Curieuse and St. Pierre Islands make an interesting pairing because you get giant Aldabra tortoises on land, then reef snorkeling in clear tropical water in the same day. It’s a fun way to see how Seychelles life works, from mangroves to marine park reefs.

I also like how the day is built around real time on both islands, not just fast photo stops. One thing to consider, though: St. Pierre snorkeling can change when seas are rough in May to October, and there’s an extra Curieuse landing fee you pay on arrival.

Key Highlights You’ll Want to Know

• Giant Aldabra tortoises sanctuary on Curieuse with a guided walk that teaches you what you’re seeing
• Two snorkeling chances, with St. Pierre planned first and a calmer alternative possible when conditions are rough
• Creole beach BBQ lunch with mix-grilled chicken, fish, prawns kebab, sausage, and lentilles, plus salads and fruit
• Seybrew local beer and soft drinks included, along with water
• Curieuse landing fee (20 Euro) paid by card only, so bring a card that works
• Speedboat day trip pacing that keeps the action moving, with limited time on land

Why Curieuse and St. Pierre Works So Well for a First Seychelles Day Trip

If you’re short on time, this is one of the smarter full-day options from Praslin. Curieuse and St. Pierre cover two very different sides of Seychelles nature in one smooth loop: mangrove habitat and island walking on Curieuse, then marine life over reefs around St. Pierre.

What I like most is that the day feels practical. You’re not stuck waiting around. You get a guided experience where it matters, then you get breathing room on the beaches, including a proper Creole BBQ meal.

Getting There: Hotel Pickup to Baie Laraie on Curieuse

The day starts with pickup from selected areas on Praslin. Options include Berjaya Resort beachside, Baie Ste Anne (Kannus supermarket area), and other listed zones such as Anse Volbert, Grand-Anse, Amitie, and St Joseph in town areas. If you’re staying in one of those neighborhoods, it’s one less thing to manage yourself.

From the pickup point, you drive to the marina and step onto a speedboat. The crew gives a safety briefing once you’re aboard, which matters because you’re moving fast between islands. Expect an energetic ride. That’s part of the charm here, but it also means this is not the kind of trip where you can be tired and hope to nap your way through.

You’ll aim to depart Praslin in the late morning and reach Curieuse around 9:30 AM. Then it’s off the boat, at Baie Laraie, and into the Curieuse experience with a guided tour.

Curieuse Island: Mangrove Trails, Tortoise Sanctuary, and Anse José

Curieuse is the land stop that turns a quick island visit into a real nature day. The core experience is the guided walk through the mangrove ecosystem and the giant tortoise sanctuary area. You’re not just looking at animals, you’re learning how the habitat works and why Curieuse protects species like the Aldabra tortoise.

The trip includes time for:

• Visiting the giant tortoise sanctuary
• Exploring mangrove forests and learning about conservation efforts
• Walking the nature trails that lead you toward Anse José Beach

A couple of practical tips help you enjoy this more. The ground can be uneven, and some of the walk can be rocky. If you’re tempted to wear flip-flops because it’s warm, I’d think again. I’d pack shoes with grip. One of the recurring pieces of advice is that you’ll do better with proper footwear, especially if you end up covering more trail than you expect.

You’ll also get photo opportunities during the Curieuse portion. This is a day where the light is usually good for pictures, and the guided stops help you find the best moments.

Beach Time at Anse José: Lunch Base and Your Swim Break

Lunch anchors your time on Curieuse. Around noon, you head to the beach area for the BBQ, and after eating you get time to relax at Anse José Beach.

This is the part of the trip that lets you slow down. You can swim, cool off, and enjoy the simple pleasure of warm water and sandy time. If you like snorkeling while you’re already on a beach, you may have a good chance right around the lunch area. One traveler noted a snorkeling spot roughly 60 meters out from shore near where lunch happens. The point for you: if you want extra water time, bring your own snorkel gear if you’re picky about fit or comfort.

Since this is a guided day, you’re not left guessing where to go next. Still, I recommend you decide early how you’ll use your beach hour. Do you want a long swim, or do you want to snorkel quickly and then rest? Pick one so you don’t feel rushed.

The Creole BBQ Lunch: What You Actually Get and Why It Feels Worth It

The BBQ lunch is included, and it’s one of the best “value per hour” parts of the day. You’ll eat on the beach, which helps the meal feel like part of the trip rather than a hurried stop.

The menu is a Creole spread with mix grilled items such as:

• Chicken
• Fish
• Sausage
• Prawns kebab
• Lentilles
• Garlic bread

You’ll also have fresh salads and tropical fruits. On top of that, the trip includes soft drinks, water, and local beer (Seybrew). Vegetarian options are available too.

Why this matters for your planning: this meal helps balance a day that includes active walking and two snorkeling periods. You won’t just be eating a snack. It’s a real sit-down meal, and you’ll likely feel it once you’re back on the speedboat.

One more practical note from real-world experience: there’s often a gap between the morning walk and lunch timing. If you’re the type who gets hungry quickly, I’d bring a small snack for the in-between hours. Keep it simple, something you can manage without packing a suitcase.

