You’re trading a normal beach day for turtles, mangroves, and reefs in one punchy outing. I like the mix of walking on Curieuse with a real wildlife focus, and I like that the lunch is a Creole BBQ on the sand (plus drinks). One thing to watch: it runs on a speedboat, and St. Pierre can get choppy in the Southeast monsoon months.

This is a guided islands day centered on two very different worlds. Curieuse gives you the island “work” part—trail time, giant Aldabra tortoises, and mangrove scenery. St. Pierre is the “wow” part—colorful reef snorkeling, usually with sea turtles in the mix.

Key Things I’d Put on Your Radar

• Small, guided feel: English or French guiding, with crew close by around the water.
• Curieuse wildlife time: Aldabra tortoise sanctuary + mangrove walk, not just a quick stop.
• Creole BBQ lunch: chicken, fish, sausage, prawns kebab, lentils, salads, tropical fruit, and local beer.
• Two snorkeling moments: one near your lunch beach on Curieuse, another off St. Pierre (conditions may change).
• Water on the trail: you receive a bottle of water for the walk.
• Real costs to plan for: landing fees on Curieuse are extra and card-only.

The Value of a 6-Hour Speedboat Day from Praslin

This trip is priced at $85 per person for a full day’s worth of variety. That may sound steep until you match it to what you actually get: boat transport, hotel pickup/drop-off in set areas, a guided nature walk, a proper beach BBQ, and two snorkeling spots. For many Seychelles itineraries, that combo is exactly what makes it worth it—one ticket buys you a lot of “in-between” costs and time.

Also, the timing is practical. It’s built as a morning start from Praslin and a return mid-afternoon. In real terms, it’s often closer to a long 6-hour block (some days run near 7 hours), but it doesn’t feel like a half-day snack that forgets you.

Pickup to Marina: How Your Day Gets Going Smoothly

Pick-up is available from several Praslin-area points. Depending on where you’re staying, you’ll meet the team near Baie Ste Anne (including Berjaya Resort beach side) or around Kannus Supermarkets in Baie Ste Anne. The broader pickup zone can include Amitié, St Joseph, Grand-Anse, and Anse Volbert.

Then you drive to the departure marina, meet the crew, and get a safety briefing before boarding. This matters because the boat is a speedboat. Once you’re seated, the day starts moving fast—so bring your sun gear and be ready for salt-air travel.

One more logistics detail that helps: the experience includes hotel transport in specific zones, and the team can also handle the order of things so you’re not stuck standing around waiting.

Curieuse Island: Giant Aldabra Tortoises and Mangrove Trails

Curieuse is where you slow down just enough to notice the island. This is not a “step off, take one photo, step back on” kind of stop.

Your Curieuse time centers on two big elements:

1) The giant Aldabra tortoise sanctuary

You’ll walk through the natural habitat where the tortoises live. It’s one of those animal encounters that feels more like visiting a working ecosystem than a zoo-style display. The guide-led format helps here: you’ll get context about what you’re seeing, and you’re not guessing.

2) Mangroves and a guided walk

Curieuse is known for its mangrove swamps and nature trails, and you’ll get a guided tour that focuses on conservation and local wildlife. Expect boardwalk walking and a bit of a route across uneven ground depending on the day’s path.

A practical tip from the way this walk is described by riders: don’t show up in flip-flops and hope for the best. There can be rocky steps and a trail that feels like a small hike—often around a couple kilometers total with uphill/downhill effort.

You’ll also be set up for the walk with a 750ml water bottle and a licensed tour guide accompanying you on the trail. That’s a small detail that makes the day smoother, especially when the sun is already doing its thing.

Anse José Beach Walk and Time on Sand

After the sanctuary/mangrove part, you’ll get to the Anse José Beach area. This is where the pacing balances out. You get time to walk, pause for photos, and (later) settle in for snorkeling and lunch.

Some days include a viewpoint-style hike feel and extra photo stops. If you enjoy looking out at sea and watching for movement below the surface, that kind of bonus is exactly the sort of thing that makes Curieuse feel more than a stop on the way to snorkeling.

