Tortoises, turtles, and a beach BBQ in one day. This Curieuse and St. Pierre speedboat trip from Praslin pairs a guided mangrove walk with Aldabra giant tortoises, then finishes with snorkeling in warm, clear water. You also get real downtime on a beach that actually feels like you’re off the clock.
I really like the balance here: wildlife time on Curieuse first, then water time after lunch on St. Pierre. The other big win is the Creole BBQ with Seybrew local beer, plus lentilles and grilled seafood and meats, so most people leave fed and happy.
One thing to plan around is the speedboat ride and the fact that, during the Southeast monsoon (May to October), sea conditions near St. Pierre can get rough. When that happens, the snorkeling spot may shift to the calmer bay of Anse Petit Cours.
In This Review
- Key Highlights Worth Booking For
- Praslin Pickup and the Speedboat Timing You’ll Feel All Day
- Curieuse Island: Giant Tortoises, Mangroves, and the Walk to Anse José
- Beachside BBQ Lunch at Anse José: What’s Actually on the Plate
- St. Pierre Snorkeling After Lunch: Reefs, Sea Turtles, and Weather Swaps
- The Included Drinks and Small Comforts That Make a Big Difference
- Landing Fees on Curieuse: The One Extra Cost to Budget For
- What $85 Buys You (and What You Still Pay Separately)
- Who This Day Trip Suits Best
- Should You Book This Curieuse and St. Pierre BBQ Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the Curieuse and St. Pierre day trip?
- What’s included in the BBQ lunch?
- Are there snorkeling stops during the day?
- What is the landing fee on Curieuse?
- Where does pickup and drop-off happen?
- What should I bring with me?
Key Highlights Worth Booking For
- Aldabra giant tortoises sanctuary on Curieuse with a guided tour
- Mangrove swamp trails and nature walks through the conservation area
- Two snorkeling stops, including St. Pierre’s reef (weather-dependent)
- Anse José beach break for swimming and an easy reset
- Creole beach BBQ lunch with vegetarian options and local beer
- English/French licensed guiding on the island walk and support from the crew on the water
Praslin Pickup and the Speedboat Timing You’ll Feel All Day
The day starts with hotel pickup around 8:45AM from select areas around Praslin (including places like Baie Ste Anne). Your group then heads to the marina meeting point, with departure around 9:15AM and arrival on Curieuse shortly after, about 9:30AM.
Expect a speedboat transfer, plus a quick safety briefing once you’re onboard. This matters because the route is efficient: you spend more time on Curieuse and St. Pierre, not stuck on a long ride.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Praslin Island.
Curieuse Island: Giant Tortoises, Mangroves, and the Walk to Anse José
Curieuse is where the trip starts earning its keep. Once the boat lands at Baie Laraie, you disembark and move straight into a guided visit focused on the island’s ecosystem and its conservation work.
The headline is the giant Aldabra tortoise sanctuary. This is not just a quick photo stop; you get time to learn how these tortoises live in a protected setting, and you’ll likely spend a good chunk of the morning moving through the areas where they’re kept and observed.
Then comes the scenery shift: the mangrove swamp environment. Curieuse’s mangroves are a big part of why this island feels different from the usual beach-and-bar routine. You’ll walk nature trails with a licensed tour guide who keeps the pace steady and helps connect what you’re seeing to the bigger conservation story.
A practical note: the island walk can include rocky sections and steps. I’d treat comfortable shoes as non-negotiable, not optional—people often underestimate how uneven parts of the trail can be. You’ll also get a 750ml bottle of water for the trail, which is a thoughtful touch in the Seychelles sun.
Beachside BBQ Lunch at Anse José: What’s Actually on the Plate
Lunch lands around 12:00PM, right at the beach at Anse José. This is one of the best parts of the day because the food is Creole-style and served in a setting where you can actually relax between activities.
The BBQ menu includes a mix of grilled chicken, fish, sausage, prawns kebab, lentilles, and garlic bread. You also get fresh salads and tropical fruits, plus soft drinks, local beer, and water during the meal.
Vegetarian travelers should feel looked after here because the lunch includes vegetarian options (not a sad afterthought side dish). If you’re the type who gets snacky between morning walking and afternoon snorkeling, pack a small snack or two just in case—timing is good, but you’ll be active all morning.
