Praslin: Curieuse & St. Pierre Full-Day Boat Trip with Lunch

Seeing giant tortoises roam free on Curieuse is the heart of this day. Add two snorkel stops at St. Pierre, a swim at Anse Georgette, and a beachside BBQ, and you get a strong taste of the Seychelles in one outing. I especially like the 1.7-kilometer mangrove walk, which gives the day more shape than a simple boat-and-snorkel trip. I also like the crew’s practical approach, with guides such as Ryan, Jason, and Francis keeping the group informed and well organized. The main drawback is that it is an active day with sun, boat time, swimming, and walking, and the route can change with wind or rain.

At $93 per person, this is good value if you want several Praslin highlights without arranging separate boats, transfers, park entry, lunch, and guides. You do need to budget an extra 20 EUR park ticket, payable by card on Curieuse, and pickup is not offered in every part of Praslin.

Why this seven-hour outing earns a place on your Praslin schedule

• Free-roaming giant tortoises on Curieuse: You can spend time near hundreds of these remarkable animals in a protected island setting.
• Two snorkel stops at St. Pierre: Bring your mask and fins, or use the supplied gear, to look for parrotfish, surgeonfish, clownfish, surgeonfish, stingrays, and possibly sea turtles.
• A 1.7-kilometer guided mangrove walk: The hike links Curieuse’s wildlife area with a beautiful beach and adds useful context about plants and island ecology.
• A proper Creole BBQ lunch: Fresh island-sourced food, grilled fish or chicken, rice, salads, and soft drinks make this more than a quick packed lunch.
• Pickup and drop-off from much of Praslin: Shared transport removes the need to find the departure beach yourself.
• Backup plans for changing weather: The crew may alter snorkel sites or the route when wind and rain make the original plan less suitable.

The day begins at Grand Anse Praslin

The day starts with pickup from your accommodation and a transfer to Grand Anse Main Beach. Pickup is shared, not private, so you need to be ready at the agreed time. This matters on an island tour, since one late hotel departure can affect everyone’s schedule.

Some remote areas do not have direct pickup. That includes Anse Lazio, Anse Boudin, Anse Possession, and Anse La Blague. If you stay in one of these places, contact the operator for the nearest meeting point. Some hotels in other remote locations may also require a separate pickup arrangement.

At Grand Anse, you check in and receive a short safety briefing before boarding the speedboat. The boat gives you a quick, open-air view of Praslin’s west coast. You get the salty wind, changing views, and the simple pleasure of reaching small islands by sea rather than by another road transfer.

Boat conditions can vary. The activity is canceled in heavy rain, and the provider makes that call early on the day of departure. Wind may also change the order of stops or the snorkel location. That is worth accepting from the start: the best version of this trip is the one that uses safe, clear water rather than stubbornly following a fixed route.

Anse Georgette brings an early swim

One of the first stops is Anse Georgette, a secluded white-sand beach on Praslin. The stop is for a refreshing swim and a chance to enjoy the setting before the busier parts of the day.

This is a useful early break because the tour moves at a steady pace. You are not simply sitting on the boat for seven hours. You get a chance to get wet, stretch your legs, and enjoy one of Praslin’s well-known beaches from the water.

Do not treat this as a guaranteed long beach stay. The schedule also needs to allow time for St. Pierre and Curieuse, so the length of each stop can depend on conditions and the day’s timing. Still, it gives the outing an appealing rhythm: beach, snorkel, wildlife, lunch, then a walk and another swim.

St. Pierre is the best part for underwater time

The boat continues to St. Pierre, an uninhabited island surrounded by clear tropical water. The plan includes two snorkeling stops, with about an hour listed for swimming and snorkeling at St. Pierre.

You can expect colorful fish around coral formations. The species mentioned for this area include parrotfish, surgeonfish, and clownfish. Some outings have also included sea turtles and stingrays, though wildlife sightings can never be promised.

