Private Seychelles Islands Tour by Boat with snacks & drinks

Two islands, one easy morning. This private boat trip from Praslin is appealing because Jacques can adjust the route to suit your group, and because you can see Curieuse and St. Pierre without spending days planning boat schedules. I also like the included snacks, drinks, and snorkeling gear, which keep the outing simple.

The main consideration is time. Four hours gives you a good taste of the islands, but not a full day for long walks, beach time, and snorkeling at every stop. Curieuse can also involve a rough walk, so bring sensible shoes if you want to explore beyond the shore.

Key points at a glance

• Captain Jacques and his son Mathys have earned praise for friendly, careful service and personal attention.
• Curieuse Island offers beaches, island scenery, and the chance to see wild tortoises.
• St. Pierre is the key snorkeling stop, with clear water and a memorable rocky islet setting.
• The private boat keeps the plan flexible, so you can spend more time at places your group enjoys.
• Snacks, soft drinks, and alcohol are included, along with snorkeling equipment rental.
• The four-hour morning trip starts at 9:30 a.m. from Anse La Blague and returns to the same meeting point.

Why this private Praslin boat trip works so well

Seychelles is not short of beautiful islands. The problem is choosing among them, then matching boat times, weather, and your own energy. This trip takes care of the basic plan while leaving room for small changes along the way.

You travel with only your own group. That matters here. A private boat is not just a nicer way to move between islands. It gives you more say over the pace. If your group wants extra time for snorkeling, a quieter beach, or a particular photo stop, Jacques can adjust the outing when conditions allow.

The reported score is 5 out of 5 from 93 ratings, with 100 percent recommending the experience. The praise is especially consistent in three areas: Jacques’s friendly service, the clean boat, and his willingness to change plans. Those are useful things to value on a short island trip, where a rushed or rigid captain can spoil an otherwise beautiful morning.

The trip costs $261.71 per person. That is not a budget boat ride, but this is a private experience rather than a standard shared excursion. The price includes tax, snacks, drinks, and snorkeling gear rental. For a couple or family that wants privacy and personal service, the cost can make sense. If your only goal is to get from Praslin to one beach, a shared boat may be better value.

Meeting Jacques at Anse La Blague

The stated meeting point is MQCF+XCJ at Anse La Blague on Praslin. The tour begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends back at the same meeting point after roughly four hours. Pickup is offered, and one family reported being collected and returned on the beach beside its hotel, but you should confirm the exact pickup arrangement when booking.

A morning start is practical. You have enough daylight for the island stops, and the timing leaves part of the afternoon free. It also gives you a clear plan for a day when you may otherwise be tempted to stay at the hotel and admire the sea from a distance.

The meeting point is near public transportation, and confirmation is supplied when you book. Since this is a boat trip, weather matters more than it does for a town walking tour. The experience requires good conditions, and a cancellation caused by poor weather comes with a choice of another date or a full refund.

Curieuse Island: tortoises, beaches, and a rougher walk

Curieuse is the more land-based part of the outing. You can explore the island, enjoy its beaches, and look for wild tortoises. That combination gives the trip more variety than a simple boat ride with one quick swim.

The tortoises are a major reason to include Curieuse. They add a memorable wildlife encounter to the day, especially if you have already spent time admiring Seychelles beaches and want something different. You may also get a chance to walk around rather than staying on the boat from start to finish.

Be realistic about the walk. One particularly useful tip is to wear good shoes if you take the tortoise-island path. The route may not suit older people without much walking fitness, and flip-flops could make it less comfortable. The available information does not set out a formal difficulty rating, so ask Jacques about the route before you set off if mobility is a concern.

Curieuse is also where the private format earns its keep. You can decide how much time to spend on land, within the limits of the four-hour schedule. A group keen on wildlife may want more time with the tortoises. Another group may prefer a shorter walk and more time in the water.

Do not expect an entire day on Curieuse. The tour includes two islands and lasts about four hours. You will get an introduction rather than a full island visit. That is a strength for people who want variety, but a drawback if Curieuse is your main reason for visiting.

St. Pierre: the morning’s best water stop

St. Pierre is the small island stop that brings the underwater part of the tour into focus. The islet is known here for its attractive beaches and snorkeling opportunities, and Jacques is praised for choosing good places to enter the water.

Snorkeling gear rental is included, so you do not need to arrange equipment separately. That is useful for casual snorkelers who want to try the activity without buying or packing their own mask and fins. You should still ask about fit before leaving the boat. Comfortable equipment can make the difference between enjoying the water and spending the whole stop adjusting a mask.

The trip’s snorkeling appeal is strongest for people who want an easy introduction rather than a long, specialist session. The water conditions can change, and the captain’s local judgment helps determine where and how long you snorkel. The tour is not presented as a dedicated marine-life expedition, so keep your expectations sensible. You are getting a scenic island outing with snorkeling included.

St. Pierre also gives you a fine contrast with Curieuse. Curieuse invites you onto land for tortoises and a walk. St. Pierre lets you focus on the sea, rocky island views, and time in the water. Together, they make the morning feel fuller than a single-island visit.

A private route that can change with your wishes

The route is planned around Curieuse and St. Pierre, but the boat can pause at attractive spots along the way. This is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private charter. You are not locked into a fixed group timetable at every moment.

