Curieuse Island — Giant Tortoises & Castaway Beaches
A private boat day to one of the most beloved inner islands of Seychelles — Aldabra giant tortoises on land, a protected coral marine park in the water, and a beach lunch where the only footprints are yours.
Duration
8 hours
Capacity
Up to 10 guests
Departure
La Digue · Praslin on request
Season
Year-round · best Apr-Oct
Why Curieuse is the most rewarding day at sea in the inner islands
Curieuse is the rare Seychelles island where land, reef and history meet on a single afternoon. Once a leper colony, today it is a national park rebuilt around the reintroduction of Aldabra giant tortoises — over a hundred of them roam freely on the trails. The west coast is a protected marine park: shallow, clear, alive with parrotfish, butterflyfish and the occasional hawksbill turtle. We spend the morning at anchor on the marine park side, drift over the reef on the changing tide, then beach the bow at Anse Papaie for a barbecue cooked by your captain while you walk the tortoise trail.
What you'll see in the marine park
Conditions permitting, we plan three snorkeling drops on this trip — Anse Saint-Joseph for the table corals and sergeant majors, the small bay below the ranger station for hawksbill turtles, and the southern point for a slow drift in 3-5 metres of glass-flat water. Bring a reef-safe sunscreen — we provide everything else.
The barbecue on Anse Papaie
Anse Papaie is a tongue of white sand that you can only reach by boat. Lunch is grilled fish (kingfish, snapper or job depending on the day), salads, fresh fruit and Seybrew cold from the cooler. Soft drinks and water are included; if you'd like a specific drink, tell us when you book. The beach is shared with a handful of land iguanas and the occasional tortoise that wanders out of the forest. It is one of the quietest beach lunches you can have in this archipelago.
Combine Curieuse with St-Pierre Islet on the way home
If the sea is calm, we add a snorkel stop at St-Pierre Islet on the return leg — a granite outcrop a kilometre off Anse Volbert with one of the densest concentrations of reef fish in the inner islands. It adds about 45 minutes to the day and is one of our most-requested extras.
What's included in your Curieuse day
- Private boat, no other group on board
- Local Seychellois captain who knows every reef
- Snorkeling gear in all sizes
- Drinks (water, soft drinks, beer) included
- Beach barbecue with grilled fish and salads
- Marine park fee guidance (payable on arrival)
Typical itinerary, 08:00 to 17:00
Curieuse Island — frequently asked
Are the marine park fees included in the price?
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No. The Curieuse Marine Park fee is paid on arrival to the rangers (currently around €27 per adult, free for children under 12). Our captain handles the paperwork.
Will we actually see the giant tortoises?
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Almost always. The tortoise sanctuary on Anse Saint-Joseph hosts more than 200 individuals — they roam freely. Some are over a hundred years old.
Can we visit the Doctor's House and walk to Anse Saint-Joseph?
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Yes. The trail is gentle (about 30 minutes one way) and we time the lunch so you have an afternoon window for the walk if you wish.
Is the trip suitable for children?
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Yes — the snorkeling sites are shallow and protected, the trail is family-friendly, and we provide life jackets in all sizes.
What about seasickness?
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The route from La Digue to Curieuse is inside the inner-island lagoon, sheltered most of the year. Crossings rarely exceed 30 minutes.
