Curieuse is not hard to reach, but it takes three steps: an international flight to Mahé, the main island; a fast ferry or domestic flight to Praslin; and a boat from Praslin to Curieuse. There is no airport, jetty for public ferries or accommodation on Curieuse itself.
At a glance
- International arrival: Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on Mahé, a few kilometres south of the capital, Victoria.
- Mahé → Praslin by sea: the Cat Cocos fast ferry from Victoria to Baie Sainte Anne, about an hour.
- Mahé → Praslin by air: Air Seychelles domestic flights to Praslin airport, around 15–20 minutes in the air.
- Praslin → Curieuse: an organised boat trip (most visitors), a taxi boat or a private charter, mostly from Côte d’Or.
Step 1: flying to Mahé
All international flights land at Seychelles International Airport on the east coast of Mahé. There are direct flights from some Gulf, European, African and Asian hubs, and many more connections via the Gulf. Before you travel, check the current entry requirements: visitors do not normally need a visa, but must meet entry conditions (such as a return ticket and accommodation booking) and, at the time of writing, apply online for a travel authorisation before departure. Rules change, so use the official Seychelles government channels.
Step 2: Mahé to Praslin
You have two choices, and the table below compares them.
| Fast ferry (Cat Cocos) | Domestic flight (Air Seychelles) | |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Victoria (Mahé) → Baie Sainte Anne (Praslin) | Mahé airport → Praslin airport (Amitié) |
| Time | About 1 hour (a little longer on some sailings) | Around 15–20 minutes in the air |
| Frequency | Several sailings a day | Frequent flights through the day |
| Good for | Most budgets; arrives on the east side of Praslin, near Côte d’Or | Speed, rough-sea days, connecting straight from an international flight |
| Watch out for | Can be rough when the south-east trade winds blow (about May–September) | Strict baggage allowances on the small aircraft — check before booking |
| Book | Online in advance, especially in high season | Online in advance; flights can sell out |
Shared or private transfer from €40 Mahé: Seychelles Airport and Ferry Transfers
The first leg of the journey to Curieuse: a pre-booked one-way transfer between the international airport and the ferry terminal in Victoria, where the boats to Praslin leave. Useful if you are connecting straight from a long-haul flight to the ferry.
- Meets your flight at Mahé airport
- Drop-off at the inter-island ferry quay in Victoria
- Air-conditioned vehicle
Island-hopping day tour from €285 From Mahé: Praslin & La Digue Island-Hopping Tour with Lunch
For visitors staying on Mahé who have only one day for the inner islands: the Vallée de Mai and La Digue’s most famous beach in a long day. It does not include Curieuse — for the tortoises you need to spend at least a night on Praslin.
- Vallée de Mai on Praslin
- Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue
- Lunch included
Boat transfer & bike from €120 Visit La Digue Island Taxi Boat Transfer & Free Bicycle
An alternative to the scheduled ferry: a taxi boat across to La Digue with a bicycle included, so you can explore the island on your own schedule.
- Taxi boat from Praslin
- Free bicycle on La Digue
- Day at your own pace
Self-guided day trip from €100 From Praslin: La Digue Boat Trip with Bike Rental
The easy way to spend a day on La Digue from Praslin: the ferry crossing and a bicycle are arranged, and the rest of the day is yours — L’Union Estate and Anse Source d’Argent, the village of La Passe and the east-coast beaches. Rated 4.8.
- Ferry crossing to La Digue
- Bicycle for the day
- Free time for L’Union Estate and the beaches
The ferry
The Cat Cocos catamarans leave from the Inter-Island Quay in Victoria, about a 20-minute drive from the airport. Allow plenty of time between landing and sailing — immigration, baggage and traffic all take time — and consider a pre-booked airport-to-ferry transfer. On arrival at Baie Sainte Anne, taxis and hotel transfers wait at the jetty; Côte d’Or is about 10–15 minutes by road. Some sailings continue to La Digue.
If you are prone to seasickness, sit low and towards the back, look at the horizon, and consider flying instead when the trade winds are strong.
The flight
Air Seychelles’ domestic flights leave from the domestic terminal next to the international one at Mahé airport, which makes them the simplest option if you land from abroad in the middle of the day. Praslin airport is on the west side of the island at Amitié, close to Grand Anse; Côte d’Or is about 20–25 minutes by taxi.
Step 3: Praslin to Curieuse
Curieuse lies just off the north coast of Praslin, a few minutes by boat from Côte d’Or. There is no scheduled public ferry, so you have three options:
- An organised boat trip (recommended): half-day or full-day trips include the boat, a guide, snorkel gear, usually the park fee and, on full days, a beach barbecue — often with pickup from your hotel. See our boat-trip guide.
- A taxi boat: local boatmen at Côte d’Or will take you across and collect you later. Agree the price, the pickup time and place, and whether the park fee is included before you go.
- A private charter: a boat for your group for half or a whole day — the most flexible and most expensive option.
From La Digue, some catamaran trips include Curieuse; otherwise take the 15-minute ferry to Praslin first. From Mahé, a few long catamaran days include Curieuse, but staying at least one night on Praslin is far easier.
Getting around Praslin and La Digue
- Bus: Praslin’s public buses run the coast roads and across the island past the Vallée de Mai. They are cheap but infrequent in the evening; carry small change.
- Taxi: available at the jetty, the airport and through hotels. Agree the fare before setting off.
- Car hire: useful for exploring Praslin’s beaches. Driving is on the left, roads are narrow and winding, and you will need your driving licence.
- La Digue: the ferry from Baie Sainte Anne takes about 15 minutes. On La Digue, hire a bicycle — it is how almost everyone gets around.
Once you have your route, choose where to sleep in our where-to-stay guide: Côte d’Or is the shortest hop to the Curieuse boats.
