Island Adventure Cousin, Curieuse & St Pierre with BBQ Bliss

Three islands, one very full day. This Praslin boat trip packs wildlife, tortoises, snorkeling, and a Creole lunch into 450 minutes. I like the close-up birdlife on Cousin Island and the relaxed, generous BBQ on Curieuse. I also like that guides such as Benjamin, Matia, Lenny, and the boat team help turn a busy schedule into something personal.

The main caution is price. The advertised fare is $165 per person, but Cousin and Curieuse entry fees add €65 per person, paid separately on arrival. Boat transfers can also run late, and a delayed landing may shorten your time on Curieuse or St Pierre.

Key points before you book

• Cousin is the wildlife highlight: Expect a guided forest walk with Seychelles warblers, tropicbirds, nesting seabirds, geckos, giant millipedes, and possibly Aldabra tortoises.
• Curieuse combines nature and lunch: You get giant tortoises, the Doctor’s House Museum, a mangrove walk, and a beach BBQ with fish, chicken, sausages, rice, lentils, salads, and fruit.
• St Pierre is the snorkel stop: Gear is provided, and assistance is available if you are new to snorkeling.
• The extra fees matter: Cousin costs €45 and Curieuse costs €20 per person, and these charges are not included in the tour price.
• The sea can change the plan: From June through September, rougher water may move the snorkeling stop from St Pierre to the calmer Anse Petite Cours.
• This is an active day: You need to handle boat boarding, uneven ground, walking, swimming, and a long schedule in the sun.

Starting from Praslin with Bruno

Pickup runs from around 8:15 to 9:00 AM, depending on your hotel. The listed pickup area covers much of Praslin, including Côte d’Or, Anse Lazio, Anse Kerlan, Grand Anse, the ferry terminal, and Praslin Airport. Your driver is Bruno, who collects you in a white van or taxi and brings you to the boat departure point.

Wait at your hotel reception or designated waiting area. The pickup may happen 15 to 30 minutes before the excursion, and one reported delay was about 15 minutes. That is not a disaster, but it can feel longer when you have no mobile data or Wi-Fi and cannot easily check where the vehicle is.

The boat leaves from Côte d’Or Beach at about 9:10 AM. You receive a safety briefing before heading across the water. Bring a hat, sunscreen, water, and a light change of clothes where you can reach them. Large bags and luggage are not suitable for this outing.

The boat ride is part of the fun, but it is also the part most affected by weather. The southeast monsoon from June to September can bring stronger wind and rougher seas. If you are prone to seasickness, this is the time to take the conditions seriously and ask the crew for practical advice before departure.

Cousin Island, where birds take center stage

Cousin is scheduled for roughly three hours, from 9:30 AM until 12:30 PM. This is not a quick photo stop. You leave the boat for a guided walk through a protected forest reserve, with nature guides explaining the island’s conservation work.

The birdlife is the reason to pay attention here. You might see Seychelles warblers, tropicbirds, and nesting seabirds at close range. Geckos, giant millipedes, and Aldabra giant tortoises also add to the walk. The appeal is not simply ticking off species. A good guide helps you notice how a small island supports breeding birds and endemic animals.

The walk is generally taken at a calm pace, with time to stop and look. Benjamin received particular praise for explaining the island’s plants and wildlife, while other well-liked guides included Matia and Lenny. The exact guide team can change, but the format is clear: you are accompanied rather than left to wander alone.

Wear proper walking shoes. Cousin involves forest paths and uneven ground, not a flat promenade. Binoculars are useful if you have them, though they are not listed as supplied equipment.

There is one important cost surprise here. Cousin’s entry fee is €45 per person, paid on site and not included in the $165 tour price. This charge supports the reserve, which gives it a sound purpose, but you still need to budget for it. Carry cash, as the instructions specifically say the island fees must be paid in cash on arrival.

