Praslin: Curieuse StPierre Guided Tour, BBQ & 2x Snorkeling

The big draw here is the chance to combine two snorkeling stops with Curieuse Island’s giant tortoises, a mangrove trail, and a BBQ lunch in one long half-day. You are not just looking at Curieuse from offshore. You land, walk across the island, and spend time beside the tortoises in their natural setting.

I like the easy mix of sea and land, especially the glass-bottom boat and the 1.7-kilometer trail. I also like that drinks are served throughout the outing, including water, lemonade, one beer for adults, and a rum cocktail. The main point to weigh is the extra SR300 marine park fee, about €20 per person aged 12 and above, which is not included in the $105 price.

Key points to know before booking

• Two sea stops: Snorkel at St Pierre or another site chosen for the weather, then enjoy a second snorkeling or beach stop around Curieuse.
• A real Curieuse visit: Walk a 1.7-kilometer trail through mangroves instead of treating the island as a quick photo stop.
• Giant tortoises nearby: Lunch is served beside the tortoises, giving you time to watch them at close range.
• Simple local hospitality: The crew provides drinks throughout the day and answers questions about Curieuse, plants, and wildlife.
• A fixed morning start: Meet at 9:30 at the Beach Front Garden in front of the Pirogue Restaurant parking area.
• Extra cost to allow for: The marine park charge is SR300, or about €20, for each person aged 12 and older.

Why this Praslin boat trip works so well

This outing packs several of Praslin’s best nearby experiences into one well-defined day. You get a boat ride, two chances to snorkel, a guided walk, beach time, lunch, and close contact with giant land tortoises. That saves you from arranging separate boat and island visits.

The full duration is 390 minutes, or six and a half hours. That matters because the schedule is not a rushed photo safari. You have time to swim, walk, eat, and ask questions. The crew has been praised for being patient, letting people snorkel and bathe without pressure, and taking time to discuss Curieuse and the wider flora and fauna of the Seychelles.

This is described as a 100 percent Seychellois experience, and the local touches are part of its appeal. The lunch is a BBQ rather than a formal restaurant meal, and the day is built around the sea, the forest, and the tortoises. If you want a polished luxury cruise, this may feel too casual. If you want a friendly day outdoors with a local crew, the format makes sense.

Leaving Praslin by glass-bottom boat

You meet at the Beach Front Garden in front of the Pirogue Restaurant parking area by 9:30. Transportation to the boat location is not included, so you need to arrange your own way there and allow enough time to arrive before departure.

The glass-bottom boat gives you something to watch even before the first swim. You can look into the water as the boat moves away from Praslin and toward the nearby islands. The cruise itself is part of the experience, with views of the Seychelles coastline and open water rather than a simple transfer from one pier to another.

The boat is operated by the crew from Geoli Charters. A live guide speaks English or French, and drinks are provided during the outing. Water and lemonade are included, along with one beer for adults aged 18 and above and a rum cocktail.

Bring sunscreen and swimwear. There is no need to bring snorkeling equipment, since masks and fins are supplied, but you may prefer to bring your own gear if you have a well-fitting mask. Smoking is not allowed, and baby strollers are not permitted.

St Pierre snorkeling depends on the weather

The first snorkeling stop is planned for St Pierre, a small island known for its striking coastal scenery and clear water. The exact site can change with the weather, so the crew may choose another location when conditions call for it. That flexibility is useful on the water, since a fixed stop is less important than finding a safe and enjoyable place to swim.

You get two snorkeling opportunities during the day. The first is scheduled before landing on Curieuse, and the later stop is either another snorkeling session or beach time around Curieuse Island. This gives you a good balance. You are not forced to spend the entire day in the water, but you also do not have to settle for one brief swim.

The strongest practical advantage is the relaxed pace. The crew has been described as patient, with enough time for snorkeling, swimming, and questions rather than a quick jump in and out. That will matter if people in your group have different swimming speeds or want to spend extra time looking around.

Conditions can still affect the experience. Water visibility, waves, and the chosen stop depend on the weather, so you should treat St Pierre as the intended first location rather than an absolute promise. Anyone prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking a boat-based day.

Landing on Curieuse and crossing the mangroves

Curieuse offers more than a beach stop. After landing, you cross a 1.7-kilometer trail through mangrove forest. The walk connects the coastal part of the island with the area where lunch and the giant tortoises are found.

The distance is manageable for people who are comfortable walking outdoors, but it is not a purely seated tour. The ground, heat, and pace may feel demanding if you have a low level of fitness. The published restrictions also exclude people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, recent surgeries, serious back or heart problems, and pregnant women.

A guided trail adds useful context to the walk. You can ask about Curieuse, its plants, and the wildlife of the Seychelles as you move through the mangroves. One of the best features of this format is that the trail is treated as part of the visit, not as an annoying route between the boat and lunch.

The island also gives you a second beach setting. You can expect beautiful coastal views and time to relax, though the exact order of the beach, walk, lunch, and afternoon water stop may vary. The description allows for snorkeling or beach time in the afternoon, so the day has some flexibility rather than a rigid minute-by-minute schedule.