St. Pierre Snorkeling After Lunch: Reefs, Sea Turtles, and Weather Swaps
After lunch, the boat heads to St. Pierre Island around 2:00PM, with snorkeling starting about 2:30PM. This is the part most people remember because the reef life is the whole point: you swim over colorful coral and sea life in a marine setting.
The crew also provides support on the water. You should expect a close-to-you approach where someone on the boat helps with guidance so you can focus on enjoying the snorkel rather than figuring everything out alone.
Now the real-world part: the Southeast monsoon (May to October) can bring rougher sea conditions. If St. Pierre’s usual snorkeling area is too choppy, your snorkeling spot may change to Anse Petit Cours, which is described as calmer. This is one of those details that can save your day: if the sea is unsettled, don’t assume it’s a mistake. It’s the plan adapting.
The Included Drinks and Small Comforts That Make a Big Difference
A full island day sounds fun, but what keeps it comfortable is the little stuff you don’t notice until it’s missing.
This tour includes soft drinks, water, and local beer (Seybrew). You’re not left to hunt for drinks between stops, and that matters when you’re doing sun + saltwater + walking.
You’ll also likely have time for beach relaxation right after snorkeling or between activities, and the day is organized to prevent long, empty stretches. Many people end up enjoying the whole flow because it keeps you moving without feeling rushed.
Landing Fees on Curieuse: The One Extra Cost to Budget For
The main add-on cost is the Curieuse landing fee. It’s listed as 20 Euro per person, and payment is card only on arrival on Curieuse (equivalent noted as Seychelles Rupees 300).
Why this matters: if you show up without a card, you can lose time right when the day is starting. Plan to have it ready before you step off the boat.
What $85 Buys You (and What You Still Pay Separately)
At $85 per person, this isn’t just a boat ride to two islands. You’re paying for a tightly packed day that includes:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in select Praslin areas
- Guided tour time on Curieuse, including the tortoise sanctuary and mangrove trail
- Beachside Creole BBQ lunch with vegetarian options
- Soft drinks, water, and local beer
- Two snorkeling spots
What’s not included is the Curieuse landing fee. Once you factor that in, the value still makes sense if you want a one-day hit of wildlife, snorkeling, and beach time without piecing together separate tours.
This is also a good value play compared with doing just one island and relying on your own transport. The speedboat routing and the day structure are what make the price feel fair.
Who This Day Trip Suits Best
This experience fits travelers who want an all-in-one day and don’t mind being active. You’ll be walking on Curieuse trails, spending time on beaches, and doing snorkeling in open water.
It’s not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. If you’re dealing with limited mobility, it’s worth choosing a different format that avoids island walking and uneven terrain.
If you like nature-focused days—tortoises, mangroves, reef life—and you’re happy with a schedule that moves from morning to afternoon, you’ll probably enjoy this.
Should You Book This Curieuse and St. Pierre BBQ Tour?
Yes, I think you should book it if you want the classic Seychelles “two-island” day that actually stays well paced. The mix of Curieuse wildlife + mangrove walking, a proper Creole BBQ lunch, and snorkeling at St. Pierre (with a weather swap option to Anse Petit Cours) gives you a lot of variety for one set price.
Skip it only if you strongly prefer slow beach time with minimal walking, or if you know the speedboat style and island trail terrain won’t work for you.
If you do book, pack for sun and walk comfort: sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and proper shoes. And have a card ready for the Curieuse landing fee.
FAQ
How long is the Curieuse and St. Pierre day trip?
The trip is listed as 6 hours in total.
What’s included in the BBQ lunch?
Lunch includes a Creole-style BBQ with grilled items such as chicken, fish, sausage, prawns kebab, plus lentilles and garlic bread. You also get fresh salads and tropical fruits, along with soft drinks, local beer, and water, and there are vegetarian options.
Are there snorkeling stops during the day?
Yes. The tour includes 2 snorkeling spots. One is at St. Pierre Island, and the second is part of the day’s Curieuse activities.
What is the landing fee on Curieuse?
There is a landing fee of 20 Euro per person, and it’s card only on arrival on Curieuse (listed as equivalent to Seychelles Rupees 300).
Where does pickup and drop-off happen?
Pickup and drop-off are included for select areas on Praslin such as Baie-Ste-Anne, Grand-Anse, and Anse Volbert (and pickup is also listed for Amitie and St Joseph).
What should I bring with me?
Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes.
