Seychelles: St Pierre and Curieuse Catamaran Tour with Lunch

Two islands, one very full day. This catamaran trip links some of Praslin’s best water and wildlife stops in a well-packed seven to eight hours. I like the 45-minute St Pierre snorkeling stop, which gives you enough time to swim without turning the morning into a rushed photo stop. I also like the Curieuse walk, where giant land tortoises and mangrove scenery add substance beyond the usual beach outing.

The main consideration is group size. The catamaran can carry about 50 people, so this is not a quiet, private sailing trip. Still, the large boat gives you room to spread out, including space on the forward sun net, and the crew has earned praise for being friendly and helpful. Pickup arrangements can also take extra checking, especially from Baie Saint Anne.

Key points at a glance

• St Pierre gives you the strongest snorkeling stop, with about 45 minutes in the water when conditions allow.
• Curieuse combines wildlife and walking, including free-roaming giant tortoises, mountains, mangroves, and Anse Jose.
• The BBQ lunch is served aboard the Oplezir catamaran, with generous portions and vegetarian food available when requested.
• Anse Georgette adds a beautiful swimming and photo stop, though the timing depends on sea and weather conditions.
• The boat may carry around 50 people, but its size provides room to find a place on deck or the forward net.
• The $166 price includes key extras, such as snorkeling gear, water, Curieuse landing fees, and selected transfers.

What this full-day Seychelles outing is really like

This is a sea day with several distinct chapters: snorkeling around St Pierre, walking on Curieuse, lunch on the boat, swimming near Anse Georgette, and a scenic cruise along Praslin’s northeast coast. You are not paying for one long beach stop. You are paying for transport between several hard-to-link places, plus equipment, food, island fees, and transfers if you choose that option.

The tour can begin from Mahé, Praslin, or La Digue, depending on the booking option. For most people staying on Praslin, hotel pickup may be available if your accommodation sits along the main road. The exact transfer time depends on traffic, so I would confirm the pickup place and time 48 hours before departure using the provider’s contact number.

If you stay on La Digue, the routine is different. You meet at the Creole Travel Services office in La Passe, a short walk from the jetty. Ferry tickets are included when that option is selected, but you must arrange your own transport from your hotel to the La Digue ferry harbor. That detail matters because the tour does not collect you directly from every La Digue accommodation.

St Pierre: the morning’s best water stop

St Pierre is the first major stop, and it is the part I would most anticipate if snorkeling is your priority. The island is known for swimming and snorkeling, and the stop typically allows roughly 45 minutes in the water, enough to settle into the sea and look around rather than simply jump in and climb back out.

Snorkeling equipment and water are included, which saves you from packing or renting the basics separately. You should still bring your own sunscreen, hat, and camera, and wear clothing that remains comfortable around salt water. The activity requires getting into the sea and moving around a boat, so it is not suited to people with mobility impairments or pregnant women.

The quality of this stop depends on the day’s sea conditions. The operator may change the itinerary when the weather shifts, so St Pierre could feel like a calm swim or a shorter, more cautious stop. That flexibility is sensible in the Seychelles, but you should not treat every listed stop as guaranteed in exactly the same order or length.

The boat itself helps here. A catamaran gives you more deck room than a small motorboat, and one detailed account put the group at around 50 people. That is a sizeable crowd for a snorkeling stop, but the boat’s forward sun net offers a useful escape from the main seating area. If you want a good place to stretch out, move forward when it is safe and practical.

Curieuse Island: tortoises, mangroves, and a walk

After St Pierre, you land on Curieuse Island reserve. This is where the outing shifts from a water activity to a short nature walk. The guided tour lasts about one hour and runs through mountainous terrain and mangrove swamps before reaching Anse Jose.

The walk is described as manageable in about an hour, but it is still a walk on an island reserve rather than a flat promenade. Comfortable shoes are a smart choice. Bring insect repellent too, since mangrove areas can make it more useful than you might expect.