Jacques has been praised for responding to requests and changing plans when possible. That might mean spending longer at a snorkeling area, adding a pleasant viewpoint, or shortening a stop that does not suit your group. Flexibility does not mean you can fit an unlimited number of islands into four hours. Distances, sea conditions, and the morning schedule still set limits.

I would discuss priorities at the start. Tell Jacques if your group cares most about tortoises, swimming, snorkeling, beaches, or simply a relaxed boat ride. If you are traveling with children, an older relative, or someone who is pregnant, say so early. A family reported that Jacques and Mathys took especially good care of a woman who was six months pregnant, which suggests that clear communication can help the crew tailor the pace.

The boat itself has received praise for being very clean. That may sound like a small point, but it matters on a warm four-hour outing. A tidy boat, an attentive captain, and enough space for your own group make the ride feel more comfortable.

Snacks and drinks without extra planning

The price includes snacks, soft drinks, and alcohol. That means you do not need to carry a full picnic or stop to buy refreshments before boarding. For a short excursion, this is a useful convenience rather than a major meal service.

One account describes a nice lunch, while the stated inclusions specifically mention snacks and drinks. I would plan on refreshments rather than a guaranteed full lunch. If you need a substantial meal, eat beforehand or confirm exactly what food will be served for your departure.

The drinks can make the boat portion more pleasant, especially after snorkeling or walking in the sun. Alcohol is included, but moderation is sensible when you are moving between bright sun, warm weather, and seawater. Water and soft drinks are the safer foundation for the morning.

Food service also adds value to the private format. You are not paying only for transport between two islands. You are paying for a boat, a captain, a flexible plan, equipment, and basic refreshments, all arranged for your group.

What the four-hour schedule really allows

Four hours is enough for a well-paced introduction to Curieuse and St. Pierre. It is not enough for an unhurried tour of every beach, a long island hike, extended snorkeling, and a leisurely meal.

A likely rhythm is a boat ride from Anse La Blague, time at Curieuse, a transfer to St. Pierre, snorkeling or swimming, refreshments, and a return to Praslin. The exact order and length of each stop can change with weather and your group’s preferences.

This schedule suits you if you want a half-day experience and still plan to visit another part of Praslin later. It also works well near the start of a Seychelles holiday, when you want to learn which islands and beaches deserve more time.

The schedule may frustrate you if you dislike moving on just as you get comfortable. If your dream is to spend most of the day on Curieuse, book a longer arrangement instead. Here, the reward is variety and convenience.

Who will get the most from the $261.71 price

I see the price as reasonable for the right group, especially if you value privacy. A private outing can be a good choice for couples, families, and small groups that want to set the tone themselves rather than follow a large party.

The value improves when you use the included features. Bring your swimming clothes, use the snorkeling gear, accept the refreshments, and take advantage of the captain’s local suggestions. If you only sit on the boat and skip both islands, the price will feel harder to justify.

The price also covers tax, which removes one small uncertainty. Still, check what your own group needs before booking. The experience includes snacks and drinks, but a full lunch is not clearly guaranteed. It also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation is possible if that number is not reached.

For a group of several people, the private setting may be more appealing than a cheaper shared boat. For a solo visitor or a pair on a strict budget, compare the total cost with shared island trips before deciding.

Practical advice before you go

Wear secure walking shoes if you plan to take the path on Curieuse. The tortoise area is rewarding, but the walk may be uncomfortable for anyone with limited fitness or mobility.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a towel if you plan to snorkel. Snorkeling gear rental is included, but personal comfort items are still your responsibility unless the operator says otherwise.

Tell Jacques what you want from the morning. His flexibility is one of the tour’s best features, but he can only use it if he knows your priorities. Mention pregnancy, mobility limits, or anyone who may prefer less time in the water.

Keep your schedule after the tour reasonably open. The outing is advertised at about four hours, but boats and weather do not always run with the precision of a bus timetable. The published end point is the original meeting point at Anse La Blague.

Cancellation is free until 24 hours before the 9:30 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Since weather can cancel the trip, it is wise not to make this your only fixed plan for the entire day.

Should you book this Praslin island tour?

Book it if you want a private, flexible half-day with two island stops, tortoises, snorkeling, and refreshments already arranged. Jacques and Mathys appear to bring the personal care that makes a private boat worthwhile, and the clean vessel is another welcome detail.

Skip it if you want a long Curieuse hike, a full meal, or hours of snorkeling at one site. The four-hour format is built for variety, not for staying in one place all day.

For most couples and families staying on Praslin, I think this is a strong choice when the price fits the budget. Wear good shoes, explain your priorities at the start, and treat the included food as snacks unless you confirm a larger meal. That approach matches what the trip does best: giving you an easy, personal look at two memorable Seychelles islands.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at MQCF+XCJ in Anse La Blague, Praslin, Seychelles, at 9:30 a.m.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point in Anse La Blague.

How long does the boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

Which islands are included?

The tour includes Curieuse Island and St. Pierre, with possible flexibility to stop at attractive places along the route.

Are food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The price includes snacks, soft drinks, alcohol, and snorkeling gear rental. A full lunch is not clearly guaranteed.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.