From Praslin: Cousin, Curieuse & St Pierre Islands Day Tour

Wildlife, tortoises, and clear-water snorkeling fill this day. From Praslin, you visit the protected bird habitat of Cousin, walk among giant tortoises on Curieuse, and finish with snorkeling at tiny St Pierre Island. I like the three-island plan, which packs several very different Seychelles experiences into eight hours, and I like that lunch, hotel transfers, snorkeling gear, and life vests are included.

The main caution is that the day can feel rushed or poorly coordinated if boat transfers run late. You should also budget for two separate island fees, bring cash and a card, and expect a wet landing at Cousin.

Key points at a glance

• Cousin begins with a wet landing: Your main boat anchors offshore, then a Reserve boat carries you the final stretch to protect the island from introduced pests.
• Cousin is the strongest nature stop: A warden leads you through mangroves, wetlands, and forest where endemic birds and nesting seabirds are the main attraction.
• Curieuse adds giant tortoises and lunch: You get a beach BBQ, followed by time around free-ranging tortoises and the island’s natural pond.
• St Pierre is the water stop: Snorkeling takes place off the small island, with equipment and life vests supplied.
• The advertised group is small, but the island walk may not be: The booking is limited to 10 people, though the Cousin walk may join a much larger group.
• The extra fees matter: Cousin costs SCR 600 per person in cash, and Curieuse costs SCR 300 for people over 12, payable by card.

What this Praslin day trip actually includes

This is an eight-hour outing from Praslin, with hotel pickup and drop-off included. You travel to Baie Ste Anne jetty, board a boat, and cross roughly 2 kilometers to Cousin Island. After Cousin, the boat ride to Curieuse takes about 30 minutes, and the day ends with snorkeling near St Pierre.

The plan looks simple on paper, but the three stops serve different purposes. Cousin is for guided nature viewing. Curieuse combines a beach lunch with giant tortoises. St Pierre is a short marine stop, not a full beach day.

That mix is the reason I find the tour appealing. You do not spend the whole day doing one activity. You get birds, forest, tortoises, a meal, and time in the water. The trade-off is that each stop has a fixed window, so delays at the jetty or during a transfer can cut into later plans.

The excursion is described as a small-group activity with a maximum of 10 participants. That is a useful size for the boat and hotel pickup. Still, the guided walk on Cousin may be combined with other arrivals. One account described a group of roughly 40 people on the island walk, which made it hard to hear and brought more noise near nesting birds. Treat the small-group promise as applying to the booking and boat arrangements, not necessarily to every warden-led walk.

The first crossing and Cousin’s wet arrival

The trip starts at Baie Ste Anne jetty. The crossing to Cousin is short, but arrival takes planning because the main cruiser does not simply pull onto the beach. You transfer to a Reserve boat offshore, a system designed to reduce the risk of bringing pests onto the protected island.

This means you should expect to get wet from the knees down, and possibly higher depending on the sea and how you handle your belongings. A waterproof bag is not optional advice here. Keep phones, wallets, cameras, medication, and spare clothes sealed before you leave the main boat.

Follow the crew’s safety instructions. Put on the life jacket and remain seated until the smaller craft is safely beached. It is tempting to stand when you see the shore, but this is exactly when a small boat can shift.

The transfer system is one of the tour’s most useful details because it reflects the needs of a protected reserve. It is not the fastest way to land, though. If the Reserve team is handling several boats, you may wait offshore before your group reaches the beach.

Cousin Island: birds, wetlands, and a serious nature walk

Cousin is the most educational part of the outing. A warden leads the island walk through several habitats, beginning near the coast and moving through mangroves, wetlands, and forest on the hill plateau.

The mangroves help protect the coast, while the wetlands attract dragonflies, moorhens, caecilans, and Seychelles terrapins. The island’s restored forest includes endemic trees such as mapou, Indian mulberry, and bwa sousouri. These are not just scenery. The forest provides nesting sites for shearwaters and bridled terns.

