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

Three islands, one busy day. This eight-hour trip gives you a strong slice of the Seychelles, from Cousin’s rare birds to Curieuse’s free-roaming giant tortoises and St Pierre’s clear snorkeling water. I especially like the variety and the chance to see Cousin with a reserve warden rather than simply viewing it from a boat. The beach lunch on Curieuse also breaks up the wildlife walks nicely.

The main caution is that this is not a perfectly polished outing every day. Boat delays, unclear instructions, large groups on Cousin, and weather-related changes have all affected the schedule. You should also budget for two separate island fees, paid by different methods.

Key points to know before booking

• Cousin is the wildlife centerpiece: Expect mangroves, wetlands, endemic trees, nesting seabirds, and several Seychelles-only bird species.
• Curieuse offers close tortoise encounters: Giant tortoises gather near the coastal pond, while others wander across the island.
• St Pierre is a snorkeling stop: Equipment and life vests are supplied, but lightweight snorkeling vests may not always be available.
• The island fees are extra: Cousin costs SCR 600 per person in cash, while Curieuse costs SCR 300 for anyone over 12, paid by credit or debit card.
• The small boat ride can be wet: Bring a waterproof bag and follow the crew’s instructions when transferring to Cousin.
• The schedule can shift: The tour depends on wind, sea conditions, reserve procedures, and the timing of the beach lunch.

Why this three-island trip is appealing

Praslin has plenty of beautiful beaches, but this tour lets you see a more natural side of the Seychelles in a single day. You get three very different stops rather than three versions of the same beach.

Cousin is a protected nature reserve with a serious conservation purpose. Curieuse is more relaxed, with giant tortoises and a beach meal. St Pierre is tiny and rocky, but its surrounding water is the reason you bring your mask and fins.

That mix gives the day a good rhythm. You walk and watch birds on Cousin, eat and explore on Curieuse, then finish in the water at St Pierre. At $153 per person, the price is not low, especially once the SCR 600 Cousin fee and the SCR 300 Curieuse fee are added. Still, hotel transfers, boat transport, lunch, snorkeling equipment, and life vests are included, so the value improves if you want all three stops and do not want to arrange several separate trips.

I would not choose this tour simply for a lazy boat ride. You need to be comfortable with an early start, wet boat transfers, walking on uneven ground, and a timetable that may move around.

The morning transfer to Cousin Island

Your day begins with pickup from your hotel and a ride to the Baie Ste Anne jetty. From there, the boat makes the short crossing to Cousin, about 2 kilometers from Praslin.

The main boat does not pull directly onto the island. Instead, it moors offshore and a Cousin Reserve boat takes you the final stretch. This rule helps prevent pests from reaching the reserve, which is important on an island where native birds and plants have limited space and few places to retreat.

It also means you should prepare for a wet transfer. Keep your phone, wallet, camera, and anything else you care about inside a waterproof bag. The transfer crew asks you to wear a life jacket and stay seated until the boat reaches the beach. This is not the moment to stand for a better photo.

The morning schedule deserves some flexibility. One departure experienced a delay of roughly 45 minutes before leaving the jetty, while another pickup was reported as an hour late. A small group is advertised, limited to 10 participants, but the boat arrangements can combine people booked for different outings. The island tour itself may also become much larger, with one group reported at around 40 people.

That difference matters. A 10-person boat can feel pleasantly personal, but it does not guarantee a 10-person nature walk. If hearing the guide clearly is important to you, stay close to the warden and avoid drifting to the back of the group.

Cousin’s mangroves, wetlands, and nesting birds

Cousin is the strongest stop for anyone interested in wildlife. A reserve warden leads the walk through several habitats, beginning around the coast and its protective mangroves.

The route continues through wetlands that attract dragonflies, moorhens, caecilans, and Seychelles terrapins. These details make the walk more than a simple bird-spotting stop. You get a sense of how water, mud, trees, and coastal plants support different animals in a small area.

