Praslin Curieuse Island Barbecue Day Trip — Giant Tortoises & St Pierre Snorkeling
At $86 with a 4.6-star average across 432 reviews, the Praslin Curieuse barbecue day trip strikes the middle ground between the budget adventure and the premium guided tour — giant Aldabra tortoises on Curieuse Island, snorkeling at St Pierre Marine Park, and a proper beach BBQ with local food and drinks, all without the higher cost of an expert guide. Here is what makes this tour different from the other Praslin options, and who it suits best. (Browse all seychelles boat tours.)
About the Praslin Curieuse Barbecue Day Trip
Full refund up to 24 hours before departure
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Full-day island trip departing from Praslin
Free-roaming colony on Curieuse Island beach
Coral garden reef — snorkeling equipment provided
Grilled local fish, Creole sides, and local drinks on Curieuse beach
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Real-time dates and prices for the Praslin Curieuse Island barbecue day trip.
Curieuse Island With BBQ — But Without the Expert Guide
The Praslin island day trip market offers several versions of the Curieuse Island and St Pierre experience. This tour occupies the middle of that range: like the premium guided tour, it includes a BBQ lunch on Curieuse beach; unlike the premium tour, the island exploration and snorkeling are self-guided rather than led by an expert naturalist. At $86 versus $114 for the guided version, the $28 saving is real — and for travelers who are comfortable exploring on their own or have already visited similar islands, the unguided format is not a drawback.
The BBQ itself is the biggest differentiator from the $57 budget tour: a proper beach setup with grilled local fish, Creole rice and salad, and local drinks — including the Seychelles' signature rum punch. Recent reviewers consistently single out the lunch as a highlight: "The BBQ on the beach at Curieuse was incredible — the fish was fresh and grilled right there," wrote one traveler. Most reviewers recommend this as the best-value Praslin island day for groups who want a social BBQ experience without paying for a guided tour.
What You'll See — Curieuse Island and St Pierre
The same two iconic sites that define the Praslin island-hopping experience:
- Giant Aldabra tortoises — the Curieuse Island beach colony; 300+ free-roaming animals in a sheltered bay setting; close encounters without a guide are routine
- Curieuse mangrove forest boardwalk — the raised trail through the mangrove ecosystem; endemic Coco de Mer palms and endemic bird species along the path
- Pink granite boulders — Curieuse's distinctive geology; the best photos on the tour happen here
- St Pierre coral garden — the pristine reef around the tiny islet; parrotfish, surgeonfish, hawksbill turtles, and barracuda in water ranging from 1 to 10 metres
- St Pierre islet beach — a small white-sand beach ideal for a post-snorkel rest before the return crossing
What's Included — and What's Not
Included
- Boat transfer from Praslin to Curieuse Island and St Pierre
- Beach BBQ lunch on Curieuse Island — grilled fish, Creole rice and salad, local drinks (rum punch, beer)
- Snorkeling equipment: mask, fins, and snorkel
- Island time on Curieuse (beach + mangrove trail — self-guided)
- Snorkeling stop at St Pierre Marine Park
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Not included
- Expert guide — exploration and snorkeling are self-directed
- Hotel pickup — taxi or self-drive to the Praslin departure pier
- Reef-safe mineral sunscreen — mandatory; not provided
- Gratuity for crew — customary
Full-Day Itinerary — Praslin Curieuse Barbecue Day Trip
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8:00
Departure from Praslin pier
Board at Anse Volbert or Grand Anse pier on Praslin. Snorkeling gear distributed on board. 30–45 minute crossing to Curieuse Island through the Curieuse Marine National Park channel.
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8:45
Curieuse Island — giant tortoise encounter
Beach landing at Curieuse. The giant Aldabra tortoise colony is on the beach from the moment you arrive. Spend as long as you like exploring: the beach, the granite boulders, and the mangrove trail boardwalk.
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10:30
Curieuse beach swim
The sheltered lagoon at Curieuse is one of the calmer swimming spots in the Praslin island group. Waist-deep near shore, calm water, and excellent visibility.
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12:00
Beach BBQ lunch on Curieuse
The BBQ is set up on the beach: grilled fish (caught locally), Creole rice, fresh salad, and local drinks — rum punch, Seybrew beer, and soft drinks. Time to sit on the beach and enjoy lunch without a schedule.
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13:30
Depart for St Pierre Island
Short crossing (15–20 minutes) to St Pierre islet and the St Pierre Marine Park coral garden.