Creole BBQ on Curieuse: What’s Included and Why It Matters

Lunch here is one of the best reasons to pick this exact day trip instead of cobbling together separate tours.

The BBQ is described as Creole-style and includes a mix of chicken, fish, sausage, prawns kebab, and lentils, plus garlic bread. You’ll also have fresh salads and tropical fruits, and the drinks service includes soft drinks, water, and local beer (Seybrew).

Why this is valuable: on island days, food usually means one of two things—either an afterthought snack, or a long wait while you hunt for something decent. Here, lunch is built into the schedule and includes both hot food and enough variety that you won’t feel stuck with only grilled meat.

Vegetarian options are available too, which is a real quality-of-life detail if your travel group has different diets.

One small timing note: lunch tends to hit when people are hungry from trail time. It’s not served at the very start of the day, so you’ll have that come-as-a-relief moment.

Snorkeling Near Lunch on Curieuse: Your First Reef Chance

This trip includes two snorkeling spots, and Curieuse is where the first opportunity often lands.

You’re set up at the lunch beach area, and there’s typically a practical snorkeling zone not far from shore—described as roughly 60 meters out by a rider who found the timing and spot easy to use.

What to expect underwater: colorful reef fish and the general marine life you’re hoping for in Seychelles. Visibility and coral condition can vary, and the sea always has its mood, but this is usually the calmer “warm up” snorkel after your walking.

If you like controlling your gear fit, consider bringing your own mask/snorkel. One rider noted the provided snorkeling mouthpiece is more of a one-size-fits-most option, and if you’re picky about comfort, your own gear is worth it.

St. Pierre Island Snorkeling: Reefs, Sea Turtles, and Monsoon Reality

St. Pierre is the classic “reef side” half of the day. Here, you’ll board the boat and go to the snorkeling area around St. Pierre Island.

The plan is time on warm water with coral and tropical fish, and you may encounter sea turtles. A rider reported seeing turtles during the snorkel, and another described an unforgettable wildlife moment after snorkeling at St. Pierre—when the crew slowed down so they could spot a whale shark. That’s not guaranteed, but it’s a reminder that this area can produce real wildlife surprises.

Now the part you should plan for: the Southeast monsoon runs from May to October, and the sea conditions at St. Pierre can be rough. The operator specifically notes that your snorkeling spot might change to Anse Petit Cours if conditions demand calmer water.

So the practical takeaway: if you travel in those months, accept that the exact water entry point may shift for safety and comfort. The goal stays the same—snorkeling quality with weather-aware adjustments.

Getting the Most from the Speedboat Rhythm (Without Feeling Rushed)

A day like this can feel like a highlight reel. That’s good. But you still need a little strategy.

Here’s how I’d play it:

• Arrive sun-ready before you board. Once you’re out on the water, you want minimal fiddling.
• Keep your eyes on the guide and crew during water time. One of the best-rated parts of the day is the crew keeping people safe and coordinated during snorkeling.
• Use the beach breaks for real rest. Anse José Beach time isn’t just filler. It’s where you reset after the trail and before the St. Pierre snorkel.

Also, speedboat days can be noisy and fast, so photo priorities help. If you care about tortoise photos, do them promptly during the sanctuary window. Once the schedule moves, you won’t want to miss the walk or lunch.

Guide and Crew: Why Names Matter on This Trip

The guiding seems to be a major reason people rate this so highly. You’ll travel with a live tour guide in English and French, and the crew supports both the island time and the water time.

From the guide names shared by riders, two names come up often: Reynold/Reynolds and Mario. Both are described as friendly, engaged, and attentive, with a safety-first approach on the boat and during snorkeling.

That kind of guide style matters here because you’re juggling multiple activities in one day:

• land walking on Curieuse,
• a tortoise sanctuary visit,
• beach BBQ service,
• and two snorkeling moments with possible sea changes.

When the guide keeps the group moving without acting frantic, you get a calmer day—even when the schedule is tight.

Price and Logistics: What $85 Covers (and What Doesn’t)

Let’s talk money with clear lines.