Birdlife is the main reason to pay attention here. Possible endemic species include the Seychelles Magpie Robin, Sunbird, Fody, Blue Pigeon, and Seychelles Warbler. Large colonies of seabirds use the plateau, so the quality of the walk depends heavily on group behavior and the guide’s control.

You will get more from Cousin if you keep your voice low, stay with the group, and avoid stepping toward nesting areas. A noisy, oversized group can frighten birds and make it difficult to hear the warden. If wildlife protection is your main reason for booking, ask at the start how large the walking group will be and where you should stay.

The pace can also be demanding. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the visit involves moving across uneven island terrain rather than simply viewing wildlife from a boat. Wear secure footwear that can handle water and walking. Flip-flops are listed as useful for the beach, but they are not the best choice for every part of the island visit.

Curieuse Island: tortoises beside the coast

After Cousin, you take the roughly 30-minute boat ride to Curieuse. This stop shifts the focus from birds to giant tortoises.

A large population lives across Curieuse, and you may see several near the natural pond on the coast. Others range freely across the island. Their calls can be surprisingly loud, so listen as well as look. The chance to move around the same area as free-ranging tortoises is one of the day’s most memorable features.

Do not expect the Curieuse stop to function like a formal tortoise lecture. The available information suggests that you will have access to the tortoise area, but detailed explanations about their food, habitat, and daily life may be limited. If you want more context, ask your guide directly while you are there.

The schedule at Curieuse has caused confusion for some people. After lunch, you may need to walk across the island to the point where the boat waits. Make sure you know exactly where to go and what time to meet the crew before leaving the lunch area. Do not assume the captain will gather everyone for a detailed walking briefing.

This is also the point where delays matter most. The planned onward departure may be around 2 p.m., but a late arrival, slow meal service, or unclear instructions can reduce your time at St Pierre.

What the beach BBQ is really like

Lunch is served on the beach at Curieuse and includes a BBQ meal with water or a soft drink. It is convenient and keeps the day moving, since you do not need to find a restaurant or return to Praslin for food.

Set your expectations correctly. A beach BBQ here is a practical group meal, not a long restaurant lunch. One account described portions as counted and a vegetarian request as meat and fish removed from the standard plate rather than a separate vegetarian dish. If you do not eat meat or fish, state this clearly when booking and confirm the exact meal with the operator before departure.

The meal timing may also shift if the morning runs late. Bring a small snack if you are prone to getting hungry, though large bags and luggage are not allowed. A child or anyone who needs regular meals may find the schedule less comfortable when the boat is delayed.

St Pierre snorkeling and the final water stop

The last stop is St Pierre, a tiny island used as the snorkeling site. The boat stops offshore, and you enter the water to view marine life around the island.

Snorkeling equipment is included. Lightweight snorkeling vests are listed for people who are not confident swimmers, which should make the activity more approachable. In practice, equipment availability can vary, so ask the crew for a properly fitted vest before entering the water. An oversized life jacket is not a good substitute for a snorkeling vest because it can restrict your position in the water.

You do not need to be an experienced snorkeler to take part, but you should be comfortable following crew instructions in open water. The crew is meant to help beginners, and life vests are provided. If conditions are poor, the snorkeling may be shortened, moved, or canceled.

One unusual issue is stinging plankton. On at least one outing, the water stop was abandoned for that reason. Bad weather can also change the route. If St Pierre is the main reason you are booking, accept that it is the least certain part of the day.

The stop can also be affected by delays at Cousin or Curieuse. A late departure from lunch may leave only a short time for snorkeling, or the boat may pass close to St Pierre without stopping if conditions and timing do not allow the planned visit.

Price, extra fees, and what you receive for $153

The listed price is $153 per person. That includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the boat itinerary, BBQ lunch, water or a soft drink, snorkeling equipment, and life vests.