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13:45
Snorkeling at St Pierre Marine Park
Self-guided snorkeling at the St Pierre coral reef — one of the healthiest shallow reefs in the inner Seychelles. Parrotfish, turtles, and surgeonfish are common sightings. Entry from the boat or the small beach of St Pierre islet.
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15:30
Return to Praslin
Boat returns to the Praslin departure pier, arriving approximately 15:30–16:00.
Tips for the Curieuse Island BBQ Day Trip
Practical advice from recent travelers:
- Reef-safe sunscreen is mandatory in Seychelles marine national parks — bring mineral-based (zinc oxide) sunscreen; rangers do check
- The rum punch at the BBQ is potent — the snorkel stop is after lunch, so enjoy it in moderation
- Arrive at the pier 15 minutes early — departure is usually prompt
- The mangrove trail is shaded but humid — wearing a light rash guard rather than just a swimsuit provides better comfort on the trail
- May to October is the best time for St Pierre snorkeling — southeast trade winds clear the water on the Praslin side
- Bring a dry bag for your phone — the open-water crossing can produce spray
Curieuse Island and St Pierre — Map from Praslin
Who This Tour Is For
The Curieuse Island barbecue day trip is the best option for travelers who want the full Praslin island experience — tortoises, reef, and a proper beach BBQ — without paying the premium for an expert guide. It is a strong choice for groups of friends or couples who enjoy independent exploration and want a sociable lunch on the beach as the centerpiece of the day.
- Not suitable for: guests who want specialist marine or nature education — see the [Curieuse Island guided tour](/curieuse-island-boat-tour/) ($114, 4.9★) for an expert-led experience
- Not suitable for: guests who need all meals provided from the tour price — the BBQ lunch is included but there are no snacks or drinks beyond the meal
- Not suitable for: non-swimmers — the snorkel stop at St Pierre requires basic swimming ability to participate
What to Bring
- Reef-safe mineral sunscreen (mandatory)
- Light rash guard for the mangrove trail and snorkeling
- Hat and sunglasses for the boat crossings
- Small dry bag for phone and camera
- Cash for gratuity
Not Allowed
- Chemical sunscreen — banned in marine national parks
- Touching or feeding the giant Aldabra tortoises
- Collecting shells, coral, or any natural material from the reef or beach
- Bringing outside alcohol — local drinks are provided with the BBQ
Praslin Curieuse Barbecue Day Trip — FAQ
What is the difference between this tour and the $114 guided tour?
Both tours cover the same two islands (Curieuse Island and St Pierre Marine Park) and include a BBQ lunch. The key difference is the expert guide: the Curieuse Island guided tour ($114, 4.9★) includes a professional naturalist who accompanies the group on the nature trail and in the water during both snorkeling stops. This BBQ day trip ($86) is fully self-guided. The $28 price difference reflects the guide's expertise and dedicated commentary.
What is the BBQ lunch like?
The BBQ is served on Curieuse beach — typically grilled local fish (often red snapper or job fish), Creole rice, fresh salad, and fruit. Drinks include local rum punch and Seybrew beer, plus soft drinks. The beach setting — on a protected national park island with no permanent infrastructure — makes the lunch experience genuinely distinctive.
Is there a vegetarian option for the BBQ lunch?
Vegetarian options are typically available but should be requested at booking. Confirm directly with the operator when you complete your booking — this ensures the crew brings appropriate food for the BBQ.
Which Praslin pier does the tour depart from?
Most departures leave from Anse Volbert or Grand Anse pier on Praslin — your booking confirmation specifies the exact departure point. Both piers are accessible by tuk-tuk or taxi from any Praslin resort within 10–20 minutes.
How far is St Pierre Island from Curieuse?
About 15–20 minutes by boat. St Pierre islet and the Curieuse Island marine national park boundary share the same general area northeast of Praslin — the two stops are close enough to visit in the same day without excessive travel time.
What Guests Say About the Curieuse Barbecue Day Trip
Absolutely perfect day. The tortoises on Curieuse were extraordinary — some of them looked ancient and were just wandering around us on the beach. The BBQ lunch was genuinely delicious. The snorkeling at St Pierre finished it off beautifully. Excellent value at $86.
We chose this over the guided tour because we'd read that the tortoises are easy to find on your own — and that's completely true. Dozens of them on the beach when we arrived. The BBQ was a lovely communal lunch on the sand. The rum punch is not for the faint-hearted.
Our group of six thoroughly enjoyed this. The boat crew were attentive and friendly throughout. The St Pierre snorkel was the best reef we've seen in the Seychelles — visibility was incredible and we saw a hawksbill turtle within the first five minutes.