The day starts with a glass-bottom boat and ends with tortoises nearby. This is a Seychelles nature-and-snorkeling outing that mixes easy cruising, guided wildlife time, and a mangrove walk on Curieuse Island. I like the fact that it feels fully local in pace and people, not a rushed checklist. One thing to consider: the day involves time on the water and walking, so if you’re sensitive to motion or have mobility limits, it may not be the right fit.

Two parts really shine for me. First, you get two snorkeling stops with mask and fins provided, plus drinks during the tour. Second, the Curieuse visit brings you right into giant tortoise country, with time watching them and even sitting close by during the BBQ lunch. The itinerary also keeps a relaxed rhythm: cruise, snorkel, walk, eat, then beach or another snorkel slot.

The main drawback is the added cost and the optional flow. The tour price is $105, but the marine park entrance fee (SR300 / €20 per person, ages 12+) is payable separately, and the snorkeling location can shift depending on the weather.

Key highlights you’ll actually care about

• Glass-bottom boat gives you a calm first look at the marine scene before you ever put on your snorkel gear
• Two snorkeling stops with mask and fins included, so you’re not scrambling for equipment
• Curieuse mangrove trail (1.7 km) with a guided nature walk through the island’s habitats
• Giant tortoise time: close viewing, plus you can sit right next to one during the BBQ lunch
• Drinks during the day, including water, lemonade, and alcoholic options for adults
• Guided nature approach in English and French, which matters when you want meaning behind what you see

Praslin to Curieuse: the glass-bottom boat start you’ll feel in your bones

The tour begins on Praslin at 09:30 at the Beach Front Garden in front of Pirogue Restaurent Parking. Expect a morning that starts easy. You cruise from Praslin toward Curieuse aboard a boat with glass-bottom viewing, which is a smart way to ease into the day. You can scan the water for fish and reef shapes even before you snorkel, and it’s calmer than jumping straight into gear.

This kind of start is also practical. If you have anyone in your group who’s a little unsure about snorkeling, they can still enjoy the underwater views from above. And if you’re the type who likes to understand what you’re looking at, the on-board guide helps connect the scenery to the island ecology.

The pace here matters. The tour is 390 minutes total (about 6.5 hours), so you’ll want the day to feel like it’s structured, not chaotic. Starting on water does that. It also sets up what comes next: snorkeling at St Pierre (or another spot if conditions change), then land time on Curieuse.

St Pierre snorkeling: why the first water stop is the one that sets expectations

Your first snorkeling stop happens at St Pierre, or another location depending on weather. That’s not a throwaway detail. In Seychelles, conditions can change quickly, and snorkeling enjoyment depends on water clarity and surface conditions. So the guide’s flexibility is a real advantage.

You’re provided with mask and fins, which takes away one of the biggest hassles of snorkeling tours: finding decent gear at the last minute. You’ll also have drinks available during the day, which sounds minor until you’re halfway through sun and saltwater and realize you’re grateful for water and lemonade.

What I like about doing snorkeling early is that it helps you calibrate. The first stop is where you learn the rhythm—how long you’re comfortable in the water, how to read the surface for swimmers, and how your body reacts. Then the rest of the day turns into a smoother experience: walk, eat, and still have energy for the afternoon plan.

One consideration: this tour isn’t listed as suitable for people prone to seasickness or those with heart problems. If that’s you, I’d weigh the water time carefully.

Curieuse landfall and the mangrove forest trail (1.7 km)

After the first cruise and snorkeling, you land on Curieuse Island. This part is a nice balance to the water time. Snorkeling gives you underwater beauty; the 1.7 km trail through the mangrove forest gives you something different: a guided nature walk with habitats you can actually feel underfoot.

Mangroves are also a perfect setting for learning. You’ll see how coastal plants survive in salty conditions, and how the landscape supports wildlife. The guide speaks English and French, which is great if you want the explanations in a language you’re fully comfortable with.

Practically, the trail length isn’t huge, but it’s still a real walk—enough to count as physical activity in a sun-and-salt environment. If you’re planning to wear sunscreen and keep water with you (even though drinks are included), that will make this section much more comfortable.

This stop is also where the tour starts to feel like a real island day instead of just a boat-and-water circuit. Curieuse isn’t only for snorkeling; it’s for understanding how Seychelles nature works as a system.

Giant tortoises and BBQ lunch: the moment this tour earns its 5-star reputation

Here’s where the day turns memorable. During the BBQ lunch, you’ll seat right next to a giant land tortoise. That detail isn’t just cute—it changes the whole feeling of the meal. You’re not eating in a random spot. You’re eating in the middle of the place the tortoises call home.

The tour also includes a BBQ lunch, and the food is described as simple but very tasty in the feedback I’m working from. That fits the reality of island tours: you’re not coming for fine dining, you’re coming for experience value. And in that context, a straightforward BBQ lunch that keeps you fueled is exactly what you want.

One of the strongest themes from the feedback is that the crew and guides keep things relaxed. There’s a sense of no rush, plenty of time to snorkel and watch wildlife, plus the patience to answer questions about flora and fauna. If you like asking why things look the way they do, you’ll feel taken care of here.