The supplied snorkel gear is a real convenience. You do not need to pack fins or a mask, though you should still bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and beachwear. The crew watches over the group in the water and explains what you are about to do, which helps if you are not a confident swimmer.

One useful detail is that the reef is not described as untouched. One guest noted that parts of it are dead, but still held plenty of fish. That is a fair way to set expectations. This is not a specialist reef expedition, and coral conditions may vary. The appeal is the whole setting: warm water, small-island views, fish life, and two chances to snorkel rather than one rushed stop.

The crew may change the snorkel route because of wind. That is not a flaw in itself. It is a sensible safety choice, and several participants specifically appreciated the crew’s ability to use a Plan B or Plan C when weather shifted. Guides including Ryan, Jason, Francis, and Jack Sparrow have been praised for explaining the sites while keeping the mood light.

Curieuse delivers the day’s signature wildlife encounter

Curieuse is the main reason to book this trip. The island is uninhabited, and giant tortoises roam its protected interior. You have time to see them, take photos, and watch the animals at close range.

The tortoises are not a quick photo stop squeezed between activities. The Curieuse portion allows roughly three hours for a visit and lunch, followed by about two hours for the walk, scenery, wildlife viewing, and swimming. That gives you enough time to slow down.

You may be able to feed the tortoises, and one useful tip from the day is to bring extra bananas. Do not assume you must do this, and follow the guide’s instructions about feeding. The real pleasure is watching the animals move through their surroundings, often at their own wonderfully slow pace.

This is also where a good guide adds real value. Guides explain the island’s plants, animals, and conservation work rather than leaving you to wander without context. Jason and Francis were singled out for their clear explanations and humor, while Ryan was praised for combining natural history with smooth group management.

You should expect an outdoor sanctuary experience, not an air-conditioned animal park. There are no shops, restaurants, or hotel facilities on the islands. Bring your own sunscreen, water if you prefer having extra, and anything you may need during several hours outdoors.

The Creole BBQ is more than a refueling stop

Lunch is served on Curieuse and includes a BBQ made with fresh products sourced from the islands. The meal commonly includes grilled fish or chicken, rice, salads, and soft drinks. Barracuda was served on one outing, while other descriptions mention fresh fish and local sides.

The food is simple, filling, and suited to a beach day. It is not a formal restaurant meal, and that is part of the appeal. You eat in the island setting, with the sea and forest nearby, then return to the day’s activities without losing time to a restaurant transfer.

Several specific details make the lunch worth noting. The fish has been praised as flavorful, the Creole-style dishes as well presented, and the crew as attentive to keeping people fed and comfortable. If you have dietary restrictions, the supplied information does not promise special menus, so ask before booking.

Soft drinks are included. Alcohol is not listed as part of the standard inclusion, although one outing included a chance to try Takamaka rum. Treat that as an occasional extra, not something to plan your lunch around.

The mangrove walk gives Curieuse its sense of place

After lunch and time with the tortoises, you set off on a guided 1.7-kilometer hike through mangroves. The walk leads toward an idyllic beach where you can cool off with a swim.

This is the part that separates the trip from a standard island-hopping cruise. You are not only looking at Curieuse from a boat or posing beside tortoises. You are moving through the island, seeing how the mangrove environment connects with the coast, and learning about the local plants and wildlife.

The walk is not presented as a difficult mountain hike, but it still requires a reasonable level of fitness. One outing covered the route in about an hour at a slow pace, with explanations along the way. You should wear comfortable shoes or sandals with a secure fit. Wet paths, heat, and uneven ground can make the distance feel longer than it looks on paper.

The final beach is a welcome reward. You can cool off in the water and enjoy scenic views before beginning the return journey. Pack your camera, but protect it from spray and sand. A phone pouch or waterproof case is sensible if you plan to carry your phone during the swim.

The return ride mixes scenery with local stories

After Curieuse, the speedboat returns toward Praslin. The guide points out places of interest and shares local history, island stories, and information about the Seychelles’ flora and fauna.

