If you have seen one photograph of the Seychelles, there is a fair chance it was of St Pierre: a small mound of grey-pink granite, sculpted by wind and waves, with a handful of coconut palms on top and clear turquoise water all around. The islet lies in the bay between Praslin’s Côte d’Or and Curieuse, and you can see it from the beach at Anse Volbert.
It is far too small and rocky to land on in any comfort, and the reason to come is underwater. Almost every Curieuse boat trip stops here for snorkelling around the base of the rocks, where the granite drops into a few metres of clear water. The coral suffered, like reefs across the Seychelles, in the bleaching events of recent decades, but fish life remains rich and colourful.
What to see and do: St Pierre Islet
Snorkel around the islet
Boats anchor or drift nearby and you swim along the rocks. Expect parrotfish crunching on coral, surgeonfish and unicornfish in small shoals, butterflyfish and angelfish in pairs, and sometimes a moray eel tucked into a crevice or a turtle feeding. Visibility is usually best in the calm months around April–May and October–November. See our snorkelling guide.
Photograph it from the water
The classic photo is taken from the boat as you approach, with the palms against the sky. Morning light from the east is usually best.
See it from Côte d’Or
From the beach at Anse Volbert, St Pierre sits out in the bay with Curieuse behind it. At sunset the islet becomes a silhouette — a lovely end to the day.
How to get to St Pierre Islet
- St Pierre is visited by boat only, normally as part of a Curieuse day trip or half-day trip from Praslin. The ride from Côte d’Or takes only a few minutes.
- Some operators run short snorkelling trips just to St Pierre, and taxi boats can be chartered. Swimming out from the beach is not recommended: the distance is greater than it looks and boats pass constantly.
Insider tips
- Snorkel gear is usually provided on tours, but a mask that fits you well makes a big difference — bring your own if you have one.
- Wear a rash vest or T-shirt: snorkelling with your back to the sun burns surprisingly fast.
- Do not stand on or touch coral, and do not feed the fish.
- Ask the crew where the current is running and stay close to the group — it can be stronger off the tip of the islet.
- Use reef-friendly sunscreen, applied well before you get in.
Best tours & tickets for St Pierre Islet
These top-rated experiences pair well with a visit to St Pierre Islet:
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
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
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
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
