Curieuse and St. Pierre Islands Day Trip with BBQ Lunch

Tortoises, reefs, and lunch on the sand. This six-hour boat trip from Praslin packs a lot into one island day, from Curieuse’s mangrove paths and Aldabra tortoises to snorkeling near St. Pierre. I like the friendly guides and crew, especially guides Reynold and Mario, who are often praised for their care and clear explanations. I also like the generous Creole BBQ, with grilled fish, chicken, prawns, sausage, lentils, drinks, and vegetarian choices. The main consideration is the pace: the walking trail can take about two kilometers over rocky ground, and rough sea conditions may change the St. Pierre snorkeling stop.

You’ll pay $85 per person, plus a Curieuse landing fee of €20, payable by card only. That is fair value if you want transport, wildlife, lunch, drinks, a guided walk, and two chances to snorkel in one outing. Bring proper walking shoes, not just flip-flops, and remember that this is a speedboat trip, not a slow sightseeing cruise.

Key points to know before you book

• Curieuse’s Aldabra tortoises are the star attraction: You can see these enormous animals in their protected habitat and learn about them from a guide.
• The mangrove walk adds real substance: The boardwalk and nature trail show you a side of Curieuse that a quick beach stop would miss.
• The BBQ is a full Creole spread: Expect grilled fish, chicken, sausage, prawn kebabs, lentils, garlic bread, salads, fruit, soft drinks, water, and local Seybrew beer.
• St. Pierre offers the best underwater action: Snorkeling can bring colorful fish, coral, and sometimes sea turtles, although conditions are not guaranteed.
• The speedboat makes the day efficient: You spend less time getting between islands, but the ride can feel lively when the sea is rough.
• Pickup is limited to selected Praslin areas: Transport is offered around Baie-Ste-Anne, Amitie, St. Joseph, Grand-Anse town, and Anse Volbert.

Leaving Praslin by speedboat

Pickup begins around 8:45 a.m. from selected hotels and meeting points. The main options are Berjaya Praslin Resort, Baie-Ste-Anne, and Kannus Supermarket in Baie-Ste-Anne, with hotel pickup available in certain areas.

The boat leaves at about 9:15 a.m. After a safety briefing, you head across the lagoon toward Curieuse. The speedboat is practical rather than leisurely. I like it because you reach the islands quickly and have more time ashore, but you should expect wind, spray, and movement. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where you feel most stable and keep your sunglasses and hat secure.

The schedule is described as six hours, but the detailed timing runs from about 8:45 a.m. pickup to 3:30 p.m. arrival back on Praslin. Another description gives the activity as seven hours. In practical terms, plan for a six-to-seven-hour outing, allowing extra time for hotel transfers.

The group size can be small. Some departures have had only five or six people, while others have included around 10 to 12. A smaller group makes the beach lunch and guided walk easier to manage, though the exact number depends on the day.

Curieuse: tortoises, mangroves, and a proper walk

You arrive at Baie Laraie on Curieuse at around 9:30 a.m. This is where the day becomes more than a standard beach boat trip.

Curieuse is known for its giant Aldabra tortoises, and you get time at the sanctuary to see them at close range. These animals are slow, huge, and surprisingly engaging. The guide explains their place on the island and helps you notice details you might otherwise miss, such as their size, habits, and calm, deliberate movements.

Guides Reynold and Mario receive especially strong praise for looking after the group and answering questions. Reynold is also noted for contacting people before the trip to settle pickup details. That kind of communication matters on Praslin, where a clear meeting point can save you a frustrating start to the morning.

The guided portion continues through Curieuse’s mangrove area. A boardwalk lets you pass through the swamp without trampling the wet ground, and the guide explains the plants, animals, and conservation work. This is one of the most interesting parts of the day because it gives you a better sense of Curieuse as a living ecosystem, not simply a place to photograph tortoises.

The trail leads toward Anse José Beach. Expect rocky steps and uneven ground, especially on the route between the old Doctor’s House area and the beach. I would not wear flip-flops here. Comfortable shoes with a secure sole will make the walk far easier, and they will also help when getting in and out of the boat.

