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

The best part of this day is the mix: two snorkeling stops, a glass-bottom boat ride, and close contact with giant tortoises on Curieuse Island. You also get a guided 1.7-kilometer walk through mangroves and a simple Seychellois BBQ served beside the tortoises.

I like the patient, friendly crew and the fact that drinks continue through the day, including water, lemonade, one beer for adults, and a rum cocktail. I also like the unhurried feel described by the strongest feedback, with plenty of time for swimming, questions, and tortoise watching.

The main catch is practical: the $105 price does not include the SR300 marine park fee for each person aged 12 or older, and transport to the meeting point is not included. The boat trip is also a poor fit if you are prone to seasickness or have limited mobility.

Key points to know before booking

• Two water stops: Snorkel at St Pierre first, or at another site if weather conditions require a change.
• Curieuse on foot: Cross a 1.7-kilometer trail through mangrove forest with a live English or French guide.
• Giant tortoises nearby: Enjoy lunch and quiet time beside tortoises living in their natural habitat.
• Glass-bottom boat: You can watch the water below even when you are not snorkeling.
• Drinks are included: Water, lemonade, one beer for adults, and a rum cocktail are provided.
• Extra cost to plan for: The marine park fee is SR300, or about €20, per person aged 12 and above.

From Praslin to St Pierre by glass-bottom boat

Your morning starts at 9:30 at the Beach Front Garden, in front of the Pirogue Restaurant parking area. You arrange your own way to the boat location, so I would check the route from your accommodation before booking. The tour itself lasts 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours, making this a full day rather than a quick island hop.

The opening cruise gives you a pleasant introduction to the two islands. A glass-bottom boat lets you look into the water during the ride, and the route offers the kind of scenery that makes a boat trip worthwhile even before the first swim. You are not simply being ferried from one stop to another. The sea journey is part of the experience.

St Pierre is usually the first snorkeling stop. The exact location can change with the weather, which is sensible in the Seychelles. Your crew can choose a safer or better-suited site when conditions shift, though you should understand that the advertised place may not always be the actual one.

Masks and fins are included, so you do not need to pack your own equipment. Bring your swimsuit and sunscreen. The supplied information does not promise wetsuits, towels, or underwater photography, so pack according to your own needs rather than expecting a full water-sports center on board.

One detail I value here is the stated lack of rush. The crew is described as patient, allowing time for snorkeling and swimming instead of pushing everyone back into the boat after a short look underwater. That matters because the quality of a snorkeling stop depends as much on the pace as on the site itself.

Why St Pierre works as the first stop

St Pierre is a small island setting used for the first water break, and it gives the day an active start. You can get into the sea early, enjoy the views from the boat, and then continue to Curieuse for the land portion.

The glass-bottom boat adds something for people who would rather not snorkel every minute. You can still watch the water and scenery while other members of your group swim. Drinks are available throughout the tour, which makes the boat time more comfortable in the tropical heat.

Weather remains the deciding factor. The experience is built around the sea, so wind and water conditions can affect the first snorkeling site and the later schedule. The plan may shift between snorkeling and beach time in the afternoon. I would book this with some flexibility rather than expecting every stop to run in a fixed order.

If you are prone to seasickness, this is one of the clearest reasons to think twice. The tour includes a boat cruise and two water stops, and the published restrictions specifically exclude people who are prone to seasickness. Use your own judgment, especially if you know that open-water trips are difficult for you.

Arriving on Curieuse Island

Curieuse brings a different pace. After the boat ride, you land near a beach and begin the island portion, with time to appreciate the shore before or around the guided walk. The day shifts from water and boat views to forest, mangroves, and wildlife.

The main trail covers 1.7 kilometers through a mangrove forest. That distance is manageable for many active people, but it is still a walk in a warm, natural setting rather than a flat paved promenade. Wear something comfortable and bring sunscreen. You should also expect exposure to insects, since insect allergies are listed among the reasons this activity may not suit you.

The guide speaks English or French and leads you across the island. A guide adds useful context to what you are seeing, especially when you want to ask about the island’s plants, wildlife, and natural setting. The strongest feedback about the day points to the crew’s willingness to answer questions about Curieuse and Seychelles flora and fauna. That makes the walk more than a transfer between the beach and lunch.

I would not choose this tour if you need step-free access, use a wheelchair, or have significant mobility limitations. Baby strollers are not allowed, and the published restrictions also list back problems, heart problems, recent surgery, pregnancy, low fitness, and older age concerns. The age guidance is unusually cautious, listing people over 65 and over 70 among those for whom the activity is not suitable. If those categories apply to you, ask the provider before paying.

Meeting Curieuse’s giant land tortoises

The giant tortoises are the emotional center of the day. You get to see them close up and spend time around them in their natural habitat. This is more satisfying than a quick photo stop because the schedule includes time to relax and watch them.

The tortoises are also part of the lunch setting. You eat BBQ food on Curieuse with the animals nearby, which gives the meal a strong sense of place. The lunch is described as simple but tasty, so I would set your expectations correctly. This is an island BBQ, not a polished restaurant meal, and that is part of its appeal.