Boat transfers at Cousin can also affect the timetable. If several boats arrive together, you may wait before landing and wait again when returning to the boat. In a worst-case version, about 90 minutes can disappear from the Curieuse portion of the day. That is not something you should ignore when comparing this trip with a shorter island outing.

Curieuse brings tortoises, mangroves, and lunch

The Curieuse visit runs from about 1:00 to 2:30 PM, with the lunch portion listed as lasting up to two hours. The schedule is tight, so the order of the activities may change depending on boat timing, landing conditions, and the pace of the group.

Curieuse is best known here for its free-roaming Aldabra giant tortoises. Seeing these huge, slow-moving animals in an open island setting is more rewarding than viewing them behind a small enclosure. You can watch them graze and move about, but treat the animals with restraint. A close photo is fine. Handling them or encouraging unnecessary contact is not a good habit, especially after using insect repellent or other sprays.

The island also includes the historic Doctor’s House Museum. It offers a short look at Curieuse’s past before or after the walk. The mangrove boardwalk is another useful stop, with a guided walk of about 30 to 45 minutes. Benjamin was singled out for explaining the plants and mangroves, and for helping the group spot a lemon shark, stingray, and sea turtle in the water.

Time is the issue. Curieuse offers several worthwhile choices, including the mangrove boardwalk and the tortoise area, but a late arrival can force the guide to shorten or omit part of the walk. Ask early how much time is available so you know whether to prioritize the boardwalk, the museum, or the tortoises.

The Curieuse entry fee is €20 per person, also payable on site and separate from the tour fare. Combined with Cousin’s charge, the advertised cost rises by €65 per adult. That makes this a better value for people who truly want all three islands, rather than for someone mainly seeking a boat ride and a BBQ.

A generous Creole BBQ on the beach

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the outing. The beachside BBQ includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, Creole rice, lentils, salads, chutneys, and fresh fruit. One beer per adult is included, along with soft drinks and water.

The meal is described as plentiful, and that matters after a morning walk and a boat ride. You are not simply handed a sandwich between stops. The food gives the Curieuse portion a proper island feel, with familiar Creole staples and grilled dishes served in a relaxed beach setting.

You should tell the operator about dietary restrictions at least 24 hours ahead. The provided details do not promise a specific vegetarian, vegan, allergy-safe, or religious menu, so clear notice is important.

Swimming may also be possible around the Curieuse lunch stop, but do not count on it replacing the St Pierre snorkeling session. In one poorly timed version of the day, swimming and snorkeling were shifted near Curieuse and lasted only about half an hour. That is a good reason to confirm the plan with the crew before leaving the beach.

St Pierre snorkeling in one short hour

The final island stop is St Pierre Islet, scheduled for about 2:45 to 3:45 PM. This is the marine portion of the tour, with clear water, coral gardens, and tropical fish. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the crew can help first-timers get comfortable.

The stop is designed to suit both beginners and stronger swimmers, but you still need to be at ease in open water. Listen carefully to the briefing, stay within the instructed area, and use reef-safe sunscreen. The supplied information does not promise a specific fish species or guaranteed visibility, because sea conditions control what you see.

The water quality can be excellent. One well-organized day included relaxed snorkeling at St Pierre with the boat team, while another described the fish viewing as a strong part of the trip. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, ask at the start whether St Pierre is still planned and how much water time you are likely to have.

From June through September, the crew may use Anse Petite Cours instead. This protected bay offers calmer water and can be a sensible safety choice. It may not deliver the same open-islet setting as St Pierre, but a safe, comfortable swim is better than a rough-water stop made for the sake of the brochure.

Return to Praslin is scheduled for 3:45 to 4:00 PM, with hotel drop-off around 4:00 PM. The boat may return to Côte d’Or rather than the exact jetty described in the schedule, so allow a little flexibility if you have an evening reservation or ferry connection.

