Curieuse and St Pierre Snorkeling Half-Day Trip No BBQ Lunch

Curieuse is the star of this short Seychelles outing. You walk from the island’s tortoise sanctuary through a mangrove forest to Anse José Beach, then finish with a swim and snorkel beside the granite rocks of St Pierre. It packs two very different island experiences into four hours.

I like the giant tortoises, which you can see at close range in their protected home, and the fact that this is a useful half-day choice if your Praslin schedule is tight. Guides such as Mario, Reynold, and Benjamin add real local detail, especially during the walk. The main drawback is the pace: the hike can feel long in the midday heat, and St Pierre snorkeling depends heavily on sea conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• Curieuse gives you more than a beach stop: You visit the tortoise sanctuary, cross a mangrove forest, and reach Anse José Beach.
• The walk is about 1.7 kilometres: It is manageable for active visitors, but several stops and talks can stretch the time.
• St Pierre is the snorkeling stop: Expect clear water and granite boulders, though waves may force the boat to use a different site.
• The price is $53 per person: Add the required €20 Curieuse landing fee, and remember that lunch is not included.
• Pickup is limited to certain Praslin areas: Transfers cover parts of Baie Sainte Anne, Amitié, St Joseph, Grand Anse, and Anse Volbert.
• This is best for active visitors: You need to walk on uneven outdoor paths, board a boat, and manage a beach entry.

Why Curieuse deserves the morning

Curieuse is not just a quick photo stop. The island gives you a compact look at several parts of Seychelles nature, from coastal forest and mangroves to the dry beach edge where the giant tortoises live.

The tortoises are the first major draw. You have free time to see them after the guide’s introduction, and they are accustomed to people. That makes it easy to watch them at close range, though you should still give them space and avoid treating the sanctuary like a petting zoo.

I especially like the way the stop combines wildlife with a proper walk. Many island trips take you to a beach, point at a tortoise, and send you back to the boat. Here, the Curieuse section has enough time for a guided route across the island, with explanations about plants, coastal life, and the mangrove ecosystem.

The setting is also worth your attention. Curieuse has a quieter, more natural feel than a simple resort beach. You will see dense plant growth, exposed roots, sandy stretches, and the island’s broad coastal views as you move toward Anse José.

The boat ride and morning timing

Pickup begins around 8:45 a.m. from selected hotels and meeting points. If you are staying near Anse Volbert, the meeting point is at the beachside area by Berjaya Resort. Another listed point is near Kannus Supermarket in Baie Sainte Anne.

The boat leaves at about 9:15 a.m., giving you a short ride across the water toward Curieuse. The exact flow can change with weather and sea conditions, but the plan is to arrive around 9:30 a.m.

This early start makes sense. You get the cooler part of the day for the Curieuse walk, although the route can still become hot once the sun is high. Bring water even though water and soft drinks are provided. A hat, sunscreen, breathable clothing, and a small waterproof bag will make the morning easier.

The boat is also the only practical link between the two islands on this trip, so expect some spray, movement, and a beach-style boarding process. If you are prone to motion sickness, this may not be the right outing. The activity specifically excludes people with motion sickness and is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with major mobility limits.

Meeting the giant tortoises on Curieuse

After arriving, your guide gives an introduction before you have time to see the tortoises. This is where a strong guide matters. Mario is praised for explaining Seychelles life and nature in a relaxed way, while Reynold is noted for being both funny and attentive. Benjamin is also described as careful and passionate about the islands.

You are not simply looking at large animals behind a distant fence. The tortoises move around their habitat, and many are comfortable with people nearby. Their slow pace is a good match for the morning. Take time to watch how they feed, rest, and move rather than rushing straight to photographs.

The stop is fairly short compared with the whole Curieuse visit. One family found that about 25 minutes with the tortoises was enough, while most of the remaining time went to the walk and beach. That balance is useful to know. If your main goal is tortoises, you may wish the visit were longer. If you want a broader island outing, the walking route earns its place.

The landing fee is not included. You must bring a Visa card, debit card, or cash to pay €20 per person. This is an important extra cost when judging the $53 tour price. The base price is reasonable for a boat trip with a guide, drinks, and two islands, but the actual outing costs $53 plus the landing fee, with no BBQ lunch.

Walking through Curieuse’s mangroves

Around 11 a.m., the group begins the route through the mangrove area. The path crosses a special coastal habitat where tangled roots help shelter young marine life and hold the shoreline together.

The walk is listed at about 1.7 kilometres. That distance is not difficult for most active people, but the heat and the number of stops matter more than the mileage. The guide may pause to explain plants, birds, crabs, and the role of mangroves. For some people, these pauses turn an ordinary walk into the most interesting part of the outing. For others, especially children hoping for more water time, the pace can feel slow.

I would wear proper walking shoes or sports shoes rather than flip-flops. The supplied packing advice includes comfortable and hiking shoes, which tells you what kind of path to expect. You should also bring insect repellent, especially if you are sensitive to bites, and use biodegradable sunscreen before entering the water.

The walk is not a strenuous mountain hike, but this is still an outdoor route under a tropical sun. It is not designed for visitors with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, babies under one year, or people who cannot comfortably handle a boat and forest path.

Anse José Beach at the end of the trail

The route finishes at Anse José Beach at about 11:45 a.m. This is your chance to slow down after the walk, enjoy the sand, and take photographs of the coast.

The timing is worth noting. You do not begin the trip with a long spell of sunbathing. Instead, the beach appears after the walk, when you may be ready to sit down and cool off. One family felt the schedule would work better with beach time during the hottest part of the day, so do not book this expecting a leisurely morning on the sand.

Anse José is valuable because it gives the Curieuse visit a clear finish. You start with wildlife, continue through the forest, and end beside the sea. The stop may be brief, so keep your towel and swimwear easy to reach rather than buried under your belongings.

