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

Tortoises, reefs, and rum make a fine day out. This full-day trip from Praslin combines two snorkeling stops, a guided walk across Curieuse Island, a Creole BBQ, and time beside free-roaming giant tortoises. I especially like the small-group feel, with many departures carrying roughly eight to twelve people, and the hotel pickup and drop-off, which saves you from arranging transport after a long day on the water. The main catch is the extra SR300 marine park fee for anyone aged 12 or older, payable by credit card.

The experience is well paced rather than crammed. You get a beach break, about an hour on the nature trail, lunch, time with the tortoises, and a final swim or snorkel. Sea conditions can change the exact sites, and the second snorkeling stop may be moved, so this works best if you care more about a good day at sea than checking off one fixed location.

Key points at a glance

• Two snorkeling stops: The morning site is often especially good, while Anse La Farine has been described as an aquarium-like place full of fish.
• Curieuse nature trail: A guided one-hour walk crosses the island and covers local plants, animals, culture, and conservation.
• Giant tortoises up close: The tortoises roam freely around the lunch area and are accustomed to people.
• Creole BBQ included: Expect grilled fish, chicken, sausage, rice, lentil sauce, salads, and soft drinks.
• Small groups help: Some departures use a smaller boat with about eight to twelve people, leaving more room to snorkel and move around.
• Easy island logistics: Hotel pickup and return are included anywhere on Praslin, with English and French guiding available.

Why this Praslin day trip earns its strong reputation

I can see why this excursion has a 4.9 rating from 983 reviews. It delivers the classic Praslin combination in one day: clear-water snorkeling, Curieuse’s giant tortoises, a walk through island nature, and a generous lunch. The crew also keeps drinks coming from the start of the trip through the return boat ride, with a Takamaka rum cocktail at the end.

The strongest part is the mix of activities. If you only visit Curieuse for the tortoises, you miss the underwater side of the Seychelles. If you only charter a boat for snorkeling, you miss the island’s trail and conservation story. Here, you get both without having to coordinate separate boats, guides, meals, and transfers.

The human side matters too. Guides named in feedback include Benjamin, Rocco, Jimmy, Liroy, Ryan, Samuel, and Leroy, along with other crew members. Benjamin received particular praise for explaining nature, culture, and local history in both English and French, while Rocco was appreciated for his humor and patient answers. Staff have also helped non-swimmers enter the water with more confidence.

This is not a private yacht charter. You share the boat and lunch with other people, and the exact route depends on weather and sea conditions. Still, the small-group setup keeps it from feeling like a mass outing on many departures.

Hotel pickup makes the morning much easier

The day begins with pickup from your hotel, villa, or guesthouse anywhere on Praslin. Several people specifically appreciated being collected from accommodation outside the usual hotel list after contacting the operator by WhatsApp. That flexibility is useful on an island where you may not have a rental car.

You are taken to the boat launch point, meet the crew, and receive the basic plan for the day. Some people have also used the service while moving between islands, including visitors arriving from Mahé or traveling onward to catch a ferry. You should confirm your timing directly if you have a ferry or flight connection, but the included transfer is a real part of the tour’s value.

The boat has been described as new and well equipped, and one group used a glass-bottom boat. That is helpful even if you do not snorkel, since the clear water lets you see fish and reef below the boat. The trip is not suitable for wheelchair users, children under four, pregnant women, people with heart problems, or people over 65 according to the supplied conditions.

The first snorkeling stop starts the day in the water

The first swim lasts about 45 minutes to an hour. The crew chooses the site based on weather and sea conditions, so you should not expect a guaranteed named location every time. That flexibility is sensible in the Seychelles, where the quality and safety of a snorkeling stop can change with wind and swell.

You receive snorkeling equipment, and the guides point out fish and other sea life. The morning stop is often considered the better of the two, with colorful fish and clear water. Some participants had never snorkeled before, and the guides offered support in the water. That makes this a friendlier choice than a bare-bones boat ride where you are simply handed a mask and told to jump in.

