Curieuse Guided Tour, St Pierre, BBQ & 2 Snorkel Stops

Highlights

• See the biggest land tortoises in the world roaming freely on Curieuse Island, observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat.
• Discover the beautiful marine life around Praslin Island, exploring colorful underwater worlds at two different snorkeling locations.
• Make new friends and have the best day of your holiday, enjoying a small group experience with like minded travelers.
• Enjoy a guided tour along a natural trail on Curieuse Island, learning about the island's ecosystem, history, and wildlife from knowledgeable guides.
• Snorkel at two different beautiful locations on this trip, exploring diverse coral reefs and marine life at St Pierre and other selected spots.
• Enjoy a delicious Creole barbecue lunch on the beach, savoring local flavors while giant tortoises roam around you.

Tour Overview

This full day guided cruise combines wildlife viewing, nature exploration, marine activities, and authentic local cuisine, making it ideal if you want to see giant tortoises, explore pristine reefs, and enjoy a beach barbecue in one comprehensive small group adventure. You will start your day with bus pickup from your hotel anywhere on Praslin Island, followed by a convenient transfer to the boat launch point where you meet and greet the crew before setting off on your adventure.

Your first activity is a snorkeling break lasting 45 minutes to one hour at one of the chosen locations, dependent on weather and sea conditions. Here you discover marine life and the colorful underwater world, observing tropical fish, corals, and other marine creatures. After snorkeling, you climb back on the boat and head over to a beach on Curieuse Island, where you have some time to relax on the sand before continuing your exploration.

You then continue the experience with a one hour guided tour on the island via a nature trail, where your guides explain all that your eyes will be experiencing, including the island's unique ecosystem, history, and wildlife. You journey over to the other side of the island, where you sit down to enjoy a Creole barbecue and a local beer, gazing in awe as giant tortoises roam around you. The crew will also assist you with purchasing the marine park entry ticket if needed. After lunch, you depart Curieuse Island and head over to St Pierre or other reefs depending on weather, where you can take photographs and enjoy a final snorkeling stop at Anse La Farine, or if sea conditions don't permit, you visit Anse Georgette and Lazio Beach instead. You end your day with a trademark Takamaka rum cocktail as you slowly cruise back to Praslin Island, then return to the dock and enjoy a convenient return transfer back to your hotel.

Typical Itinerary

1. Hotel pickup on Praslin - Meet your driver at your hotel anywhere on Praslin Island for bus pickup and convenient transfer to the boat launch point.
2. Arrival at boat launch point - Arrive at the departure location and meet and greet the crew, who will provide an introduction to the day's activities and safety briefing.
3. Boat departure - Board the boat and set off on your adventure, beginning your journey through the waters around Praslin Island.
4. Sightseeing cruise around Praslin - Enjoy a 20 minute sightseeing cruise around Praslin Island, taking in views of the coastline and surrounding waters.
5. Photo stop at St Pierre Island - Arrive at St Pierre Island for a 10 minute photo stop and sightseeing opportunity, capturing images of this picturesque islet.
6. First snorkeling stop at secret location - Stop for a 45 minute snorkeling break at one of the chosen locations, dependent on weather and sea conditions, discovering marine life and the colorful underwater world.
7. Arrival at Curieuse Island beach - Climb back on the boat and head over to a beach on Curieuse Island, arriving for some time to relax on the sand.
8. Free time on Curieuse beach - Spend about 30 minutes relaxing on the beach, swimming, or taking in the natural beauty of Curieuse Island.
9. Guided tour begins - Start your one hour guided tour on the island via a nature trail, where your guides explain all that your eyes will be experiencing.
10. Nature trail exploration - Walk along the natural trail, learning about the island's unique ecosystem, history, and wildlife from knowledgeable guides.
11. Journey to other side of island - Continue your journey over to the other side of Curieuse Island, where the barbecue lunch will be served.
12. Creole barbecue lunch - Sit down to enjoy a Creole barbecue lunch lasting about 45 minutes, savoring local flavors while gazing in awe as giant tortoises roam around you.
13. Local beer and tortoise viewing - Enjoy a local beer with your meal and spend time observing and photographing the giant tortoises in their natural habitat.
14. Additional guided tour and wildlife viewing - Continue your visit with additional guided tour time, free time for sightseeing, and wildlife viewing, spending about one hour exploring the island.
15. Departure from Curieuse Island - Depart Curieuse Island by speedboat, beginning your journey to the final snorkeling location.
16. Speedboat cruise to hidden gem - Cruise for about 20 minutes to reach a hidden gem location, which may be St Pierre or other reefs depending on weather conditions.
17. Final snorkeling stop - Arrive at Anse La Farine for a final 45 minute snorkeling stop, or if sea conditions don't permit, visit Anse Georgette and Lazio Beach instead.
18. Trademark rum cocktail - End your day with a trademark Takamaka rum cocktail as you slowly cruise back to Praslin Island, enjoying the final moments of your adventure.
19. Return to dock - Arrive back at the dock and disembark from the boat, completing your full day cruise.
20. Hotel drop off - Enjoy a convenient return transfer back to your hotel on Praslin Island, arriving with unforgettable memories.