Lunch beside giant land tortoises

The BBQ lunch is served on Curieuse, with seating beside giant land tortoises. That is the tour’s most memorable land-based moment. You can eat, relax, and watch these large animals at close range without needing to hurry away after a single photograph.

The tortoises are in their natural habitat, which makes the encounter more meaningful than seeing them in a small enclosure. You should still follow the guide’s instructions and give the animals room. The point is to observe them calmly, not to turn lunch into a noisy petting session.

The food is described as simple but tasty. That is the right expectation. This is an outdoor island BBQ, not a multi-course meal in an air-conditioned dining room. The value lies in the setting, the fresh-air break, and the fact that lunch is built into a day that already includes boat travel, guiding, equipment, and drinks.

If you have a large appetite or specific dietary needs, the available information does not give a detailed menu or confirm special meal options. You may want to ask the supplier before booking if food requirements are important to you.

The afternoon choice: another swim or a slower beach break

After lunch and time with the tortoises, you keep some energy for the afternoon. The plan is either another snorkeling stop or time on Curieuse’s beach, depending on conditions and the day’s arrangements.

That choice suits mixed groups. Strong swimmers can hope for more time in the water, while anyone ready for a quieter hour can enjoy the beach. You are not promised a particular reef, fish list, or underwater sight, so book this for the overall experience rather than for one specific marine animal.

The drink service helps keep the day comfortable. Water and lemonade are available, and adults receive one beer and a rum cocktail. You should still bring sunscreen and use it often, since the boat, beach, and open trail offer plenty of sun exposure.

What the $105 price really covers

At $105 per person, the price is reasonable if you plan to use most of the day’s elements. The fee includes the boat and crew, the English- or French-speaking guide, masks and fins, BBQ lunch, and drinks. You would pay considerably more if you booked separate transport, a boat outing, snorkeling equipment, a guide, and lunch on your own.

The important catch is the marine park entrance fee. Add SR300, about €20, for every person aged 12 and older. It is payable by card, online, or cash with the supplier. The fee is not hidden if you read the details, but it is easy to overlook when comparing the headline prices of tours.

Transportation to the meeting point is also excluded. That is a small but important planning detail, especially if you are staying away from the Pirogue Restaurant area. The meeting point is clear, but getting there is your responsibility.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms give you some breathing room when your plans depend on weather. Still, the marine park fee and transport cost should be included in your own budget comparison.

Who should book this Curieuse outing

I would choose this tour if you want a full day of varied activity rather than a single-purpose boat ride. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage a boat, a 1.7-kilometer walk, heat, and time outdoors.

The experience is especially useful if you want a gentle introduction to several Seychelles highlights at once. The glass-bottom boat gives you a view below the surface, the snorkeling stops add active time, Curieuse provides the nature walk, and the tortoises give the day a clear focus.

You should think twice if you are prone to seasickness, have a low fitness level, or need step-free access. The published restrictions include children under four, pregnant women, people with mobility, back, heart, or recent surgery concerns, wheelchair users, people with insect allergies, and people over 65 or over 70. The age wording is repeated at two thresholds, so older participants should confirm suitability directly before booking.

The trip is also a poor match if you dislike changing plans around weather. The first snorkeling location may change, and the later activity may be snorkeling or beach time. That is normal for a boat trip, but you should be comfortable with some flexibility.

Should you book the Geoli Charters tour?

Book it if you want Curieuse’s tortoises and mangrove trail combined with two water stops, lunch, and a relaxed local crew. The strongest part of the day is the mix: you are not stuck on a boat, and you are not spending the whole outing on land.

The value is good when you count the included guide, equipment, BBQ, and drinks. Just add the SR300 marine park charge and your own transport to the real cost. Bring sunscreen, swimwear, and enough energy for the walk.

Skip it if you need wheelchair access, dislike boats, cannot manage the trail, or want a tightly fixed itinerary. For an active and social day from Praslin, though, this is a well-rounded way to see Curieuse and St Pierre without arranging the pieces yourself.

FAQ

How long does the Curieuse and St Pierre tour last?

The tour lasts 390 minutes, which is six and a half hours.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the Beach Front Garden in front of the Pirogue Restaurant parking area by 9:30.

Is transportation to the boat included?

No. Transportation to the boat location is not included in the price.

Is the marine park entrance fee included?

No. The marine park fee is SR300, about €20, for each person aged 12 and older. You can pay by card, online, or cash with the supplier.

What is included in the $105 price?

The price includes the boat and crew, drinks, snorkeling masks and fins, an English- or French-speaking guide, and BBQ lunch.

What drinks are provided?

The tour provides water, lemonade, one beer for adults aged 18 and above, and a rum cocktail.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

No. Masks and fins are supplied. You should bring sunscreen and swimwear.

Can the snorkeling location change?

Yes. The first stop is planned for St Pierre or another location depending on the weather. The afternoon plan may include snorkeling or beach time on Curieuse.