From Praslin: Cousin, Curieuse & St Pierre Islands Day Tour

Wildlife, tortoises, and bright water fill this day. From Praslin, this eight-hour boat trip links three very different islands: bird-filled Cousin, giant-tortoise country on Curieuse, and snorkeling around tiny St Pierre. I like the mix of nature reserve, beach lunch, and time in the sea. I also like the small advertised group size of 10 people, which can make a boat day feel more personal.

The main caution is that the day depends heavily on weather, boat coordination, and how the island teams manage arrivals. Extra entrance fees total SCR 900 in many cases, with Cousin requiring cash and Curieuse taking cards, so the advertised price is not the full cost.

Key points at a glance

• Cousin starts with a wet boat transfer: You leave the cruiser offshore and use a reserve boat to reach the island, so waterproof bags are essential.
• The Cousin walk is the wildlife highlight: Expect mangroves, wetlands, endemic trees, and protected nesting birds under a warden’s direction.
• Curieuse offers free-ranging giant tortoises: Some gather near the coastal natural pond, while others move around the island.
• Lunch is a beach BBQ: Water or a soft drink is included, but meal arrangements may be basic rather than restaurant-style.
• St Pierre is the snorkeling stop: Equipment and life vests are supplied, though the exact vest type may vary.
• The real price is higher than $153: Add SCR 600 for Cousin, payable in cash, plus SCR 300 for Curieuse for anyone over 12, payable by card.

What this Praslin island tour is really like

This is not a lazy boat cruise with three quick photo stops. It is a nature-focused day with a fairly active rhythm: hotel pickup, a short crossing to Cousin, a guided island walk, a longer ride to Curieuse, lunch and time among tortoises, then snorkeling at St Pierre before returning to Praslin.

That variety is the reason I find the tour appealing. You get birds and wetlands on one island, giant tortoises on another, and marine life at the last stop. No single part needs to carry the whole day.

The trade-off is limited control over the schedule. Boat departures, shore transfers, lunch timing, and sea conditions can affect how much time you get at each place. Pickup times may also change, so you should check the provider’s email and wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled collection.

The operator is Vision Voyages DMC. English is the stated tour language, and the group is advertised as small, limited to 10 participants. One particularly praised guide is David, who was described as relaxed, attentive, and able to speak several languages. That sort of guide can make a real difference on an outing where clear instructions matter.

The short crossing from Baie Ste Anne

Your morning begins with a transfer to Baie Ste Anne jetty on Praslin. From there, the boat makes the roughly 2-kilometre crossing to Cousin Island.

The cruiser does not simply pull onto the beach. It moors offshore, and a Cousin Reserve boat brings you to land. This system helps prevent pests from reaching the protected island, an important rule in a place built around conservation.

It also means you should expect a wet landing. Keep phones, wallets, cameras, medication, and spare clothing inside waterproof bags. Do not bring large luggage or bulky bags, which are not allowed.

Put on your life jacket and stay seated until the boat reaches the beach. That may sound fussy, but the shore transfer is one of the moments when following instructions matters most. A waterproof phone pouch is more useful here than another beach accessory.

Operational timing deserves attention. One reported day involved a wait of more than 45 minutes before the boat left, while another pickup ran about an hour late. These delays are not guaranteed, but they show why you should avoid scheduling an important flight, dinner reservation, or separate afternoon activity immediately afterward.

Cousin Island and its protected wildlife

Cousin is the most educational stop. A reserve warden leads the island walk, taking you through several habitats rather than simply pointing out a few birds at the shoreline.

The route begins near the coast, where mangroves help protect the island. You then reach wetlands that can attract dragonflies, moorhens, caecilans, and Seychelles terrapins. The habitat changes again as the path reaches the hill plateau and its recovering forest.

That forest includes endemic trees such as mapou, Indian mulberry, and bwa sousouri. The upper areas provide nesting sites for shearwaters and bridled terns. You may also encounter endemic Seychelles birds including the magpie robin, sunbird, fody, blue pigeon, and warbler.

The island’s value is not just the number of species. It is the way the habitats fit together in a compact reserve. You see how a mangrove edge, wetland, forest, and nesting area support different forms of life.

The walk can be a strong match for you if you enjoy nature interpretation and are comfortable walking on an island reserve. It is less suitable if you have mobility limitations. The tour is specifically not recommended for people with mobility impairments, and the boat landing adds another physical challenge.

Group management is important here. The advertised group size is only 10, but the reserve walk can sometimes feel much larger if several boat groups are combined. A large group may make it harder to hear the warden and can create more noise around nesting birds. Stay close enough to hear instructions, keep your voice down, and do not move toward wildlife for a closer photograph.

Cousin also has giant tortoises. Some are now part of the island’s conservation story, which can blur the expectations for Curieuse later in the day. If you book this trip mainly for tortoises, remember that you may see them on Cousin as well as Curieuse, but the two stops are presented differently.

Curieuse: tortoises beside the coastal pond

After Cousin, the boat ride to Curieuse takes about 30 minutes. This is the day’s larger, more open island stop, and its main draw is the free-ranging population of giant tortoises.

Some tortoises can be found near the natural pond along the coast. Others range across the island, and their calls may help you locate them. The appeal is the chance to see these huge animals in an outdoor setting rather than behind a tight enclosure.

You should keep your expectations sensible. The tour provides time to walk among the tortoises, but the amount of explanation can vary. If you want detailed information about diet, habitat, breeding, or conservation, ask your guide directly when the group arrives.

One useful point about the schedule is that you may be left to walk across Curieuse to the waiting boat after lunch. This was not always made clear to people on the day, so listen carefully for departure instructions and ask the captain or guide where you need to meet. Do not assume the boat will collect you at the same beach where you ate.

