Curieuse and St Pierre Snorkeling Half-Day Trip No BBQ Lunch

Curieuse is the star of this half-day outing. You walk across a protected island, see Aldabra giant tortoises up close, pass through a mangrove forest, and finish with a swim and snorkel at St Pierre. It packs two very different Seychelles experiences into about four hours.

I like the excellent use of limited time and the chance to see tortoises in a natural island setting rather than only from a distance. I also like the guides’ strong local knowledge. Mario, Reynold, and Benjamin are all praised for being warm, clear, and good at explaining the plants, wildlife, and island life.

The main thing to consider is the pace. The Curieuse walk covers about 1.7 kilometers, but frequent stops can make it feel long, especially in the midday heat. Snorkeling conditions also depend on the sea, and St Pierre is not always calm.

Key points to know before you book

• Curieuse’s tortoise sanctuary is the main event: You get time to see the Aldabra giant tortoises at close range and learn about their habitat.
• The walk crosses the island: The route leads through mangrove country to Anse José Beach, with stops for plants, wildlife, and coastal views.
• St Pierre adds a strong finish: The final stop is for swimming and snorkeling around granite boulders and marine life.
• The tour costs $53, plus a €20 landing fee: That extra Curieuse charge is paid separately and should be included in your budget.
• It is a true half-day trip: Pickup begins around 8:45 a.m., with return to Praslin planned around 12:30 p.m.
• Guiding is a major strength: English and French are available, and guides including Mario, Reynold, and Benjamin have earned especially warm praise.

Why Curieuse makes this four-hour trip worthwhile

Curieuse is not just a pretty stop for photographs. It gives you a compact look at Seychelles wildlife and coastal ecology, with a walking route that links several different settings.

You begin with the island’s giant tortoises. These Aldabra tortoises are used to people, so you can observe them at close range while still seeing them in an open island habitat. They move slowly, graze, and gather in ways that make the encounter feel unhurried. You should still follow the guide’s instructions and avoid treating them like tame pets.

The tortoise visit is especially useful if your time on Praslin is limited. You do not have to arrange a separate wildlife visit, then another boat trip for snorkeling. The morning combines both.

The second appeal is the island walk. Curieuse has a clear route through coastal forest and mangrove areas, with the guide pointing out plant life and explaining how the island’s natural systems fit together. The route eventually reaches Anse José Beach, where you get time beside a quiet stretch of sand.

This is a good example of why a guide matters. Without explanation, mangrove roots can look like tangled wood. With context, you begin to see how they shelter small marine creatures and help hold the coast together. The walk also gives you a closer look at crabs, birds, and other small signs of life that are easy to miss from a boat.

The morning schedule, from Praslin pickup to the boat

Pickup is offered from certain areas of Praslin, including Anse Volbert, Baie-Ste-Anne, Amitie, St Joseph, and Grand-Anse town areas. The listed meeting points include the beach side of Berjaya Resort at Anse Volbert and Kannus Supermarket in Baie-Ste-Anne.

The planned pickup time is about 8:45 a.m. The boat is scheduled to leave around 9:15 a.m., giving you a short transfer across the water before reaching Curieuse at about 9:30 a.m. Exact timing can shift with pickup arrangements and sea conditions, so do not plan a tight connection immediately afterward.

The boat ride itself is part of the pleasure. You get changing views of Praslin’s coast and the surrounding islands before stepping ashore. Bring a hat and protect your phone or camera in a waterproof bag. Boat spray and wet transfers are possible, even when the weather looks calm from land.

Once at Curieuse, the guide gives an introduction before you have time with the tortoises. This opening talk helps you understand what you are seeing rather than simply taking photographs and moving on.

Meeting the giant tortoises on Curieuse

The tortoise stop is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. The animals are a central part of the island experience, and the schedule allows roughly 25 minutes for this part according to the detailed timing shared by the operator.

That is enough time for photographs and observation, but it is not a long wildlife session. If you want hours with the tortoises, this trip may feel brief. For most people, though, the time works because it is paired with the walk and the St Pierre stop.

The tortoises are described as comfortable around people, which makes the encounter easy for families. Children between five and fourteen have enjoyed this part of the trip, although the full morning still includes heat, walking, and a boat ride.

Your guide may be Mario, Reynold, Benjamin, or another member of the team. Mario is praised for his insight into Seychelles and for making the outing relaxed. Reynold is noted for his humor, care, and detailed explanations. Benjamin has also been singled out for explaining the island with real feeling. The exact guide is not guaranteed, but the guiding style appears to be one of the tour’s best features.

Walking through Curieuse’s mangrove forest

At about 11 a.m., the group starts the walk through the mangrove area. The route is about 1.7 kilometers and leads toward Anse José Beach, with the guide stopping to discuss trees, roots, birds, crabs, and the coastal environment.

The walking distance is modest. The heat is the bigger factor. One family found that the many stops made the hike feel longer than expected, and the forest section took place during the warmest part of the morning. That is useful advice: wear light, breathable clothing, proper walking shoes, and plenty of sunscreen.

The stops are valuable if you enjoy nature interpretation. They are less appealing if you want to move quickly from the tortoises to the beach. You should decide which style suits you before booking. This is a guided nature walk, not simply a transfer between two beaches.

The trail ends at Anse José Beach at roughly 11:45 a.m. You have time to relax, take photographs, and enjoy the shore before the boat collects the group. The beach stop gives the morning some breathing room after the walk, although the schedule does not promise a long sunbathing session.