St. Pierre Island Snorkeling: Reefs, Sea Turtles, and Monsoon Reality

St. Pierre is where the day turns aquatic. Around 2:00 PM you head over to St. Pierre, then go snorkeling around 2:30 PM. This stop is designed to show you Seychelles marine life over coral and reef areas, with the chance of seeing turtles among other sea life.

Here’s the important seasonal consideration. This trip runs in the southeast monsoon season from May to October, and sea conditions at St. Pierre can be rough. When that happens, the snorkeling spot may switch to a calmer bay such as Anse Petit Cours. The message is simple: if you’re traveling in those months, don’t assume the exact same water conditions. The operator will adjust, and your snorkeling experience will still aim to be safe and enjoyable.

Also, pay attention to how the crew supports you. Some departures include a crew member close by during snorkeling so you can follow along and feel more comfortable spotting sea life.

If currents or conditions make snorkeling difficult, the day can shift. The goal is not to force it. In at least one case, the guide added extra time around the island when snorkeling wasn’t an option. So for you, the takeaway is: go in with a flexible mindset. You’re paying for the experience, not one guaranteed second-by-second reef plan.

Speedboat Pace: What 6 Hours Feels Like in Real Life

The duration listed is around 6 hours, but in practice it can stretch closer to 7 depending on conditions and how long activities take. Plan your day around it. This is not a “slow travel” outing.

You’ll be moving in segments:

• Morning on Curieuse, including the guided trail walk and tortoise sanctuary time
• Lunch on the beach
• Afternoon transfer to St. Pierre
• Snorkeling stop, then return to Praslin and drop-off

The speedboat is part of the fun, and it’s also why this trip is a solid value. You’re effectively packing in multiple environments without spending half your vacation in transit.

Price and Value: What $85 Covers, Plus the Curieuse Landing Fee

At $85 per person, you’re buying a full-day structure from Praslin that includes a lot of what most travelers would otherwise pay for separately.

Included highlights:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in selected areas
• BBQ lunch with vegetarian options
• Soft drinks, water, and local beer (Seybrew)
• Two snorkeling spots
• Live guide (English and French)

What is not included:

• Landing fees

The Curieuse landing fee is 20 Euro per person, paid on arrival on Curieuse by card only. The equivalent given is 300 Seychelles Rupees. This is the part that can surprise you if you didn’t read carefully, so I recommend you treat it as a must-budget extra.

How I’d think about value: you’re paying for guided nature time, food on the beach, and two reef experiences in a single day. Add in the boat transport between islands, and the price starts to make sense, especially if you want to avoid piecing together separate tours.

What to Bring (So You’re Not Miserable on the Trail or in the Water)

Bring:

• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable shoes

That last one is more important than it sounds. The Curieuse walk includes trail sections where better footing helps. If you show up with sandals only, you might feel the rocks.

For snorkeling, it’s smart to bring your own if you’re particular about comfort and hygiene. Some operators provide gear, but you may prefer your own mask and snorkel setup.

Who This Trip Is For (and Who Should Skip It)

This day trip fits best if you want a packed nature and snorkeling experience from Praslin without a lot of complicated planning. It’s also a good choice if you like guided explanations but still want free time to swim and breathe.

It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users, because it involves walking on trails and transfer steps that you can’t safely “wheel through.”

If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll likely get a great day out of the beach BBQ and the animal sights, but you should consider the walking portions and whether the group can handle a guided trail at the pace of a speedboat day.

Should You Book This Curieuse and St. Pierre Day Trip?

Book it if you want one strong day that mixes giant tortoises, mangrove habitat time, and reef snorkeling, plus a proper beach BBQ meal with drinks included. The structure is efficient, and the BBQ details make it feel like real value, not a token lunch.

Think twice if you:

• Are traveling in May to October and you strongly care about the exact St. Pierre snorkeling spot. Conditions can change, and the itinerary adapts to safer waters.
• Don’t want to deal with extra on-arrival fees. You will pay the Curieuse landing fee by card only.

If you’re flexible and you pack good shoes and your essentials, this is the kind of Seychelles day trip that makes your trip feel complete.

FAQ

What’s included in the BBQ lunch?

You’ll get a Creole BBQ lunch including mix grilled chicken, fish, sausage, prawns kebab, lentilles, and garlic bread, plus fresh salads and tropical fruits. Soft drinks, local beer (Seybrew), and water are included, and vegetarian options are available.

How many snorkeling spots do I get?

The tour includes 2 snorkeling spots. St. Pierre snorkeling is scheduled, and if sea conditions are rough during the southeast monsoon period (May to October), the snorkeling spot may change to a calmer bay like Anse Petit Cours.

Is there an extra landing fee on Curieuse?

Yes. There is a landing fee you pay upon arrival on Curieuse Island. It is 20 Euro per person, paid by card only, with an equivalent of about 300 Seychelles Rupees.

Where can I be picked up and dropped off on Praslin?

Pickup is available from certain Praslin areas, including Berjaya Resort beachside area and Kannus supermarket Baie-Ste-Anne, with other listed town areas such as Baie-Ste-Anne, Amitie, St Joseph, Grand-Anse, and Anse Volbert area. Drop-off is also in those selected areas.

What time does the trip start?

Pickup starts around 8:45 AM, and the boat departs Praslin around 9:15 AM.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. You may also want to bring your own snorkeling gear for comfort.