Praslin: Curieuse StPierre Guided Tour, BBQ & 2x Snorkeling

Curieuse brings nature close. This six-and-a-half-hour trip combines a glass-bottom boat ride with two snorkeling stops, a guided walk across Curieuse, and time beside giant tortoises. I like the easy mix of sea and island activities, and I like that drinks, gear, lunch, and an English or French-speaking guide are included. The main drawback is the extra marine park fee, plus the need to reach the meeting point on your own.

You meet at the Beach Front Garden in front of the Pirogue Restaurant parking area by 9:30 a.m. From there, the crew takes you by boat toward Curieuse and St Pierre. The plan is full but not frantic, with room for snorkeling, swimming, walking, eating, and simply enjoying the coast.

Key points to know before booking

• St Pierre is usually the first water stop: You may snorkel there, or at another site if weather conditions require a change.
• Curieuse gives you both wildlife and walking: The 1.7-kilometer trail crosses mangrove forest before reaching the island’s tortoises and beach areas.
• The giant tortoises are the star attraction: You can observe them close to the BBQ lunch area in their natural habitat.
• Two snorkeling stops are included: Masks and fins are supplied, and drinks are available throughout the day.
• The price is not the final cost: The tour is $105 per person, but adults and children aged 12 and above must also pay SR300, listed as about €20, for the marine park.
• This is an active boat day: It is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility or heart problems, recent surgery, serious back problems, low fitness, or a strong tendency toward seasickness.

Setting out from Praslin by glass-bottom boat

The day begins at the Beach Front Garden, in front of the Pirogue Restaurant parking area. You need to be there by 9:30 a.m. Transportation to this meeting point is not included, so plan your own taxi, rental car, or other local transfer before the morning gets busy.

The glass-bottom boat is more than a simple ride between islands. It gives you a chance to look below the surface during the crossing, while the crew points you toward the sea around Praslin, St Pierre, and Curieuse. The scenery is a major part of the pleasure here: open water, small island views, beaches, and the changing shape of the coast as the boat moves between stops.

The boat ride also sets the right pace for the day. You are not being rushed from one large attraction to another. Instead, the sea crossing becomes part of the outing, with time to sit back, take in the views, and prepare for the first swim.

Weather matters in the Seychelles. The advertised first snorkeling stop is St Pierre, but the crew may choose another location if conditions are not suitable. That flexibility is a good thing, even if it means your exact route can change. You should book this with the understanding that the water stops depend on the day’s conditions.

Snorkeling at St Pierre or another nearby site

The first snorkeling stop is planned for St Pierre, a small island known for its clear water and dramatic setting. The boat provides masks and fins, so you do not need to pack a full kit. You do need swimwear, sunscreen, and a willingness to get wet early in the day.

The tour includes two snorkeling stops rather than one quick swim. That matters because the first stop gives you a chance to settle into the water, while the second gives you another chance later in the schedule. If conditions affect the first location, the crew can use another site instead.

The supplied equipment keeps the outing simple, especially if you are traveling light. Drinks are also provided throughout the trip, including water, lemonade, one beer for adults aged 18 and above, and a rum cocktail. That is a useful touch on a warm day, though you should still bring sunscreen and protect yourself from the strong sun between swims.

The snorkeling is best suited to people who are comfortable in open water. This is not presented as a formal lesson, and the activity is part of a wider boat tour. If you are prone to seasickness, have a low fitness level, or prefer a calm, land-based outing, this may not be the right choice.

Arriving on Curieuse Island

Curieuse gives the tour its strongest sense of place. After the boat ride and first water stop, you land on one of the island’s beaches. The setting is attractive without needing much decoration: sand, warm water, coastal views, and the feeling of being away from the main island.

The beach stop also breaks up the boat time. You can enjoy the shore before beginning the guided walk, and you will have another chance to swim or relax later in the day depending on the schedule and weather.

The island visit is not just a short photo stop. The route includes a 1.7-kilometer trail through mangrove forest. A guided walk gives you more context than simply wandering from the beach to the lunch area. The guide speaks English or French and can explain the island, its plants, and its animal life.

The trail requires some walking and a reasonable level of fitness. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users, and the supplied information also excludes people with serious back or heart problems, recent surgeries, or low fitness. Those restrictions are worth taking seriously because the day includes a boat, beach landings, snorkeling, and a forest trail.

Walking the 1.7-kilometer mangrove trail

The Curieuse trail is one of the most valuable parts of the day because it adds movement and natural detail to what could otherwise be a simple beach outing. Mangroves are not just scenery. They form a coastal habitat, help shelter young marine life, and give the island a different character from the open beach.

You cross the forest with a local guide rather than treating the route as a race to lunch. The walk is long enough to make the island feel real, but not so long that it takes over the whole day. You should still wear practical footwear and bring sunscreen, even though only swimwear and sunscreen are specifically listed as items to bring.

The guide can speak English or French, which helps if you want to ask questions about Curieuse, its flora, and its fauna. One especially useful detail from the feedback is that the crew was happy to answer many questions and allowed plenty of time for swimming, snorkeling, and watching the tortoises. That suggests the tone is more relaxed than a rigid, clock-watching group outing.

You should expect the route and timing to respond to the day’s conditions. The tour description allows for a later choice between snorkeling and beach time, so the exact order may shift. That is normal for a boat trip in island waters.

BBQ lunch beside giant tortoises

The BBQ lunch is served on Curieuse, near the giant land tortoises. This is the emotional center of the tour. You are not merely visiting an enclosure and moving on. You can sit close to tortoises in their natural island habitat while eating a straightforward local-style meal.

