Tour of Cousin, Curieuse and St Pierre island on Catamaran

The best thing about this day is the variety: three very different islands in one outing. Cousin brings bird conservation and rare native species, Curieuse adds tortoises and colonial-era history, and St Pierre supplies the clearest chance for swimming and snorkeling.

I like the helpful crew and the fact that the price includes landing fees, a barbecue lunch, water, and transport to the departure point for Praslin clients. The main consideration is time. One visit may be brief, and the snorkeling stop at St Pierre has been about 35 minutes rather than the promised 50.

Key points to know before booking

• Cousin is the wildlife stop: Expect a guided visit to a protected bird sanctuary and a close look at Seychelles species.
• Curieuse combines tortoises and history: You can see free-roaming giant land tortoises, walk toward Baie Laraie through mangroves, and view the old leper colony and Doctor’s House.
• St Pierre is the water stop: Snorkeling and swimming take place in clear water, but the stop may feel short.
• Lunch is served on the catamaran: The barbecue meal includes local-style sides, with water provided.
• The crew earns strong marks: The French and English-speaking team is described as attentive and willing to help.
• Pack for a long outdoor day: Bring reef-safe sunscreen, comfortable shoes, insect repellent, cash, a card, and dry, comfortable clothing.

Three islands, one long Seychelles day

This is a busy day at sea, not a slow beach outing. You board a catamaran and move between Cousin, Curieuse, and St Pierre, with landings, a guided nature visit, a tortoise sanctuary, historic sites, lunch, and time in the water.

That range is the real value. A shorter island trip might give you one beach and one snorkeling stop. This outing gives you a better sense of how varied the Seychelles can be, from bird habitat and mangrove forest to coral water and old colonial buildings.

The advertised duration is eight hours. Pickup is optional, and Praslin clients receive transport to the departure point. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available only where vehicles can reach the main road, and transfer time depends on traffic. Confirm your exact pickup point and time 48 hours before departure using the local partner’s emergency number.

The route details deserve a quick check before you pay. The main description focuses on Cousin, Curieuse, and St Pierre, while the wider program information also refers to the Ste. Anne Marine Park islands, Moyenne Island, and a return toward Mahe. Ask the operator to confirm the exact route for your date, especially if the inclusion of Moyenne matters to you.

Cousin: a guided look at island wildlife

Cousin is the most naturalist-focused stop. Once used by French settlers, the island is now protected for rare endemic species and bird conservation. You should expect a guided walk rather than a free hour to wander alone.

That guide matters here. The island’s value is not simply the scenery. It is the chance to understand why small islands need careful protection and how conservation work has helped preserve native species. The visit may include unusual birds and other wildlife that are difficult to find on a more developed island.

Wear shoes with a good grip and clothing you can walk in. Comfortable shoes are specifically recommended, and insect repellent is sensible because parts of the day take place among vegetation. Bring water protection for your phone or camera, since you will be moving between boat and shore.

One useful point is that the Cousin visit can feel more like a short field trip than a sightseeing photo stop. If you want a guide to explain what you are seeing, this is one of the strongest parts of the day. If you prefer to spend every minute swimming, the guided walk will take time away from the beach.

A guide specifically dedicated to Cousin could make the visit even better, so ask how the guiding is arranged on your departure. English and French are the stated tour languages.

Curieuse brings tortoises, mangroves, and difficult history

Curieuse gives the day its strongest mix of wildlife and history. The island is known for its giant land tortoises, and the visit includes a tortoise sanctuary where you can encounter them at close range.

The tortoises are not a quick roadside attraction. They are one of the reasons to choose this tour over a simple catamaran cruise. You can take your time watching them move, feed, and rest, although the schedule may not allow as long a visit as you would like.

The island also has a walking route through mangroves toward the Baie Laraie lagoon. This is a different kind of Seychelles experience from the open sea. The route gives you a look at a wet coastal habitat and makes the Curieuse stop feel more substantial than a basic animal enclosure.

Plan your expectations carefully. On one recent schedule, the tortoise visit was shorter and there was not enough time for the full mangrove walk. If the mangrove route is a priority, ask at the start of the day how much walking time is planned. The order of stops and boat conditions can affect the pace.

Curieuse also carries a more sobering story. You can see the remains of an old leper colony and visit the Doctor’s House, which helps explain the island’s past beyond its postcard views. This is a valuable part of the outing because it connects the natural setting with the people who once lived and worked there.

The historic buildings and ruins are not presented as a large museum complex. Think of them as a brief, atmospheric stop within a nature day. You will get context, but this is not a full historical tour.

St Pierre is the day’s main water stop

St Pierre is where you get into the sea. The catamaran stops near coral reefs for snorkeling and swimming in clear water, with equipment available to purchase or use according to the boat’s arrangements.

The water time is appealing, but do not assume it will fill half the day. A recent schedule provided about 35 minutes of snorkeling, despite an expectation of 50 minutes. That is enough for a good look around if you enter the water quickly, but it is short for anyone who wants a relaxed swim, repeated entries, or time to adjust equipment.

I would treat St Pierre as a focused snorkeling break, not a full reef excursion. Have your mask, fins, sunscreen, and swimwear ready before the boat reaches the stop. The faster you get organized, the more of the allotted time you keep for yourself.

The coral also needs care. Anchoring can damage shallow reef areas, and a concern has been raised about the need for mooring rings at St Pierre. Follow every instruction from the crew, avoid standing on coral, and do not touch marine life. Good behavior matters here, especially in clear, shallow water where damage can be easy to cause.