The price is not the full cost of entering the islands. Cousin charges SCR 600 per person of every age, and payment is cash only. Curieuse charges SCR 300 for anyone over 12, and payment is by credit or debit card. For two adults, that adds SCR 1,800 in total. Carry both local cash and a working card.

At $153 plus entry fees, this is not a cheap boat day. The value depends on how much you want to see in one outing. If you would otherwise pay separately for a Cousin visit, a Curieuse trip, transport, lunch, and snorkeling, combining them may be sensible.

The value drops if you mainly want a relaxed beach day or a long snorkeling session. It also drops if weather removes St Pierre from the plan and the tour does not offer a suitable replacement. The strongest part of your payment is the access to several protected islands in one day, not luxury service or a slow pace.

Timing problems and how to protect your day

Pickup is included, and you should wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Pickup times can change, so check the provider’s email rather than relying only on the first time shown when booking.

Boat delays have been a recurring concern. A departure that runs 45 minutes late can push lunch past the planned time and reduce the snorkeling window. Waiting for other people at the boat can also add time before the crossing begins.

You can reduce some of the stress by doing three things:

• Arrive early at the lobby and jetty.
• Keep your waterproof bag, cash, card, swimwear, and towel ready.
• Ask for the full meeting plan before leaving each island.

The tour is subject to weather, and the operator can change the route for safety. That is reasonable for a sea outing, but the communication should be clear. If the weather changes, ask which stop is being replaced and how much time you will have there.

English is the listed tour language. When David leads the outing, his relaxed manner and ability to speak several languages can be especially helpful for mixed-language groups. Guide quality can shape this day considerably, since the schedule and island transfers require clear instructions.

Who should book this island combination?

I would recommend it to you if you want one busy day that covers the main natural attractions around Praslin. It suits people who enjoy wildlife, do not mind wet boat transfers, and want a guided introduction to Cousin rather than simply taking photos from offshore.

It is also a good fit if giant tortoises are high on your list and you want snorkeling included without arranging another boat trip. The mix is particularly useful for a short stay on Praslin.

I would hesitate if you have limited mobility, dislike uncertain schedules, or need a guaranteed snorkeling session. It is also not ideal if you want quiet, detailed wildlife interpretation. Cousin can become crowded, and Curieuse may offer less explanation than you expect.

Pack swimwear, a towel, beachwear, secure shoes, flip-flops, cash, a credit card, and a waterproof bag. Leave luggage and large bags at your accommodation.

FAQ

How long is the Cousin, Curieuse, and St Pierre tour?

The tour lasts about 8 hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off.

Where does the tour depart from?

The tour includes a transfer to Baie Ste Anne jetty on Praslin, followed by a boat crossing of about 2 kilometers to Cousin Island.

Why do I need a waterproof bag?

The main boat anchors offshore at Cousin, and you transfer to a Reserve boat for a wet landing. A waterproof bag helps protect phones, wallets, cameras, and other belongings.

Are island entry fees included?

No. Cousin costs SCR 600 per person for all ages and accepts cash only. Curieuse costs SCR 300 for people over 12 and accepts credit or debit cards only.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch on Curieuse is included, along with water or a soft drink.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life vests are included. The snorkeling takes place at St Pierre Island.

Can the itinerary change because of weather?

Yes. The tour is subject to weather conditions. St Pierre snorkeling may be shortened or canceled, and the route may change if conditions are unsuitable.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want the most varied one-day nature outing from Praslin and can accept a brisk schedule. Cousin offers the best bird and habitat experience, Curieuse delivers the giant tortoises, and St Pierre adds a chance to see marine life.

Before paying, confirm the pickup time, the handling of vegetarian meals, the expected size of the Cousin walking group, and the plan if snorkeling is canceled. Bring SCR 600 in cash, a card for Curieuse, and a waterproof bag. With those precautions, the tour can be a strong use of one day, but it is best viewed as an active island sampler rather than a polished, perfectly timed cruise.