What the $165 fare really buys you

At $165 per person, this is not a cheap Praslin excursion. Once you add the €45 Cousin fee and €20 Curieuse fee, the final cost is much higher. You also need to pay for any extra alcoholic drinks, souvenirs, and personal expenses.

Still, the price includes a lot: hotel pickup and drop-off, the full-day boat, captain and crew, guided walks on two islands, snorkeling equipment, a BBQ lunch, one beer per adult, soft drinks, water, and safety equipment. If you paid separately for transport, boat hire, nature guides, meals, and gear, the package could make sense.

The value depends on execution. On a well-run day, you get nearly three hours at Cousin, a proper Curieuse visit, a good lunch, and an hour in the water. The strongest days feature friendly staff, clear explanations, a relaxed pace, and a generous meal. Matia, Lenny, Benjamin, Bruno, and the boat crew Denis and his colleague were all praised for being helpful and good-humored.

The risk is that boat congestion or sea conditions can cut into the schedule. If Curieuse becomes a rushed walk and St Pierre turns into a brief photo stop, the total cost feels hard to justify. I would ask about expected group size and current sea conditions before paying, since smaller groups are generally better suited to landings and wildlife walks, though a specific group size is not guaranteed.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this outing to active couples, families with older children, and nature-minded visitors who want several sides of the Seychelles in one day. It is especially useful if you have limited time on Praslin and want wildlife, island scenery, food, and snorkeling without arranging three separate trips.

You should be comfortable with boat travel, heat, walking, and uneven terrain. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with major mobility limits, pregnant women, people with back or respiratory problems, people with recent surgery, or anyone with significant medical restrictions. Children under three are not recommended because of the boat ride and long duration.

The activity is also not a good match if you want a slow beach day. The schedule moves from boat to forest to beach to water, and delays can make it feel even more compressed. If your priority is simply snorkeling, a shorter dedicated snorkeling trip may offer more water time for less money.

Pack comfortable clothes, walking shoes, swimwear, a towel, a dry change of clothes, sunglasses, a hat, reef-safe or biodegradable sunscreen, insect repellent, cash, and a credit card. A waterproof phone pouch is sensible, although it is not specifically listed as provided.

Should you book Cousin, Curieuse, and St Pierre?

Book it if you want a packed nature day and accept the extra €65 in island fees. Cousin is the best reason to go, Curieuse supplies the tortoises and lunch, and St Pierre adds a worthwhile hour of snorkeling when conditions cooperate.

I would hesitate if you dislike rough boat rides, need a fixed timetable, or mainly want a long snorkel session. Before booking, confirm the pickup time, ask how the sea looks, check whether St Pierre is planned, and carry the island fees in cash. With realistic expectations, this can be a memorable Praslin day. Just do not mistake the advertised $165 for the final price.

FAQ

How long does the island tour last?

The activity lasts 450 minutes, or about seven and a half hours. The planned day runs from morning hotel pickup to return and drop-off around 4:00 PM.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat departs from Côte d’Or Beach at about 9:10 AM after hotel pickup.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels and listed locations on Praslin Island. Pickup may take place 15 to 30 minutes before the excursion, so wait at reception or the hotel waiting area.

How much are the island entry fees?

Cousin Island costs €45 per person, and Curieuse Island costs €20 per person. These fees are not included in the tour price and must be paid in cash on arrival.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Creole beach BBQ is included, with grilled fish, chicken, sausages, rice, lentils, salads, chutneys, and fresh fruit.

Are drinks included?

Water and soft drinks are included throughout the tour. One beer per adult is included with lunch. Other alcoholic drinks cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is provided for the St Pierre stop, and assistance is available for first-timers.

Can the snorkeling location change?

Yes. From June through September, stronger southeast monsoon winds may lead the crew to replace St Pierre with Anse Petite Cours, a calmer protected bay.

What languages are available?

The live guides speak English and French.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

No. The tour includes boat boarding, walking, uneven terrain, and island hikes. It is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with significant mobility limitations.