Curieuse Guided Tour, St Pierre, BBQ & 2 Snorkel Stops

Curieuse’s giant tortoises are the star of this day, and they are not behind a distant fence. After a guided walk across the island, you reach the tortoise area where these huge, gentle animals wander close by, ready for photographs and, where permitted, a careful pat. The tortoises feel like a real encounter with Seychelles wildlife, not a quick photo stop.

I especially like the small-group boat setup, often around eight to twelve people, and the way the day mixes sea time with a proper island walk. The two snorkel stops also give you different chances to see fish, coral, and reef life. The main catch is that the route depends on weather and sea conditions, so St Pierre or Anse La Farine may be replaced by another reef or beach.

Key points before you book

• Giant tortoises roam around you: Curieuse gives you generous time with these famous animals after the nature walk.
• Two snorkel stops are included: The morning stop is often especially good, while the final stop at Anse La Farine can feel like swimming in an aquarium.
• A real Creole lunch breaks up the day: Expect grilled fish, chicken, sausage, rice, lentils, salads, and drinks, including local beer and soft drinks.
• The one-hour trail adds context: Guides such as Benjamin, Rocco, Ryan, and Samuel explain the island’s plants, wildlife, culture, and past.
• Hotel transfers are included on Praslin: This matters at the end of a long day on the water.
• Budget for the park fee: The Curieuse entry charge is SR300 for each person aged 12 or older, payable by credit card.

A full day built around Curieuse’s tortoises

At $112 per person, this is not the cheapest boat outing around Praslin. But it combines hotel pickup, a full-day cruise, snorkeling equipment, two water stops, a guided Curieuse walk, lunch, soft drinks, and the return transfer. Add in the fact that the boat usually carries a modest number of people, and the price makes sense for anyone who wants one well-organized day rather than several separate bookings.

The day begins with pickup anywhere on Praslin Island. The vehicle takes you to the boat launch point, where you meet the crew and receive an outline of the day. Pickup times and the exact order of stops can vary, so keep your morning free and do not plan a tight connection afterward.

The operator has also helped people staying outside the standard hotel list. If you are in a villa or guesthouse, contact Geoli Charters before the day rather than assuming the pickup point is fixed. The included transfer is one of the tour’s most useful features, especially after swimming, walking, eating, and spending hours in the sun.

Snorkeling before the island walk

The first water stop lasts about 45 minutes to an hour. The crew chooses the site according to wind, waves, and visibility, so the advertised location is not always the actual one. That flexibility is a good thing in Seychelles, where a short change of route can mean calmer water and better viewing.

You receive snorkeling equipment, and the crew can help you get comfortable. This has been particularly useful for beginners and people who are not strong swimmers. Guides have even accompanied nervous swimmers into the water, but you should still be honest about your ability before setting off.

The underwater viewing can be excellent. Fish of different sizes and colors are a common highlight, and one stop has been described as feeling like an aquarium. The glass-bottom boat is another practical touch: you can see into the clear water even if you choose not to snorkel.

The morning stop is often the stronger of the two, according to the experience pattern described by the operator and past visitors. Still, sea conditions matter more than the clock. Cloud, wind, currents, and the chosen reef can all change what you see. Bring a shirt or rash vest for the boat, and use sunscreen before you board.

Curieuse begins with beach time

After the first snorkel, the boat heads to a beach on Curieuse. This is your chance to swim, sit on the sand, dry off, or simply enjoy the setting before the walking part begins. The pause is welcome because the tour does not rush straight from the water into a trail.

Curieuse is more than a tortoise stop. The island gives you a sense of Seychelles beyond the resort beach, with natural areas, coastal views, and a marked route connecting one side of the island to another. The walk is about an hour and is generally manageable, but it is not a polished pavement stroll.

Bring proper water shoes or sturdy sneakers. Roots, stones, and slippery patches can make the trail awkward in flip-flops, especially if the ground is damp. The walk includes some climbing, though it has been completed by families and people of different ages who are comfortable on uneven ground.

The guide makes the difference here. Benjamin, Rocco, Ryan, Samuel, and other members of the crew have led groups in English and French, explaining plants, animals, island history, and local culture along the way. If your group includes both language communities, the guide may repeat key points in both languages, so you are not left with a rushed summary.

A guided hour through Curieuse

The trail is worth keeping even if your main reason for booking is the tortoises. A guided walk helps you notice the island’s plant life and changing habitats instead of simply moving from beach to lunch. You also get a better feel for Curieuse as a protected natural area.

The route takes you toward the other side of the island. Along the way, your guide may point out birds, vegetation, and features tied to the island’s past. The useful part is not just the information itself. A guide also sets the walking pace, answers questions, and helps you handle slippery sections safely.

Do not treat this as a demanding hike, but do not arrive in beach sandals expecting a flat path. Carry only what you need, keep your hands free where possible, and pack your phone in a waterproof pouch. You will want it for photographs, but a trail with roots and stones is not the place for a distracted walk.

The group size affects how much you get from the hour. Smaller parties allow more questions and make it easier to hear the guide. Several outings have used two boats or groups of roughly eight to twelve people, which helps prevent the trail and snorkel stops from feeling crowded.

Lunch beside the giant tortoises

The reward at the far side of the walk is a Creole BBQ. The meal has included grilled fish, chicken, sausage, rice, lentil sauce, and fresh salads, with mango salad receiving special attention. Fish is a natural choice in Seychelles, and this lunch gives you something more substantial than a packet meal between activities.

Soft drinks are included, and drinks are served throughout the day. Local beer and rum are part of the relaxed boat-and-beach atmosphere, with a Takamaka rum cocktail served near the end. If you drink alcohol, pace yourself carefully. You still have water time, sun exposure, and a boat ride ahead.