The walk is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with significant mobility limitations. The advertised route can take around two kilometers up and down, depending on exactly where the group walks. You receive a 750-milliliter bottle of water for the trail, but it is still wise to bring sunscreen and use the water sensibly.

There is a good balance of guided information and free time, though the balance may not suit everyone. Some people will appreciate having 45 minutes or so with the tortoises and an hour on the trail. If you mainly want snorkeling, that time can feel long, especially when the beach stop becomes extended.

The beachside Creole BBQ

Lunch is served around noon, usually after the main walk. This timing works well because the trail and boat ride build up an appetite.

The meal is one of the strongest parts of the experience. The spread includes a mix of grilled chicken, fish, sausage, and prawn kebabs, along with lentils, garlic bread, salads, tropical fruit, and other local Creole dishes. Vegetarian options are available, though you may want to mention dietary needs when booking.

Drinks are included: water, soft drinks, and local Seybrew beer. The food is described as plentiful, and the combination of grilled seafood, meat, lentils, and fruit gives you a proper meal rather than a token picnic.

I value this part of the trip because it connects the outing to Seychelles food culture. You are not simply handed a sandwich between activities. You eat outdoors, near the beach, with the sea as part of the setting. The meal is also a useful practical feature for the price, since buying lunch and drinks separately on an island could add up quickly.

Bring a small snack if you tend to eat early. Lunch is scheduled for noon, and one person found the wait long enough to recommend carrying something small. Keep your bag light, too. You will carry it during the Curieuse walk, and a bulky beach bag becomes annoying on rocky paths and a small boat.

Anse José gives you time to slow down

After lunch, you get free time at Anse José. This is the least structured part of the day, which is welcome after the guided walk.

You can swim, sit on the sand, take photographs, or use the time for a short snorkeling session if conditions allow. One useful tip from an experienced participant is that there can be a good snorkeling area roughly 60 meters from shore near the lunch beach. The official outing includes two snorkeling spots, but conditions and the guide’s plan determine exactly where you get in the water.

The beach stop may be the highlight if you want a quiet tropical break. It may also feel too long if you prefer active sightseeing. The day works best when you are happy with a mix of wildlife, walking, eating, and unhurried beach time.

St. Pierre snorkeling and changing sea conditions

The boat usually leaves for St. Pierre around 2 p.m., reaching the snorkeling area at about 2:30 p.m. St. Pierre is a small, photogenic island surrounded by clear water and rocky outcrops. The underwater scenery is the reason to come here.

Snorkeling can bring schools of tropical fish, coral, and sea turtles. Several outings have included turtle sightings, and one group even saw a whale shark while returning from the snorkeling area. Those encounters are lucky rather than promised, but they show what can pass through these waters.

A crew member may enter the water with the group and lead you toward fish and reef areas. That is useful if you want help spotting marine life or prefer not to swim alone. Snorkeling equipment is provided, but bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them. A personal mouthpiece is more comfortable and hygienic than shared equipment.

The important warning concerns the Southeast Monsoon, which normally runs from May through October. Sea conditions around St. Pierre can be rough during this period. If that happens, the crew may move the snorkeling stop to the calmer bay at Anse Petit Cours. This protects the quality and safety of the outing, but the alternate site may not feel as dramatic as St. Pierre.

Snorkeling can also be canceled or changed if currents are too strong. That happened on at least one departure, and the crew substituted an extra boat ride around the island. I appreciate that the crew does not force a water stop simply to follow the printed schedule. Still, book this trip for the full mix of activities, not solely for a guaranteed reef session.

The boat returns toward Praslin around 3 p.m., with arrival near 3:30 p.m. Hotel drop-off or return to the selected meeting points follows.

What the $85 price really covers

At $85 per person, this is a strong-value day if you want several separate costs bundled together. You receive selected-area pickup and drop-off, boat transport, a guided Curieuse visit, the tortoise sanctuary, the mangrove walk, a substantial BBQ, drinks, and two snorkeling stops.

