Praslin: Curieuse & St Pierre Island Day Trip with Barbecue

Highlights

• Meet Aldabra giant tortoises roaming freely on Curieuse Island and take photos with these gentle giants in their natural habitat.
• Visit the historic Doctor's House museum at Anse José, learning about Curieuse's colonial past and leprosy treatment history.
• Explore a guided nature trail through mangroves and palm forests, spotting native birds, crabs, and learning about island biodiversity.
• Enjoy an authentic Creole beach barbecue lunch with grilled fish, chicken, sausages, rice, salads, and fresh fruit, served under palm trees with ocean views.
• Snorkel at St Pierre Islet among vibrant coral reefs and tropical fish, with snorkeling equipment provided and assistance available for beginners.
• Experience a scenic 15 minute boat cruise across turquoise waters between Praslin, Curieuse Island, and St Pierre Islet.

Tour Overview

This full day island adventure combines wildlife viewing, cultural history, nature exploration, and marine activities, making it ideal if you want to see giant tortoises, learn about Seychelles history, and enjoy snorkeling in one comprehensive trip. The tour departs from Praslin Island, where you will be picked up from your hotel or accommodation between 8:00 and 8:55 AM by van, then transferred to Côte d'Or Beach for the boat departure.

At 9:15 AM, you board a boat for a scenic 15 minute cruise across turquoise waters to Curieuse Island, a protected nature reserve known for its giant Aldabra tortoises. Your first stop is at Anse José, where you visit the historic Doctor's House museum, which showcases Curieuse's colonial past and its role as a leprosy treatment center. You then join a guided nature trail through the island's protected mangrove forests and Coco de Mer palm groves, learning about the local ecosystem and spotting native wildlife.

After the nature trail, you arrive at Anse Laraie on the opposite side of Curieuse Island, where giant tortoises roam freely. Here you have time to observe and photograph these gentle creatures before enjoying a traditional Creole barbecue lunch on the beach, complete with grilled fish, chicken, sausages, rice, salads, lentils, chutneys, fresh fruit, and one beer per adult plus soft drinks and water. After lunch, you cruise to St Pierre Islet, a small granite islet surrounded by clear waters and coral reefs, where you spend about one hour snorkeling with provided equipment, observing tropical fish, colorful corals, turtles, and eagle rays. The tour concludes with a return cruise to Praslin and van transfer back to your hotel, arriving around 3:30 PM.

Typical Itinerary

1. Hotel pickup on Praslin - Meet your driver at your hotel reception or accommodation on Praslin Island between 8:00 and 8:55 AM for van transfer to Côte d'Or Beach.
2. Arrival at Côte d'Or Beach - Arrive at the departure point and meet your boat crew and island guide, who will provide a brief introduction to the day's activities.
3. Boat departure to Curieuse Island - Board the boat at 9:15 AM for a scenic 15 minute cruise across turquoise waters to Curieuse Island, enjoying views of the surrounding islands and coastline.
4. Arrival at Anse José and Doctor's House visit - Disembark at Anse José around 9:30 AM and visit the historic Doctor's House museum, learning about Curieuse's colonial history and its role as a leprosy treatment center.
5. Nature walk through Coco de Mer forests - Wander through the island's Coco de Mer palm forests and coastal vegetation, observing the unique flora and learning about the island's ecosystem.
6. Guided nature trail through mangroves - Join your guide at 11:00 AM for a scenic boardwalk hike through Curieuse's protected mangrove forest, spotting native birds, crabs, and learning about the island's biodiversity.
7. Arrival at Anse Laraie tortoise sanctuary - Arrive at the opposite side of the island around 12:30 PM, where giant Aldabra tortoises roam freely, providing excellent photo opportunities.
8. Creole barbecue lunch on the beach - Enjoy an authentic Creole barbecue lunch served under palm trees with ocean views, including grilled fish, chicken, sausages, Creole rice, salads, lentils, chutneys, fresh fruit, one beer per adult, and soft drinks with water.
9. Free time with tortoises - Spend additional time observing and photographing the giant tortoises in their natural habitat before preparing for the next activity.
10. Boat cruise to St Pierre Islet - Depart Curieuse Island around 2:00 PM and cruise to St Pierre, a small granite islet surrounded by clear waters and coral reefs.
11. Snorkeling session at St Pierre - Spend about one hour snorkeling with provided equipment, observing tropical fish, colorful corals, turtles, and eagle rays. Beginners are welcome and assistance is available.
12. Return cruise to Praslin - Depart St Pierre around 3:15 PM and cruise back to Praslin, enjoying final views of the island paradise.
13. Hotel drop off - Arrive back at Côte d'Or Beach around 3:30 PM, then board the van for transfer back to your hotel, completing the full day adventure.

