Every Curieuse day trip includes snorkelling, and for many visitors it is a highlight. The waters around Curieuse and St Pierre are protected within the marine national park, the boats provide the gear, and the swimming is easy in a few metres of warm water.
Where you snorkel
- St Pierre: the main stop on almost every trip. You swim around the base of the granite islet, where boulders, coral and sand patches meet.
- Around Curieuse: some trips add a second stop off the island’s rocky points, and you can snorkel from the beach at Anse José after lunch.
- Further afield: catamaran trips from Praslin and La Digue visit Coco Island, the Sisters and Félicité, with some of the best snorkelling in the inner islands.
What you might see
Parrotfish crunching on coral, shoals of surgeonfish and unicornfish, butterflyfish and angelfish in pairs, triggerfish, wrasse, sergeant majors swarming around the boat, and with luck a hawksbill or green turtle, a ray on the sand or a moray eel peering from a crevice. Corals here, as across the Seychelles, were hit by bleaching events in recent decades; recovery varies from place to place, but the fish life remains rich.
Full-day guided boat trip from €82 Curieuse Guided Tour, St Pierre, BBQ & 2 Snorkel Stops
A full-day guided cruise from Praslin to Curieuse with two separate snorkelling stops rather than one, a guided walk among the tortoises and a barbecue lunch with local drinks. Rated 4.9 from more than 1,100 reviews.
- Two snorkelling stops
- Guided visit on Curieuse with the giant tortoises
- BBQ lunch with local beer and rum
Full-day boat trip from €77 Curieuse and St. Pierre Islands Day Trip with BBQ Lunch
A slightly shorter full day, around six hours, covering the same essentials — the reefs of St Pierre, Curieuse’s tortoises and mangroves, and a Creole barbecue on the sand. Rated 4.7 from over 500 reviews.
- Snorkel over the reefs around St Pierre
- Tortoises and mangroves on Curieuse
- Creole BBQ on the beach
Half-day boat trip from €48 Curieuse and St Pierre Snorkeling Half-Day Trip No BBQ Lunch
Four hours instead of seven: the mangroves, the tortoises’ habitat and a snorkel at St Pierre, without the long beach lunch. A good choice with young children, in hot weather, or if you want the afternoon for Anse Lazio or the Vallée de Mai.
- Mangrove swamp and giant tortoises
- Snorkelling at St Pierre
- Back in time for lunch or an afternoon on the beach
Boat trip without lunch from €50 Praslin: Curieuse & St-Pierre Boat Adventure with Snorkeling
The budget way to do the full day. The boat, the tortoises, the mangroves and the snorkelling are all included, but the barbecue is not, which brings the price down to among the lowest for a Curieuse trip. Bring a picnic and plenty of water.
- Tortoises, mangroves and beaches on Curieuse
- Snorkelling at St Pierre
- Lower price — lunch not included
Catamaran snorkelling cruise from €141 Sister, Coco, and Felicite Island: Seychelles Catamaran Tour
Your second boat day. This catamaran trip from Praslin or La Digue heads for the small islands east of La Digue — Coco Island, the Sisters and Félicité — for some of the best snorkelling in the inner islands. Rated 4.8 from more than 160 reviews.
- Snorkelling at Coco Island
- Sister and Félicité islands
- Food and swimming on board
Half-day small-boat trip from €85 Half day Curieuse Island Snorkeling & Giant Tortoise
A newer half-day trip from Praslin to Curieuse: the tortoises, the mangrove trail and a snorkel. It has very few reviews yet, so treat it as an alternative when the established half-day trip is full.
- Aldabra giant tortoises
- Mangrove trail
- Snorkelling in clear water
When is the water clearest?
The calm months between the monsoons, roughly April–May and October–November, usually bring the flattest seas and best visibility. During the south-east trade winds (about May–September) some sites become choppy, though the bay between Praslin and Curieuse is relatively sheltered. Heavy rain in the north-west monsoon (about December–March) can cloud the water for a while. See when to visit.
Safety
- Listen to the crew’s briefing and stay near the group and the boat.
- Currents can be stronger off the tip of an islet; swim with them in mind and do not go out alone.
- If you are not a confident swimmer, use a life jacket or float — you cannot stand up at St Pierre.
- Wear a rash vest or T-shirt; your back burns quickly while snorkelling.
- Watch for boat traffic near beaches and islets.
Reef etiquette
- Do not stand on, kick or touch coral; keep your fins up.
- Do not feed the fish or chase turtles.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen and apply it well before you get in.
- Take nothing: shells and coral are protected in the marine park.
Gear
Masks, snorkels and fins are usually provided on organised trips. A well-fitting mask of your own makes a real difference; an anti-fog spray helps, as does a waterproof phone pouch. Scuba diving is offered by dive centres on Praslin and La Digue for those who want to go deeper.