This commentary is one of the reasons the trip feels fuller than a transfer between beaches. Guides such as Ryan, Jason, Francis, Alex, and Jack Sparrow have all been noted for keeping people engaged during the boat ride and the walk. Their style appears to be lively rather than formal, with jokes mixed into explanations.

Music is also part of the atmosphere on some departures. That may suit you if you like a cheerful boat day, but it is worth knowing if you are hoping for a quiet, contemplative cruise. The mood is social and informal, not private or hushed.

Once the boat reaches Grand Anse Main Beach, a car transfer takes you back to your accommodation. The tour aims to return on schedule, though weather and sea conditions can affect timing.

What the $93 price really covers

At $93, the price covers a lot in one day:

• Shared hotel pickup and drop-off
• Speedboat transport
• A live guide in English or French
• Snorkel equipment
• BBQ lunch and soft drinks
• Guided mangrove hike

You are paying for several separate logistics items at once. Arranging an independent boat, a snorkel operator, a Curieuse visit, lunch, and transport could take more time and may not cost less. The strongest value comes from the combination of wildlife, snorkeling, food, and the guided walk.

The extra 20 EUR park ticket is the main cost to remember. It is paid by credit card on Curieuse. Since the islands have no shops or restaurants, bring your card, sunscreen, towel, camera, and anything else you need before leaving Praslin.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later. That helps if your Praslin plans depend on weather, though the provider makes the final call when heavy rain threatens the outing.

Who should book this boat trip

I would choose this for a first or second day on Praslin if you want to see several signature sights quickly. It suits active couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants wildlife and water time in the same day.

It is not suitable for children under three, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with mobility, back, or heart problems, people with visual impairments, people with low fitness, or people over 70. The operator also advises against it for those groups because of the boat ride, swimming, beach access, and 1.7-kilometer walk.

You should also think twice if you want a private, quiet outing. Pickup is shared, other people will be on the boat, and the atmosphere can be lively. On the other hand, that group setting helps keep the price down and gives the day a friendly, social feel.

With a rating of 4.9 from 1,352 reviews, the most consistently praised features are the crew, organization, snorkeling, tortoises, and food. The strongest praise goes to guides who combine jokes with useful explanations and to captains who keep the ride smooth and safe. Those are exactly the details that matter on a full-day trip.

Should you book Curieuse and St. Pierre?

Yes, if you want a well-packed Praslin day with tortoises, snorkeling, a beach swim, a guided walk, and lunch handled in one booking. The value is strongest for first-time visitors and anyone without a rental car or private boat.

Book it with realistic expectations. Coral conditions can vary, the weather may alter the route, the boat is shared, and the 20 EUR park ticket is extra. Pack light, wear secure footwear, bring a card and sunscreen, and be ready for a wet, active day. If that sounds like your kind of Seychelles outing, this is an easy choice.

FAQ

How long does the Curieuse and St. Pierre trip last?

The activity lasts seven hours, including pickup, the boat trip, snorkeling, the Curieuse visit, lunch, the mangrove walk, and return transport.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $93 per person. A separate 20 EUR Curieuse park ticket is payable by credit card on the island.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at accommodation on Praslin are included, but the service is shared rather than private.

Which Praslin areas do not have standard pickup?

Pickup is not available in Anse Lazio, Anse Boudin, Anse Possession, or Anse La Blague. You need to contact the operator for the nearest pickup point. Some remote hotels may also require a different meeting point.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and French.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, along with two snorkeling stops at St. Pierre.

What is included with lunch?

The tour includes a BBQ lunch and soft drinks. The meal uses fresh products sourced from the islands and may include fish, chicken, rice, and salads.

How long is the mangrove hike?

The guided mangrove hike is 1.7 kilometers. It leads toward a beach where you can swim.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The activity is canceled in heavy rain. The provider decides early on the day of the tour and informs you. Wind may also cause the crew to change the snorkeling route or use an alternative plan.