Praslin: Curieuse & St-Pierre Boat Adventure with Snorkeling

Curieuse keeps the day honest. This seven-hour boat trip gives you two very different Seychelles experiences: giant tortoises and island trails on Curieuse, followed by a swim around St. Pierre Marine Park. I like the useful mix of guided nature, beach time, wildlife, and snorkeling. I also like that hotel pickup, drinks, equipment, and a guide are included. The main caution is that snorkeling conditions and quality can vary, and the time in the water may feel short if you are keen to explore the reef.

The tour costs $56 per person, with a separate island tax of €20 for anyone aged 12 or older. Lunch is also extra, at €20 for the optional barbecue, although you can bring your own food. I would choose this trip for a first visit to Praslin, especially if you want an easy wildlife day without arranging several separate trips.

Key points to know before you book

• Curieuse is the star of the day: You see giant tortoises near the ranger station, then walk through mangroves, forest, and island viewpoints.
• The nature walk is about 2.5 kilometers: It is manageable for many active visitors, but you should bring proper shoes and expect sun, heat, and uneven ground.
• St. Pierre is a boat-access-only stop: You snorkel from the boat or nearby water rather than taking a walking tour of the tiny island.
• Snorkeling lasts about 45 to 60 minutes: Some people see excellent marine life, while others find the reef less impressive or the water too choppy.
• Pickup and drinks add real value: Hotel transfers, water, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, and one beer per adult are included.
• Lunch is not included: Bring food and snacks, or pay €20 per person for the barbecue option.

Why Curieuse makes this more than a beach trip

Many Praslin boat trips promise pretty water and a quick swim. This one has a stronger land-based center: Curieuse Island. The island is famous for its giant tortoises, but the walk also brings mangroves, Coco de Mer palms, beaches, birds, crabs, and views across the Indian Ocean.

I like this balance. You are not spending seven hours sitting on a boat, and you are not rushing through a wildlife stop for one photo. The island portion gives you time to understand the place, not just point a camera at it.

Curieuse is also home to the second-largest giant tortoise population in Seychelles. Near the ranger station at Laraie Bay, you can see the tortoises moving freely around the area. You may be able to feed and gently touch them under the staff’s direction, and the animals are close enough for excellent photographs.

Guide quality matters here. Guides named Benjamin, Mario, Arnold, Brandon, Audrey, Axel, and Aubrey have all received strong praise for clear explanations, friendly service, and a good sense of humor. The best guides do not simply lead you from one point to the next. They point out plants, animals, island life, and conservation concerns along the trail.

Pickup from Praslin and the morning boat ride

Pickup takes place at your accommodation on Praslin, usually 10 to 45 minutes before departure, with the stated operating guidance usually closer to 10 to 30 minutes. The van then takes you to Anse Possession for boarding.

The boat leaves between 9:00 and 9:15 in the morning. The crossing to Curieuse takes about 25 minutes at a stated cruising speed of 25 knots, placing arrival near 9:40. This is a useful start time: you get a full morning on Curieuse without losing the best part of the day to a late departure.

The crew gives a safety briefing before leaving. Transfers have generally been a strong part of the service, with praise for punctual drivers and friendly staff. Still, bring a waterproof bag. You may get spray on the crossing, and you will be wet after the swim later in the day.

The exact boat and group size can vary, so I would not book this expecting a private charter. The experience is operated by Infinity Charter Seychelles, with English and French available. The small-group feel reported on some departures is a bonus, not something the published details guarantee.

Meeting the giant tortoises at Laraie Bay

The first major stop is the ranger station at Laraie Bay. This is where the famous giant tortoises are found, and it is likely to be the most memorable part of the day for families and wildlife lovers.

You will see large adult tortoises roaming around the open area. Some visitors also report seeing young sharks in the shallows near Curieuse, adding another pleasant surprise to the island stop. The tortoises are calm and photogenic, but remember that this is a living habitat, not a petting zoo. Follow the guide’s instructions and avoid crowding the animals.