A note on expectations: the tour says you’ll have direct contact with giant tortoises, but it doesn’t explicitly promise touching. What you can confidently count on is close viewing—watching them in a natural habitat, and being positioned nearby during lunch.

The afternoon plan on Curieuse: beach time, plus a second chance to snorkel

After lunch, you’ll have afternoon time where the itinerary works either as additional snorkeling or beach time on Curieuse, depending on how the day goes. That flexibility is a good thing, because it gives you some control over how you want to spend your final hours.

If your group is keen on water, the second option is the reason people book multi-stop tours in the first place. If you’re already sun-warmed from the morning, beach time may be the perfect reset. Either way, you’ll still end the day with that sense of having seen the island in more than one way.

Also, remember this is a day tour. It’s not designed to be slow enough that you forget the sun. Bring swimwear and sunscreen so you can enjoy the water without paying for it later.

Drinks, gear, and pace: what’s included and why it feels worth it

This tour includes more than most “snorkel day” products. You get:

• Mask and fins for snorkeling
• Drinks throughout the tour: water, lemonade, and for adults 1 beer per 18+, plus rhum cocktail
• A local guide who speaks English and French
• Boat & crew
• BBQ lunch

For value, the biggest win is that you’re not doing an add-on shopping list. Gear is sorted for you, and you’re kept hydrated. The drink list also matters for morale—Seychelles sun can be tiring, and having options keeps the day from feeling purely physical.

Pace-wise, the tour’s structured around cruising time, snorkel time, then walking and lunch, then an afternoon slot. Feedback highlights that the crew is patient and doesn’t rush you. That matters because snorkeling is one of those activities where rushing turns enjoyment into stress fast.

Price and the real total cost: $105 plus the marine park fee

The listed price is $105 per person, and the tour duration is 390 minutes. But there’s an important separate line item: the marine park entrance fee of SR300 / €20 per person for age 12+, payable directly with the supplier. It can be paid by card, online, or cash.

So what’s your real total? For anyone 12 and older, your day cost is roughly $105 plus the marine park fee amount in the local pricing scheme. For under 12, the fee rules depend on the age threshold, but the tour clearly states the fee starts at age 12+.

Is it still good value? For me, yes—if you’re the type who wants a guided nature experience plus two snorkeling opportunities plus a mangrove walk and a lunch that’s part of the island setting. Many lower-priced tours force you into fewer activities or add hidden costs. Here, snorkeling gear and a guided day are included, and the “tortoise lunch beside one” detail is genuinely special.

Who should book this Praslin Curieuse and St Pierre tour (and who should skip)

This day fits well if you want a single organized day that includes water, wildlife, and a nature walk. You’ll likely enjoy it most if you:

• Like guided explanation as much as scenery
• Want two snorkeling stops without arranging everything yourself
• Don’t mind a moderate walk on a tropical island trail
• Are comfortable spending part of your day at sea

It may not be a fit if you’re:

• Prone to seasickness
• Dealing with heart issues or recent surgeries
• Managing mobility impairments or wheelchair use
• Over 65 (or over 70, per the listed restrictions)
• Under 4
• Pregnant, or dealing with insect allergies (as listed)

Even if you’re generally healthy, I’d think carefully if water time makes you uncomfortable. The itinerary includes cruising and snorkeling, so you’re not only on land.

What to bring so the day stays comfortable

You don’t need to overpack, but a few basics make a big difference:

• Sunscreen
• Swimwear

That’s it for the officially stated must-haves. Still, I’d personally plan around the sun and water: keep your stuff simple, expect warmth, and treat the day like you’ll be outside most of the time.

Also remember the rules: no smoking and no baby strollers.

Should you book this Curieuse and St Pierre BBQ + snorkeling tour?

Book it if you want a guided Seychelles day that blends three things people often separate: boat time, snorkeling, and a Curieuse nature visit with giant tortoise viewing—plus BBQ lunch in a setting that feels like part of the ecosystem, not a roadside stop.

Skip it if water conditions, motion sensitivity, or health limits make sea time a bad idea for you. This is a nature day, but it’s still a boat-and-snorkel schedule.

If you’re on Praslin and you want real value for a day that feels genuinely Seychellois in tone and wildlife focus, this is one of the more logical choices.

FAQ

What’s included in the tour price?

The tour includes the boat and crew, drinks throughout the tour (water, lemonade, 1 beer per 18+ adults, and rhum cocktail), mask and fins for snorkeling, a local guide (English and French), and BBQ lunch.

Do I need to pay a marine park fee?

Yes. The marine park entrance fee is SR300 / €20 per person (12+ years) and it is not included in the tour price. It’s payable by card, online, or cash with the supplier.

Where do I meet the tour?

Meet at the Beach Front Garden in front of Pirogue Restaurent Parking by 09:30.

What snorkeling gear do I get?

You get the mask and fins included with the tour.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen and swimwear.

Is this tour suitable for young children or people with mobility issues?

No. It’s not suitable for children under 4, and it lists restrictions for pregnant women, people with back problems, mobility impairments, wheelchair users, people prone to seasickness, and several age/health categories including people over 65 and over 70.