Higher up, the island’s rejuvenated forest provides nesting places for shearwaters and bridled terns. Look for endemic trees such as mapou, Indian mulberry, and bwa sousouri. The bird list includes Seychelles magpie robins, sunbirds, fodies, blue pigeons, and Seychelles warblers.

The reserve setting is valuable because you are seeing wildlife in a protected place, not a staged animal park. You may need patience. Birds can be difficult to spot, and a large, noisy walking group can make them retreat. Stay quiet when the warden stops, keep a respectful distance from nests, and follow the reserve rules closely.

One unusual detail is that giant tortoises have recently been established on Cousin as well. That can create a small surprise if you arrive expecting Curieuse to be the only tortoise stop. The warden may provide information about these animals here, while Curieuse offers the larger and more familiar tortoise encounter.

Cousin is also the part of the day most affected by organization at the landing point. Boat transfers can take time, and the nature walk may not always feel as calm as the island itself. I would still consider it the most distinctive stop, but I would not promise a quiet private safari.

The 30-minute ride to Curieuse

After Cousin, you board the boat for the roughly 30-minute ride to Curieuse Island. This is a good point to keep your towel and water handy, since the heat, wind, and boat spray can build up during the morning.

Curieuse has a different feel from Cousin. It is known for its giant tortoises, and some are found beside the natural pond near the coast. Others roam freely across the island, so you may hear them before you see them. Their loud calls during mating can be surprisingly dramatic for such slow-moving animals.

The tortoises are the main reason to visit Curieuse, but the setting also gives you a chance to walk around without the same tightly guided wildlife focus found on Cousin. You can move among the animals and take photographs, while still giving them room.

The main weakness is the amount of interpretation. You may receive more tortoise information on Cousin than on Curieuse, even though many people expect Curieuse to be the educational highlight. If you want detailed explanations about diet, habitat, and conservation, ask your guide directly when there is an opportunity.

Guidance about the next departure can also be unclear. After lunch, you may need to walk across the island to where the boat is waiting. Confirm the meeting point and departure time before leaving the beach area. Do not assume the boat will be beside the lunch site.

What the Curieuse BBQ lunch is really like

Lunch is served on the beach and is included with the tour, along with water or a soft drink. It is a useful pause after the Cousin walk, and eating outdoors fits the island setting better than returning to a restaurant on Praslin.

You should keep your expectations modest about the word BBQ. The meal may be a simple, portioned serving rather than a large cookout with many choices. One meal was described as counted portions, which is worth knowing if you arrive very hungry or have strong dietary needs.

Vegetarian food also needs confirmation. A request for two vegetarian options was reportedly met with the regular meal minus meat and fish, rather than a separate vegetarian dish. If you do not eat meat or fish, contact the operator before departure and bring a small snack as backup. Do not bring a large bag, since luggage and oversized bags are not allowed, but a compact food item may be sensible if permitted by the crew.

Families should pay attention to timing here. A late boat, a delayed lunch, or a long walk across Curieuse can push the meal well past noon. With children, pack water, sun protection, and a little patience.

Snorkeling around tiny St Pierre

The final stop is St Pierre, a very small island surrounded by water used for snorkeling. You stay off the island and enter the sea nearby to look at marine life.

Snorkeling equipment is included, and life vests are supplied. Lightweight snorkeling vests are intended for people who are not confident swimmers, which is a thoughtful feature. However, equipment can vary on the day. One outing had oversized life jackets instead of the advertised lightweight vests, making it harder to swim comfortably.

The water conditions are not guaranteed. Snorkeling was stopped on one occasion because of stinging plankton. On another day, the boat passed close to St Pierre without stopping after the schedule changed. Weather and sea conditions control this part of the trip, so treat snorkeling as a welcome possibility rather than an absolute promise.