The beach also gives you a good reason to carry a waterproof bag. You will be moving between boat, forest, sand, and snorkeling water in a short period. Large luggage is not allowed, and there is no need to bring anything beyond a small day bag.

Snorkeling beside St Pierre Island

Around noon, the boat continues to St Pierre Island. This is the more open-water part of the trip, with time to swim and snorkel near the island’s granite boulders.

The water can be clear enough to see marine life below you, and the rocks make a striking setting for photographs. Several visitors found the snorkeling excellent, with one comparing it to swimming in an aquarium. That said, you should keep your expectations flexible. One outing encountered high waves and used a less impressive snorkeling area, while another had to change the site because of sea conditions.

This is not a flaw in the operator so much as a fact of island boating. Wind, swell, and visibility can change quickly. The guide’s priority will be choosing a safer place, not forcing the advertised site in poor conditions. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, the possibility of a substitute location is worth accepting.

Bring your own snorkeling gear unless the operator confirms equipment is supplied. Snorkeling gear appears on the recommended packing list, but it is not included in the stated inclusions. A waterproof camera is also useful, though you should protect all valuables carefully. Jewelry and valuables are specifically discouraged.

The water portion lasts roughly 30 minutes according to the published timing in one account of the schedule. That is enough for a refreshing look below the surface, but not enough for a full-day snorkeling program. You will get the best value if you see St Pierre as a strong finish to a Curieuse nature trip, not as a dedicated reef expedition.

What the $53 price really covers

At $53 per person, the outing offers a good short-trip price for Praslin. You get boat transport to two islands, a live guide in English or French, selected hotel pickup, water, and soft drinks.

The required €20 Curieuse landing fee changes the calculation. Add that charge before comparing this trip with other boat outings. A BBQ lunch is not included, which keeps the price lower but means you should eat beforehand or plan food for after the return.

The listing also refers to local beer being offered, but the included items specifically name water and soft drinks. If a beer matters to you, confirm whether it is available and whether it costs extra.

The value is strongest for visitors with only half a day available. You see tortoises, mangroves, a beach, and a snorkeling site without giving up an entire day. It is less compelling if you want a long beach stay, extensive snorkeling, or a relaxed lunch on an island.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this for an active couple, a family with older children, or anyone staying on Praslin who wants a compact introduction to the nearby islands. Children from about five to fourteen have enjoyed the combination of tortoises, walking, beach time, and snorkeling, though younger children may tire in the heat.

You should be comfortable walking for around 1.7 kilometres, standing on a boat, and entering the sea from a beach or boat-side setting. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with significant mobility impairments, visually impaired participants, babies under one year, or people over 80. The supplied restrictions also exclude people over 95, as well as large luggage, strollers, scooters, and non-folding wheelchairs.

The guide makes a real difference here. Mario is frequently praised for his enthusiasm and local explanations, while Reynold and Benjamin are also singled out for care and warmth. Guide assignments can change, so you should not book solely for one named person, but the operator clearly places importance on having an active guide rather than a silent boat driver.

Practical packing advice for a smoother morning

Keep your belongings light and useful. I would bring:

• Swimwear, towel, and a change of clothes
• A hat, breathable clothing, and biodegradable sunscreen
• Comfortable walking shoes or sports shoes
• Insect repellent for the mangrove route
• Snorkeling gear, unless the operator confirms it is supplied
• A waterproof bag for phone, camera, and cards
• Cash or a Visa or debit card for the €20 landing fee

Do not bring jeans, high heels, oversized luggage, pets, or a baby stroller. Smoking is not allowed in the vehicle or indoors. Fireworks, explosives, skateboards, skates, and similar items are also prohibited.

The schedule is tight, so wear your swimwear under your walking clothes if that is comfortable. Keep your towel and water where you can reach them. You will not want to unpack your whole bag on the beach.

Should you book the Curieuse and St Pierre trip?

Book it if you want the best parts of a two-island outing in four hours. The tortoises and Curieuse walk are the strongest reasons to go, and the St Pierre swim adds a welcome change after the forest route.

Think twice if you dislike midday heat, get seasick, need step-free access, or want guaranteed excellent snorkeling. Also budget for the €20 landing fee and remember that lunch is not included.

For most active visitors based on Praslin, I consider this a strong-value half-day trip. It is short, well structured, and varied. Just treat the snorkeling site as weather-dependent, bring sensible gear, and allow the Curieuse walk enough time to be more than a quick stop.

FAQ

How long does the Curieuse and St Pierre trip last?

The activity lasts about four hours. Pickup begins around 8:45 a.m., the boat leaves at approximately 9:15 a.m., and return to Praslin is scheduled around 12:30 p.m.

Where does pickup take place on Praslin?

Pickup is available in certain areas of Baie Sainte Anne, Amitié, St Joseph, Grand Anse, and Anse Volbert. Listed meeting points include the beachside area near Berjaya Resort at Anse Volbert and Kannus Supermarket in Baie Sainte Anne.

Is the Curieuse landing fee included?

No. You must pay a €20 landing fee per person on Curieuse. Bring cash, a Visa card, or a debit card.

Is lunch included?

No. This is the no-BBQ-lunch version of the trip. Water and soft drinks are included.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and French.

Will I see giant tortoises on Curieuse?

Yes. The visit includes time at the tortoise sanctuary, where you can observe Aldabra giant tortoises in their natural habitat.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Snorkeling gear is listed among the items to bring, but it is not named in the included services. Confirm with the operator if you do not have your own equipment.

Is the activity suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The trip is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Non-folding wheelchairs and non-folding strollers are not allowed.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers reserve-now-and-pay-later booking.