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

Tortoises, reefs, and lunch by the sea. This 390-minute trip from Praslin packs a lot into one day: a glass-bottom boat ride, two snorkeling stops, a guided walk across Curieuse, and a Creole-style BBQ lunch beside giant land tortoises. I like the easy mix of sea time and island time, and I like that the crew leaves room for long swims rather than rushing you from stop to stop. The main catch is the extra marine park fee, which is not included in the $105 price.

You meet at the Beach Front Garden beside the Pirogue Restaurant parking area at 9:30 a.m. Transportation to the meeting point is also your responsibility. The tour suits active visitors who can handle a boat trip, a 1.7-kilometer trail, beach stops, and snorkeling, but the restrictions are serious for anyone with mobility, heart, back, fitness, or seasickness concerns.

Key points at a glance

• Two separate snorkeling stops: The first is at St Pierre or another suitable location if weather changes, with another snorkeling or beach stop later at Curieuse.
• A 1.7-kilometer guided island walk: You cross Curieuse through mangrove forest, adding nature and exercise to the boat day.
• Giant tortoises in their natural setting: Lunch is served near the tortoises, giving you time to watch them at close range.
• Drinks are included throughout: You receive water, lemonade, one beer for adults aged 18 and over, and a rum cocktail.
• A glass-bottom boat adds value: You can look below the boat even when you are not in the water.
• Budget for SR300 extra: The marine park entrance fee applies to everyone aged 12 and above and is paid to the supplier by card, online, or cash.

A full half-day that feels like a proper island outing

The tour lasts 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours. That is long enough to make the boat ride worthwhile without turning the day into an exhausting expedition. You leave Praslin by glass-bottom boat, which gives you something to see during the crossings as well as at the planned stops.

The boat is part of the pleasure here. Curieuse and St Pierre are best appreciated from the water, where the views open up and the islands feel separate from Praslin’s everyday rhythm. I like that the format is not only transport from point A to point B. You get a cruise, snorkeling, beaches, a guided nature walk, and lunch in one outing.

The exact order can change with the weather. The first snorkeling stop is planned for St Pierre or another location, depending on sea conditions. That flexibility is sensible in the Seychelles, where wind and water conditions can affect both comfort and visibility, but it also means you should not treat the named snorkeling site as guaranteed.

St Pierre and the first look below the boat

The first water stop gives you a chance to use the included mask and fins. You can expect time for swimming and snorkeling rather than a quick jump in and out. One of the strongest points from the available feedback is the relaxed pace: the crew was praised for patience and for allowing plenty of time to snorkel, swim, and ask questions.

That matters if you are not a confident swimmer. You will still need to be comfortable in the water, but a calm crew and unhurried stop can make the activity feel less pressured. The boat crew also provides drinks throughout the day, so you do not need to wait until lunch for water or refreshment.

The glass-bottom feature is useful for anyone who prefers to stay partly dry, and it gives the whole group another way to see the marine life. Still, this is not presented as a specialist marine biology trip. The appeal is the combination of scenery, simple snorkeling, and time on the islands.

Bring your own sunscreen and swimwear. The supplied information does not promise wetsuits, towels, or underwater photography, so pack only what you know you need and protect anything sensitive from spray.

Arriving at Curieuse and crossing the mangroves

Curieuse provides the land-based heart of the day. After landing, you get a beach stop before setting out along the 1.7-kilometer trail. The walk crosses mangrove forest, so this is more than a short stroll from the beach to lunch.

The guide speaks English and French and leads the nature walk. That makes the trail more useful than simply following a path on your own, since you can ask questions about the island’s plants, animals, and natural setting. The available feedback especially praises the chance to ask many questions about Curieuse and the flora and fauna of the Seychelles.

You should think of the trail as gentle adventure rather than a demanding hike, but it still requires walking ability and a reasonable fitness level. The route is 1.7 kilometers, and you will be outdoors in a warm climate. Comfortable footwear is a good idea even though the official packing advice only lists sunscreen and swimwear.

The mangrove section also changes the pace of the day. After the open water and bright beaches, the trail offers shade, roots, wet ground, and a closer look at the island’s plant life. Do not expect a long wilderness trek, but do expect a proper walk that adds variety.

Lunch beside Curieuse’s giant tortoises

The BBQ lunch is served on Curieuse, with seating near the giant land tortoises. This is one of the tour’s most memorable details. You are not simply stopping at an animal enclosure for a quick photograph. You have time to relax and watch the tortoises in their natural habitat while eating.

The meal is described as simple but very tasty. That is the right expectation. This is an island BBQ served as part of an outdoor day, not a restaurant lunch with a broad menu. I see that as a good fit for the setting: the meal is meant to keep you going and give you a pleasant pause, not interrupt the day with formality.

The tortoises are a major reason to choose Curieuse over a standard beach cruise. Their size and slow pace make them easy to watch, and the lunch setting gives you more time with them than a rushed shore visit would allow. Be respectful around the animals and follow the guide’s instructions. The supplied information promises close contact and observation, but it does not say that touching or feeding them is part of the program.

