Seychelles: St Pierre and Curieuse Catamaran Tour with Lunch

Small islands, big rewards. This full-day catamaran trip links some of Praslin’s best-known waterside sights with Curieuse’s giant tortoises and a guided nature walk. I especially like the 45-minute snorkeling stop at St Pierre and the chance to see tortoises roaming freely on Curieuse. The BBQ lunch is also generous, with vegetarian food available when requested.

The main drawback is group size. The large Oplezir catamaran can carry about 50 people, so this is not a quiet, private-island outing. Still, the boat has enough room for people to spread out, including space on the forward sun net, and the crew has earned strong praise for being friendly and helpful. The tour has a 4.1 out of 5 rating from 21 ratings.

Key points at a glance

• St Pierre snorkeling lasts about 45 minutes, giving you enough time to swim and look around without rushing.
• Curieuse combines wildlife and walking, with a one-hour guided route through mountains and mangrove areas to Anse Jose.
• Giant land tortoises roam on Curieuse, making this the tour’s most memorable land-based stop.
• Lunch is a BBQ served aboard the Oplezir, with a good vegetarian option if you request it ahead of time.
• Anse Georgette adds a final swim and photo stop, followed by a scenic cruise along Praslin’s northeast coast.
• Transport details vary by island, so confirm pickup times carefully, especially if you are staying on La Digue.

Why this island combination works so well

This trip gives you two very different sides of the Seychelles in one day. St Pierre is about clear water, swimming, and snorkeling. Curieuse is slower and more earthy, with tortoises, mangroves, and a walk across a protected island reserve.

That mix matters. A boat trip built only around beaches can start to feel repetitive, while a land excursion may miss the best part of the Seychelles: the sea. Here, you get a proper water stop, a nature walk, lunch, another beach stop, and a coastal cruise.

The 7 to 8 hour schedule is long enough to feel like a full day without becoming an overnight-style expedition. You will spend much of the day outdoors, so sunscreen, a hat, comfortable clothes, and water are not optional extras. Water is included, but you should still bring a refillable bottle if you like to drink often in the sun.

Starting the day from Praslin, Mahé, or La Digue

The exact departure plan depends on your selected option and island. Hotel pickup is available in Praslin for hotels accessible from the main road. The transfer time depends on traffic, and you should confirm the pickup location and time with Creole Travel Services 48 hours before departure using the number on your voucher.

That confirmation step is worth taking seriously. A booking can show a neat pickup point in an app, while the local office may still need the details clarified. Confirming early can spare you a morning of emails and uncertainty.

If you are staying on La Digue, meet at the Creole Travel Services office at La Passe, a short walk from the jetty. Ferry tickets are included when the La Digue option is selected, but you must arrange your own transfer between your hotel and the La Digue ferry harbor.

For Mahé departures, check the exact meeting and transfer arrangement before paying. The activity is sold with departure options from Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue, but the included transport details are not identical for every option.

St Pierre Island and the best part of the snorkeling

St Pierre is the first major stop, and it is a good choice for getting you into the water early. The island is known as a swimming and snorkeling spot, so this is your chance to use the included equipment and see the coast from below the surface.

You should have roughly 45 minutes in the water. That is long enough for a proper swim and a relaxed look around, though it is not an all-day snorkeling session. If snorkeling is your top reason for booking, this timing is useful because you get a focused stop rather than a quick splash before the boat moves on.

The crew provides snorkeling equipment and water. Bring sunscreen that you can reapply after swimming, and remember that a hat and camera are useful between stops. A waterproof camera or phone case is sensible if you want pictures from the water, though no underwater photography equipment is included.

Sea conditions can affect the plan. The itinerary may change on the day because of weather, so you should treat St Pierre as the intended first stop rather than an absolute promise. That flexibility is normal for a sea excursion, and it is better than forcing a fixed route in poor conditions.

Curieuse Island, tortoises, and a one-hour nature walk

Curieuse is where the tour shifts from sea time to island time. After landing, you follow a guided walk of about one hour toward Anse Jose. The route passes through mountain scenery and mangrove swamps, giving you more than a simple beach visit.

The star attraction is the giant land tortoise population. These animals are one of the clearest reasons to choose Curieuse over a standard beach cruise. You can see them on land, and they are especially photogenic when they are moving freely around the island.

The walk is described as manageable within an hour, but it still requires comfortable shoes. Do not arrive in slippery sandals if you want to enjoy the trail. You will also appreciate insect repellent around the mangrove sections, along with light clothing that protects you from the sun.

Curieuse is not the place for a rushed photo, a quick look at one tortoise, and a sprint back to the boat. The value comes from the contrast between the mangroves, the higher ground, and the animals. The guided format also helps keep the stop organized when a large group is moving through the reserve.

There is a practical limit here. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the walk may not suit anyone who finds uneven outdoor routes difficult. Pregnant women are also listed as unsuitable for the activity.

BBQ lunch aboard the Oplezir catamaran

Lunch is served on board the Oplezir rather than at a restaurant on Curieuse. That keeps the day moving and lets you eat with the sea around you instead of adding another transfer or formal meal stop.

The BBQ is described as plentiful, and vegetarian food can be arranged when requested. If you do not eat meat, make that request in advance rather than waiting until lunch. The meal is included in the $166 price, along with water, snorkeling equipment, and the Curieuse landing fee.

