“Curieuse and St-Pierre Island Adventure: with Creole, BBQ

Tortoises, beaches, and a smoky Creole lunch. This six-and-a-half-hour escape from Praslin packs wildlife, a short hike, swimming, a beach barbecue, and snorkeling into one well-planned day. I especially like the chance to see Aldabra giant tortoises roaming Curieuse and the easy hotel pickup included in the $89 price. The main catch is the extra Curieuse entry fee, plus a warm, uneven walk that may be tiring for anyone with limited fitness.

I also like that the tour does not stop at Curieuse. The boat continues to St. Pierre for a proper swim and snorkel, with Anse Petite Cours available as a calmer backup during the southeast monsoon. You should know that sea conditions can change the final stop, and the walk to the tortoises includes mangroves, stones, and some uphill ground.

Key points at a glance

• Aldabra giant tortoises up close: Curieuse gives you time around one of Seychelles’ best-known animals, not just a quick photo stop.
• A real island crossing: The guided route runs from the Doctor’s House through mangroves and granite scenery to Anse José Beach.
• Beach BBQ included: Grilled fish, chicken, sausages, Creole rice, lentils, chutneys, salads, bread, fruit, drinks, and one beer for adults are part of the meal.
• Snorkeling with a weather backup: St. Pierre is the planned site, but Anse Petite Cours may replace it when the southeast monsoon makes the water rough.
• Useful hotel transport: Pickup and return are offered from a long list of Praslin hotels, villas, guesthouses, and the airport.
• Budget beyond the headline price: Add SCR 300, about €20, per adult aged 12 and above for Curieuse entry, payable by Visa card.

Why this Curieuse and St. Pierre combination works

Many island outings force you to choose between wildlife and water. This one gives you both. The morning belongs to Curieuse, where the focus is tortoises, mangroves, a colonial-era museum, and a beach walk. After lunch, the mood shifts to swimming and marine life around St. Pierre.

That mix makes the $89 cost easier to assess. You are paying for return hotel transport, a boat ride, a guide, lunch, drinks, equipment, and two island stops. It is not a bare boat transfer where every extra costs more. Still, remember the separate Curieuse fee, which adds a noticeable amount for a couple or family.

The group format should suit you if you prefer a simple day with the transport and meals arranged. It will not suit you as well if you want to set your own pace, spend hours at one beach, or have a quiet private boat. The published rating of 4.7 from 74 reviews fits the strongest features: the friendly team, the food, and the unusual tortoise encounter.

Morning pickup from Praslin to Anse Volbert

The day begins with hotel pickup between roughly 8:15 and 9:00 in the morning. The exact time depends on your accommodation, so give the operator your precise hotel name and location and watch for a message or call with the final pickup time. You are asked to be ready at reception or the lounge five to ten minutes early.

This is especially useful on Praslin, where accommodations are scattered around the island. Pickup is available from major hotels such as Le Duc de Praslin, Berjaya Praslin Resort, Paradise Sun, Raffles, Constance Lemuria, Acajou Beach Resort, and many smaller villas and self-catering properties. Airport pickup is also listed.

The van transfer takes about 30 minutes. You then board from Anse Volbert Beach at Côte d’Or, rather than walking to a distant marina. A short safety introduction comes before the boat heads toward Curieuse.

Bring only what you need for the day. Oversize luggage, bikes, strollers, and mobility scooters are not allowed. A waterproof bag is a very good idea for a camera, phone, card, and dry clothes.

Curieuse begins at the Doctor’s House

The boat reaches Curieuse at about 9:30. The first stop is near the Doctor’s House, a distinctive colonial building now used as a small museum. It gives the morning a little context before you head into the island’s natural areas.

The visit is not only a quick look at the tortoises. You have roughly two hours for a guided exploration, including the tortoise sanctuary, the Doctor’s House area, the mangrove trail, scenic views, and the walk toward Anse José.

The giant Aldabra tortoises are the star attraction. Their size and calm pace make this a memorable stop, especially for children who can watch them at close range. You should still follow the guide’s instructions and treat the animals as wildlife rather than as props for photographs.