The combination of food and wildlife also means you should behave carefully around the animals. The supplied details do not specify feeding rules, so follow the guide’s instructions and avoid assuming that close contact means touching or feeding is acceptable. The experience promises direct contact in the sense of being near the tortoises, not a staged animal encounter.

I especially like the way the tour leaves room to sit and watch. Curieuse is not treated as a box to tick between boat stops. After the walk and lunch, you can relax near the tortoises before the afternoon water activity.

The Curieuse BBQ and the afternoon schedule

The BBQ lunch is included, along with drinks. You receive water and lemonade, plus one beer for adults aged 18 and over and a rum cocktail. That is useful in the heat, though I would still carry any personal drinks or snacks you specifically need, since the included beverage list is limited.

The meal is served on Curieuse beside the tortoises. For me, that setting is more important than a long menu. You are eating outdoors on the island you have just crossed, with the animals and natural surroundings close by. It gives the middle of the day a relaxed, local feel.

After lunch, the schedule keeps you near Curieuse. Depending on conditions and the day’s plan, you either snorkel again or spend time at the beach. This flexibility is a strength when the weather changes, but it also means you should not assume that both the beach and a second exact snorkeling site are guaranteed in the same way.

You still receive two snorkeling opportunities as a central feature of the tour. The second stop may be arranged around Curieuse, while the first is normally at St Pierre or a weather-approved alternative. If swimming is your main goal, this tour gives you more water time than a sightseeing-only island excursion.

If you prefer a strict timetable and fixed locations, the weather-based changes may feel less satisfying. If you want a day that responds to sea conditions, the same flexibility is a benefit.

What the $105 price really covers

At $105 per person, the tour offers a lot in one six-and-a-half-hour package. You receive the boat and crew, a live guide, snorkeling equipment, drinks, lunch, the Curieuse nature walk, and access to two snorkeling stops.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise need to arrange several separate pieces. A boat trip to Curieuse, a wildlife visit, a guided walk, snorkeling gear, and lunch can quickly become a more complicated day when booked independently. Here, those elements are combined.

The marine park fee changes the true cost. Each person aged 12 or older must pay SR300, or about €20, separately. You can pay by card, online, or cash with the supplier. For two adults, that adds about €40 to the advertised total, before you consider your transport to the boat location.

I would also budget for getting to the Beach Front Garden yourself. Transport to the meeting point is not included, and the meeting time is 9:30. The attraction does offer reserve-now, pay-later booking and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, which gives you some useful flexibility if your island plans are still moving.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want a full Praslin day with several kinds of activity rather than one narrow focus. It suits people who like swimming, wildlife, short nature walks, and informal outdoor meals.

It is particularly good for groups with mixed interests. One person can watch the reef from the glass-bottom boat, another can snorkel, and everyone can meet up again for the Curieuse walk, lunch, and tortoise viewing. The included equipment also keeps the packing list short.

You should have a reasonable level of fitness for the boat, beach landings, snorkeling, and mangrove trail. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, pregnant women, people with heart or back problems, people recovering from recent surgery, or people with low fitness. It is also not suitable for children under four.

The restrictions around age and seasickness deserve attention. The published guidance lists people over 65 and over 70 as unsuitable, which may reflect the physical demands of the day. If you are an older person who is fit and comfortable on boats, contact the provider before booking instead of assuming the standard rules will apply.

Smoking is not allowed, and baby strollers are not permitted. Sunscreen and swimwear are the key items to bring. I would add a hat, a cover-up, and a dry bag if you have one, though only sunscreen and swimwear are specifically required.

Should you book the Curieuse and St Pierre tour?

I would book this tour if you want a well-filled island day with friendly, patient service, plenty of time in the water, and a real chance to sit near giant tortoises. The combination of a glass-bottom boat, two snorkeling stops, the 1.7-kilometer mangrove trail, and BBQ lunch gives you good value for the base price.

I would hesitate if you dislike boats, need a fully accessible outing, or want a fixed schedule with no weather changes. Also add the SR300 marine park fee per person aged 12 or older and your transport to the meeting point when comparing prices.

For an active visitor staying on Praslin, this is a strong choice. You get beaches, sea life, Curieuse wildlife, a local-style lunch, and a guide who can answer questions instead of simply pointing out the next stop.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the Beach Front Garden in front of the Pirogue Restaurant parking area at 9:30.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 390 minutes, which is about six and a half hours.

Is transportation to the meeting point included?

No. Transportation to the boat location is not included.

Is the marine park fee included?

No. The marine park fee is SR300, or about €20, per person aged 12 and above.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes the boat and crew, drinks, snorkeling mask and fins, an English or French guide, and BBQ lunch.

What drinks are provided?

The tour provides water, lemonade, one beer for adults aged 18 and over, and a rum cocktail.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English or French.

Can the snorkeling locations change?

Yes. The first snorkeling stop is normally at St Pierre, but another location may be used depending on the weather. The afternoon schedule may include snorkeling or beach time on Curieuse.