You should still be comfortable in the sea, or tell the crew early if you need help. The tour is active, with boat boarding, swimming, a walk over uneven ground, and time in the sun. Bring sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and a shirt or light beachwear for the boat.

Curieuse begins with beach time, not a rushed march

After snorkeling, the boat heads to a beach on Curieuse Island. You get time to swim, sit on the sand, and dry off before the walking portion begins. This pause is important because the day includes several active sections, and you do not want every stop to feel like a race to the next one.

The beach stop also gives you a first look at Curieuse before the guide begins the trail. The island feels different from a simple resort beach because the day connects shore, forest, wildlife, and marine areas in one protected setting.

Sea conditions can alter the order or length of stops. The provider may use another beach or reef when the planned site is not suitable. Think of the schedule as a well-designed framework rather than a promise that every minute will follow the same sequence.

The one-hour Curieuse trail adds meaning to the tortoise visit

The guided nature trail takes about an hour and crosses toward the other side of the island. It is not described as a difficult hike, but the ground can include roots, stones, and slippery sections. Good water shoes or sturdy sneakers are a smart choice. Flip-flops may be fine on the beach, but they are a poor match for the trail.

This is where the experience becomes more than a photo stop. The guide explains the plants, animals, island environment, local culture, and historical changes you see along the way. The route gives you a better sense of Curieuse as a living protected place, not simply a backdrop for tortoise pictures.

Guides have been praised for stopping to point out small creatures and for explaining things in both English and French when needed. If you like asking questions, this is one of the best parts of the day. Benjamin, Rocco, Ryan, and Samuel were singled out for being patient, entertaining, and clear.

The trail does require some basic mobility. It is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the supplied conditions also exclude people over 65. Those restrictions are worth taking seriously, especially if you have balance or heart concerns.

Giant tortoises are the emotional high point

You eventually reach the area where Curieuse’s giant tortoises roam. These are among the largest land tortoises in the world, and seeing them move freely around you is far more memorable than viewing one behind a small enclosure.

The animals are described as friendly, active, and very interested in food. You may be able to feed and gently pet them under the crew’s direction, then take photographs while they wander nearby. The close contact is a highlight, but treat the tortoises with care and follow the guide’s instructions. They are living animals, not props for selfies.

Several people found this the best part of the day, especially families and first-time visitors to the Seychelles. You have enough time to watch them rather than being hurried through a quick photo opportunity. The setting also gives the lunch stop a special feel, since the tortoises remain part of the scene as you eat.

The Creole BBQ is a proper midday meal

Lunch is served on Curieuse after the walk. The BBQ typically includes grilled fish, chicken, sausage, rice, lentil sauce, and salads, with mango salad receiving special praise. Soft drinks are included, and local beer is available during the meal.

I like that the food reflects the Seychelles rather than relying on a generic packed lunch. Fish makes particular sense here, and several people called the BBQ tasty and plentiful. The family-style setup also helps the meal feel social, especially when the boat carries a mixed group of English and French speakers.

Do not expect a restaurant meal with an extensive menu. This is an outdoor island lunch, and the exact selection may vary. Still, for $112 per person, including transport, boat travel, snorkeling gear, guiding, drinks, and lunch, the meal adds solid value.

St. Pierre and the afternoon reef depend on the sea

After Curieuse, the boat heads toward St. Pierre or another nearby reef for photographs and the second water stop. The planned route can change with sea conditions. One departure did not snorkel directly at St. Pierre because the live coral there was no longer suitable, so the crew selected another location near Curieuse instead.

That is a good example of why flexibility matters. You may not visit the exact reef shown in promotional photographs, but a responsible crew should choose the best available site rather than force an inferior or unsafe stop. The boat ride itself also gives you chances to photograph the small offshore islands and surrounding water.

The final snorkeling stop is planned for Anse La Farine. It has been described as an aquarium experience, with hundreds of fish in different sizes and colors. If conditions prevent that stop, the alternative may be Anse Georgette or Anse Lazio. These changes mean you should judge the excursion by the overall day, not by one named beach.

