Praslin: Curieuse & St. Pierre Full-Day Boat Trip with Lunch

Two islands, one very full day.

This seven-hour boat trip packs in the best of Praslin’s nearby waters and wildlife: swimming at Anse Georgette, snorkeling around St. Pierre, a Creole-style BBQ, giant tortoises on Curieuse, and a guided walk through mangroves. I especially like the easy hotel pickup and the way the day mixes active stops with time to eat, swim, and simply enjoy the sea. The crew also gets strong praise for keeping the mood light and the schedule organized. The main catch is that this is not a lazy beach day. The 1.7-kilometer mangrove walk, boat transfers, sun, and water activities require a reasonable level of fitness.

At $93 per person, the package offers good value if you want several Praslin highlights in one outing. Snorkeling gear, lunch, soft drinks, a guide, transport, and the speedboat are included. You should budget another 20 EUR for the Curieuse park ticket, payable by credit card, and keep in mind that pickup is not available from every remote part of Praslin.

Key Points Before You Book

• St. Pierre brings the best water time: You get two snorkeling stops, with chances to see parrotfish, surgeonfish, clownfish, sea turtles, and stingrays.
• Curieuse is the wildlife star: Hundreds of giant tortoises roam around the island sanctuary, giving you close views and excellent photo chances.
• The 1.7-kilometer walk has a purpose: Your guide leads you through mangroves toward a beautiful beach while explaining local plants, animals, and island life.
• Lunch is more than a snack: The beach BBQ usually includes fresh fish or chicken, rice, salads, and other local sides, along with soft drinks.
• The crew earns high marks: Guides such as Ryan, Jason, Francis, Alex, and Jack Sparrow are praised for humor, safety, and clear explanations.
• Weather can change the plan: Heavy rain cancels the trip, and wind may cause the crew to adjust the snorkeling route.

Starting at Grand Anse and Getting on the Water

The day begins with pickup from your Praslin accommodation, followed by a transfer to Grand Anse Main Beach. This is a useful touch because getting to the launch point yourself can be awkward if you do not have a rental car or prefer not to arrange a taxi.

Pickup is shared, not private. You need to be ready at the agreed time and place, since the vehicle collects other people too. Accommodation in Anse Lazio, Anse Boudin, Anse Possession, and Anse La Blague is excluded from the normal pickup area. If you are staying in one of these places, contact the operator before booking to find the nearest meeting point.

At Grand Anse, you check in and receive a short safety briefing. Then you board the speedboat and travel along Praslin’s west coast. The ride itself is part of the pleasure. You get open views of the shore, salty air, and a fast way to reach places that would take much longer by land and foot.

Boat conditions can vary. Wind and rain matter in the Seychelles, so do not expect the exact same route every day. The crew may use a different snorkeling site if conditions make the original plan less comfortable. Several outings have included backup plans when the weather turned, which is reassuring, but it also means flexibility is part of the deal.

Anse Georgette: A Short Swim in Beautiful Water

One of the early stops is Anse Georgette, a secluded white-sand beach on Praslin. The stop gives you time for a refreshing swim and a look at one of the island’s most attractive shorelines.

This is not presented as a long beach visit, so think of it as a scenic swimming break rather than several hours with a book. Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and sandals that you can remove easily before getting into the water.

The boat may stop at more than one attractive coastal location depending on sea conditions. That flexibility is useful because the crew can choose a safer and more enjoyable place to swim. It also means the precise order and length of stops may shift.

St. Pierre Island and Two Snorkeling Sessions

St. Pierre is an uninhabited island, and the surrounding water is the main event. The program allows about an hour for swimming and snorkeling, split between two stops. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins unless you prefer using familiar gear.

The underwater life is varied enough to make these stops worthwhile. You might see parrotfish, surgeonfish, clownfish, sea turtles, and stingrays. One especially useful detail from the day’s feedback is that the reef has areas that are no longer alive, but plenty of fish remain. That means you should come for the fish and clear tropical water, not expect a perfect coral garden at every point.