The island visit is not just a quick tortoise encounter. The planned nature portion runs from about 10:00 until 12:00, with roughly one hour of guided walking included within that time. The route can include mangrove areas, forest, beaches, a viewpoint, and sections lined with Coco de Mer trees.

The trail is around 2.5 kilometers according to one detailed account. That distance is not extreme, but tropical heat changes how it feels. I would wear sports shoes or sturdy sandals rather than thin flip-flops. Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, water, and a hat. The operator supplies water and soft drinks, but your own bottle is still useful.

The Curieuse walk: mangroves, palms, and viewpoints

The walk gives Curieuse more character than a simple beach stop. Mangroves show how the island’s wet coastal areas work, while the Coco de Mer trees connect the visit to one of Seychelles’ most distinctive plants.

Your guide may point out exotic birds, colorful crabs, and other wildlife along the way. You will also hear about the island’s plants, animals, and natural protection. Guides such as Mario have been praised for explaining conservation in a clear and practical way.

The route eventually brings you to scenic areas and beaches. The mix is the point: one moment you are walking under trees, and the next you are looking across open water. I like that the walk offers some context before the free time. You see the island as a real ecosystem, not only as a backdrop for tortoise photos.

The drawback is pacing. A few people have found there is more waiting or free time than expected, while others appreciate having enough time to swim, take photos, and relax. If you prefer a tightly packed sightseeing schedule, the relaxed rhythm may feel slow. If you dislike rushing from one stop to another, it is a welcome feature.

Lunch, snacks, and beach time at Curieuse

After the guided portion, the schedule allows time for lunch and relaxation, usually from about 12:15 to 1:30. You can purchase the optional barbecue for €20 per person or bring your own food and snacks.

The barbecue has received very positive comments, including praise for the food being among the best eaten on Praslin. That does not make it compulsory, though. I would compare the extra cost with your plans for the day. If you want a hot meal and do not want to pack food, it may be worth paying. If you have dietary needs or prefer control over what you eat, bring your own supplies.

Drinks are part of the package. Water and soft drinks are included, along with one beer per adult. These small inclusions matter on a sunny island trip, especially when you are walking and swimming. They also make the base price more useful than it first appears.

You can use this break for photos, a swim, or simply a quiet hour on the beach. Do not expect a long restaurant-style lunch. This is an island day, so bring a towel, swimwear, and a waterproof pouch for your phone and money.

St. Pierre Marine Park and the snorkeling stop

The boat leaves Curieuse around 1:30 and reaches St. Pierre Marine Park at about 2:00. St. Pierre is a small, striking islet that you view from the water. It is not a place where you land for a walking tour, so keep your expectations clear.

The stop is designed for swimming and snorkeling. Equipment is supplied on board, and the published schedule allows about one hour in the water, although individual accounts describe anything from roughly 45 minutes to 90 minutes depending on the departure.

Conditions are the key variable. Some people see colorful fish, rays, sea turtles, and other marine life. Others find the coral partly damaged, the water choppy, or the site less impressive than other snorkeling locations in the Indian Ocean.

I would rate this as a good added stop, but not a guaranteed world-class reef session. The boat crew chooses where to stop, and the captain has been praised for selecting safe snorkeling spots. Still, the water can be unsettled, and the snorkeling is not always guided in detail.

That last point matters. If you are new to snorkeling or not a confident swimmer, you may find the entry difficult. One person reported that a companion stayed on the boat because there was not enough support for a nervous swimmer. Another found the stop risky in choppy water and felt it suited intermediate swimmers better.

Ask the crew about conditions before getting in. Use the provided equipment carefully, and do not feel pressured to enter if the sea looks uncomfortable. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the snorkeling portion is not ideal for anyone who cannot swim confidently. The available information does not promise flotation assistance or a dedicated snorkeling instructor, so ask before booking if that support is essential.