Some people were able to snorkel at even more than two spots when conditions and timing allowed. That is a welcome bonus, but the advertised plan is two snorkeling stops, so treat any extra water time as luck rather than something guaranteed.

The Takamaka rum cocktail is a fitting finish

The return cruise ends with a Takamaka rum cocktail, slowly enjoyed on the boat before you reach Praslin. Soft drinks are provided throughout the trip, and the final drink gives the day a relaxed finish after the trail and swimming.

This is a small detail, but it helps the outing feel complete. You have spent the day moving between beaches, reefs, forest, and wildlife, and the slow ride back gives you time to sit, talk, and look at the coast instead of rushing straight to the dock.

The crew then arranges your return transfer to your hotel. After a full day outdoors, that last ride is more useful than it may sound.

What the $112 price really covers

At $112 per person, this is a strong value if you want a full day rather than a short boat transfer. The price includes:

• Pickup and drop-off anywhere on Praslin
• Boat transportation
• Two planned snorkeling stops
• Snorkeling equipment
• A guided Curieuse trail
• BBQ lunch
• Soft drinks
• The crew’s assistance during the island visit

You must add the Curieuse marine park entry fee of SR300 for each person aged 12 or older. It can be paid online or on site by credit card. Bring the card even if the rest of your day is paid in another way, and budget for this extra charge before booking.

The drinks, lunch, guide, gear, and transfers would cost money and time to arrange separately. The price becomes especially attractive if you are staying away from the main launch area or do not have a car. Early booking is advised because this is a popular trip and the provider limits the number of people selected for each day.

You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Keep in mind that the separate marine park fee still needs to be handled as instructed.

Who will enjoy this Curieuse excursion most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want to see several sides of the Seychelles in one day. It suits couples, solo visitors, families with children over four, and teenagers who enjoy swimming and outdoor activity. Two teenage boys reportedly enjoyed it as much as their parents, which fits the broad appeal.

It is also a good choice for a first snorkeling experience. The guides provide equipment and can offer support, although you should tell them if you are nervous or cannot swim well. The trail is manageable for many active visitors, but roots, stones, and slippery patches mean you need steady footing.

You may prefer a private charter if you want complete control over departure time, snorkeling locations, lunch arrangements, or the pace. This trip is built for convenience and variety, not solitude.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and sturdy shoes or water shoes. Smoking is not allowed. A credit card is essential for the park entry fee, and you should leave valuables protected during swimming and walking.

Should you book it?

Book this Curieuse tour if you want the best all-round day from Praslin: tortoises, snorkeling, a guided walk, local food, drinks, and transport in one package. The strongest reasons are the friendly guides, small groups, flexible choice of snorkeling sites, and enough time at each stop.

Skip it if you need a private boat, have limited mobility, are pregnant, have heart problems, or want a quiet beach day with no walking. For most active visitors, though, the $112 price is fair, especially once you count the included transfers, equipment, lunch, and drinks. Add the SR300 park fee to your budget, wear proper shoes, and let the crew adjust the route to the sea. That is the sensible way to enjoy Curieuse.

FAQ

How much does the Curieuse guided tour cost?

The tour costs $112 per person. This price includes hotel transfers, boat travel, snorkeling equipment, the guided Curieuse walk, BBQ lunch, and soft drinks.

Is the Curieuse entry fee included?

No. The marine park entry fee is SR300 per person aged 12 or older. It can be paid online or on site with a credit card.

Does the tour include hotel pickup on Praslin?

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

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are planned. Locations depend on weather and sea conditions, with Anse La Farine, St. Pierre, Anse Georgette, Anse Lazio, or another suitable reef possible.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

What food and drinks are included?

The BBQ may include grilled fish, chicken, sausage, rice, lentil sauce, and salads. Soft drinks are included, and local beer and a Takamaka rum cocktail are provided during the day.

Is the Curieuse walk difficult?

The guided trail lasts about one hour and is described as manageable, but it can include roots, stones, and slippery ground. Sturdy sneakers or water shoes are recommended.

Who cannot join this tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under four, pregnant women, people with heart problems, wheelchair users, or people over 65.