The exact timing at each stop, snorkeling conditions, and optional activities can vary based on weather, sea conditions, and group preferences. From June to September, Seychelles experiences southeast monsoon winds which may cause rougher seas. In such cases, snorkeling may be moved to Anse Petite Cours, a calm bay ideal for marine viewing and guest safety. The guide will adjust the schedule as needed to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

What's Included

• Full day tour from Praslin to Curieuse Island and St Pierre Islet, returning to your hotel on Praslin.
• Return van transfer on Praslin Island, with pickup and drop off from your hotel or accommodation.
• Boat trip to Curieuse Island and St Pierre Islet, with scenic cruises between locations.
• Guided nature trail through mangroves and leper colony ruins, with explanations about the island's history and biodiversity.
• Visit to the giant tortoise sanctuary at Anse Laraie, where Aldabra tortoises roam freely.
• Visit to the historic Doctor's House museum at Anse José, learning about Curieuse's colonial past.
• Exotic Creole barbecue lunch on the beach, including grilled fish, chicken, sausages, rice, salads, lentils, chutneys, and fresh fruit.
• One local beer per adult, plus soft drinks and mineral water included with lunch.
• One hour snorkeling session at St Pierre Islet with snorkeling equipment provided.
• Friendly crew and island guide who provide information and assistance throughout the day.
• English and French speaking guides available.

Not Included

• Curieuse Island entrance fee of €20 per adult, payable directly on site. All clients aged 12 years and above are required to pay this fee, and payment is accepted via Visa card.
• Alcoholic beverages beyond the one beer per adult provided with lunch, which are available for purchase if desired.
• Personal expenses such as snacks, additional drinks, souvenirs, 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 towels, swimwear, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, comfortable shoes, sandals, and waterproof cameras.
• Any additional activities, optional experiences, or equipment rentals not mentioned in the included items.

Accessibility & Practical Info

• This tour is not suitable for people over 95 years of age, and guests with severe health problems are kindly advised not to book this excursion.
• You should be comfortable walking on nature trails, boardwalks, and sandy beaches, as well as swimming and using snorkeling equipment.
• Bring comfortable shoes or hiking shoes, sandals, swimwear, a towel, a sun hat, sunglasses, reef safe sunscreen, a waterproof camera, comfortable clothes, beachwear, water shoes, and insect repellent.
• All activities are conducted from Praslin Island, and pickup is available from hotels and guest houses 10 to 30 minutes before the activity. Pickup addresses are listed in the itinerary builder when booking.
• From June to September, Seychelles experiences southeast monsoon winds which may cause rougher seas. In such cases, snorkeling may be moved to Anse Petite Cours, a calm bay ideal for marine viewing and guest safety.
• The Curieuse Island entrance fee of €20 per person applies to all guests aged 12 years and above, and must be paid on site via Visa card. This fee is not included in the tour price.
• Pets are not allowed on the tour, except for assistance dogs which are permitted. Oversize luggage, littering, and fireworks are also not allowed.
• Snorkeling equipment is provided, but you may bring your own if you prefer. Beginners are welcome and assistance is available for those new to snorkeling.
• Bring cash or credit card for the island entrance fee, additional drinks, tips, and any personal expenses during the tour.