The beach BBQ lunch

Lunch is served on the beach at Curieuse, with water or a soft drink included. It is a practical meal designed to keep the day moving, not a long sit-down dining experience.

The phrase BBQ can also set your expectations too high. Portions may feel measured, and the meal may be closer to a simple serving than a full grill spread. If you have a large appetite, bring a small permitted snack, though avoid large bags and follow the operator’s packing rules.

Vegetarian arrangements deserve special attention. A vegetarian request was not always met with a separate dish, and simply removing meat or fish from the standard plate is not the same as providing a proper vegetarian meal. If you do not eat meat or fish, confirm the exact meal before departure and bring a suitable backup snack if needed.

Lunch timing can shift as the morning runs late. On one reported day, the meal was served after 1 p.m. despite an earlier planned time. Families with young children should think about this, especially after a warm island walk. A light breakfast is wise.

The beach setting is still a plus. You eat outdoors near the coast, with the island’s tortoises providing the main scenery. Just remember that natural surroundings bring sun, wind, sand, and less formal facilities than a hotel restaurant.

Snorkeling around tiny St Pierre

The final planned stop is St Pierre, a small island surrounded by water suited to snorkeling. Equipment is included, as are life vests.

The crew is meant to help people who are new to snorkeling, and lightweight snorkeling vests are advertised for less confident swimmers. This makes the activity more approachable if you are curious about seeing marine life but do not consider yourself a strong swimmer.

In practice, equipment availability can vary. Some participants received oversized life jackets instead of the lighter snorkeling vests, which can make swimming and looking underwater awkward. If you need flotation support, tell the crew before entering the water and check that the vest fits properly.

Sea conditions can also cancel or shorten this part. Strong wind, rough water, or stinging plankton may make snorkeling unpleasant or unsafe. On one occasion, the planned St Pierre stop was replaced with snorkeling at another reserve area and a brief boat pass near St Pierre. The operator states clearly that the tour is subject to weather.

That is not necessarily poor planning. A captain should change the program when water conditions are unsafe. Still, St Pierre is one of the main reasons to book this particular combination, so you should accept that the advertised sequence is not guaranteed.

Bring swimwear, a towel, flip-flops, and beachwear. A waterproof bag is especially useful for the boat transfers. The tour supplies snorkeling equipment and life vests, but you may prefer to bring your own mask if you care about fit.

Price, entrance fees, and overall value

The listed price is $153 per person. That includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the BBQ lunch, water or a soft drink, snorkeling equipment, and life vests.

It does not include the island admission charges:

• Cousin: SCR 600 per person, for all ages, cash only
• Curieuse: SCR 300 per person for anyone over 12, credit or debit card only

For two adults, that adds SCR 1,800 in total. Carry enough Seychelles rupees for Cousin, then keep a working card available for Curieuse. This split payment system is easy to miss and can sour an otherwise good morning if you arrive without the right method.

At the full cost, I see fair value if you want all three experiences in one day and are staying on Praslin. Transport between islands, a guided reserve visit, lunch, and snorkeling gear are bundled together. You also avoid arranging several separate boat transfers.

The value is weaker if you want a relaxed, highly polished day with exact departure times and a generous restaurant meal. Delays, shared boats, changed snorkeling plans, and basic lunch service can make the price feel high. A rating of 4.1 from 152 reviews reflects that split: many people find the islands beautiful and the crew helpful, while others feel the organization does not match the cost.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve without paying immediately make the booking less risky. Still, flexible booking does not remove the weather risk or guarantee that all three stops will operate exactly as planned.

Who should book this day trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a packed introduction to Praslin’s nearby islands. It suits people who enjoy wildlife, can manage a boat landing and island walk, and like having transport, lunch, and equipment arranged in one package.

It is especially good for:

• First-time visitors who want three different island experiences
• People interested in birds and protected habitats
• Families with older children who can handle a late lunch and active day
• Confident swimmers and beginners who want crew support
• Visitors who prefer a small advertised group rather than a large cruise

I would be more cautious if you have limited mobility, strict meal requirements, a strong need for punctuality, or little tolerance for weather-related changes. It is also not ideal if snorkeling at St Pierre is your only reason for booking, since that stop can be altered or canceled.

Seven practical questions before you go

FAQ

How long is the Cousin, Curieuse and St Pierre tour?

The tour lasts about 8 hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off.

What is included in the tour price?

Hotel transportation, a beach BBQ lunch with water or a soft drink, snorkeling equipment, and life vests are included.

How much are the island entrance fees?

Cousin costs SCR 600 per person for all ages and accepts cash only. Curieuse costs SCR 300 for people over 12 and accepts credit or debit cards only.

Where does snorkeling take place?

The planned snorkeling stop is at St Pierre Island.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, flip-flops, beachwear, cash, a credit card, and a waterproof bag. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not considered suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Can the itinerary change because of weather?

Yes. The tour is subject to weather conditions, and the snorkeling stop or island schedule may change. Pickup times can also change, so check the provider’s email for the confirmed time.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your ideal Seychelles day includes birds on Cousin, giant tortoises on Curieuse, and a chance to snorkel near St Pierre, all from a Praslin base. The island variety is the strongest reason to go, and guides such as David can add warmth and useful support.

Before booking, budget for the extra entrance fees, carry both cash and a card, pack waterproof protection, and accept that the day may run late or change with the sea. If you can handle those conditions, this is a memorable and efficient way to see three distinctive islands. If you need precise timing, a substantial vegetarian lunch, or guaranteed snorkeling at St Pierre, choose with more care.