The main attraction is the giant land tortoises, which roam freely on Curieuse. Seeing them in an open setting is more rewarding than viewing animals behind a barrier, and it gives this trip a wildlife element that many standard boat excursions lack. Bring a camera, but keep your attention on where you are walking and on the animals themselves.

Curieuse also makes the day feel less like a sequence of swim stops. The mountains and mangrove swamps provide a change of pace, while the route toward Anse Jose gives you a reason to explore rather than simply step ashore for a few minutes. The island landing fee is included, so there is no separate payment at this stage.

If walking is difficult for you, this is the part to consider most carefully. The tour is not recommended for people with mobility impairments, and the island route may be less comfortable than the one-hour estimate suggests if you have trouble with uneven outdoor paths. The supplied information also lists babies under one year as unsuitable and says children under two are not allowed on these sea excursions.

Lunch aboard Oplezir, with a useful vegetarian option

The BBQ lunch is served on board the Oplezir, the tour’s catamaran. That arrangement keeps the day moving and avoids losing time looking for a place to eat on Curieuse. It also means you can eat with the sea around you, which is part of the appeal of a catamaran outing.

The meal has received especially strong praise for being tasty and generous. Vegetarian food is available by request, but I would make that request before departure rather than assume it can be arranged at the last minute. Water is included, while anything outside the listed inclusions may cost extra, so carrying some cash is wise.

A boat lunch has both strengths and limits. You get a memorable setting and no need to leave the vessel, but the dining area will reflect the group size. With as many as 50 people aboard, this is more social than intimate. If you want a private, slow lunch, this is not that sort of experience. If you want a convenient meal between island stops, it works well.

The catamaran’s size again cuts both ways. More people can mean more noise and less personal space, yet the large layout gives you a chance to find a quieter corner. The forward net appears to be the popular spot, especially for anyone who wants sun, breeze, and a clear view while the boat is underway.

Anse Georgette: a final swim and photo stop

The route then heads toward Anse Georgette beach. This stop is planned as a photo opportunity and a swim, so it is best viewed as a scenic finale rather than a long beach stay. If the water is inviting, it gives you another chance to cool off after the Curieuse walk and lunch.

Anse Georgette is also useful for anyone who prefers not to spend every water stop snorkeling. St Pierre is the main snorkeling focus, while Anse Georgette lets you enjoy the setting, take photographs, and swim. Bring your camera, but protect it properly around the boat and water.

Again, weather controls the experience. Sea excursions in the Seychelles can change course or timing, and this stop may be adjusted when conditions are poor. The operator’s ability to alter the schedule is a practical safety feature, though it means you should arrive with a flexible attitude.

The cruise along Praslin’s northeast coast

The final section is a scenic cruise along Praslin’s northeast coast before the return to your accommodation or departure point. This is a quieter way to end a busy day. You can use it to take photographs, watch the coast pass by, or simply sit down after the island walk and swimming.

The cruise also gives the day a sense of place. You are not just being shuttled from activity to activity. You get time to see Praslin from the water, which helps connect the individual stops into one outing. The views are weather-dependent, but the coastal route remains a pleasant final stretch when the sea is calm.

Hotel drop-off in Praslin is included only if you select that option, and pickup applies only to hotels accessible from the main road. Confirming the details ahead of time is worth the small effort. One booking experience became unnecessarily frustrating because the local office did not appear to have clear access to the selected pickup information, even though the booking app showed it correctly. Going directly to the local office helped resolve the issue.

How the $166 price measures up

At $166 per person, this is not a cheap beach transfer. The value comes from the number of services bundled into one day: catamaran transport, St Pierre snorkeling, Curieuse landing fees, a guided island walk, snorkeling equipment, water, BBQ lunch, and selected hotel or ferry transfers.

You would have to arrange several separate pieces to copy the day independently. Boat transport to two islands is the largest part of the value, but the included food and equipment also reduce the small extra costs that can build up on an island trip. For someone who wants a single organized day, the price is reasonable.

