Seychelles: St Pierre and Curieuse Catamaran Tour with Lunch

St Pierre is the star of this Seychelles day trip, with a roughly 45-minute snorkeling stop in clear water around a small granite island. Then Curieuse brings a very different reward: a guided walk through mangroves and mountain scenery to see giant land tortoises wandering freely.

I like the way this trip packs several classic Praslin-area sights into one day, and I like that lunch is served aboard the spacious catamaran rather than squeezed into a rushed shore stop. The BBQ is generous, with a vegetarian option available if you request it.

The main trade-off is group size. One recent departure carried about 50 people, so this is not a quiet private cruise. The large catamaran does give you room to spread out, including space on the forward sun net, but you should expect a social outing rather than a small-group adventure.

Key points

• St Pierre snorkeling: Plan on about 45 minutes in the water at one of Seychelles’ favorite swim and snorkel stops.
• Curieuse tortoises: See giant land tortoises roaming freely on a protected island reserve.
• One-hour nature walk: Follow a guide through mountain scenery and mangrove swamps to Anse Jose.
• BBQ aboard Oplezir: Eat lunch on the catamaran, with water included and vegetarian food possible by request.
• Anse Georgette stop: Pause for photos and a swim at one of Praslin’s celebrated beaches.
• Full-day island loop: The 7 to 8-hour schedule includes scenic cruising along Praslin’s northeast coast.

Why St Pierre and Curieuse make a strong one-day pairing

This excursion works because the two main stops feel quite different. St Pierre is about water, sunlight, and snorkeling around a compact island of granite boulders. Curieuse is about walking, wildlife, and a slower look at a protected island.

That variety matters. A day made entirely of boat time can become repetitive, while a day made entirely of walking can feel hot and tiring. Here, you alternate between swimming, cruising, a nature walk, lunch, and another beach stop.

The $166 price is easiest to justify if you want the major Praslin-area highlights handled in one package. It covers the catamaran outing, Curieuse landing fees, snorkeling equipment, water, and BBQ lunch. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Praslin are included if you select that option. For a visitor with limited time, the convenience has real value.

You should not book it expecting a private yacht or a carefully paced luxury tour. The boat may carry around 50 people, and the day follows a set route. For many people, that is a fair exchange for seeing several prized sites without arranging separate boats, transfers, food, and island fees.

St Pierre brings the first swim of the day

The trip begins at St Pierre Island, a small granite outcrop that has become one of the area’s best-known swim and snorkel stops. The island’s rocks and surrounding water give you a scenic setting even before you put on a mask.

The planned snorkeling time is about 45 minutes. That is long enough to get comfortable, look around, and make a second pass through the water without turning the stop into an endurance test. Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing or renting your own gear.

Bring your own comfort plan. Sunscreen, a hat, and a camera are useful, while comfortable clothes make the boat time easier. You will also want to keep your belongings secure and dry when moving between the catamaran and the water.

The stop is weather-dependent. Sea conditions can change the order or details of the day, so do not treat the schedule as fixed to the minute. If swimming and snorkeling are your top priorities, St Pierre is likely to be the part you anticipate most.

Curieuse offers tortoises and a worthwhile walk

After St Pierre, the boat heads to Curieuse Island, a protected reserve known for its giant land tortoises. This is not simply a quick photo stop. You get time to walk on the island and see the animals in a natural setting.

The guided walk lasts about one hour and leads through mountain scenery and mangrove swamps before reaching Anse Jose. That short walk gives the island its character. You are not only looking at tortoises beside the landing area, you are also getting a taste of Curieuse’s plant life and coastal terrain.

The tortoises are the clear highlight. They roam freely, which makes the encounter feel less like a formal animal display. You can watch them at close range, take photographs, and enjoy the unhurried pace. Keep your movements calm and follow the guide’s instructions around the animals.

The walk does require some mobility. This tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the combination of uneven ground, heat, and walking makes sensible footwear important. Comfortable shoes are specifically recommended. If you dislike walking in sun or on natural paths, Curieuse may feel more demanding than the boat portions.

