch. This break matters because the morning walk is the most demanding part of the day.

A beach BBQ with real Creole flavors

Lunch is served at Anse José around 12:30. The meal is more substantial than the usual boat-trip snack: grilled fish, chicken, sausages, Creole rice, chutneys, coconut lentils, salads, fresh bread, and tropical fruit are listed.

One beer is included for each adult aged 18 and over. Soft drinks such as Coca-Cola, Fanta, and Sprite are also available, along with bottled water. Vegetarian meals can be arranged if you request one in advance.

The setting is a major part of the appeal. You eat on the beach after the Curieuse walk, rather than being sent back onto the boat for a packed lunch. The food is meant to be relaxed and local in style, and the BBQ has received especially warm praise. The person handling the grill was described as funny and good at keeping the lunch cheerful.

I like this part of the plan because it gives the group time to slow down. The day is not just a chain of quick stops. You get wildlife, walking, swimming, and a proper meal before the afternoon water activity.

Still, remember that this is a group excursion. Lunch timing is shared, and the pace will not be completely your own. If you prefer a private meal or a long, quiet beach stay, a private charter may suit you better.

Snorkeling at St. Pierre Island

After lunch, the boat heads to St. Pierre for about an hour of snorkeling and swimming. The islet is known for its granite boulders and clear tropical water. The planned time in the water runs from roughly 2:00 to 3:00, though the full activity listing allows about 90 minutes for swimming and marine life viewing.

Snorkeling equipment is included, and assistance is available if you are new to it. The waters may offer views of coral, tropical fish, rays, and possibly sea turtles. Marine conditions decide how much you see, so do not treat any particular animal as guaranteed.

St. Pierre is exposed to the southeast monsoon from June through September. During that period, rough water can make the site less comfortable or less safe. The crew may move the snorkeling session to Anse Petite Cours, a more sheltered bay where you can still look for marine life.

That flexibility is a good safety feature, but it also means the exact afternoon setting can change. If St. Pierre is one of your main reasons for booking, consider the season. You may still have a good swim at the alternative site, but the scenery and water conditions will not be identical.

You should also be confident in the water or tell the crew clearly that you need help. The tour provides assistance for beginners, but it is still a boat-based snorkeling trip rather than a private lesson. The activity is not suitable for people who cannot manage the physical demands of swimming.

Boat transfers and hotel pickup on Praslin

Pickup is offered from a large number of Praslin hotels, guesthouses, villas, apartments, Baie Sainte Anne, Grand Anse, and Praslin Airport. The van pickup normally takes place 5 to 30 minutes before the activity, with the exact time sent after booking.

You should wait at your hotel reception or lounge and be ready 5 to 10 minutes early. Send the exact hotel name and location, and include a working telephone number so the operator can reach you about pickup.

The van ride to the beach is listed as about 30 minutes. The boat then leaves from Anse Volbert Beach, also called Côte d’Or. At the end of the day, the boat returns to Anse Volbert and a van takes you back to your accommodation.

This arrangement is particularly useful if you are not staying near Côte d’Or. You avoid arranging a taxi in the early morning and again after the boat ride. It also makes the $89 price easier to assess because the transport is not limited to the island cruise itself.

The boat transfer is scenic, but beach boarding is less formal than stepping onto a pier. Wear sandals or waterproof shoes, keep electronics in a waterproof bag, and expect some spray. Oversize luggage, bicycles, strollers, mobility scooters, fishing equipment, and diving equipment are not allowed.

Is $89 a fair price?

At $89 per person, this is a strong package if you want several Praslin highlights in one day. You receive round-trip hotel transport, a speedboat trip, a guided Curieuse visit, the tortoise sanctuary, the Doctor’s House stop, the mangrove walk, a full BBQ lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and assistance in the water.

The extra park charge changes the calculation. The information gives two versions of the fee: SCR 300 per adult in the main schedule, and about €20 for visitors aged 12 and over in the payment notes. It also says the fee is paid directly to the Seychelles Parks Authority, with Visa accepted, and that tickets can be bought online.

Because those figures do not match exactly, confirm the current fee and payment method before you go. Your total cost will be the $89 tour price plus that separate Curieuse charge and any personal spending.

The value is best for someone who wants variety. Booking separate transport, a boat, a wildlife visit, lunch, and snorkeling could cost more and require more planning. The tradeoff is that you share the schedule and may spend less time at each place than on a private trip.

What to pack for comfort

Bring sunscreen, a sun hat, sunglasses, swimwear, sandals, a towel, and a waterproof bag. Towels are not supplied, despite the inclusion of snorkeling equipment, so pack your own.

For the Curieuse walk, hiking shoes or waterproof shoes are more useful than bare feet or flimsy flip-flops. Bring insect repellent for the mangrove section and a credit card for the island fee. A waterproof camera is useful, but protect your phone and camera during beach boarding and the boat ride.

You should also bring a dry T-shirt and shorts for the return journey. The supplied information lists drinks among the items to bring, though bottled water and soft drinks are included, so carrying a small personal bottle is mainly a matter of convenience.

Who will enjoy this excursion most?

I would choose this for active couples, families with older children, and first-time visitors to Praslin who want a full day without arranging several separate outings. It suits people who like wildlife, swimming, local food, and a bit of walking.

It is also a good choice if you want to meet giant tortoises but do not want to spend the entire day on Curieuse. The morning has enough structure to make the island visit worthwhile, while the BBQ and snorkeling prevent the outing from becoming a long nature walk.

I would be cautious if you have mobility limits, dislike rough boat rides, or want a slow beach day. The group pace, hot trail, beach boarding, and changing sea conditions are real parts of the experience, not minor footnotes.

The tour operates in English and French. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later, which helps if your Praslin plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Curieuse and St. Pierre trip?

Book it if you want the most variety for your money: giant tortoises in the morning, a guided mangrove walk, a Creole BBQ on Anse José, and snorkeling in the afternoon. The food, tortoise encounter, and easy hotel transfers are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Before paying, confirm the Curieuse fee, give the operator your exact pickup details, and check the sea forecast if you are visiting from June through September. If you are fit enough for an uneven trail and comfortable in a small boat, this is one of the better all-round island days from Praslin.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The boat departs from Anse Volbert Beach, also called Côte d’Or, on Praslin Island.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip van transfers are included from listed hotels, guesthouses, villas, apartments, Baie Sainte Anne, Grand Anse, and other pickup locations on Praslin.

How early should I be ready for pickup?

You should be ready at the hotel reception or lounge 5 to 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup. Pickup normally takes place 5 to 30 minutes before the activity.

How long does the full excursion last?

The experience lasts 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours. The planned schedule runs from morning pickup through the afternoon return to Praslin.

Is the Curieuse entrance fee included?

No. Visitors aged 12 and over must pay a separate Curieuse entry fee. The supplied information lists the charge as SCR 300 per adult in one place and about €20 in another, so confirm the current price before departure.

How can I pay the Curieuse fee?

The payment notes state that Visa card payment is accepted on the island. Tickets may also be available online through the Seychelles Parks Authority website.

What food is served at lunch?

The beach BBQ includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, Creole rice, chutneys, coconut lentils, salads, fresh bread, and tropical fruit. Vegetarian food is available if requested in advance.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes bottled water, soft drinks, and one beer per adult aged 18 or over.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and assistance is available for beginners.

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

From June through September, rough southeast monsoon conditions may affect St. Pierre. The snorkeling session may be moved to Anse Petite Cours, a more sheltered location for swimming and marine life viewing.