Cousin Curieuse and St Pierre & BBQ Lunch

Wildlife takes center stage on this Praslin boat trip. I like the guided conservation visit on Cousin Island and the chance to see giant Aldabra tortoises at Curieuse, followed by a Creole BBQ and snorkeling at St Pierre. The main drawback is the open speedboat, which can feel rough and exposed in bad weather.

The small group, limited to 10 people, makes the day more personal and easier to manage. I also like that water, soft drinks, local beer, snorkeling gear, and hotel-area pickup are included. Just remember that island landing fees are extra, and the published fee information is inconsistent, so confirm the exact amounts before departure.

At a glance: the details that matter

• Three very different islands in seven hours: Cousin is about bird conservation, Curieuse focuses on giant tortoises and mangroves, and St Pierre offers a short snorkeling stop.
• Cousin is the wildlife heart of the day: Expect a guided visit through protected habitat, with birds, possible sea turtles, beaches, coral reefs, and thick vegetation.
• Curieuse combines lunch and walking: You get a Creole BBQ, a roughly 45-minute mangrove hike, Anse Badamier, and a tortoise visit.
• The boat is small and fast: That keeps the group intimate, but it also means little shelter from rain and more movement on rough seas.
• Extra fees can change the real price: The tour costs $155 per person, but Cousin and Curieuse landing fees are not included.
• Best for active nature fans: Comfortable shoes, swimwear, sun protection, insect repellent, and tolerance for boat motion are important.

Why this three-island route works

This is not simply a beach-hopping cruise. Each stop has a different purpose, which gives the day a useful rhythm.

Cousin brings you into a protected bird habitat. Curieuse adds tortoises, mangroves, and a proper lunch break. St Pierre finishes the outing with warm-water snorkeling and marine life viewing. You are not spending seven hours repeating the same view from a boat.

The route begins from Praslin at about 9:15 in the morning. Pickup is available in Baie Ste Anne, Grand Anse, and Anse Volbert, with return to those same general areas. The timing is fairly full, but the schedule gives you enough time at Cousin to make the conservation visit worthwhile.

The group is limited to 10 participants, and the guide speaks English and French. That size should make questions easier and reduce the crowded feel that can spoil small-island excursions. Previous feedback also praised the crew’s care, organization, and explanations of plants, wildlife, and island ecosystems.

Setting out from Praslin on a seven-hour speedboat

The boat leaves from the Côte d’Or area around 9:15, though pickup may be arranged from the three listed parts of Praslin. The boat ride is part of the experience, but you should treat it as an outdoor ride rather than a sheltered ferry crossing.

The supplied information warns that the trip can be bumpy. That warning deserves attention. In heavy rain and strong swell, a small motorboat offers little cover. One family had a very difficult morning in bad weather, including a long, rough crossing and a 20 to 30-minute wait near Cousin in heavy rain when the landing boat did not arrive.

That account also points to the most important practical issue: weather can shape the whole day. On a calm morning, the speedboat should make the island-hopping route efficient. In poor conditions, children and anyone prone to seasickness may find it unpleasant or frightening.

Wear quick-dry clothing, not jeans. Bring a waterproof bag for your phone and camera, plus a towel and a spare layer if you have one. Sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and water shoes are useful because the day moves between boat, beach, trail, and shallow-water activities.

Cousin Island: birds, beaches, and conservation

Cousin is the most educational stop. The island is known for bird conservation, and the visit is built around its protected wildlife rather than shopping, resort facilities, or long stretches of free beach time.

A guided tour gives you a better chance of understanding what you are seeing. The day may include bird watching, wildlife viewing, photos, a walk, hiking, beach scenery, coral reefs, and possible sightings of sea turtles. The supplied details also mention lush vegetation and the island’s wider role in protecting native wildlife.

This is where the guide matters most. A good explanation turns a collection of birds and plants into a story about habitat protection and island ecosystems. Previous feedback singled out the guide’s explanations of wildlife, plants, and conservation as one of the strongest parts of the day.

There is also a mosquito warning for Cousin. Wear light-colored clothing and pack biodegradable insect repellent. This is not the place for heavy perfume, delicate footwear, or an outfit chosen only for beach photos.

The visit is not entirely under your control. Cousin has its own landing process, and the boat may need to transfer you ashore. In bad weather, that transfer can become slow or uncomfortable. If the forecast looks poor, ask whether the operator is changing the route or postponing the trip. That question is especially important if you are bringing young children.

Curieuse Island: BBQ lunch, mangroves, and giant tortoises

After Cousin, the boat heads toward Curieuse, with arrival planned for about 1:00 in the afternoon. This part of the day is less about fast sightseeing and more about walking through a protected island setting.

The Creole BBQ is a welcome break after the morning on the water. Soft drinks, water, and local beer are included, so you do not need to buy drinks during the main outing. Still, bringing a small snack is sensible, especially if you eat early or have children with you.

The walking portion takes about 45 minutes through mangrove habitat. Mangroves are easy to overlook when you are focused on beaches, but they are valuable places for young marine life and coastal ecosystems. The walk gives the day a bit of texture and gets you away from the boat for a while.

The route includes Anse Badamier and a guided visit to the giant Aldabra tortoises. Curieuse is dedicated to their protection, and seeing them in their natural habitat is one of the trip’s clearest highlights.

You should set your expectations correctly. This is a wildlife encounter, not a staged animal show. The value comes from seeing the tortoises within a protected island environment and learning how conservation work supports them. Keep your movements calm, follow the guide’s instructions, and avoid treating the animals like props for photographs.

Comfortable walking shoes are essential. The information lists hiking, walking, swimming, and beach activities, but it does not describe the trail as difficult. Even so, heat, sun, damp ground, and uneven surfaces can make a 45-minute walk feel longer than it sounds.