The exact timing at each stop, snorkeling locations, and lunch arrangements can vary based on weather conditions, sea conditions, and group preferences. Snorkeling locations are chosen based on weather and sea conditions, and the final snorkeling stop may be moved to Anse Georgette and Lazio Beach if sea conditions don't permit visiting Anse La Farine. The guide will adjust the schedule as needed to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

What's Included

• Full day guided cruise from Praslin to Curieuse Island and St Pierre, returning to Praslin.
• Hotel pickup and drop off anywhere on Praslin Island, with convenient bus transfers to and from the boat launch point.
• Boat cruise around Praslin Island, with sightseeing opportunities and scenic views throughout.
• Two snorkeling stops at different beautiful locations, including St Pierre and other selected spots dependent on weather and sea conditions.
• Snorkeling equipment provided for use during both snorkeling sessions.
• Guided tour on Curieuse Island via a nature trail, with knowledgeable guides explaining the island's ecosystem, history, and wildlife.
• Creole barbecue lunch served on the beach, featuring local flavors and fresh ingredients.
• Soft drinks provided from start to finish on the trip, keeping you refreshed throughout the day.
• Local beer included with your barbecue lunch.
• Marine park entry ticket included, valued at SR300.00 per person aged 12 years or older.
• Towels provided for use during the tour.
• Dry bags provided to keep your personal items safe and dry during boat travel and water activities.
• English and French speaking tour guides who provide information and assistance throughout the day.
• Trademark Takamaka rum cocktail served during the return cruise to Praslin Island.

Not Included

• Additional alcoholic beverages beyond the local beer and rum cocktail included with lunch, which are available for purchase if desired.
• Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional drinks, or shopping during the tour.
• Tips for the guide and crew, which are optional and based on your satisfaction with the tour.
• Personal items such as swimwear, towels (though towels are provided), credit cards for any additional purchases, sunscreen, and beachwear.
• Any additional activities, optional experiences, or equipment rentals not mentioned in the included items.

Accessibility & Practical Info

• This tour is not suitable for children under 4 years, pregnant women, people with heart problems, wheelchair users, or people over 65 years of age due to boat travel, snorkeling activities, and island exploration.
• You should be comfortable swimming, using snorkeling equipment, getting on and off boats, and walking on nature trails and beaches.
• Bring swimwear, a towel (though towels are provided), credit card for any additional purchases, sunscreen, and beachwear for the day.
• Smoking is not allowed on the tour, so please refrain from smoking during the entire excursion.
• Please remember there is an entry fee on Curieuse Island, payable online or on site with credit card, applicable for persons aged 12 years or older. However, this fee is included in the tour price as part of the marine park entry ticket.
• This tour is one of the most sought after trips among tourists coming to Praslin, so early booking gets the lowest price and ensures availability.
• The activity provider offers an exclusive tour to a selected few on a daily basis, ensuring a small group experience with personalized attention.
• There is a guide available to walk with you on the trail, providing explanations and assistance throughout your nature walk on Curieuse Island.
• Drinks are provided from start to finish on the trip, including soft drinks throughout and local beer with lunch, plus a trademark Takamaka rum cocktail on the return journey.
• The activity provider will come pick you up from your hotel on Praslin, so you don't need to worry about transportation to the departure point.
• Snorkeling locations are chosen based on weather and sea conditions, and the crew will select the best spots for safe and enjoyable snorkeling experiences.