Three islands, one day, lots of salt air. This full-day excursion from Praslin Island strings together Cousin Island Nature Reserve, Curieuse Island, and the St Pierre islands in a simple, organized way. I like how the day mixes land wildlife with sea time, and I especially love the BBQ lunch on Curieuse plus included snorkeling gear for St Pierre.

If you’re sensitive to rough water or you hate surprises, plan carefully. The tour day depends on boat conditions and weather, and you should also budget for separate entrance fees for Cousin and Curieuse, since those are not included in the price.

Key takeaways before you go

• Cousin Island Nature Reserve gets you close to rare birds and a tightly protected habitat
• Curieuse BBQ lunch happens on the beach, with a midday break from island hopping
• St Pierre snorkeling is short and focused, with gear provided
• Hotel pickup and drop-off saves time and stress on Praslin
• Max 15 travelers keeps the day from feeling like a school trip

Islands in one shot from Praslin: what this tour is really like

This is one of those Seychelles days that works because it removes the planning headache. You get pickup from your hotel area, transportation between islands, and a set order: Cousin first, Curieuse second (with lunch), then St Pierre for snorkeling. The whole thing runs about 8 hours and starts at 8:30 am, which means you’ll be out early but back before the evening gets long.

What you’re buying is not just the boat ride. You’re buying timing. On your own, chaining Cousin, Curieuse, and St Pierre takes coordination and scheduling that can eat a big chunk of the day. Here, you walk in with a plan and let the operator handle the routing, meals, and gear.

The group size is capped at 15, which matters. Smaller groups tend to move more smoothly, and on islands with guided or semi-guided components, that can mean less waiting and more actual time on the ground. Still, it’s an island tour: the sea and the sky are bosses, not you.

Cousin Island Nature Reserve: bird watching with a mosquito tax

Cousin Island is why this itinerary feels special. You go straight into the Nature Reserve first, then you follow it with the rest of the day. Cousin is protected for a reason, and the experience is geared toward seeing birds in their natural setting rather than doing a quick drive-by.

In practice, you should expect a lot of time spent walking and looking. The upside is that Cousin can feel intimate for an island that’s famous. The downside is that you’ll need to dress and prep like you mean it. One review highlighted mosquitoes can be intense on Cousin without adequate protection, and that lines up with what I’d consider a normal reality for warm tropical islands.

My practical advice:

• Bring strong mosquito protection (repellent and long sleeves help)
• Wear footwear that works for uneven ground
• Keep your phone and camera in a secure bag if the weather turns

Also, remember this is not a beach lay-out-and-tan stop. Cousin is about wildlife and reserve rules, so move at the pace your guide sets and pay attention to safety instructions.

Curieuse Island BBQ lunch and turtle-focused conservation time

Curieuse is where the day gets its midday rhythm. After Cousin, you’re on the water again for about a short transfer, and then you reach Curieuse for the main break: a BBQ lunch served on the beach.

This is a real change of pace. You sit, eat, and you don’t have to think about where you’re going next for a while. That matters on a day like this because your time is divided into multiple island segments. A proper sit-down meal helps you enjoy the later snorkeling stop instead of feeling rushed or fried.

Curieuse is also known for its turtles, and giant turtles are a highlight that comes up again and again. In reviews, people describe a great experience seeing turtles and also getting helpful information from tour guides on the island.

Two things to keep your expectations straight:

• The lunch is the anchor, but you’re still on a schedule for the rest of the day
• The entrance fee for Curieuse is not included, and the stated cost is SCR 300 per person for age 12 and above

If you want the best payoff from Curieuse, focus on the guided parts on the island rather than trying to speed-run it. It’s one of the easiest stops in the day to enjoy slowly, as long as you stay close to your group.

St Pierre snorkeling: short, gear-included, and very weather dependent

The final segment is snorkeling off the tiny St Pierre islands. You get snorkeling gear provided, and you get about one hour in the water as part of the tour flow.

Snorkeling here is probably the most “mission-based” part of the day. There’s less time than you might have on a full snorkeling outing, so you’ll want to treat it like a concentrated session. People who love it usually love it because the water can be clear and you’re close to marine life.

The trade-off is that snorkeling depends on conditions. In a full-day island hopping tour, wind and swell can affect:

• how comfortably you transfer
• how good the water visibility is
• how smoothly the day runs

One review complained about a rough speedboat ride, with the boat jumping in rough sea. That is not guaranteed, but it’s a reminder to assume the ride can feel bouncy when the sea gets messy. If you’re prone to motion sickness, pack what works for you, and consider bringing a change of clothes in case spray soaks you.

