Tour of Cousin, Curieuse and St Pierre island on Catamaran

Cousin, Curieuse, and St Pierre pack three very different sides of the Seychelles into one long day: protected wildlife, island history, and clear-water snorkeling. You’ll travel by catamaran from Praslin, with landings on Cousin and Curieuse and time in the water at St Pierre.

I like the variety here. Cousin gives you a guided look at rare island species, Curieuse adds giant tortoises and the remains of a former leper colony, and St Pierre provides the best chance to cool off with a mask and snorkel. I also like that lunch is served aboard the boat, so you do not lose more sightseeing time finding a restaurant.

The main drawback is the schedule. Three islands in eight hours means some stops are brief. Snorkeling at St Pierre may last only about 35 minutes, and the Curieuse mangrove walk can be shortened or skipped if the day runs late. At $263 per person, this is a strong choice for a full sightseeing day, but not for anyone who prefers a slow, beach-centered outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Cousin is the wildlife stop: Expect a guided visit to a bird sanctuary and a chance to see rare endemic species.
• Curieuse combines tortoises and history: You can visit the tortoise sanctuary, walk toward Baie Laraie lagoon, and see the old leper colony and Doctor’s House.
• St Pierre is the water stop: Snorkeling and swimming take place in clear water, but the time may be shorter than expected.
• The crew earns strong marks: The catamaran team is described as helpful and attentive throughout the day.
• Lunch is included: The onboard BBQ includes water, with other drinks and snorkeling equipment available to purchase.
• Plan transport carefully: Praslin pickup is available, while La Digue clients collect tickets at La Passe and arrange their own land transfers.

Why this three-island route works

This excursion makes sense because the islands offer different experiences rather than three versions of the same beach stop. Cousin is about conservation and native wildlife. Curieuse brings you onto land for tortoises, mangroves, and Seychelles history. St Pierre is mainly about the sea.

That variety gives you a useful introduction to the northern islands near Praslin. I would choose it for a first visit when you want to see several important places but have only one free day. You will spend much of the day moving between islands, so the catamaran itself becomes part of the experience.

The cruise also gives you changing views of the marine park and surrounding islands. The route is scenic, but the boat ride is not just empty travel time. It connects three stops that would be difficult to combine independently in a single day.

Still, you should set realistic expectations. This is a busy outing, not a private charter. The schedule has to account for landing fees, guided walks, lunch, swimming, and the return trip. If you want long snorkeling sessions or a quiet afternoon under a palm tree, choose a simpler excursion.

Cousin Island and its bird sanctuary

Cousin is the natural-history centerpiece of the day. Once French settlers used these islands, but today Cousin is valued for its protected native species and conservation work. The stop usually begins with a guided visit to the bird sanctuary.

I like having a guide here because the interest is not only in spotting birds. You are also learning why these islands matter and how conservation has helped protect species found nowhere else. The guided walk gives structure to the stop and helps you notice smaller details you might otherwise miss.

The island can also provide sightings of other endemic wildlife. The experience description specifically points to rare native species, as well as baby sharks and sea turtles in the wider island environment. Exact sightings cannot be promised, so bring patience rather than a checklist.

Wear comfortable shoes. This is a walking stop, and practical footwear will serve you better than sandals designed only for the beach. Sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, and light clothing are also sensible choices.

Cousin is one of the places where the tour feels more meaningful than a standard boat-and-beach outing. You are not simply stopping for a photograph. You are seeing a protected island through its wildlife and conservation story.

Curieuse: tortoises, mangroves, and island history

Curieuse offers the day’s best mixture of nature and human history. The tortoise sanctuary is usually a shorter visit than the Cousin stop, but it gives you a close look at the island’s famous giant land tortoises.

The tortoises are free-roaming, which makes the encounter feel less staged. Give yourself time to watch them rather than rushing from one enclosure to the next. Their slow pace is a useful reminder that this part of the day is meant to be enjoyed outdoors, not hurried through like a museum.

From the tortoise area, the route can continue through a mangrove forest toward the Baie Laraie lagoon. This walk is one of the most distinctive parts of the excursion. Mangroves are not as immediately dramatic as a white-sand beach, but they are important coastal habitats, and the boardwalk or trail gives you a different view of the island.

Time is the issue. The Curieuse stop may not leave enough room for the full mangrove walk, especially if the group spends longer at the tortoise sanctuary or if sea conditions slow the boat transfers. If the lagoon walk matters to you, ask the guide early in the stop how much time is available.

Curieuse also carries a more somber story. You can see the ruins of an ancient leper colony and visit the Doctor’s House, a reminder that the island once served as a place of isolation and medical care. These remains add historical weight to the visit without turning the tour into a formal history lesson.

I find this contrast valuable. One side of Curieuse is associated with giant tortoises and mangrove ecology. Another reflects the difficult lives of people sent away from the main islands. Together, they make the stop more than a wildlife encounter.

St Pierre for snorkeling and swimming

St Pierre is the day’s main water stop. The island is surrounded by clear water and coral reefs, making it a natural place for snorkeling and swimming.

Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have equipment you trust, but snorkeling gear can also be purchased during the excursion. The same applies to drinks beyond the included water. A credit card and cash are both listed as useful items to carry.

The water time is the part I would watch most closely. A scheduled session may be described as about 50 minutes, but the actual snorkeling time can be closer to 35 minutes. That is enough for a satisfying look beneath the surface, but it is not a long reef session.

The sea stop may include opportunities to see marine life such as fish, baby sharks, and sea turtles, although wildlife sightings depend on conditions and luck. Do not book this tour expecting a guaranteed encounter with a particular animal.