The lunch is described as simple but tasty, which is the right expectation. This is an outdoor island BBQ, not a restaurant meal with a long menu. The value comes from the setting, the convenience, and the chance to stay near the tortoises rather than spending time arranging food on your own.

The tortoises are likely to attract most of your attention. Their size and slow pace make them an easy contrast to the busy snorkeling and boat schedule. You should give them room and follow the guide’s instructions, even when they wander near the lunch area.

The direct contact advertised here means close observation in an open setting, not a promise that you can handle or feed the animals. The best part is watching them behave naturally while you sit nearby. Bring patience. A giant tortoise does not perform on demand, and that is part of the charm.

The second swim, beach time, and a slower afternoon

After lunch and the island walk, the afternoon includes another chance to snorkel or enjoy Curieuse beach. The exact plan depends on weather and the day’s schedule. This gives the tour a useful balance: you can spend more time in the water if conditions are good, or choose a quieter beach break.

The second snorkeling stop is valuable for anyone who wants more than a quick look below the surface. It also gives you a chance to try again if the first stop was affected by wind, water conditions, or your own nerves. You will have masks and fins supplied, and the crew continues serving drinks during the outing.

If you prefer not to snorkel twice, the beach option matters. You can relax, swim, or enjoy the coast instead of treating every minute as an activity. Still, this is not a fully flexible private charter by default, so your choice may depend on the group and the crew’s plan.

The listed duration is 390 minutes, or about six hours and 30 minutes. That is long enough for a proper island day without consuming your entire time on Praslin. You should keep the rest of the evening fairly open, since boat timing can shift with sea conditions.

What the $105 price really covers

At $105 per person, this tour bundles several costs that can add up quickly if arranged separately. You receive the boat and crew, the guided Curieuse visit, two snorkeling stops, masks and fins, drinks, and BBQ lunch.

The biggest value is convenience. You do not need to arrange a separate boat to St Pierre, another transfer to Curieuse, snorkeling equipment, a guide, and food. You also get a full day with a clear plan and local crew rather than trying to fit two islands into your own schedule.

The price does not include the marine park ticket. You must pay SR300 per person for anyone aged 12 or above, listed as about €20. Payment can be made by card, online, or cash with the supplier. Add this cost when comparing tours, since the advertised $105 is not the complete adult price.

Transportation to the meeting point is also excluded. If you are staying away from the Pirogue Restaurant area, you need to allow time and money for your own ride. The early meeting time makes this a detail worth sorting out the day before.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later add some planning flexibility. Those policies are useful if your Praslin schedule depends on weather, but you should still check the available starting time before booking.

Who will enjoy this Praslin day trip

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a broad taste of the Seychelles in one day. It works especially well for people who enjoy combining wildlife, swimming, a short nature walk, and a relaxed lunch rather than spending the whole day on a beach.

It is also a good fit if you value a friendly crew and a less hurried pace. The strongest praise focuses on the staff’s patience, the generous time for snorkeling and swimming, and the willingness to answer questions about Curieuse and local nature. That service can make a real difference on a small-island day.

Families with older, active children may find it appealing, but children under four are not accepted. Anyone aged 12 and above also needs the marine park ticket. Pregnant people, people over 65 or 70 as listed in the restrictions, wheelchair users, and people with several medical or mobility concerns should choose another activity.

You should also think carefully about seasickness. The itinerary includes a boat crossing and time on open water. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring only what is allowed and suitable for your needs, and consider whether a boat-heavy day will be comfortable.

Small practical tips for a better day

Bring sunscreen and swimwear, as requested. A towel, sun protection clothing, and a secure bag for wet items would also be sensible, though they are not specifically listed as included or required.

Arrive before 9:30 a.m. at the Beach Front Garden in front of the Pirogue Restaurant parking area. Since transport is not included, do not leave your transfer planning until the last minute.

Expect the crew to adjust the route if the weather changes. The snorkeling site may move, and the later activity may be snorkeling or beach time. That flexibility protects the quality of the day, but it means you should not treat every stop as fixed.

Keep some energy for the full program. The boat, two water stops, the 1.7-kilometer mangrove trail, lunch, and beach time make this more active than a simple sightseeing cruise. Drinks are available throughout, but water, sunscreen, and sensible pacing remain your responsibility.

Should you book the Curieuse and St Pierre tour?

Book it if you want a well-packed Praslin day with strong variety: glass-bottom boat views, two snorkeling chances, a guided Curieuse walk, a BBQ, and close views of giant tortoises. The crew’s patient service and relaxed approach are major positives, and the included equipment and food make the $105 price reasonable for what you receive.

Skip it if you want a short, quiet boat ride, dislike open water, or need an accessible route. Also remember to add the SR300 marine park fee and your own transportation to the meeting point.

For active visitors who want nature and sea in the same outing, this is one of the better-value ways to see Curieuse from Praslin. Just arrive ready for sun, salt water, walking, and a schedule that may change with the weather.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the Beach Front Garden in front of the Pirogue Restaurant parking area by 9:30 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration is 390 minutes, which is about six hours and 30 minutes.

Is the marine park entrance fee included?

No. The marine park ticket costs SR300 per person for adults and anyone aged 12 or above. It can be paid by card, online, or cash with the supplier.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes the boat and crew, drinks, snorkeling masks and fins, an English or French-speaking local guide, and BBQ lunch.

Are two snorkeling stops guaranteed at St Pierre?

The tour includes two snorkeling stops, but the first location may change if the weather is unsuitable. St Pierre is the planned first stop, with another site used when conditions require it.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen and swimwear. The tour is not suitable for children under four, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or people with several listed medical and fitness concerns.