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

Curieuse rewards curious people. This full-day boat trip pairs two snorkeling stops with a guided island walk, giant tortoises, and a Seychellois BBQ. I especially like the easy mix of water time and nature, plus the crew’s patient approach, which lets you swim, ask questions, and watch the tortoises without feeling rushed.

The main drawback is the extra marine park fee of SR300, about €20, for each person aged 12 and older. You also need to reach the meeting point yourself, and the boat ride may not suit anyone prone to seasickness or with limited mobility.

Key points to know before booking

• A glass bottom boat links the day together: You can enjoy the scenery even when you are not snorkeling.
• St Pierre provides the first water stop: The exact location can change with the weather and sea conditions.
• Curieuse includes a 1.7-kilometer guided trail: The route passes through mangrove forest before reaching the BBQ area.
• Giant tortoises are part of the main event: Lunch takes place beside them in their natural setting.
• Drinks are included throughout the tour: You get water, lemonade, one beer for adults aged 18 and over, and a rum cocktail.
• The advertised price is not the final total: Add the marine park charge and arrange your own transport to the boat.

Starting from Praslin at 9:30

The meeting point is at the Beach Front Garden in front of the Pirogue Restaurant parking area. You should arrive by 9:30, with your sunscreen and swimwear ready. Transportation to this spot is not included, so you need to plan that part yourself.

This matters because the tour is built around a full day on the water, not a quick harbor outing. The listed duration is 390 minutes, or six and a half hours. That gives you time for the boat crossing, snorkeling, the Curieuse walk, lunch, tortoise watching, and a later swim or beach stop.

The boat crew supplies masks and fins, so you do not need to pack your own snorkeling gear. Still, I would bring a towel, extra dry clothes, and sun protection, even though only sunscreen and swimwear are specifically required. Those simple items make a boat day much easier.

The boat is a glass bottom vessel, which gives you another way to see the water. If you prefer to stay dry for part of the trip, you can still look below the boat and enjoy the setting between activities.

The boat ride to St Pierre

The first part of the day is a cruise from Praslin toward Curieuse, with St Pierre used as the first snorkeling stop. The exact stop can change if the weather calls for another location. That flexibility is sensible in the Seychelles, where sea conditions can shape the day.

St Pierre is best understood as your first chance to get into the water and adjust to the pace of the tour. You can snorkel using the supplied mask and fins, then climb back aboard for drinks and views. The water stop gives the day an active start instead of making you wait until the afternoon to swim.

You should not expect a tightly timed, race-from-stop-to-stop schedule. The crew has been praised for allowing plenty of time to snorkel and bathe. That is useful if you dislike tours that give you ten hurried minutes in the water before calling everyone back.

The tradeoff is that the planned location may change. If you have your heart set on one exact reef or beach, this tour does not promise that. It promises two snorkeling opportunities, with the crew adjusting to conditions.

Snorkeling with room to set your own pace

The snorkeling is one of the strongest parts of the day because it is not treated as a small extra. You have two snorkeling stops, and the crew provides the basic equipment. Drinks are also available throughout the outing, including water and lemonade.

The available feedback places strong emphasis on the crew’s patience. That matters if people in your group have different swimming speeds or confidence levels. You can spend longer in the water while someone else takes a slower approach, asks questions, or enjoys the boat.

The trip is not suitable for anyone prone to seasickness, and that warning deserves attention. You are spending much of the day on a boat, so people who regularly feel unwell at sea should consider a different activity. The tour is also not suitable for children under four, pregnant women, people with recent surgery, heart problems, back problems, low fitness, mobility impairments, or wheelchair users.

The stated restrictions also advise against booking if you are over 65 or over 70. The information gives both age limits, so older visitors should confirm suitability with the provider before paying. Insect allergies are also listed as a concern, likely because part of the day takes place on Curieuse rather than only at sea.

Arriving at Curieuse Island

Curieuse brings the day back to land with a beautiful beach and a guided nature route. Instead of simply stepping ashore for a photo, you cross about 1.7 kilometers through mangrove forest with a local guide.

That walk gives the island its character. Mangroves are not just scenery. They are coastal habitats that sit between land and sea, and the trail lets you see a different side of Curieuse than you would from the beach. The guide speaks English and French, so you can ask about the island and the plants and animals around you.

The walk is not described as difficult, but the tour specifically excludes people with low fitness and mobility impairments. You should take that seriously. The route, heat, uneven ground, and time outdoors may make the day tiring even if you are comfortable with ordinary sightseeing.

I like that the walk is part of the main schedule rather than an optional add-on. You get a better sense of Curieuse by crossing the island on foot, and the tour gives you a guide to help explain what you are seeing. You also get a break from the boat before lunch.

Lunch beside the giant tortoises

The BBQ lunch is served on Curieuse, next to giant land tortoises. This is the moment many people will remember most clearly. You are not seeing the tortoises in a quick roadside stop. You have time to relax, eat, and watch them in their natural setting.

The lunch is described as simple but tasty. That is the right expectation. This is an outdoor island BBQ, not a restaurant meal with a long menu. The value comes from eating in an unusual setting, with the tortoises nearby and the island around you.