A useful practical point is that the tortoise area is not right beside the beach landing. The route passes through mangroves, goes uphill in places, and includes stones underfoot. One recent account described the walk as difficult for two older people because of the heat, uneven ground, and uphill sections. That is not a reason to skip the tour if you are reasonably fit, but it is a clear warning to wear proper shoes and carry water.

The mangrove trail to Anse José Beach

The walk across Curieuse is where this outing feels more substantial than a standard beach cruise. Mangroves, granite formations, and changing views give you a sense of the island beyond its famous animals.

The pace is guided, so you will not need to work out the route yourself. At the same time, this is still an outdoor walk in tropical heat. Sandals may work for some people, but hiking shoes or sturdy waterproof shoes will give you better footing on stones. Sun protection matters too: use sunscreen, wear a hat, and bring sunglasses.

The trail ends at Anse José, where the schedule allows time for swimming and relaxing before lunch. This is a good balance. You get the effort of crossing the island, then a chance to cool down before sitting down to eat.

If you have back, heart, respiratory, or mobility problems, this section deserves serious thought. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, pregnant women, people recovering from recent surgery, or anyone with a low level of fitness. The operator also lists several age and medical restrictions, including children under 15 kilograms and people over 80. Ask before booking if your situation is not clearly covered.

A Creole BBQ at Anse José

Lunch is served on the beach around 12:30 to 1:00. The menu is generous for an island day: grilled fish, chicken, sausages, Creole rice, coconut lentils, chutneys, salads, fresh bread, and tropical fruit. Adults receive one beer, while soft drinks and bottled water are included.

This meal is one of the tour’s strongest value points. You do not need to return to Praslin hungry or pack a full picnic. Eating outdoors beside Anse José also makes the lunch feel connected to the place rather than like a pause in a generic excursion.

Vegetarian food is available if requested in advance. I would make that request when booking, not after boarding the boat. The supplied details do not specify other dietary arrangements, so anyone with allergies or strict dietary needs should confirm what can be provided.

A recent French-language review singled out the barbecue as excellent, and another described the grill master as funny. That small human touch matters on a group outing. Good food and a relaxed cook can turn a basic included lunch into one of the day’s highlights.

The schedule allows about an hour for food and free time. Do not expect a long restaurant-style meal. This is a practical beach lunch, followed by the afternoon boat trip.

St. Pierre snorkeling and the monsoon backup

Around 2:00, the boat heads to St. Pierre Island for about an hour of swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing. The islet is known for granite boulders and clear water, with coral reefs and tropical fish. Rays and sea turtles are possible sightings, but they should be treated as possibilities, not guarantees.

Snorkeling equipment is included, and assistance is available for beginners. You should be comfortable in the water, though, and the operator lists the activity as unsuitable for people with respiratory or heart conditions and several other medical concerns.

St. Pierre is exposed to changing sea conditions. From June through September, the southeast monsoon can make the water rough. If that happens, the boat may use Anse Petite Cours instead. This is not a failure of the tour. A sheltered bay can provide a calmer and more comfortable place to look for marine life, particularly for beginners, but the scenery and snorkeling conditions will not be exactly the same as St. Pierre.

A waterproof camera is useful, but do not let photography distract you from basic water safety. Pack your own towel because towels are not provided. Keep your phone, card, and dry clothing inside a waterproof bag.

The return cruise and what the timing really means

The planned return cruise runs from about 3:00 to 3:30, followed by hotel drop-off. The central boat program lasts close to six and a half hours, while the full door-to-door day can be longer because of the morning pickup and afternoon van ride.

That timing is worth noting if you have an evening ferry, flight, dinner booking, or another activity. Hotel return times can vary with the number of stops and sea conditions. The safest plan is to leave your evening open.

The boat ride itself is part of the appeal. You see Praslin from the water and get the changing views between islands, rather than spending the whole day on one beach. A speedboat also makes the crossings efficient, but it can feel bumpy in rough seas. Anyone prone to motion sickness should plan accordingly, although no specific medication or seating arrangement is provided.