The one-hour length is a good compromise. You get a real look at the island without spending the whole day on foot. It also leaves time for lunch and the later beach stop.

BBQ lunch is served on the Oplezir catamaran

Lunch is served aboard the catamaran Oplezir, rather than at a restaurant on Curieuse. That keeps the schedule moving and gives you a chance to eat with the sea around you.

The meal is a BBQ, and the portion is described as generous. Vegetarian food can be arranged by request, so raise that need before the day rather than waiting until lunch. Water is included, but other services or items not listed in the package may cost extra, so bringing some cash is sensible.

Eating onboard has a practical upside: you do not need to leave the island, find a table, or fit a separate meal reservation into the schedule. The drawback is that dining on a boat is informal. Seating, shade, and movement may feel less predictable than at a fixed restaurant, especially with a full group.

I would treat lunch as part of the outing rather than the main reason to book. It is convenient, filling, and well placed in the day, but the real value lies in combining Curieuse, St Pierre, and Anse Georgette in one route.

Anse Georgette adds a beautiful final beach stop

After lunch, the catamaran sails toward Anse Georgette for photographs and another swim. This gives you a second chance to get into the water, with a beach setting rather than the rocky island surroundings of St Pierre.

Anse Georgette is also a useful change of pace. By this point, you have snorkeled, walked, and eaten, so a relaxed beach stop can feel welcome. You can swim, take pictures, or simply enjoy the view from the boat if you have had enough sun.

The stop may be affected by sea and weather conditions. It is best to see it as a planned opportunity rather than a guarantee of a particular amount of beach time. The itinerary can change on the day when conditions require it.

The final return includes a scenic cruise along Praslin’s northeast coast. This is not just transport back to the island. It gives you time to sit back and see the coastline from the water, often the best angle for appreciating the shape of Praslin’s granite shore.

A large catamaran changes the feel of the day

The size of the boat is important when deciding if this trip suits you. A departure can include about 50 people, so you will share the experience with a sizeable group. Boarding, disembarking, and getting ready for snorkeling may take longer than on a small private boat.

There is a benefit, too. The Oplezir has enough room that you are not confined to one cramped seat. The forward sun net can offer extra space, and one account of the trip specifically noted that it remained possible to find room there even with a large group.

I would choose this tour if you like a lively shared outing and want the comfort of a bigger catamaran. I would look for a smaller charter if privacy, quiet, or a highly flexible schedule matters most.

The crew’s attitude appears to be one of the stronger parts of the experience. The crew is described as friendly and helpful, and that matters on a day involving swimming, boat transfers, lunch, and a guided island walk. Good practical help can make a busy itinerary feel much easier.

Pickup, ferry connections, and timing need attention

The tour lasts 7 to 8 hours, but your total day will be longer if you use hotel pickup or need to connect from another island. Praslin hotel pickup is available when selected, but only for hotels accessible by the main road. Transfer time depends on traffic.

Confirm your pickup time and location 48 hours before departure using the activity provider’s number on your voucher. This is particularly important because pickup coordination may require extra clarification. One practical issue reported with a Baie Saint Anne pickup was confusion between the booking app and the local operator. Going directly to the Creole Travel Services office helped resolve it.

If you are staying on La Digue, meet at the Creole Travel Services office in La Passe, a short walk from the jetty. La Digue visitors must arrange their own transfer between the hotel and the ferry harbor. Ferry tickets are included only if that option is selected, so check your booking carefully.

The experience can also be booked from Mahé, Praslin, or La Digue, but the exact transport arrangements differ by departure point. Do not assume that a hotel transfer or ferry connection is included unless it appears in your selected option.