A practical point: comfortable shoes matter more than fashionable beach footwear. The operator asks you to bring hiking or sports shoes, and that is sensible for the forest path. Jeans, high heels, oversize luggage, and strollers are not suitable for this outing.

St Pierre snorkeling and swimming

Around noon, the boat continues to St Pierre Island. This is a small granite island known for its boulders and clear water, making it a striking setting for a final swim and snorkel.

The scheduled snorkeling period is about 30 minutes. That is enough for a refreshing look beneath the surface, but it is not a full marine-life expedition. The water can reveal colorful sea life, and several strong experiences have included excellent snorkeling. Still, you should keep your expectations flexible.

Sea conditions control this part of the trip. On one outing, high waves made the original snorkeling location less suitable. The guide changed the spot because of the weather. Another outing also used a different snorkeling place due to poor conditions. This is a sensible safety choice, but it means the exact site and visibility cannot be promised.

Bring snorkeling gear if you have it. The preparation list asks you to bring your own equipment, and the included items do not clearly state that masks and fins are supplied. A waterproof camera is useful, but only carry it if you can protect it from spray and water.

St Pierre is also a good place for photographs. The rounded granite boulders, turquoise water, and low island profile give you a very different view from the mangrove trail. If snorkeling is not your strongest interest, you can still enjoy the boat stop and swim, provided you are comfortable in the water.

The planned return to Praslin is around 12:30 p.m. That leaves you most of the afternoon for another activity, lunch, or time at your hotel.

What the $53 price really includes

At $53 per person, this is good value for an island outing that includes transport by boat, a licensed guide, hotel transfer in certain Praslin areas, Curieuse, the tortoise visit, the island walk, and St Pierre snorkeling.

The important catch is the separate €20 Curieuse landing fee per person. You must bring cash and a Visa or debit card for this payment. Once that fee is added, the real cost is closer to $53 plus the euro charge, before any lunch or personal spending.

There is no BBQ lunch. That keeps the price down and makes the four-hour format more efficient, but you should eat beforehand or arrange food for afterward. Water and soft drinks are included. The trip information also refers to local beer being offered, though the included-items list specifically confirms water and soft drinks, so check this point before you board if it matters to you.

The value is strongest when you want a short, organized introduction to Curieuse. If you prefer a full-day beach outing with a long lunch and several swim stops, this is not that kind of trip.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this excursion if you want wildlife, a manageable walk, and snorkeling in one morning. It suits couples, families with older children, and anyone staying near the listed pickup areas who does not want to arrange a private boat.

It is also a smart choice for a short stay on Praslin. You see Curieuse’s tortoises and mangroves, then reach St Pierre without giving up the whole day.

You should think twice if you have limited mobility, use a wheelchair, have serious motion sickness, or want a very relaxed beach morning. The operator says the trip is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, people with visual impairments, babies under one year, people over 80, or people over 95. The boat ride and uneven walking route are the main concerns.

The outing also may not suit you if you dislike guided walks with frequent explanations. The guide’s knowledge is a benefit for many people, but one family felt the commentary made the 1.7-kilometer route feel too long. You can enjoy the trip more if you know that the talking is part of the experience.

Practical preparation for a smoother morning

Wear breathable clothing, swimwear, a hat, comfortable walking shoes, and reef-friendly sunscreen. Insect repellent is useful for the mangrove section, and biodegradable products are the better choice for a protected coastal setting.

Carry a towel, waterproof bag, camera, and only the valuables you need. Avoid jewelry, large luggage, strollers, and anything that can be damaged by salt water. Smoking is not allowed in the vehicle or indoors.

The activity is offered in English and French. Pickup is included only in certain areas, so confirm your exact accommodation location before booking. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later if that option is offered at checkout.

Should you book this Curieuse and St Pierre trip?

Book it if you want the best short version of Curieuse: tortoises, mangroves, Anse José Beach, and a St Pierre swim in one well-organized morning. The guides are a real strength, and names such as Mario, Reynold, and Benjamin have earned praise for making the natural details easy to understand.

Do not book it expecting a long snorkeling session, a BBQ lunch, or a slow day spent mostly on the beach. Allow for the €20 landing fee, prepare for heat and walking, and remember that waves may change the snorkeling location.

For $53, it is a strong choice for first-time visitors to Praslin who want a practical taste of the islands’ wildlife and sea life without spending the whole day away.

FAQ

How long is the Curieuse and St Pierre trip?

The activity lasts about four hours. Pickup is scheduled around 8:45 a.m., with a planned return to Praslin at about 12:30 p.m.

Where does pickup take place on Praslin?

Pickup is available in certain areas including Baie-Ste-Anne, Amitie, St Joseph, Grand-Anse town areas, and Anse Volbert. Listed meeting points include the beach side of Berjaya Resort at Anse Volbert and Kannus Supermarket in Baie-Ste-Anne.

Is the Curieuse landing fee included?

No. You must pay a separate €20 landing fee per person on Curieuse. Bring cash and a Visa or debit card.

Is lunch included?

No. This version of the excursion does not include a BBQ lunch. Water and soft drinks are included.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guiding is available in English and French.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

The preparation information asks you to bring snorkeling gear. The included-items list does not confirm that masks and fins are provided, so bring your own equipment or confirm availability before departure.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available when offered during booking.