Safety wise, the tour strongly recommends you wear life jackets and stay seated until the craft is beached. That’s not the fun part of the day, but it keeps the day safe and on track.

Price and value: what you pay, what you still might pay

The listed tour price is $176.18 per person, about 8 hours, and it includes hotel pickup and drop-off, BBQ lunch, and one bottle of water or one soft drink per person. It also includes transportation between islands and mentions an admission ticket, but entrance fees are specifically listed as not included.

Here’s the important part for your budget:

• Cousin Island entrance fee: SCR 600 per person for all ages
• Curieuse Island entrance fee: SCR 300 per person for age 12 and above
• Entrance fee is listed as not included in the tour pricing

So, the real cost is usually the base tour price plus those island entry fees. If you’re traveling as a family, the age cutoff for Curieuse matters. It’s also worth planning cash on hand or being ready to pay on the spot, since the amounts are clearly stated.

Is it worth it? For me, it comes down to whether you’ll actually enjoy all three components:

• Cousin reserve bird time
• Curieuse lunch and turtles
• St Pierre snorkeling

If you only want one or two of those, it can feel expensive compared to choosing a single island. But if you want an efficient day that combines wildlife, food, and sea time without you coordinating boats and schedules, the value makes sense.

Logistics that make or break your day: timing, boat transfers, and group size

Your day starts at 8:30 am, with pickup and then a sequence of islands that keeps you moving. The tour ends after the St Pierre snorkeling segment, so you’re not looking at a late-night return.

Group size is capped at 15 travelers. That’s a good size for a day like this because it helps keep the boat loading smooth and reduces delays between transfers.

The one practical factor you cannot control is weather and sea state. The experience is described as requiring good weather, and it can be canceled due to poor weather, with a different date or a full refund offered. That’s exactly what you want to hear when you’re booking an island hopping day, because it means they are not forcing unsafe conditions.

Packing matters too. The tour recommends you prepare waterproof bags for your belongings. I strongly agree. One spray mistake can leave your day bag soaked, and your evening plans start looking sad fast.

And about movement: follow instructions on life jackets and seating until the craft is beached. This can sound strict, but when people are bouncing on and off boats, it’s the simplest way to prevent injuries.

Who should book this Cousin, Curieuse and St Pierre excursion

This tour fits best if you want a full Seychelles sample in one go and you like structure. I’d send it to:

• Couples and small groups who want wildlife plus snorkeling without organizing multiple tours
• Bird lovers who specifically want protected reserve time at Cousin
• People who enjoy short, efficient snorkeling sessions with gear included
• Travelers staying on Praslin who want pickup and drop-off

You might think twice if:

• You get motion sickness easily and rough sea rides would ruin the day
• You only care about one island and you hate paying for multiple segments
• You’re hoping to spend a lot of time alone on beaches, since this is a guided, scheduled itinerary

Should you book it?

I’d book it if you’re planning your Praslin time tightly and you want a day that mixes birds, turtles, and a real snorkeling stop. The included BBQ lunch, the snorkeling gear, and the hotel pickup and drop-off make it feel like a true “day out,” not a half-day add-on.

Just go in with the right mindset:

• Bring mosquito protection for Cousin
• Expect that the day depends on weather and sea conditions
• Budget for Cousin and Curieuse entrance fees (SCR 600 and SCR 300 in the stated age rules)

If those points fit your travel style, this is one of the more efficient ways to experience the Seychelles islands around Praslin in a single day.

FAQ

What islands are included on this full-day excursion from Praslin?

The tour combines Cousin Island, Curieuse Island, and the St Pierre islands. You visit Cousin’s Nature Reserve, have lunch on Curieuse, and go snorkeling off St Pierre.

How long is the tour, and what time does it start?

The duration is about 8 hours, and the start time is 8:30 am.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off provided?

Yes. The experience includes hotel pickup and drop-off on Praslin Island.

What is included in the price?

Included features are hotel pickup and drop-off, BBQ lunch, one bottle of water or one soft drink per person, local taxes, and snorkeling gear. Entrance fees are not included.

What are the entrance fees for Cousin and Curieuse?

Cousin Island entrance fee is SCR 600 per person for all ages. Curieuse Island entrance fee is SCR 300 per person for age 12 and above.

What is the cancellation policy if weather is poor?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The experience requires good weather, so if it is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.