The landing fee is extra. You must pay €20 per person when you arrive on Curieuse, by card only. The supplied information gives the equivalent as about 300 Seychelles rupees, but exchange rates can change, so carry a card rather than relying on cash.

The value improves for anyone staying outside easy walking distance of the marina. Hotel transport saves you from arranging a taxi early in the morning, though pickup is not available everywhere on Praslin. Confirm that your accommodation falls within Baie-Ste-Anne, Amitie, St. Joseph, Grand-Anse town, or Anse Volbert service areas.

The high overall rating of 4.7 from 487 bookings fits the trip’s strongest qualities: organized transport, helpful crews, good food, and a varied day. The weaker points are not hidden costs or poor service. They are mainly the unavoidable limits of island weather, the extra landing fee, and the possibility that the Curieuse walking time feels long if snorkeling is your main goal.

Small details that make the day easier

You should bring:

• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Your own snorkeling gear if preferred
• A payment card for the Curieuse landing fee
• A small snack if you do not like waiting for lunch

Pack lightly. The trail is easier with a small day bag, and space on a speedboat is limited. Keep anything valuable in a waterproof pouch, especially if you plan to move between the boat, beach, and water.

English and French are the operating languages. The quality of the guiding appears strongest when the named guides are leading the group. Reynold is frequently praised for being attentive and safety-minded, while Mario is noted for clear explanations and a warm manner.

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 Praslin plans depend on weather.

Who should book this Curieuse and St. Pierre trip?

I would choose this outing if you want a full island day without arranging separate boat transport, food, and guides. Families with older children, couples, first-time visitors to Praslin, and anyone interested in wildlife will get a satisfying mix of activities.

It is especially good for you if giant tortoises are high on your list. Curieuse gives you time to see them properly rather than treating them as a quick photo stop. The mangrove walk also adds a nature lesson that makes the island feel more distinctive.

You should think twice if you have mobility problems, use a wheelchair, dislike speedboats, or want a dedicated snorkeling day. The Curieuse trail is uneven, the ride can be bumpy, and the water stop may change with the weather.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want the best all-round Curieuse day from Praslin. The tortoises, guided mangrove walk, generous BBQ, drinks, and St. Pierre snorkeling make $85 a sensible price, even after adding the €20 landing fee.

Book it with realistic expectations. You are buying a flexible island outing, not a guaranteed sea-turtle encounter or a full day on a reef. Confirm your pickup area, bring a card for the landing fee, wear real walking shoes, and accept that the crew may replace St. Pierre with Anse Petit Cours when the sea is rough. For most people, that mix of wildlife, beach time, food, and water makes this one of the more useful day trips based on Praslin.

FAQ

Where does the Curieuse and St. Pierre trip depart from?

The main meeting points are Berjaya Praslin Resort, Baie-Ste-Anne, and Kannus Supermarket in Baie-Ste-Anne. Pickup is also available in selected areas of Praslin.

How long does the activity last?

The activity is advertised as six hours, while the detailed schedule runs from about 8:45 a.m. pickup to 3:30 p.m. arrival back on Praslin. Allow roughly six to seven hours, including transfers.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included for certain areas of Baie-Ste-Anne, Amitie, St. Joseph, Grand-Anse town, and Anse Volbert.

What is the Curieuse landing fee?

The landing fee is €20 per person. It must be paid by card only upon arrival on Curieuse.

What food is served at lunch?

The Creole BBQ includes grilled chicken, fish, sausage, prawn kebabs, lentils, garlic bread, salads, tropical fruit, and other local dishes. Vegetarian options are available.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Water, soft drinks, and local Seybrew beer are included. Each person also receives a 750-milliliter bottle of water for the trail.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the trip includes two snorkeling spots. You can bring your own equipment if you prefer not to use shared mouthpieces.

What happens if the sea is rough at St. Pierre?

The snorkeling location may change to Anse Petit Cours, where the water is calmer. The change is particularly possible during the Southeast Monsoon from May through October.