About a kilometre north of Praslin, Curieuse is an uninhabited Marine National Park where giant Aldabra tortoises roam free, Coco de Mer palms grow wild, and the only 'facility' is a restored colonial doctor's house.
There is no pier on Curieuse — all passengers arrive by tender or zodiac to Baie Laraie beach. Expect a wet landing: step out into ankle- to knee-deep water.
💡 Pro move: No shops, restaurants, or ATMs exist on the island. Bring all water, snacks, and cash you'll need. Drones are strictly prohibited.
Curieuse has no pier — all arrivals are by tender or zodiac to the beach at Baie Laraie.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Expedition & small-ship lines (Ponant, Silversea, etc.) | Anchor in Anse Baie Laraie; zodiac to beach📍 | Tendered |
| Regional day-trip operators from Praslin | Catamaran landing at Baie Laraie or Anse St. José📍 | Tendered |
Almost all excursions combine the giant tortoise sanctuary, the mangrove boardwalk trail, and a Creole BBQ lunch on the beach.
Roughly 250 Aldabra giant tortoises were introduced here in 1978 and now roam free across the island. Visit the nursery at Baie Laraie to see hatchlings, feed adults with ranger-approved leaves, and get unforgettable close-up photos.
Find Curieuse tortoise tours →A 1.5 km trail links Baie Laraie to Anse St. José via a wooden boardwalk over mangrove swamps. Look for giant blue land crabs, mudskippers, and nesting birds. Ends at the colonial Doctor's House.
Book guided nature walks →A beautifully restored French Creole colonial villa that served the island's leper colony (1829–1965). Now a small museum covering the island's history, endemic flora, and fauna.
Find Curieuse history tours →The island's best swimming beach — powdery white sand framed by Seychellois granite boulders and calm turquoise water. A perfect end to the cross-island trail.
Find Curieuse beach excursions →Most full-day excursions include a traditional Seychellois BBQ on the beach: grilled fish, Creole chicken, saffron rice, and tropical fruit. No restaurants exist on the island, so this is the only food available.
Find full-day Curieuse tours →Wade into the shallow muddy bay at low tide and you may spot sicklefin lemon shark pups and stingrays gliding around your ankles — a wild, free experience that most tourists miss.
Book a Curieuse snorkel tour →One main trail connects the island's two beaches — start at the tortoise sanctuary and finish at the colonial Doctor's House.
The island's signature walk: begin at the tortoise nursery at Baie Laraie, cross the mangrove boardwalk, climb over granite-studded terrain, and descend to the white-sand beach at Anse St. José. Passes Coco de Mer palms and vivid red-soil vistas along the way.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Curieuse Island, Seychelles (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 81°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 21 | 6:16 AM | 6:36 PM |
| Feb | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 14 | 6:24 AM | 6:38 PM |
| Mar | 83°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 15 | 6:22 AM | 6:29 PM |
| Apr | 83°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 18 | 6:16 AM | 6:17 PM |
| May | 83°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 23 | 6:15 AM | 6:10 PM |
| Jun | 80°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 18 | 6:21 AM | 6:13 PM |
| Jul | 78°F / 26°C | 77°F / 25°C | 15 | 6:26 AM | 6:19 PM |
| Aug | 78°F / 26°C | 77°F / 25°C | 12 | 6:22 AM | 6:20 PM |
| Sep | 80°F / 27°C | 77°F / 25°C | 18 | 6:10 AM | 6:14 PM |
| Oct | 81°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 17 | 5:57 AM | 6:08 PM |
| Nov | 81°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 18 | 5:52 AM | 6:10 PM |
| Dec | 81°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 24 | 6:01 AM | 6:23 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Curieuse is a tender port — passengers are ferried ashore by ship tender or Zodiac. No pier; all arrivals are by small boat.
Full-day and half-day boat tours depart from Praslin, typically including guided walks, giant tortoise encounters, snorkeling at St. Pierre, and optional Creole BBQ lunch. Many cruise excursions use this format.
Private water taxis from Praslin offer flexible scheduling to reach Curieuse. Price typically includes the marine park entry fee.
All exploration on Curieuse is on foot along designated nature trails. The island has no vehicles or roads — it is a protected marine national park.
Upcoming cruises that call at Curieuse Island, Seychelles. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.