What the $89 price really buys

At $89 per person, this is a midrange group excursion rather than a cheap transfer. The package includes:

• Return van transfers from Praslin accommodation
• Speedboat transport to Curieuse and St. Pierre
• A guided Curieuse visit
• Giant tortoise sanctuary access, except for the separate island fee
• Beach BBQ lunch
• Soft drinks, bottled water, and one beer per adult aged 18 and above
• Snorkeling equipment and assistance

The extra Curieuse charge is SCR 300 per adult, approximately €20, for visitors aged 12 and above. It is payable directly on the island to the Seychelles Parks Authority, with Visa payment accepted. You can also buy the ticket online through the official parks website.

For a solo visitor, the included transport and lunch make the package fairly easy to justify. For a family, the entry fee changes the calculation, especially since children aged 12 and above pay it. Personal expenses are not included, and towels are not supplied.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and a reserve-now, pay-later option make the booking less rigid. Those are useful safeguards when your Praslin plans depend on weather or ferry schedules.

Who should book this day out?

I would recommend it most strongly to you if you want a full island sampler without arranging several separate bookings. It suits couples, active families, and first-time visitors who want tortoises, a guided walk, local food, and snorkeling in one day.

It is also a good fit if you are staying far from Côte d’Or and do not want to arrange a taxi to the beach. The large pickup network covers hotels, guesthouses, villas, self-catering apartments, and the airport.

Think twice if you have limited mobility, a low fitness level, or trouble walking on hot, uneven ground. The Curieuse crossing is not a flat promenade. You should also be comfortable with a speedboat and with the possibility that the snorkeling stop changes in the southeast monsoon season.

The two listed operating languages are English and French. If clear explanations are important to you, confirm your preferred language when booking.

Should you book the Curieuse and St. Pierre tour?

Book it if you want variety and good practical value. The standout combination is hard to beat: giant tortoises in the morning, a Creole BBQ at Anse José, and a snorkel stop after lunch. The included transfers and equipment remove much of the usual island-day hassle.

Skip it if your priority is a private, slow-paced beach day or if uneven walking is a serious problem. Also budget the SCR 300 Curieuse fee and bring a towel, water-friendly shoes, sunscreen, and a waterproof bag.

For most reasonably fit visitors based on Praslin, this is a strong one-day choice. It gives you wildlife, scenery, food, and sea time without making you plan every detail yourself.

FAQ

Where does this Curieuse and St. Pierre tour start?

The boat departs from Anse Volbert Beach in Côte d’Or on Praslin. Hotel and guesthouse pickup is provided before departure.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip van transfers are included from a wide range of Praslin hotels, villas, guesthouses, self-catering properties, and the airport. Send the exact accommodation name and location when booking.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is 390 minutes, or six and a half hours. Pickup and hotel drop-off can make the full door-to-door day longer.

What is the extra Curieuse Island fee?

Visitors aged 12 and above must pay SCR 300 per person, approximately €20. The fee is separate from the tour price and is payable by Visa card on the island or online through the Seychelles Parks Authority website.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The beach BBQ includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, Creole rice, coconut lentils, chutneys, salads, bread, and tropical fruit. Vegetarian options are available if requested in advance.

What drinks are included?

Bottled water and soft drinks including Coca-Cola, Fanta, and Sprite are included. Each adult aged 18 and above receives one beer.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and assistance for beginners are included.

Where does the snorkeling take place?

The planned snorkeling stop is St. Pierre Island. From June through September, rough southeast monsoon seas may lead the crew to use Anse Petite Cours instead.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not provided. Bring your own towel, swimwear, sunscreen, hat, sandals or suitable walking shoes, and a waterproof bag.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility or medical concerns?

The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, back, heart, or respiratory problems, people with a low fitness level, or people with some other listed medical conditions. The Curieuse walk includes mangroves, uphill sections, stones, and heat.