What to pack for a day on the water

Keep your packing simple and useful. You will want:

• Comfortable shoes for Curieuse
• A hat and sunscreen
• Comfortable clothing
• Insect repellent for the island walk
• A camera
• Cash for anything not included
• A swimsuit and a way to protect valuables from splashes

Names on the booking must match the names on your passport. That is an easy detail to overlook, especially when booking for several people.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or children under 2. It is also unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. Since the day includes boat movement, swimming, and a nature trail, think honestly about your comfort with uneven paths and getting in and out of the water.

English and French are the tour languages. The information provided does not name an individual guide, so you should expect a live guide in one of those languages rather than book around a particular person.

How the tour compares with arranging the stops alone

You could try to organize boat transport, snorkeling, Curieuse landing access, lunch, and a beach stop separately. That might give you more control, but it also creates more chances for delays and extra costs.

This package folds the main elements together. You get snorkeling equipment, water, the BBQ lunch, and Curieuse landing fees, with optional hotel pickup on Praslin. That makes the $166 price easier to understand as a full-day activity rather than simply a boat ride.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors who want an efficient introduction to the islands around Praslin. It is also useful if you do not want to negotiate separate boat arrangements or figure out how to combine St Pierre and Curieuse.

The value is weaker if you already have a private boat, want a quiet beach day, or plan to spend several days slowly exploring Praslin. In those cases, the fixed schedule and large group may feel limiting.

A rating of 4.1 from 21 recorded ratings suggests a solid experience with some practical rough edges rather than a flawless luxury product. The most consistent strengths are the snorkeling at St Pierre, the friendly crew, the tortoises on Curieuse, Anse Georgette, and the BBQ lunch. The main concerns are group size and, in at least one case, pickup coordination.

Who should book this catamaran day

I would recommend this trip to you if you want several memorable Seychelles sights in one organized day. It suits active couples, friends, families with older children, and solo visitors who enjoy a shared boat outing.

It is especially appealing if you value variety. You can snorkel at St Pierre, walk through Curieuse, see giant tortoises, eat lunch at sea, swim at Anse Georgette, and cruise beside Praslin’s northeast coast before returning.

I would hesitate if you need step-free access, are pregnant, dislike group tours, or want a private and quiet day. The 50-person scale may feel too busy, even though the boat offers room to spread out.

Before paying, check three details: your pickup option, your meeting point, and whether ferry tickets are included for your departure island. Those small checks can prevent the most avoidable problems.

Should you book the St Pierre and Curieuse tour?

Book it if you want a well-filled day that combines water, wildlife, scenery, and food without arranging each piece yourself. The snorkeling at St Pierre and free-roaming tortoises on Curieuse are the strongest reasons to go, while Anse Georgette gives the day a pleasant final swim.

Skip it in favor of a smaller private trip if the idea of around 50 people bothers you. Also skip it if a one-hour nature walk or boat transfers will be uncomfortable.

For most active visitors staying on Praslin, the $166 cost is reasonable because it covers the main activities, lunch, water, equipment, and Curieuse fees. Confirm the transport details in advance, request a vegetarian BBQ meal ahead of time if needed, and bring sun protection. That preparation lets you focus on the best parts of the day.

FAQ

How long does the St Pierre and Curieuse catamaran tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for your chosen date.

What is included in the price?

The package includes BBQ lunch aboard the catamaran, water, snorkeling equipment, and Curieuse Island landing fees. Praslin hotel pickup and drop-off, plus ferry tickets for La Digue clients, are included only when the relevant option is selected.

Is hotel pickup available in Praslin?

Yes, optional pickup is available from hotels accessible by the main road. Transfer time depends on traffic, and you should confirm the pickup time and location 48 hours before departure.

Where do La Digue visitors meet the tour?

La Digue visitors meet at the Creole Travel Services office in La Passe, a few minutes’ walk from the jetty. They must arrange their own transport between their hotel and the La Digue ferry harbor.

Which languages are available on the tour?

The live guide service is available in English and French.

Can children join the excursion?

Children under 2 years old are not allowed on these sea excursions. The tour is also not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments.

What happens if the weather changes?

The itinerary may change on the day depending on weather conditions. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve now, pay later option is available.