If you are new to snorkeling, tell the crew before entering the water. Ask which flotation aid is available and stay within the area they indicate. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to try, but you do need to be comfortable in the sea with a mask and vest.

Bring swimwear, a towel, flip-flops, and beachwear. A waterproof bag is one of the most useful items on the entire trip. Sunscreen, a hat, and a spare dry layer would also make practical sense, although only the listed items are specifically required.

Guides, group size, and communication

The main language is English, and the quality of the guide can shape the day. David received especially warm praise for being relaxed, attentive, and able to speak several languages. That kind of personal care can make a big difference when boat times shift or you need help with snorkeling gear.

The tour is advertised as a small-group activity for up to 10 participants, but you should separate the boat size from the reserve experience. At Cousin, the reserve may combine groups for the warden-led walk. A larger group can make it harder to hear explanations and may disturb wildlife if people talk loudly or crowd the nesting areas.

Ask questions early. Confirm the lunch time, the Curieuse meeting point, the St Pierre plan, and the expected pickup time. Pickup times can change, and the final time is sent by email from the activity provider.

The strongest guides appear to be friendly and flexible. The weakest days have involved poor communication, especially around late departures and route changes. You will have a better day if you treat the guide as your main source of information and ask for clarity before each transfer.

Extra fees and the real cost

The listed price is $153 per person, but it does not cover entry to either island. Cousin charges SCR 600 per person for all ages, and only cash is accepted. Curieuse charges SCR 300 for people over 12, and payment is by credit or debit card.

That means you need both cash and a card. Do not assume one payment method will work at both reserves. Children under 12 do not pay the Curieuse entry fee, according to the stated rule, but Cousin’s fee applies to everyone.

With hotel pickup and drop-off, a BBQ lunch, boat transfers, snorkeling gear, and life vests included, the package can be fair value for a full day. It becomes less attractive if you mainly want to snorkel, since St Pierre can be shortened or canceled in poor conditions. It also feels expensive if long delays cut into the time at the islands.

The free cancellation option allows you to cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Praslin schedule is still changing, but they do not remove the weather risk on the day itself.

Who should book this Praslin island tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want a full day of nature and do not want to organize separate boats, permits, meals, and equipment. It suits people who like variety, can handle a wet landing, and are happy to accept some schedule uncertainty.

It is particularly good for bird lovers, wildlife photographers, first-time visitors to Praslin, and families who want to see giant tortoises without spending several days arranging island trips. The combination of Cousin and Curieuse is the real strength.

I would be more cautious if you have mobility limitations, since the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. I would also think twice if you need a dependable departure time, a quiet small-group walk, a guaranteed vegetarian meal, or a certain snorkeling session.

FAQ

How long does the Cousin, Curieuse, and St Pierre tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off.

What is included in the price?

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

Are the island entrance fees included?

No. Cousin costs SCR 600 per person for all ages and accepts cash only. Curieuse costs SCR 300 for people over 12 and accepts credit or debit cards only.

How do I get to Cousin Island from Praslin?

You are transferred to Baie Ste Anne jetty, then take a boat for the approximately 2-kilometer crossing. A reserve boat takes you from the offshore mooring to the island.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life vests are included. Lightweight snorkeling vests are intended for less confident swimmers, though the available equipment can vary.

Where does the snorkeling take place?

The snorkeling takes place around St Pierre Island.

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 because of weather?

Yes. The tour is subject to weather conditions. Pickup times can also change, and the activity provider sends the updated pickup information by email.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the most variety from one Praslin day and value Cousin’s protected wildlife, Curieuse’s tortoises, and a chance to snorkel at St Pierre. The island fees and possible delays make the final cost and timing less tidy than the headline price suggests.

My best advice is to arrive prepared with both payment methods, a waterproof bag, and realistic expectations about lunch and snorkeling. If the sea is calm and the guide is attentive, this can be a memorable, well-packed day. If you need precision and polish at every step, book with caution and confirm the practical details before you go.