Private Seychelles Islands Tour by Boat with snacks & drinks

Two islands, one easy morning. This private boat trip from Praslin takes you to Curieuse and St. Pierre without forcing you to plan every turn yourself. I like the freedom to adjust the route for attractive spots, and I like that snacks, drinks, alcohol, and snorkeling gear are included. The main drawback is the short four-hour schedule, which limits how long you can spend ashore.

The trip is led by Jacques, often assisted by his son Mathys. His friendly, flexible approach is one of the strongest reasons to book. Still, Curieuse is not a simple beach stop if you take the island walk, so bring proper shoes and think carefully about your fitness before setting out.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for your group: You do not share the boat with other booking parties, giving you more say over the pace and route.
• Curieuse’s tortoise island setting: The stop can include wild tortoises, beaches, and an island walk that may be demanding in places.
• St. Pierre for snorkeling: The small island is praised for clear water, attractive beaches, and easy access to underwater scenery.
• Snacks and drinks included: Alcohol, soft drinks, and refreshments are supplied, so you do not need to pack a full picnic.
• Jacques adapts the morning: The captain is known for changing plans around your wishes and stopping at appealing places along the way.
• A compact four-hour outing: The schedule works well for a half-day, but it cannot cover every corner of both islands.

Why this private Praslin boat trip works so well

Seychelles has no shortage of beautiful islands, but choosing between them can take more time than you expect. This trip removes much of that decision-making. You start at 9:30 am from MQCF+XCJ in Anse La Blague, board a private boat, and spend the morning moving between two very different island experiences.

I like the private format because it gives the outing a more personal feel than a large shared cruise. You are not locked into a fixed group timetable, and Jacques can adjust the route if you want to linger at a beach, snorkel longer, or stop at a pleasant spot along the way.

That flexibility is practical, not just a nice extra. Sea conditions, swimming confidence, energy levels, and personal interests can all affect how much you want to do. A couple looking for a quiet morning may prefer a slower route, while a family might want more time in the water and less time walking.

The boat trip lasts about four hours and ends back at the meeting point. Pickup is offered, and one booking included collection and return beside a hotel beach. Confirm the exact pickup arrangement when you book, since the stated starting point is Anse La Blague.

Curieuse Island brings wildlife and walking

Curieuse is the more land-based part of the morning. The island is known for its wild tortoises, and seeing these animals adds something beyond the usual beach-and-snorkel routine. You get a chance to step ashore, look around, and experience an island with wildlife as part of its appeal.

The stop may also include a walk. This is where you should judge your own abilities honestly. One account specifically advises good shoes and warns that the route is not ideal for older people without much fitness. That is useful advice: pack footwear with a firm sole rather than relying on flip-flops.

You should also keep the short duration in mind. The tour covers Curieuse and St. Pierre in roughly four hours, including boat travel, time ashore, swimming, and refreshments. You are not getting an all-day expedition with endless time on Curieuse. Instead, the value comes from seeing two island settings in one manageable morning.

The island suits you best if you want more than a lookout from the boat. The combination of wild tortoises, beaches, and a possible walk gives the stop a little variety. If you mainly want uninterrupted swimming, tell Jacques that early so the balance of the trip fits your priorities.

St. Pierre is the water-focused stop

St. Pierre is the smaller island experience, and the main attraction here is the water. The trip includes snorkeling gear rental, making it easy to get into the sea without arranging equipment separately.

The snorkeling is one of the most praised parts of the outing. Jacques is particularly appreciated for choosing appealing places to snorkel and for making the water portion feel easy to arrange. You can expect the stop to focus on seeing the underwater world around the island rather than spending a long time on land.

As with any boat trip, conditions can affect the quality of snorkeling on the day. The cancellation terms recognize that this experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor and the operator cancels, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

St. Pierre works well after Curieuse because it changes the pace. You may spend part of the morning walking and looking for tortoises, then return to the boat for swimming and snorkeling. That contrast helps the four-hour schedule feel varied instead of repetitive.

Jacques makes the private format worthwhile

A private boat is only as good as the person running it. Here, Jacques receives especially strong praise for being friendly, attentive, and willing to alter the plan. His son Mathys sometimes assists him, and the pair have been described as looking after passengers carefully throughout the morning.

That matters most when your group has different needs. One booking included a passenger who was six months pregnant, and the crew took particular care of her. You should not treat that as a guarantee of medical or specialist support, but it does suggest a considerate approach to comfort and pacing.

The captain’s flexibility also helps if your original idea changes once you are on the water. Perhaps you want to stay longer at a beautiful beach, skip a walk, or spend more time snorkeling. A private trip gives you a better chance of making those requests than a large scheduled boat would.