Crew members keep an eye on people in the water and help explain what you are seeing. That matters if you are not a confident snorkeler. You can also ask for help with equipment before leaving the boat.

The snorkeling tends to be one of the most praised parts of the outing, but it is still weather-dependent. Wind can affect visibility, current, and where the boat can safely stop. If the sea is rough, you may get less time in the water or a changed route. Bring sunscreen that will not wash off quickly, and remember that the islands have no shops or restaurants for replacing forgotten supplies.

Curieuse and the Giant Tortoises

Curieuse changes the mood of the day. After the open water and boat ride, you step onto an island known for its giant tortoise sanctuary and natural setting. Hundreds of tortoises roam freely, making this the most memorable stop for many people.

You can expect close views and strong photo opportunities. The tortoises are large, slow-moving, and remarkably calm, but you should still follow the guide’s instructions around them. Some outings include the chance to feed them, and bananas are suggested as an extra item to bring. Do not count on finding food for sale, since Curieuse has no shops or hotel facilities.

The value here is not just the photograph. Your guide explains the island’s wildlife and plant life, helping you understand what you are seeing rather than treating the tortoises as a quick photo stop. Guides Ryan, Jason, Francis, Alex, and Jack Sparrow receive particular praise for making these explanations lively and easy to follow.

You have about three hours for the Curieuse visit and lunch combined, followed by another two hours for the guided walk and additional exploration. The pacing is generous enough that you are not rushed from one tortoise to the next. Still, the total day is active, and the combination of heat, walking, and swimming can wear you out.

A Beach BBQ with Creole Flavor

Lunch is served on Curieuse and is included in the price. The meal centers on a BBQ made with fresh island products, with soft drinks provided. Based on the food details available, you might find grilled barracuda or another fresh fish, chicken, rice, salads, and local side dishes.

This is simple outdoor food, not a restaurant meal, and that is part of its charm. Grilled fish, rice, and salads make a sensible lunch after snorkeling and walking. Several meals were singled out for their flavor, with grilled barracuda receiving special praise.

The beach setting adds a lot. You eat close to the sea, then have a chance to swim or cool off. Bring a water bottle if you want more than the included drinks, since the islands do not have shops or restaurants. You should also pack snacks if you know you get hungry between meals.

The BBQ helps explain the $93 price. A separate boat trip, snorkeling rental, transport, and lunch would add up quickly, especially if you tried to arrange each part independently. The extra 20 EUR park ticket is worth including in your budget, since it is not part of the advertised fare.

The Mangrove Walk to the Beach

The guided mangrove hike covers 1.7 kilometers. It is not a mountain trek, but it is still a real walk over natural ground, often in warm and humid conditions. Comfortable shoes are a better choice than bare feet or flimsy sandals.

The trail leads through a mangrove forest toward an idyllic beach. Your guide points out local flora and fauna and shares information about the ecosystem and Seychelles culture. This is one of the most valuable parts of the tour because it gives Curieuse context. You are not simply moving between a beach and a tortoise enclosure.

Allow roughly an hour at a slow pace for the walk itself. One outing took about that long with frequent explanations, so you will not be marched through the forest. That said, the full Curieuse portion takes time, and people with limited fitness may find the heat and uneven ground difficult.

The reward is a quieter side of the island. The mangroves offer a different experience from the open beach and snorkeling stops, and the final swim gives you a chance to cool down. If you want a tour with no walking, this is the wrong choice. If you enjoy nature walks but do not want a demanding hike, the distance is manageable for many active adults.

Guides, Boats, and the Feel of the Day

The crew is a major strength. The names that come up repeatedly include Ryan, Jason, Francis, Alex, Timothy, Nelson, Captain Morgan, and Captain Jack Sparrow. Individual guides vary by departure, so you cannot guarantee a particular person, but the overall standard appears consistent.