Drinks included with lunch and during the tour add real value. You receive water, lemonade, a rum cocktail, and one beer for adults aged 18 and over. If you do not drink alcohol, you still have nonalcoholic choices. It is wise to bring extra personal drinks only if you prefer something beyond what is listed.

The second snorkeling or beach stop

The afternoon schedule gives you another chance to enjoy the water. Depending on conditions and the day’s arrangement, this may be a second snorkeling session or more time on Curieuse’s beach.

That flexibility works well for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can look forward to another water session, while people who have had enough snorkeling can use the beach time to rest. The tour description does not guarantee a particular second reef or exact duration, so book it for the overall blend rather than for a precise snorkeling itinerary.

This is also where the tour’s pacing matters. A day that includes a boat cruise, a nature walk, lunch, tortoises, and two water stops can feel full without being packed minute by minute. The crew has been praised for being friendly and patient, which is especially helpful when people in the group have different comfort levels in the water.

If seasickness is a concern, think carefully before booking. The activity is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, and the return boat ride can be just as important as the outward crossing. Take your usual precautions only if they are appropriate for you, and ask a medical professional for advice if needed.

What the $105 price really covers

At $105 per person, the tour offers a useful bundle. You receive the boat and crew, a local English- and French-speaking guide, masks and fins, drinks, two water opportunities, the Curieuse trail, and BBQ lunch.

The value is strongest if you plan to see both Curieuse and St Pierre anyway. Booking separate boat transport, snorkeling equipment, a guide, lunch, and drinks could cost more or require extra planning. Here, the day has a clear shape and one crew manages the moving parts.

The important extra cost is the marine park entrance fee: SR300, listed as about €20, for each person aged 12 and above. It is paid to the supplier by card, online, or cash. Add this to the advertised price before comparing it with other excursions.

Transportation to the boat location is not included either. You need to reach the Beach Front Garden in front of the Pirogue Restaurant parking area by 9:30 a.m. If you are staying elsewhere on Praslin, check your own route and leave enough time. The meeting point is specific, which helps, but the tour does not include a pickup service in the stated price.

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful when your plans depend on weather, ferry connections, or other island activities, though the marine park fee remains a separate payment.

Who should book this Praslin excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you want one organized day that combines wildlife, beaches, snorkeling, and a guided walk. It is particularly good for couples, active adults, and families with older children who can swim, walk the trail, and manage a boat trip.

It also suits you if authentic local service matters more than luxury. The strongest praise centers on the friendly crew, patient pace, generous time in the water, and willingness to answer questions. That points to a warm, hands-on outing rather than a polished resort product.

You should think twice if you want a private, quiet charter with a tightly controlled schedule. One available comment calls it a great private tour, but the supplied details do not promise that every departure is private or specify a group size. Ask the provider directly if exclusivity is important to you.

The activity is not suitable for children under four, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or those with back, heart, or recent surgery concerns. It is also listed as unsuitable for people over 65 or over 70, people with low fitness, seasickness, or insect allergies. The two age limits are presented separately in the supplied information, so older guests should confirm eligibility before paying.

Simple ways to prepare for the day

Arrive at the Beach Front Garden before 9:30 a.m. with sunscreen already applied. You will spend time on a boat, at beaches, in the water, and on an exposed island trail, so sun protection is not a minor detail.

Wear swimwear under light clothing and bring footwear that can handle a 1.7-kilometer trail. A small dry bag is sensible for phones and other valuables, though one is not included in the package.

Keep your expectations clear about lunch. The BBQ is simple and tasty, according to the available feedback, but this is not a gourmet meal. The reward is eating near giant tortoises on Curieuse, not choosing from a long menu.

Finally, carry or arrange payment for the SR300 marine park charge for every person aged 12 and above. The supplier accepts card, online payment, or cash, but having the fee sorted out early avoids an awkward pause when the boat day is ready to begin.

Should you book the Curieuse and St Pierre tour?

Book this tour if you want a well-filled island day with strong variety and a friendly crew. The combination of glass-bottom boating, two possible snorkeling sessions, a mangrove walk, BBQ lunch, and giant tortoises gives you more than a simple beach transfer, and the included equipment and drinks make the $105 price reasonable once you account for what is covered.

Skip it if you dislike boat travel, need wheelchair access, struggle with walking, or want a guaranteed exact snorkeling location and schedule. Also compare the full cost after adding the SR300 marine park fee and your transport to the meeting point.

For the right visitor, this is a practical way to see Curieuse and St Pierre without arranging each piece separately. The tortoises, patient water stops, and relaxed service are the reasons I would place it high on a Praslin day-trip shortlist.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

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

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 in the price.

Is the marine park entrance fee included?

No. The marine park fee is SR300, listed as about €20, for each person aged 12 and above.

How can I pay the marine park fee?

The fee can be paid by card, online, or cash to the supplier.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English and French.

Are snorkeling masks and fins provided?

Yes. Masks and fins are included.

What food and drinks are included?

The package includes a BBQ lunch, water, lemonade, one beer for adults aged 18 and above, and a rum cocktail.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.