Curieuse Island & St Pierre Snorkeling Adventure from Praslin — Best Budget Boat Tour
At $57 per person with a 4.6-star rating across 421 reviews, this Curieuse Island and St Pierre snorkeling adventure is the best-value seychelles boat tour operating from Praslin. It covers the same two islands as the guided BBQ tour — Curieuse Island's giant Aldabra tortoises and the St Pierre Marine Park coral garden — without the BBQ lunch or guided commentary, keeping the price at the accessible end. Here is what to expect and how to decide between this and the BBQ tour. (See all seychelles boat tours.)
About the Curieuse & St Pierre Boat Adventure
Full refund up to 24 hours before departure
Lowest-price Curieuse Island tour from Praslin
Full-day island boat adventure from Praslin
Self-guided tortoise encounter on Curieuse beach
One of the best coral reefs in the inner Seychelles
Swim on St Pierre islet's pristine beach
Check Live Availability & Prices
Real-time dates and prices for the Curieuse Island and St Pierre snorkeling adventure from Praslin.
What You Get for $57 — and What You Don't
This boat adventure strips the Praslin island experience down to its two essential components: the giant tortoise colony on Curieuse Island and the coral reef snorkel at St Pierre Marine Park. No BBQ lunch, no guided commentary — just the boat, the islands, the tortoises, and the reef. For travelers who have done guided tours before, who bring their own food, or who simply want the scenery without the group structure, $57 delivers one of the Seychelles' most spectacular island days at a price that makes a repeat visit on a second day realistic.
The tour is well-reviewed specifically because it delivers on what it promises: "Exactly what was advertised — we saw the tortoises, snorkeled the reef, and had a brilliant day. Bring your own lunch and water and you'll be fine," wrote a recent 5-star reviewer. For the $57 difference between this tour and the guided BBQ option, you could have dinner at one of Praslin's best restaurants and still come out ahead.
Curieuse Island and St Pierre — What You'll Experience
Two of the most distinctive natural sites in the inner Seychelles, covered in a single day:
- Giant Aldabra tortoises — Curieuse Island's free-roaming colony on the beach; self-guided exploration, no time limit at the tortoise area
- Curieuse mangrove forest — the boardwalk trail leads through one of the Seychelles' most intact mangrove ecosystems
- Pink granite boulders — Curieuse's distinctive geology lines the beach
- St Pierre coral garden — shallow (3–6m) coral reef with parrotfish, surgeonfish, hawksbill turtles, and barracuda
- St Pierre islet beach — a small white-sand spit ideal for a post-snorkel swim
- Open-water views of the Praslin, La Digue, and Curieuse island group from the boat
The St Pierre coral reef is one of the healthiest in the inner Seychelles — the strong tidal currents that sweep between the islands keep the water oxygenated and the coral in exceptional condition. Visibility on a calm day ranges from 15 to 25 metres.
What's Included — and What's Not
Included
- Boat transfer from Praslin to Curieuse Island and St Pierre
- Snorkeling equipment: mask, fins, and snorkel
- Time on Curieuse Island (beach + mangrove trail — self-guided)
- Snorkeling stop at St Pierre Marine Park
- White-sand beach stop on St Pierre islet
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Not included
- BBQ lunch or any meals — bring your own food and water (essential on a 7-hour day)
- Expert guide — island exploration and reef snorkeling is self-directed
- Hotel pickup — self-drive or taxi to the Praslin departure pier
- Gratuity for the boat crew — customary
Full-Day Itinerary — Curieuse & St Pierre Boat Adventure
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8:00
Departure from Praslin
Board at the Praslin departure pier. Snorkeling equipment is distributed on board. The 30–45 minute boat crossing passes through the Curieuse Marine National Park channel.
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8:45
Curieuse Island arrival
Beach landing at Curieuse — the giant Aldabra tortoise colony is immediately visible on the beach. This is a self-guided exploration: spend as long as you like with the tortoises and on the mangrove trail.
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10:30
Curieuse beach swim
The sheltered lagoon on Curieuse's west side is ideal for a mid-morning swim. The water is calm, shallow near shore, and significantly clearer than on the Mahé side.
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11:30
Depart for St Pierre Island
Short boat crossing (15–20 minutes) to St Pierre islet — the tiny granite rock surrounded by one of the Seychelles' finest coral gardens.
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11:45
Snorkeling at St Pierre Marine Park
60–90 minutes of self-guided snorkeling at the St Pierre coral garden. Enter from the boat or from the islet's small beach. The reef starts in 1 metre of water and drops to 8–10 metres over the outer edge.
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13:30
St Pierre islet beach stop
Post-snorkel time on the small white-sand beach of St Pierre islet — eat your own lunch, rest, or do a second snorkel. This is the most peaceful part of the day.
