Curieuse Island is the small, red-soiled island a kilometre off Praslin’s north coast. It is a national park, uninhabited apart from a ranger station, and the easiest place in Seychelles to walk among free-roaming Aldabra giant tortoises — the breeding programme here has put around 250 of them on the island.
The standard day-trip lands at Anse San José, walks across the island through a coastal mangrove boardwalk to Anse Badamier, includes a barbecue lunch under the takamaka trees, then snorkels at St-Pierre islet on the way back. The tortoises live around the ranger station — they are accustomed to people and will let you sit beside them.
Best for
Families, photographers, anyone interested in tortoises or mangrove ecosystems, snorkellers.
When to go
Day-trips run year-round. The trade-wind season (May to October) can choppy the boat ride; calmer water from November to April. Wear a hat — the mid-island walk has long unshaded stretches.
How to get there
By licensed boat tour from Anse Volbert on Praslin. Most tour operators include St-Pierre snorkelling, the Curieuse walk and the barbecue; the all-in price is usually around EUR 100. The park has a separate entry fee (around SCR 600). Tours leave around 9am and return mid-afternoon.
What’s nearby
Cousin Island (a bird sanctuary) and Aride Island (further north, also a bird sanctuary) are other day-trips from the same harbour, and pair well across a few days.