You pay $85 per person for this 6-hour experience, and it includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in certain areas (Baie-Ste-Anne, Grand-Anse, Anse Volbert, and also other town pickup points)
• BBQ lunch with vegetarian options
• Soft drinks, water, and local beer
• Two snorkeling spots
• A licensed tour guide for the trail
• Landing fees are not included

The big extra cost: Curieuse landing fees. These are 20 Euro per person, paid on arrival on Curieuse, and the payment method is card only (listed as 300 Seychellois rupees equivalent). Plan for that. It’s not included in the advertised price, so your budget needs the add-on.

Even with that, the trip often feels like solid value because it packages transport, guides, lunch, and snorkeling into one day. If you try to assemble these parts separately, you’d likely pay more in time and cost.

What to Bring: The Small Stuff That Makes a Big Difference

You’ll be moving between boat, beach, and a nature trail, so pack for comfort, not just photos.

Bring:

• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable shoes

If you’re walking on Curieuse, shoes matter. One rider specifically suggested better footwear than flip-flops because the trail can include rocky steps and some uphill/downhill walking.

For snorkeling, you can use provided gear, but if you care about fit, bring your own mask/snorkel setup. The provided mouthpiece is described by at least one rider as something to consider swapping out for your preferred comfort.

Who Should Book This, and Who Might Want to Skip It

This works best if you want a one-day route that hits nature, wildlife, and water time without eating up your entire vacation.

Good match for you if:

• you want giant tortoises and mangrove scenery in one guided stop,
• you plan to snorkel but don’t want the hassle of finding two separate locations,
• you like Creole BBQ with drinks included (local Seybrew beer is part of it),
• you enjoy a schedule that’s busy but not chaotic.

You should be cautious if:

• you have mobility impairments or use a wheelchair, because the trip is explicitly not suitable for wheelchair users,
• you’re uncomfortable on boats, since it’s a speedboat ride,
• you’re traveling in May–October and sea conditions might affect snorkeling locations (the operator accounts for it with alternate calmer spots).

Final Verdict: Should You Book This Curieuse and St. Pierre Day Trip?

I’d book it if your ideal Seychelles day includes all of these: wildlife time on land, a real lunch you don’t have to search for, and snorkeling in a marine area that can offer sea turtles.

It’s especially good value if you’re staying on Praslin and want a structured day that doesn’t require planning three separate bookings. The guide-driven format (with names like Reynold/Reynolds and Mario showing up repeatedly) and the practical crew support in the water are exactly what you want when conditions can change.

If you hate rough-sea surprises, plan extra mentally for Southeast monsoon months. The snorkeling spot may shift to keep things calmer, but you still need to be flexible.

FAQ

How long is the Curieuse and St. Pierre day trip?

The duration is listed as 6 hours. Some days run closer to a longer stretch, but it’s planned as an all-day outing with a morning start and return in the afternoon.

Where do pickups and drop-offs happen on Praslin?

Pickup is available in set areas such as Baie Ste Anne, Amitié, St Joseph, Grand-Anse, and Anse Volbert, with specific pickup points including Berjaya Resort beach side area and Kannus Supermarkets in Baie-Ste-Anne. Drop-off is available in Baie Ste Anne, Berjaya Praslin Resort, and Kannus Supermarket area.

Is lunch included, and are there vegetarian options?

Yes. Lunch is a beachside Creole BBQ and vegetarian options are included. The menu highlights include grilled chicken, fish, sausage, prawns kebab, and lentils, plus garlic bread, salads, and tropical fruits.

Do I need to pay landing fees on Curieuse Island?

Yes. Landing fees are not included. The fee is 20 Euro per person, paid on arrival on Curieuse Island, and payment is by card only.

How many snorkeling spots are included?

Two snorkeling spots are included. One is around St. Pierre Island, and there’s also a snorkeling opportunity linked to the Curieuse lunch beach area.

What happens if the sea is rough at St. Pierre during the monsoon?

For the Southeast monsoon months May to October, sea conditions at St. Pierre can be rough. The snorkeling spot may change to a calmer bay at Anse Petit Cours.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring sunglasses, sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. The day includes walking and snorkeling, plus time in the sun.

What languages are the live guides?

The tour includes a live tour guide in English and French.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

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