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15:00
Return to Praslin
Boat returns to the Praslin departure pier, arriving by approximately 15:30.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Budget Tour
A few things that make a real difference on the no-BBQ version of this island day:
- Pack a proper lunch and at least 1.5 litres of water per person — there are no food vendors on Curieuse or St Pierre; the tour provides no food
- Bring a snorkeling vest or float noodle if you want to rest during the longer St Pierre snorkel session — the crew usually has some on board
- Arrive at the pier 15–20 minutes early — departure is prompt and the best tortoise encounters happen in the cooler morning hours
- Reef-safe mineral sunscreen only — chemical sunscreen is banned in Seychelles marine national parks
- The mangrove trail on Curieuse takes about 30 minutes at a relaxed pace — wear closed sandals or water shoes rather than flip-flops on the wooden boardwalk sections
- May to October is the best snorkeling season on the Praslin side — the southeast trade winds keep the water clearest during this period
Curieuse Island and St Pierre — Map
Who This Tour Is For
The Curieuse and St Pierre boat adventure is the best choice for independent travelers, repeat Seychelles visitors, couples on a budget, and anyone who prefers exploring at their own pace over a guided group structure. It is also ideal for snorkeling enthusiasts who want more time in the water than a guided tour allows — on this tour, the snorkel stop at St Pierre has no time limit.
- Not suitable for: guests who need meals provided — bring your own food and water; there is no catering
- Not suitable for: guests wanting a guided marine education experience — consider the [Seychelles reef safari](/reef-safari-seychelles/) for an expert-guided reef day
- Not suitable for: very young children (under 5) on a full 7-hour day without structured activities
What to Bring
- Packed lunch and at least 1.5L of water per person (essential — no catering on this tour)
- Reef-safe mineral sunscreen
- Rash guard for UV protection during snorkeling
- Water shoes or closed sandals for the Curieuse mangrove trail
- Small dry bag for phone and valuables
- Cash for crew gratuity
Not Allowed
- Chemical sunscreen — banned in all Seychelles marine national parks
- Touching or feeding the giant tortoises on Curieuse Island
- Collecting shells, coral, or natural materials from the reef or beach
- Outside alcohol — Seychelles national park rules prohibit alcohol on the protected islands
Curieuse & St Pierre Boat Adventure — FAQ
Why is this tour $57 when the guided BBQ tour is $114?
The $57 price covers the boat, snorkeling equipment, and island access — but does not include a BBQ lunch or a professional guide. The Curieuse Island guided tour ($114, 4.9★) adds an expert guide throughout the day and a traditional BBQ lunch with rum punch on the beach. If you bring your own lunch and prefer independent exploration, this tour delivers the same Curieuse Island and St Pierre experience for half the price.
Do I need to bring my own food?
Yes — this tour does not include any meals or snacks. Bring a packed lunch, snacks, and at least 1.5 litres of water per person. There are no food vendors on Curieuse Island or St Pierre islet. The boat may have soft drinks available for purchase — confirm at booking.
Is this tour suitable for beginner snorkelers?
Yes — the St Pierre coral reef starts in 1 metre of water directly off the beach, making it accessible for beginners. The boat crew will assist snorkelers entering and exiting the water. Snorkeling equipment (mask, fins, snorkel) is included. If you have never snorkeled before, ask the crew for a brief demonstration — the reef at St Pierre is one of the most beginner-friendly snorkel sites in the Seychelles.
How do I get to the Praslin departure pier?
Most Praslin resorts are within 10–20 minutes of the main departure piers (Anse Volbert or Grand Anse) by tuk-tuk or taxi. Your booking confirmation specifies the exact pier and check-in time. Arrange your transport the evening before — morning taxi availability on Praslin can be limited.
Can I see giant tortoises even without a guide?
Yes — the Curieuse Island tortoise colony roams freely on the beach and requires no guide to encounter. Dozens of tortoises are typically visible from the moment you step ashore. You may observe them at close range and photograph freely; the rule (same with or without a guide) is no touching and no feeding.
What Guests Say About This Budget Praslin Boat Tour
Perfect day for the money. Tortoises on the beach were breathtaking — you're completely surrounded by them. Snorkeling at St Pierre was better than any reef I've snorkeled in Thailand or Bali. Bring your own lunch and this is the best value activity in the Seychelles.
We were nervous that no guide meant a lesser experience — completely wrong. The tortoises don't need a guide to be incredible. We spent an hour just sitting with them on the beach. The reef at St Pierre had a turtle within five minutes of entering the water.
Did this tour twice in one week — once on the first day, once on the last. I know that sounds extreme but the snorkeling at St Pierre is that good. Pack a proper lunch, bring reef-safe sunscreen, and enjoy one of the best days of your life.