What the $56 price really includes

At $56 per person, this is a strong-value day if you want both Curieuse and St. Pierre. You are paying for transport from your Praslin accommodation, the boat, a guide, water, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, and one beer per adult. The trip also saves you the work of arranging separate island transfers.

The price is not the final total. Add the €20 island tax for each person aged 12 or older. Add another €20 per person if you choose the barbecue. That means a couple using the barbecue should budget the listed tour price plus €80 in island taxes and lunch charges, with the exact exchange value depending on the booking currency.

I would bring your own lunch if you want to keep the cost down. The self-catering option is clearly allowed, and snacks are sensible even if you buy the meal. You should also bring biodegradable sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a towel, swimwear, sandals or sports shoes, insect repellent, and a waterproof camera or bag.

The guides and crew shape the experience

The strongest part of this trip is often the human service. Guides including Benjamin, Arnold, Brandon, Mario, Aubrey, Audrey, and Axel have been singled out for warmth, clear explanations, humor, and attention to safety.

Benjamin is especially praised for speaking clearly to an international group and keeping the mood light. Mario is noted for his interest in nature protection, while Brandon received praise for being attentive and explaining the island well. The crew also includes drivers and boat captains who handle the transfers and crossings.

That said, service can vary by departure. Snorkeling information has not always been as detailed as some people wanted, and one report described a rushed return transfer that left people getting into the van in wet swimwear. I would bring dry clothes and mention your need to change before the drive back.

The return to Praslin completes the seven-hour schedule. You should arrive back later in the afternoon, though exact timing can shift with sea conditions and the pace of the group.

Who should book this Praslin excursion?

I would recommend it most strongly to first-time visitors who want a broad taste of Seychelles in one day. You get wildlife, a guided walk, a beach, a boat ride, and snorkeling without needing to coordinate several operators.

It also suits families with older children, couples, solo visitors, and anyone who values friendly guiding. The tortoises are the safest reason to book. Even if the snorkeling is ordinary, Curieuse still gives the day a worthwhile center.

Strong swimmers will get more from St. Pierre. Beginners can still enjoy the boat ride and Curieuse, but should ask about water support before booking. If snorkeling is your main goal, you may want a specialist trip focused on reef conditions rather than this mixed island excursion.

Should you book the Curieuse and St. Pierre trip?

Yes, if you want a well-priced, varied day from Praslin and understand that Curieuse is the main event. I especially like the combination of giant tortoises, a real nature walk, beach time, and included transfers and drinks.

Book it with realistic expectations about St. Pierre. The snorkeling may be excellent, but it may also be brief, choppy, or less colorful than hoped. Bring your own lunch if you want to save money, wear shoes suited to the trail, and confirm the level of water support if anyone in your group is a weak swimmer.

For most active visitors, the tortoises and Curieuse walk alone make the trip worthwhile. The marine park is the pleasant second act, not the whole show.

FAQ

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

The activity lasts about seven hours, including pickup from your Praslin accommodation, the boat trips, time on Curieuse, snorkeling at St. Pierre, and the return to Praslin.

What time does the boat leave?

Boarding takes place at Anse Possession between 9:00 and 9:15 in the morning. Pickup from your accommodation is usually 10 to 30 minutes before the activity, though the stated pickup range can extend to 45 minutes.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at locations on Praslin are included in the tour.

Are snorkeling masks and equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is provided on board, and you will use it during the St. Pierre Marine Park stop.

How long do you snorkel at St. Pierre?

The planned snorkeling session is about one hour. Actual time may range from roughly 45 minutes to 90 minutes depending on conditions and the day’s schedule.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. You can bring your own food and snacks, or choose the optional barbecue for €20 per person.

What extra fees should I budget for?

Island taxes cost €20 per person for anyone aged 12 or older. Lunch is an additional €20 per person if you select the barbecue.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. The Curieuse walk and boat access also require you to manage uneven ground and boarding independently.