The program also mentions spotting baby sharks and sea turtles. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, so take this as a possibility rather than a promise. The same applies to the wider range of endemic species seen during the day.

Lunch on board keeps the schedule moving

A barbecue lunch is served on the catamaran, with water included. Eating on board saves time and allows the group to move between stops without adding a separate restaurant visit.

The meal can include rice, salad, lentils, pumpkin, bread, and other Creole-style sides. That makes it a useful chance to try local flavors, but special diets need planning. A vegan meal was available in one case, yet a request for vegan options did not receive a reply beforehand.

If you are vegan, vegetarian, allergic to an ingredient, or dependent on a specific diet, contact the local partner directly and get confirmation before departure. Do not assume that sending a message through a booking platform will be enough.

Soft drinks and other beverages may be available for purchase. Bring cash and a credit card, since both are listed among the suggested items. Water is included, but extra drinks are not guaranteed to be part of the basic price.

The boat lunch is practical rather than leisurely. You are paying for a full day of island access, not for a long restaurant meal. I like this arrangement because it protects the sightseeing time, though anyone who wants a quiet, extended lunch may find the schedule brisk.

Catamaran travel is part of the experience

The boat ride links the stops and gives you views across the marine park. Between landings, you can sit back, watch the islands pass, and enjoy the open-water setting.

A catamaran is a good match for this itinerary because the day includes several short movements rather than one long crossing to a single island. It also gives you a place to return to for lunch, dry clothing, and a break from walking.

Sea conditions can shape the experience. The information provided does not state the catamaran’s exact capacity or seating arrangement, so you should not assume a small private group. The crew has been described as very good and helpful, which is important when boarding, handling snorkeling equipment, and moving between boat and shore.

Bring sunglasses and sunscreen, but keep them secure in the wind. Comfortable clothes are better than anything restrictive, and a light change of clothing can make the return ride more pleasant if you swim. Children under two are not permitted on these sea excursions.

The program information also refers to a possible Moyenne Island visit, a short guided tour, free-roaming giant tortoises, and time on a small beach, along with a scenic return toward Mahe. Because that material does not fully match the three-island title or the Praslin starting point, confirm whether Moyenne is part of your actual departure schedule.

Is $263 a fair price?

At $263 per person, this is not a cheap boat trip. It can still be good value if you want several major island sights in one day and would otherwise need to arrange separate boat transfers, landing fees, a meal, and guiding.

The price includes landing fees on Cousin and Curieuse, a barbecue lunch on board, water, and transport to the departure point for Praslin clients. Those inclusions reduce the number of extra costs you need to manage.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors with limited time. You get wildlife, history, mangrove scenery, snorkeling, and a catamaran ride without planning each piece separately. It is also a sensible choice if you want an organized day with an English or French guide.

The value is weaker if your main goal is long snorkeling time. A 35-minute water stop may feel too short at this price, especially if you have already paid for other reef excursions. It is also less suitable if you dislike fixed schedules or want to spend most of the day lying on one beach.

La Digue clients should note that the ferry transfer is included, but hotel-to-jetty and jetty-to-hotel land transport is your responsibility. Tickets are collected at the Creole Travel Services office at La Passe, opposite Fish Trap restaurant.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would choose this tour if you want a broad first look at the islands and prefer a planned day over arranging several separate trips. It suits couples, families with older children, photographers, wildlife fans, and anyone interested in both nature and Seychelles history.

It is especially useful for visitors staying on Praslin, since transport to the departure point is included. French and English speakers can follow the guide, and hotel pickup may be available if your accommodation is accessible from the main road.

I would hesitate if you need a slow pace, have limited mobility, or want a guaranteed long reef session. The day includes boat boarding, island landings, walking, a mangrove route, and swimming. The information does not provide detailed accessibility arrangements, so ask before booking if you need specific assistance.

The tour also suits you less if food is a serious concern and you cannot get a firm answer about dietary needs. Contact the operator before committing, particularly for vegan meals or allergies.

Booking advice and final verdict

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Make sure every passenger’s name matches the passport, then confirm the pickup details 48 hours before the tour.

Bring comfortable shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, cash, a card, and comfortable clothing. Keep your snorkeling gear ready before St Pierre, and ask early about the exact time allowed in the water and on the Curieuse mangrove route.

I would book this tour for the range of experiences: Cousin’s wildlife, Curieuse’s tortoises and leper-colony history, and St Pierre’s clear water all fit into one well-organized day. I would not book it expecting a leisurely schedule or a long snorkeling session.

For most Praslin visitors with only one free day for an island-hopping trip, $263 is reasonable because the major practical pieces are bundled together. Just confirm the route, meal requirements, pickup, and water time first. That small bit of preparation will help you enjoy the day rather than spend it wondering which island comes next.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The excursion lasts about eight hours. Hotel transfer time can vary with traffic, so the total time from pickup to drop-off may be longer.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The main route includes Cousin, Curieuse, and St Pierre. The program information also refers to Moyenne Island and the Ste. Anne Marine Park islands, so confirm the exact route for your departure date.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is served on board the catamaran, and water is included.

Are hotel transfers included?

Praslin clients receive transfer to the departure point. Optional hotel pickup and drop-off may be available when the accommodation is accessible from the main road. La Digue clients must arrange their own land transport to and from the La Digue jetty.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English and French.

Can children under two join the excursion?

No. Children under two years old are not allowed on these sea excursions.