Lunch is served in a social, family-style manner rather than as a private restaurant meal. That suits the tour well. You can sit down, refuel, and talk with the people in your group before heading to the tortoise area.

The marine park entry ticket is not included. You should budget SR300 for each person aged 12 or older and carry a credit card, since payment is stated to be by card online or on site. This extra charge is easy to miss when comparing prices, so include it in your total cost.

Meeting Curieuse’s enormous residents

The tortoise area is the emotional center of the day. These are giant land tortoises, among the largest tortoises in the world, and they move freely around the site. They are calm, curious, and used to people, which makes close photographs possible.

You may see them being fed or petted under the crew’s direction. Follow the guide’s instructions and avoid crowding an animal simply to get a better picture. The best moments often come when you stop trying to stage the shot and watch the tortoise lumber past at its own pace.

Allow yourself time here. The itinerary is planned so that you are not pushed through the area immediately after lunch. Families, couples, and solo visitors can all enjoy it, though young children need supervision around large animals.

The tortoises are also a good reason to choose this trip over a simple beach cruise. You get wildlife, a guided walk, and a meal in one outing. For many people, this is the most memorable part of the day, while the snorkeling adds the second major draw.

St Pierre, reef views, and the second snorkel

After Curieuse, the boat heads toward St Pierre or another reef selected according to conditions. St Pierre is a classic photo setting, so have your camera ready. The route may change, however, and one important practical detail is that St Pierre is not always used as a snorkeling site.

A guide has explained that living coral at St Pierre has been affected by global warming, so the crew may choose a nearby location instead. That is a sensible adjustment. The goal is good marine viewing, not sticking rigidly to a place name printed in advance.

The final snorkeling stop may be at Anse La Farine. When conditions allow, this can be the day’s strongest water experience, with large numbers of fish and clear viewing. If the sea is not suitable, the boat may go to Anse Georgette and Lazio Beach instead.

This flexibility is worth understanding before you book. You are paying for access to the Praslin and Curieuse area, expert route choices, and two snorkeling opportunities, not a guarantee of one exact reef. A fixed itinerary would sound reassuring, but it would be less useful when the sea turns rough.

The rum cocktail and ride back to Praslin

The final cruise back to Praslin is deliberately slower. With a Takamaka rum cocktail in hand, you can look back at the day, dry off, and enjoy the coast from the boat. The drink is a small detail, but it gives the outing a clear finish rather than ending abruptly after the last swim.

The return transfer to your hotel is included. That is valuable because the day can leave you tired, even if the walking is not strenuous. You do not need to find a taxi or drive after drinking, swimming, and sitting in the sun.

Smoking is not allowed on the activity. The tour is also not suitable for children under four, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with heart problems, or people over 65 according to the stated restrictions. If any of those points might apply to you, ask the operator before paying rather than relying on the general description.

The cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead. You can also reserve and pay later, which is useful when your Seychelles plans depend on ferry times or changing weather.

Who gets the most from this tour

I would choose this outing if you want a single big day on Praslin that covers the island’s best-known wildlife and sea experiences. It suits couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and anyone who prefers an organized day with transport included.

It is especially good for first-time snorkelers. Equipment is supplied, the crew can offer help, and the glass-bottom boat gives you something to see even if you spend less time in the water. Strong swimmers will appreciate the reef stops too, but the experience is not designed only for experts.

You should think twice if you want a quiet, private charter or complete control over the schedule. This is a shared outing, and the boat route changes with the weather. You also need to be comfortable with a one-hour walk on uneven ground and with paying the extra Curieuse entry fee by credit card.

Should you book the Curieuse day trip?

Yes, if you want the best mix of tortoises, snorkeling, local food, and a guided island walk without arranging separate boats and transfers. At $112, the package offers solid value once you count the included pickup, lunch, equipment, drinks, guide, and full day on the water.

Book early if your dates are fixed, since this is a popular Praslin excursion and the operator limits the number of people accepted each day. Pack swimwear, beachwear, a towel, sunscreen, water shoes or sneakers, and a credit card for the marine park fee.

I would not book it for a short, effortless beach outing. I would book it for a full day with a little walking, changing sea conditions, close encounters with giant tortoises, and a crew that puts real effort into explaining what you are seeing. The guides, including Benjamin, Rocco, Liroy, Ryan, and Samuel, have been singled out for humor, patience, bilingual explanations, and careful help in the water. That human touch is a big part of the value.

FAQ

How much does the Curieuse guided tour cost?

The tour costs $112 per person. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off on Praslin, BBQ lunch, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a guided tour of Curieuse.

Is the Curieuse entry fee included?

No. The marine park entry ticket costs SR300 per person aged 12 or older. You can pay online or on site with a credit card.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes. Pickup and return transfer are included from hotels anywhere on Praslin Island. If you are staying in a villa or another accommodation, contact the provider to confirm the pickup arrangement.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

Two snorkeling stops are included. The locations depend on weather and sea conditions and may include areas near St Pierre, Anse La Farine, or other suitable reefs.

What food and drinks are provided?

Lunch is a Creole BBQ that can include grilled fish, chicken, sausage, rice, lentil sauce, and salads. Soft drinks are included, and the day also features local beer and a Takamaka rum cocktail.

Is the Curieuse walk difficult?

The guided nature trail lasts about one hour and is generally manageable, but it includes roots, stones, slippery sections, and some climbing. Sturdy sneakers or water shoes are recommended.

Can a non-swimmer join the snorkeling stops?

The crew can assist people who are not confident swimmers, and guides have accompanied non-swimmers in the water. You should still tell the crew about your swimming ability before snorkeling.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under four, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with heart problems, or people over 65 according to the stated activity restrictions.