There is a limit, though. Flexibility does not create extra hours. You still have one morning and two island stops, so the best plan is to choose your priorities before departure. Tell Jacques whether wildlife, beaches, snorkeling, or a relaxed boat ride matters most to you.

Snacks, drinks, and the value of the fare

The listed price is $261.71 per person. That is not a budget boat ride, especially for a four-hour outing. The price makes more sense when you add the private boat, captain, island access, snacks, drinks, alcohol, and snorkeling gear.

You are also paying for time saved. Planning a multi-island route independently can mean comparing boats, working out transfer times, arranging equipment, and deciding where to stop. This trip puts those pieces together in one booking.

The private setup is most valuable for couples, families, and small groups who would rather pay more for control and privacy. If you are happy joining a shared boat and carrying your own refreshments, a cheaper option might suit you better. If you want a simple morning with your own group, the cost is easier to justify.

Refreshments are more than a minor perk in the Seychelles heat. Having drinks and snacks already on board means you can focus on the islands instead of organizing food. Some bookings also included a pleasant lunch, but the standard details specifically promise snacks and drinks, so you should confirm what food will be served on your date.

The boat itself has been described as very clean. That is a small but important comfort detail, especially when you are moving between salt water, wet gear, and refreshments in a compact space.

What the four-hour schedule feels like

The morning begins at 9:30 am at Anse La Blague. Since the tour returns to the same meeting point, you can plan the rest of your day around a midday finish, assuming normal sea conditions and timing.

The exact order of the stops can be flexible. A typical flow is likely to include a boat ride toward Curieuse, time to explore and see tortoises, a move toward St. Pierre, snorkeling and swimming, refreshments, and the return to Praslin. The operator can adjust the sequence to match conditions and your wishes.

The compact timing is useful if you want to combine this trip with another Praslin activity later. It is also a good fit for anyone who does not want to spend a full day at sea. The tradeoff is that you need to avoid an overly ambitious wish list.

You cannot expect a leisurely, all-day exploration of every beach and reef in the area. Pick two or three priorities and let the captain help with the rest. That is the best way to make a short private tour feel relaxed rather than rushed.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a private morning and care about convenience. It is especially well suited to:

• Couples who want a quiet boat outing without a larger group
• Families who need some freedom to adjust the pace
• Small groups interested in both wildlife and snorkeling
• People who do not want to plan multiple island transfers
• Strong swimmers or confident snorkelers who want equipment included
• Visitors staying near an arranged pickup point

Curieuse makes the trip more appealing for people who want some nature and walking, not just a boat ride. St. Pierre adds the swimming and snorkeling element, so the outing can satisfy different interests within one group.

You may want to think twice if you dislike boat travel, want a long beach stay, or have limited mobility for uneven walking. The information provided does not promise a fully accessible route, and the Curieuse walk may be tiring. Ask about the planned walking section before you set off.

The trip is also weather-dependent. A rough or unsuitable day can change the plan or lead to cancellation. That is normal for a sea-based activity, but you should avoid scheduling your most important onward commitment immediately afterward.

Useful preparation for the morning

Bring comfortable footwear if you plan to walk on Curieuse. The advice about good shoes is worth taking seriously, particularly if you are older, have limited fitness, or prefer stable footing.

You should also bring anything you personally need for comfort in the sun. Snacks and drinks are included, but the supplied information does not specify every personal item or type of refreshment. If you have dietary needs, ask before departure.

Let the captain know what you want from the trip. A private tour gives you a chance to shape the morning, but Jacques needs to know whether you prefer wildlife, beaches, snorkeling, or a gentler pace.

The meeting point is near public transportation, and the activity ends where it begins. Confirmation is provided at booking. Most people can participate, but the Curieuse walk is the main physical consideration to check in advance.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the 9:30 am start for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted, and the local cutoff time applies. If bad weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number required for the experience is not reached, you are offered another option or a refund.

Should you book the Curieuse and St. Pierre trip?

Book it if you want a private, flexible island morning and value having the boat, captain, refreshments, and snorkeling gear arranged in one price. Jacques is the central strength of the experience, and the combination of Curieuse wildlife with St. Pierre snorkeling gives the four-hour route real variety.

Skip it if your main goal is the lowest possible price, a full-day island expedition, or a completely easy beach stop with no walking. For everyone else, this is a strong choice for seeing two memorable places around Praslin without spending days sorting out the details.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is MQCF+XCJ in Anse La Blague, Seychelles.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour starts at 9:30 am.

How long does the boat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

Does the tour return to the starting point?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.

Which islands are included?

The tour includes Curieuse Island and St. Pierre.

Are snacks and drinks included?

Yes. The price includes snacks, soft drinks, and alcohol.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear rental is included.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered. The stated meeting point is in Anse La Blague, so confirm the exact pickup details when booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can select another date or receive a full refund.