This is one area where the price makes more sense. A boat day in the Seychelles can add up quickly once you count transport, food, landing charges, and equipment. Here, several of those costs are bundled together. The value is strongest if you want a full itinerary and would otherwise need to arrange separate boat and island visits.

The compromise is that lunch is part of a shared boat outing. You do not get a private table or a quiet restaurant setting. The catamaran’s size helps, though. Even with about 50 people aboard, there is room to move around, and the forward sun net can offer a more open place to sit when available.

Anse Georgette for swimming and photographs

After Curieuse and lunch, the boat heads toward Anse Georgette on Praslin. This stop is mainly about the beach, the views, and another chance to swim.

Anse Georgette is a strong finish because it gives you a different kind of water stop from St Pierre. St Pierre is the snorkeling-focused location. Anse Georgette is better suited to a scenic beach pause, a refreshing swim, and photographs from the boat or shore.

The stop can be affected by weather and sea conditions, just like the rest of the itinerary. If the schedule changes, you may not receive every stop exactly as described. Bring your camera, but keep it protected from spray and saltwater.

You should also keep your expectations realistic about timing. This is a photo and swim stop within a busy full-day route, not a private beach day with hours to settle in. Its appeal is the variety it adds before the return cruise.

The return along Praslin’s northeast coast

The final part of the day is a scenic cruise along Praslin’s northeast coast. This is a chance to sit back after the walk and swimming, watch the coastline, and let the day slow down before returning to your accommodation or meeting point.

The catamaran itself is important here. A larger boat can feel less personal, but it offers more space and can make the cruise more comfortable than a small, crowded vessel. If you prefer sun, look for a place on the forward net. If you want a break from direct sunlight, find a shaded area when possible.

This is also the point where the group size becomes less of an issue. About 50 people may sound crowded, but the boat’s layout gives you alternatives to standing in one central area. Still, if you want a private guide, silence, or a custom route, this is the wrong style of excursion.

Group size, crew service, and the real tradeoff

The strongest human part of the outing is the crew. The staff are described as very friendly and helpful, and that matters on a day involving transfers, boat boarding, snorkeling equipment, lunch, and a guided island walk.

A well-run crew can make a large group feel manageable. They also help first-time snorkelers feel more at ease and keep the day moving between water and land stops. The positive feedback about the crew is one reason I would consider this tour even though it is not small-group travel.

The tradeoff is clear: expect a shared experience. Around 50 people may be on board, and some people will prefer a smaller boat. The Oplezir’s size softens that problem, but it does not remove it.

Choose this trip if you value variety, included meals, and easy access to several major sights. Choose a private charter instead if your priority is privacy, flexible timing, or a quiet atmosphere.

Is $166 a fair price?

At $166 per person, this is not a budget beach outing. It is a full-day package with several useful inclusions: a BBQ lunch, water, snorkeling equipment, Curieuse landing fees, and selected hotel or ferry transport depending on where you stay.

I see the value in the amount of ground covered. In one day, you reach St Pierre, Curieuse, and Anse Georgette, with both sea and land activities. Organizing all of that independently could mean arranging a boat, finding snorkeling equipment, paying island fees, and sorting food and transfers.

The price is less attractive if you plan to spend most of your time on the beach or dislike scheduled group activities. You are paying for a structured day, not just a ride between islands.

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps payment flexible. Those terms are useful when your Seychelles plans depend on weather.

What to bring and who should book

Wear comfortable shoes for Curieuse, comfortable clothes for the boat, and bring a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, camera, and some cash. Cash is useful for any personal purchases because items not listed as included are available at your own expense.

I think this tour suits you best if you:

• Want snorkeling and wildlife in the same day
• Are comfortable swimming in open sea conditions
• Like a guided walk but do not want a long hike
• Prefer an organized outing over arranging several boats yourself
• Are staying on Praslin or La Digue and can manage the transport details

It is a poor fit if you have a mobility impairment, are pregnant, or are bringing a child under two. Babies under one are specifically listed as unsuitable as well. The name on your booking must match the name on your passport.

Should you book the St Pierre and Curieuse tour?

I would book this tour if you want a practical, full-day introduction to the islands around Praslin. The strongest reasons are the good snorkeling time at St Pierre, the free-roaming giant tortoises on Curieuse, and the generous BBQ lunch. Anse Georgette and the return cruise round out the day without requiring another booking.

I would hesitate only if you strongly dislike large groups or need a flexible, private schedule. Confirm your pickup details 48 hours ahead, request a vegetarian lunch in advance if needed, and accept that weather may alter the route. With those points in mind, the $166 price is reasonable for a well-filled day on the water.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts about 7 to 8 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

Which islands does the catamaran visit?

The planned route includes St Pierre Island, Curieuse Island, and Anse Georgette on Praslin.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and water are included.

How long is the snorkeling stop at St Pierre?

The snorkeling stop is about 45 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served on board the Oplezir catamaran.

Can vegetarian food be provided?

Yes. Vegetarian food is available when requested. Make the request before the tour.

Are giant tortoises included in the Curieuse visit?

Yes. Curieuse is home to giant land tortoises that you can see during the island visit.

How long is the Curieuse walk?

The guided nature walk lasts about one hour and leads toward Anse Jose through mountain and mangrove areas.

Where do La Digue visitors meet?

La Digue visitors meet at the Creole Travel Services office at La Passe, a few minutes’ walk from the jetty.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in Praslin when that option is selected and the hotel is accessible from the main road. La Digue visitors must arrange their own transfer between their hotel and the ferry harbor.