St Pierre: a short final stop for snorkeling

The St Pierre stop is planned for roughly 2:45 to 3:20, making it the shortest part of the route. You will have time to use the supplied snorkeling gear, look for coral and marine life, and enjoy the water before returning to Praslin.

Do not book this trip expecting a full afternoon in the sea. St Pierre is a compact snorkeling session at the end of a busy day. Its appeal is the contrast with Cousin and Curieuse: after birds, walking, and tortoises, you get a chance to cool down and see the underwater side of the islands.

Bring your own goggles or use the provided snorkeling equipment. A waterproof camera is useful, but protect all electronics carefully. The boat returns to Côte d’Or around 3:30 or 4:00, depending on the day’s conditions and timing.

The short stop may feel rushed if you want a long swim. On the other hand, it keeps the full itinerary moving and gives non-snorkelers a chance to enjoy the water without sacrificing the main wildlife visits.

What the $155 price really covers

At $155 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride, but it bundles several costly elements into one day. You get pickup in selected Praslin areas, a small-group speedboat, a guide, BBQ lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and visits to three islands.

The strongest value comes from the combination of places. Booking separate boat trips for Cousin, Curieuse, and St Pierre could take more planning and might not fit into a single day. The group limit of 10 also gives the outing a more personal feel than a large cruise boat.

The price needs one important adjustment: island landing fees are not included. The supplied information lists Cousin at €40, or SCR 600, and Curieuse at €20, or SCR 300. Another instruction says to bring a debit card because Cousin charges €60 per person and Curieuse €20 per person.

Because those Cousin figures conflict, do not assume the advertised $155 is your final cost. Confirm the current fee for each island and the accepted payment method before setting out. Bring the requested debit card, and check whether children pay the same fee. One family was particularly unhappy after paying the full tour price for a four-year-old, so this is worth clarifying before booking.

The reserve-now-and-pay-later option can help if your schedule is uncertain, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. Those policies add flexibility, but they do not remove the need to check the weather forecast.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this trip to active visitors who want wildlife, conservation, a meal, and snorkeling in one outing. It suits couples, small groups, and families with older children who can handle a seven-hour day in the sun and on a moving boat.

It is less suitable for anyone with limited mobility. The experience includes boat transfers, walking, hiking, beaches, and island landings, and it is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

You should also think twice if you are prone to seasickness, have an insect allergy, or dislike exposed boat rides. The operator specifically lists the experience as unsuitable for people with insect allergies, people prone to seasickness, babies under one year, people over 80, and people over 95.

The age restrictions are unusually specific, so families should check them carefully before paying. The activity also does not allow unaccompanied minors.

Packing for sun, salt, and mosquitoes

A practical packing list makes a real difference here. I would bring:

• Biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent
• Light, breathable, quick-dry clothing
• Comfortable walking shoes and water shoes
• Swimwear, towel, sunglasses, and a sun hat
• Waterproof bag for your phone and wallet
• Camera or charged smartphone
• Debit card for the landing fees
• A small snack, even though lunch and drinks are provided

Leave bulky luggage, large bags, glass objects, jewelry, jeans, high heels, boots, and baby strollers behind. The restrictions are aimed at keeping the boat and island visits manageable.

Use reef-friendly sunscreen and respect the wildlife at every stop. Do not feed animals, crowd tortoises, or handle birds and marine life. The appeal of Cousin and Curieuse comes from seeing protected nature on its own terms.

The most important weather decision

A sunny forecast matters more here than it would on a standard sightseeing bus tour. The speedboat is open to the elements, and the route depends on sea conditions and island landing arrangements.

In good weather, the combination of calm water, wildlife, lunch, and snorkeling can make this a memorable full day. In heavy rain, the same boat can become cold, wet, and stressful, particularly for children.

One poor-weather outing ended without a Cousin visit because the landing boat did not arrive while the family waited offshore. The BBQ and later parts of the day were still enjoyable, but the missed stop reduced the value of the tour.

Ask about the operator’s weather policy before booking. If you are traveling with a four-year-old or another young child, consider the sea forecast as carefully as the island attractions. A clear morning is not a guarantee of calm water, but a strong rain forecast is a genuine warning.

Should you book Cousin, Curieuse, and St Pierre?

Book it if you want a wildlife-focused day with three distinct stops, enjoy small boats, and are happy to walk, swim, and spend much of the day outdoors. The conservation visit on Cousin, Curieuse’s tortoises, the Creole BBQ, and St Pierre snorkeling make a strong combination, and the crew and organization received very positive feedback from several participants.

Skip it if you need a sheltered boat, dislike rough seas, have mobility limitations, or are planning a relaxed beach day. Also confirm the landing fees, child pricing, and weather arrangements before committing.

For the right conditions, this is a good way to see the natural side of Praslin beyond Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette. Just pack for the tropics, expect a real boat ride, and keep your schedule flexible.

FAQ

How long does the Cousin, Curieuse, and St Pierre trip last?

The experience lasts about seven hours. Departure is scheduled around 9:15 in the morning, with return to Côte d’Or around 3:30 or 4:00 in the afternoon.

Where can pickup and drop-off take place?

Pickup and drop-off are available in Baie Ste Anne, Grand Anse, and Anse Volbert on Praslin.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and French.

Are the island landing fees included?

No. Cousin and Curieuse landing fees are extra. The supplied fee information gives different amounts for Cousin, so confirm the current charge before departure.

Is food and drink included?

Yes. A BBQ, soft drinks, water, and local beer are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, and snorkeling is planned at St Pierre Island.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or people prone to seasickness?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, and people prone to seasickness.