You should keep your expectations practical. The information does not list the BBQ menu, so I would not book this for a specific dish or for special dietary needs without asking the provider first. What is clear is that lunch is included, along with drinks.

The tortoise encounter also calls for respectful behavior. The appeal is being close to these large animals while they move through their habitat. I would treat the stop as a chance to observe, not as permission to handle or feed them.

The afternoon choice: water or beach

After lunch and the Curieuse walk, the schedule leaves room for another water-based stop or time on Curieuse beach. The exact plan depends on conditions and the day’s flow. This gives the crew room to shape the afternoon around the sea.

If you enjoyed the first snorkeling stop, the second one gives you another chance to get back in the water. If you would rather dry off and rest, the beach provides a calmer option. That makes the tour more forgiving than an outing where every participant must follow the same activity at the same time.

The description is slightly unclear about the exact afternoon sequence, so you should ask the crew on the day. You can expect a second snorkeling opportunity, but not a guaranteed named site. Weather, safety, and local conditions may decide where you go.

The boat remains useful here even if you do not snorkel. You can relax during the cruise, take in the views, and enjoy the included drinks. The day has enough variety that you do not need to be an enthusiastic swimmer to appreciate every part, although you do need to be comfortable on a boat and walking outdoors.

What the $105 price really covers

At $105 per person, the tour includes the boat and crew, a local guide, snorkeling masks and fins, BBQ lunch, and several drinks. You also get a full six and a half hours of sightseeing and activities. For a visitor who wants Curieuse, St Pierre, snorkeling, lunch, and transport on the water in one package, that is a fair bundle.

The included drinks add practical value. You receive water, lemonade, one beer for adults aged 18 and over, and a rum cocktail. You do not have to organize refreshments for every stage of the day, although I would still carry personal water if you need more than the included supply.

The important extra cost is the marine park ticket. It is SR300, listed as about €20, per person aged 12 and older. This is payable by card, online, or cash to the supplier. Add it to the tour price when comparing this outing with other Praslin boat trips.

You also pay for your own transport to the meeting point. If your hotel is not near the Pirogue Restaurant parking area, arrange that in advance. A low headline price can become less attractive if reaching the boat is difficult, so include that cost in your budget.

The crew and the pace of the day

The strongest praise centers on the crew’s friendliness and patience. You can expect an English and French-speaking guide, along with a boat crew handling the day’s practical details.

The useful point is not only that the staff are friendly. The crew appears willing to give you time for snorkeling, swimming, tortoise watching, and questions about Curieuse and Seychellois plants and animals. That makes the trip feel more personal than a simple boat transfer.

Some of the feedback describes the outing as a private tour, but the supplied details do not give a guaranteed group size. Do not assume you will have a private boat unless that is confirmed at booking. The safest expectation is a guided boat tour with a crew that aims for a relaxed pace.

The tour has received a perfect rating from 14 submitted ratings, with praise for the service, the range of places visited, and the way the crew delivers more than expected. I would read that as a good sign, while still matching the tour to your own needs. A high rating cannot remove the marine park fee, the sea conditions, or the physical demands of the walk.

Who should book this Curieuse trip?

I would choose this outing if you want one well-packed day rather than arranging separate boats, snorkeling stops, and island visits. It suits active couples, friends, and families with older children who are comfortable swimming, walking, and spending hours outside.

It is also a good fit if you value local guiding. The English and French commentary, questions about flora and fauna, and time beside the tortoises give the day more substance than a beach transfer alone.

I would hesitate if you dislike boats, become seasick, need wheelchair access, or want a slow beach day with very little walking. The 1.7-kilometer trail, changing snorkeling locations, and long time outdoors ask for a reasonable level of fitness.

You should also think about your age and medical situation. The activity lists several health and mobility exclusions, including back and heart problems, recent surgeries, pregnancy, and low fitness. If any of those apply, ask the provider before booking rather than hoping the crew can adapt the trip.

Booking details worth noting

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. The tour also offers skip-the-ticket-line access, but that does not remove the separate marine park charge.

The meeting point is the Beach Front Garden by the Pirogue Restaurant parking area, with arrival by 9:30. Bring sunscreen and swimwear, and do not bring a baby stroller or plan to smoke during the activity.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want Curieuse’s tortoises, mangrove trail, BBQ, and snorkeling in one practical day from Praslin. The best value comes from the variety and the patient crew, not from luxury. You get a glass bottom boat, two chances to snorkel, a guided island walk, lunch, and drinks without having to arrange each part yourself.

Skip it if the extra SR300 marine park fee changes your budget, if you need a fully accessible activity, or if seasickness is a serious concern. For most fit visitors who want an active Seychellois day with plenty of time in and around the water, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is the Beach Front Garden in front of the Pirogue Restaurant parking area. You should arrive by 9:30.

How long does the tour last?

The duration is 390 minutes, which is six and a half hours.

Is transportation to the boat included?

No. You are responsible for getting to the meeting point.

Is the marine park entrance fee included?

No. The marine park fee is SR300, about €20, per person aged 12 and older. You can pay by card, online, or cash to the supplier.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English and French.

Are snorkeling equipment and lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes masks and fins for snorkeling, as well as a BBQ lunch.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are water, lemonade, one beer for adults aged 18 and over, and a rum cocktail.

Can I cancel the booking?

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