The best guides do three jobs well: they keep the timing under control, explain the islands in plain language, and watch out for people during the water stops. Ryan is praised for arranging backup plans around the weather, while Jason and Francis are noted for their humor and strong explanations of local wildlife and culture.

The atmosphere is friendly and informal. Music may play during the boat ride, and the crew is known for keeping spirits high. Some outings even include a taste of Takamaka rum, though you should not book this as a drinking excursion. The main focus remains snorkeling, wildlife, food, and the scenery.

Boats can be smaller or larger depending on the departure. A smaller boat can make the day feel more personal, but shared transport and shared activities mean you will not have the islands to yourself. The exact group size is not fixed, though one outing had only 10 people and felt semi-intimate.

What to Pack for This Praslin Excursion

Pack lightly, but pack the right things. You will need:

• Swimwear and beachwear
• A towel
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sandals
• Sunscreen
• A camera
• A credit card for the 20 EUR Curieuse park ticket

A waterproof phone pouch is a sensible addition, though it is not listed as an included item. Keep valuables secure on the boat and avoid bringing anything you cannot manage during the beach and water stops.

The islands have no shops, restaurants, or hotels. This is important. You cannot count on buying extra water, snacks, sunscreen, or replacement clothing once the boat leaves Praslin.

Who Should Book, and Who Should Skip It?

This trip suits you if you want a broad taste of Praslin’s surroundings in one day. It is especially good for first-time visitors who want snorkeling, beaches, wildlife, a local-style lunch, and a guided nature walk without arranging several separate tours.

Families with children should note the minimum age of three. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, people with back or heart problems, people with visual impairments, people with low fitness, or people over 70. These restrictions reflect the boat transfers, swimming, beach access, and mangrove walk.

You should also think about your weather tolerance. Heavy rain cancels the outing, and conditions can change quickly. If you have only one free day on Praslin, a weather cancellation could be frustrating, so booking early in your stay gives you more room to reschedule.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful when island weather is unpredictable, but they do not remove the need to plan for the park ticket and pickup limitations.

Is the Curieuse and St. Pierre Trip Worth Booking?

I would book this tour if I wanted one efficient, well-organized day around Praslin. The combination is hard to beat: two snorkeling stops, Anse Georgette, free-roaming giant tortoises, a 1.7-kilometer mangrove walk, and a BBQ lunch for $93, with transport and equipment included.

The drawbacks are clear. You pay the 20 EUR park ticket separately, pickup does not cover every part of Praslin, and the day involves sun, sea, walking, and shared transport. Snorkeling conditions are never guaranteed, and the reef is not perfect at every site.

For an active adult who wants nature and variety, the value is strong. Bring good shoes, sunscreen, a towel, and a credit card, then let the crew handle the routes, food, and timing. If giant tortoises and clear tropical water are high on your Praslin list, this is one of the easiest ways to fit both into a single memorable day.

FAQ

How long is the Praslin to Curieuse and St. Pierre boat trip?

The activity lasts seven hours, including transportation from your accommodation to Grand Anse Main Beach and the return transfer after the boat trip.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a guide, the speedboat tour, BBQ lunch, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, and the guided mangrove hike.

Is the Curieuse park ticket included?

No. The Curieuse park ticket costs 20 EUR and is payable by credit card on the island.

What can I see while snorkeling?

The snorkeling stops may include parrotfish, surgeonfish, clownfish, sea turtles, stingrays, and other tropical fish. You get two snorkeling stops around St. Pierre.

How long is the mangrove hike?

The guided mangrove walk is 1.7 kilometers. It leads through the forest toward a beach and includes explanations about local plants, animals, and the island.

Is hotel pickup available everywhere on Praslin?

No. Pickup is not available in Anse Lazio, Anse Boudin, Anse Possession, or Anse La Blague. Some remote accommodations also do not have pickup, so you must contact the operator for the nearest meeting point.

What happens if it rains?

Heavy rain cancels the activity. Because weather can change quickly, the operator decides early on the day of the tour whether it will proceed and informs you. Windy conditions may also lead to changes in the snorkeling route.