The value is weaker if you want only a quiet boat ride or a private snorkeling experience. A group of roughly 50 people is a real consideration, and the route covers a lot in one day. You get variety, but not much unstructured time at any one stop.

I would judge the price most favorably if you are staying on Praslin and want to combine the island’s major sea and wildlife highlights without arranging separate boats. For a couple or family that values convenience, lunch, and included equipment, it is easier to justify. For a solo visitor on a tight budget, compare the total cost with a smaller local boat outing before booking.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want a well-filled island day with swimming, snorkeling, wildlife, and a short walk. It suits active visitors who are comfortable boarding a boat, walking for about an hour, and changing between wet and dry activities.

It is also a good fit if you want to see Curieuse’s tortoises but do not want to arrange a separate visit. The combination of tortoises, mangroves, Anse Jose, and the BBQ lunch gives the day more variety than a simple snorkeling charter.

You may prefer another option if you need a calm, private atmosphere. The larger group and fixed itinerary leave less room to set your own pace. The same applies if you have mobility limits, are pregnant, or are bringing a baby under the stated age limits.

The crew is a major positive. The strongest praise centers on friendly, helpful service, a well-timed snorkeling stop, and a plentiful BBQ. That matters on a full-day boat trip because small problems, such as finding equipment or getting settled on board, can otherwise become irritating.

Practical details to handle before departure

Book using the exact names shown on your passports. That is especially important when ferry tickets or other passenger records are involved. The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later choice, which can help if your Seychelles plans are still shifting.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and pack sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, a camera, and cash. Comfortable footwear matters most on Curieuse, while sun protection matters throughout the day because much of the outing takes place on or near open water.

English and French are the available tour languages. The starting time varies by date, so check availability when booking rather than relying on a standard departure hour.

The itinerary can change because of weather. That is not a minor footnote here. Sea conditions affect snorkeling, swimming, boat travel, and beach access, so judge the day by the overall experience rather than insisting on a precise sequence.

Should you book the St Pierre and Curieuse tour?

Book it if you want the best-known Praslin-area highlights in one organized day: a substantial St Pierre snorkel, Curieuse tortoises, a guided nature walk, a generous BBQ, Anse Georgette, and a coastal cruise. The included equipment, water, landing fee, and selected transfers make the $166 fare easier to defend.

Think twice if your ideal Seychelles day means silence, privacy, or lingering for hours on one beach. The group may reach about 50 people, and pickup coordination needs attention. Confirm your transfer details 48 hours ahead, request vegetarian lunch in advance if needed, and choose a spot on the catamaran that suits you early.

For an active first visit to Praslin, I would book it. You get a lot of scenery and wildlife for one day, with enough time in the water to make the snorkeling worthwhile.

FAQ

How long does the St Pierre and Curieuse catamaran tour last?

The tour lasts about seven to eight hours. Starting times vary, so you should check availability for your chosen date.

What is included in the tour price?

The inclusions are BBQ lunch on the catamaran, water, snorkeling equipment, Curieuse landing fees, and selected hotel pickup and drop-off in Praslin. Ferry tickets are included for La Digue clients when that option is selected.

Is hotel pickup available in Praslin?

Pickup is available as an optional service for hotels accessible from the main road. The transfer time depends on traffic, and you should confirm your pickup time and location 48 hours before departure.

Where should La Digue visitors meet?

Visitors staying on La Digue should meet at the Creole Travel Services office in La Passe, a few minutes’ walk from the jetty. You must arrange your own transfer from your hotel to the La Digue ferry harbor.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and water are included in the tour.

Are children allowed on the sea excursion?

Children under two years old are not allowed on these sea excursions. The activity is also not suitable for babies under one year.

What happens if the weather changes?

The itinerary may change on the day of the tour depending on weather conditions. Stops, timing, and the route can therefore vary.