St Pierre works best as a refreshing break after the walking stops. You can swim, use the mask and snorkel, and enjoy the sea around the island. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, however, a dedicated snorkeling trip may offer more time in the water.

One practical point matters here: a concern was raised about anchoring near the coral at St Pierre. The island’s underwater environment is fragile, so ask the crew where the boat will moor and follow all instructions about entering and leaving the water.

Lunch on the catamaran

BBQ lunch is served aboard the catamaran, and that arrangement saves time. You can eat while remaining close to the route rather than spending another part of the day walking to a restaurant and back.

The food is Creole in style and uses local ingredients. A typical plate may include lentils, rice, salad, pumpkin, and bread, with the exact menu subject to change. Water is included, while additional beverages can be purchased.

If you are vegan, vegetarian, or have an allergy, contact the local partner directly before the excursion. A vegan meal may be possible, but a request is not guaranteed unless it is confirmed in advance. Do not assume that a booking message sent through one channel will reach the onboard crew.

The lunch setting is casual. You are eating as part of a moving day, not attending a formal meal. I like this approach because it keeps the schedule practical, but anyone who needs highly specific dietary arrangements should plan ahead.

Catamaran travel and the daily rhythm

The excursion lasts eight hours, including boat travel, island landings, snorkeling, lunch, and return arrangements. That is a full day, but the route makes good use of it.

From Praslin, hotel pickup to the departure point is available for places accessible from the main road. Transfer time depends on traffic, so your actual day can be longer than eight hours from hotel door to hotel door.

If you are staying on La Digue, you collect your tickets at the Creole Travel Services office in La Passe, opposite Fish Trap restaurant. You must arrange your own land transfer to the La Digue jetty and back to your hotel. A ferry transfer for La Digue clients is included, but the hotel-to-jetty connections are not.

Confirm your pickup time and location 48 hours before departure using the local partner’s emergency number. This is especially important if your hotel is away from the main road or if you are connecting from another island.

The guides speak English and French. The crew has been described as helpful, which matters on a boat day involving several landings and water activities. Clear instructions make a real difference when the schedule is tight.

What $263 includes, and what it does not

At $263 per person, this is not a budget boat ride. The price is easier to justify if you want several major Praslin-area highlights in one organized day.

Your fare includes the catamaran outing, landing fees on Cousin and Curieuse, BBQ lunch, water, and transfer to the departure point for Praslin clients. La Digue clients also receive the ferry transfer connected with the excursion.

The price does not cover every possible extra. Drinks beyond the included water and snorkeling equipment can be purchased separately. La Digue hotel-to-jetty transfers are also your responsibility.

For me, the value depends on how much planning you want to avoid. The tour combines boat transport, island access, guided wildlife viewing, food, and marine time. Arranging all of those pieces independently would require more coordination, and some stops may not be easy to combine in one day.

The weaker value appears if you mainly want snorkeling. You may get only around 35 minutes at St Pierre, and the itinerary’s walking and history stops take up much of the day. In that case, compare the price with a snorkeling-focused boat trip before booking.

Who should book this excursion

I would recommend this outing to first-time visitors staying on Praslin who want a broad introduction to the nearby islands. It suits people who enjoy a mix of walking, wildlife, history, swimming, and scenic boat travel.

It is also a good fit if you have one free day and want to see Cousin and Curieuse without arranging separate trips. Families with older children may enjoy the tortoises and snorkeling, though children under two are not allowed on these sea excursions.

You should think twice if you dislike fixed schedules, boat transfers, or short stops. The day moves at a steady pace, and the mangrove walk or snorkeling session may be shortened to keep the timetable on track.

The published information also mentions a Moyenne Island visit and a return toward Mahe, while the main route described here focuses on Cousin, Curieuse, and St Pierre from Praslin. Because that wording is not fully consistent, confirm the exact route and departure island before paying, especially if Moyenne is important to you.

What to bring for a better day

Pack comfortable shoes for Cousin and Curieuse, plus sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, and comfortable clothes. Bring cash and a credit card for optional purchases.

A light, secure bag is useful on a boat. Keep your passport details accurate when booking, since the names must match the names on your passport.

If you have personal snorkeling equipment, bringing it may save time and avoid an extra purchase. If you need a special lunch, contact the operator well before departure and get a clear confirmation.

Should you book the Cousin, Curieuse, and St Pierre tour?

Book it if you want the widest range of experiences in one Praslin day: a guided bird sanctuary, giant tortoises, a mangrove route, a former leper colony, snorkeling, and a Creole lunch on a catamaran.

I would not book it solely for long snorkeling sessions or a relaxed beach day. The schedule is full, the water stop may be brief, and the $263 price deserves a clear match with your priorities.

For most first-time visitors with one open day, I think the combination is worthwhile. Just confirm the exact route, arrange La Digue transfers if needed, and accept that seeing more islands means spending less time at each one.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The excursion is based on Praslin Island. Praslin clients can receive transfer to the departure point if their hotel is accessible from the main road.

How long does the excursion last?

The listed duration is eight hours. Hotel pickup and drop-off time can vary depending on traffic.

Which islands are included?

The main route includes Cousin, Curieuse, and St Pierre. The supplied activity information also mentions Moyenne Island, so confirm the exact route before departure if that stop matters to you.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch served aboard the catamaran and water are included.

Are drinks included?

Water is included. Other beverages can be purchased separately.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment can be purchased during the excursion. It is not listed among the included services.

What languages are spoken by the guides?

Guiding is available in English and French.

Can children join the excursion?

Children under two years old are not allowed on these sea excursions.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The booking also offers a reserve-now-and-pay-later option.